Why does everyone want a pass rusher again in the 1st round....

Originally posted by English:
You can never have too many pass rushers.

That being said, I want at least two receivers and a guard from this draft, but if the prospects don't give good value at the position for our 1st round pick, I'll take a pass rusher.

Running back? Not in the first.

+1

Not in the 1st, BUT we do need one early. My reasons, Brooks may very well leave via free agency, Haralson should be either put back as a pass-rush specialist or second string altogether. But I do believe Haralson is a good back up, pretty decent against the run. But if we get all three back than I'd say keep it as it is. BUT, if Baalke does in act take a pass rusher in the 2nd or maybe even the 3rd and Brooks is re-signed, then Haralson is a goner.

Originally posted by SteveYoung:

Originally posted by SundayTicket:
We just drafted Aldon last year, we still have Brooks/Haralson who are still good just need to be resigned.. our front 3 did extremely well..

we have MAJOR holes over pass rushing... CB is a major hole... WR is a major hole.. and Frank Gore is only getting older... i swear every year all i hear is we need a pass rusher blahhh..

You do realize that Brooks is an UFA this year right? If he leaves, OLB becomes priority #1. Nothing else is even close.

And why do you think we had the leagues top defense this year? What is one of the bigest reason's the Giants won the Super Bowl? Why have the Steelers had such a good defense this decade?

Pass rush.

I must realize that brooks is a FA this year since i said "He just needs to be resigned".. and if we had 1 of the top defenses last year and he is resigned, then i suppose the means we have one of the top defenses again this year?

Im not seeing your point ... obviousley pass rush is important just like catching TD's is.. but this year offense was obviousley our biggest problem and not having a big WR to convert our 3rd downs.. If we keep the same defense in tact i dont see how you believe another pass rush is a bigger need than areas on offense.

Originally posted by SundayTicket:
I must realize that brooks is a FA this year since i said "He just needs to be resigned".. and if we had 1 of the top defenses last year and he is resigned, then i suppose the means we have one of the top defenses again this year?

Im not seeing your point ... obviousley pass rush is important just like catching TD's is.. but this year offense was obviousley our biggest problem and not having a big WR to convert our 3rd downs.. If we keep the same defense in tact i dont see how you believe another pass rush is a bigger need than areas on offense.

It absolutely is. WR isn't going to be an automatic fix and WR's can be found anywhere in the draft. Top 3-4 OLB's are harder to come by. If it comes down to it, I'd rather they draft all for defense and improve upon the team's strength and then re-sign Morgan and maybe sign a guy like Meachem who is more ready to contribute than your typical rookie WR and maintain their edge.

There's maybe 1 premier WR in the draft this year and that's Blackmon, aside from him and possibly Floyd and Kendall Wright there's about 10-12 guys who are pretty much in the same range, all who have their own particular defects and will need time to develop.

I'd much rather go OLB in the 1st round, DE/DT in the 2nd and then look at at a WR if there's someone available that seemed like a good fit in the later rounds.

Welker=undrafted
Cruz=undrafted
Colston=7th round
Steve Smith=3rd round
Mike Wallace=3rd round
Brandon Marshall=3rd round


Morgan will be back, the offense will have another year of familiarity, sign a guy like Meachem off the street, draft a rookie in rounds 3-6 and the 49ers will be fine.

Haralson is a luxury as a back up, but is a liability as a starter. If Brooks doesn't resign, they have to get another OLB. Even with Brooks they need to start grooming another OLB, 3 just is not enough.

Originally posted by LottOfDefense:
Haralson is a luxury as a back up, but is a liability as a starter. If Brooks doesn't resign, they have to get another OLB. Even with Brooks they need to start grooming another OLB, 3 just is not enough.

This.


Next year they face Brady, Rodgers and Brees, all on the road. The pass-rush as it is disappeared for long stretches this season. They should be looking to further improve it, not just hope it stays the same.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by LottOfDefense:
Haralson is a luxury as a back up, but is a liability as a starter. If Brooks doesn't resign, they have to get another OLB. Even with Brooks they need to start grooming another OLB, 3 just is not enough.

This.


Next year they face Brady, Rodgers and Brees, all on the road. The pass-rush as it is disappeared for long stretches this season. They should be looking to further improve it, not just hope it stays the same.

I understand that completely.. im agreeing.. but you REALLY believe it outweighs the needs of other positions? Luckily Alex Smith had Vernon Davis and Greg Williams trying to blitz him during that last 5minute shoot out in the playoffs otherwise we were toast.. Teams next year will know this and make certain plays harder on us.. We need receivers to compliment our offense.. We can get as much pressure as we want on the opposing teams QB but if we arent scoring we are gonna have a tough time getting where we were last year.. granted we won with tough defense and mistake free football, but alot of our games were to the dead end and close and we came out on top, thats something we also cannot hope just stays the same.

I guess the basic thing is whether or not we sign a FA (e.g. Colston, Meachum, et al.) and that combined w/ Morgna/Crabs... would settle us for the near future. If this happens i would certainly trust Balke to hit the jack pot w/ another pass-rusher. I also believe that WR can be found in the mid to late rounds, if we go that route.

One question in terms of pass rushers though... "Do you think Larry Grant can fill the void; should Brooks walk...?"

Originally posted by SundayTicket:
I understand that completely.. im agreeing.. but you REALLY believe it outweighs the needs of other positions? Luckily Alex Smith had Vernon Davis and Greg Williams trying to blitz him during that last 5minute shoot out in the playoffs otherwise we were toast.. Teams next year will know this and make certain plays harder on us.. We need receivers to compliment our offense.. We can get as much pressure as we want on the opposing teams QB but if we arent scoring we are gonna have a tough time getting where we were last year.. granted we won with tough defense and mistake free football, but alot of our games were to the dead end and close and we came out on top, thats something we also cannot hope just stays the same.

Absolutely it does. I'd much rather find a top 3-4 OLB in the 1st round and then look for talent at WR in later rounds, or look at a bargain pickup in free agency. This team is built on their defense, that has to continue being a strength, the pass-rush has to continue to be a strength, otherwise you can add a dozen receivers and this team will still struggle.


The 49ers should be building on their defense, making it even more formidable in recognition of the schedule getting a hell of a lot tougher next season.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Absolutely it does. I'd much rather find a top 3-4 OLB in the 1st round and then look for talent at WR in later rounds, or look at a bargain pickup in free agency. This team is built on their defense, that has to continue being a strength, the pass-rush has to continue to be a strength, otherwise you can add a dozen receivers and this team will still struggle.


The 49ers should be building on their defense, making it even more formidable in recognition of the schedule getting a hell of a lot tougher next season.

Oops... just realized that Grant is ILB... stands the reason why he subbed for Willis when he was injured.

Just b/c they take a pass rusher in the 1st round doens't mean they are going to totally neglect the wr position. They have more than one pick and free agency.

In this order:

1. BPA
2. BPA
3. BPA
4. BPA
5. BPA
6. BPA
7. BPA

The team needs a long term answer at QB, CB & WR. If there is value at CB or WR at 30 they need to pull the trigger there. If Dashon is not tagged or signs a long term deal you can put safety right up there too.

If Brooks leaves OLB arguably becomes our greatest need. There is nobody on the roster currently who is capable of taking over his spot.

I've been keeping my eye on Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois. I think he's a true junior. Only one year of production, but man, he had a hell of a year. Led the nation in sacks, has a motor that never stops, high character, and showed the abiltity to set the edge in the run game. Similar to Aldon, he is a long-limbed athlete with powerful hands , and lined up at DE and DT in college. Definetly a name to keep your eye on come draft day.

Originally posted by SundayTicket:

We just drafted Aldon last year, we still have Brooks/Haralson who are still good just need to be resigned.. our front 3 did extremely well..

we have MAJOR holes over pass rushing... CB is a major hole... WR is a major hole.. and Frank Gore is only getting older... i swear every year all i hear is we need a pass rusher blahhh..

Couple reasons:

1) Because people recognize that whether Brooks comes back or not, OLB is a MAJOR hole. Brooks will be difficult to retain, but even if he is.. we have a grand total of THREE OLBs, making us one injury away from total devastation in our pass-rushing corps.

2) With the OLB class being top heavy (meaning lots of high-round talent and major drop-off after the 3rd round), an OLB is a definite possibility for being the BPA at #30. BPA reigns supreme.