For all of the draftniks who think the Niners need a big fat NT.

I am amazed at how many people say we can't draft so and so because they are a 4-3 DE or so and so because they are not a 3-4 DE. The Niners only ran a pure 3-4 defense 35% of the time or so. Isaac Sopoaga was in on only 31 % of the niners defensive snaps. When teams go into multiploe WR sets and the niners go into a nickel or dime package the NT comes out and McDonald and Smith play the 3 technique instead of the 5 technique position. This essentially means that 65% of the time the niners are in a hybrid or a 4-3 defense.

So the Zoners who want to draft a run stuffer that weighs 350 pounds with the first round pick, I say NO. I would rather have Smiths replacement who will be on the field the majority of the time than a run stuffer who is only in on 35% of downs.

See the link, NT is not used as much for the 9ers.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Could-Cut-Ties-With-Defensive-Anchor-190701441.html

This is a valid point. That said, 35% of the time, we do need a run stuffing nose.

A big reason we spent 65% of the time in nickel and dime packages is because teams gave up on the run game due to our ability to shut it down. It is important that we retain the ability to make teams one-dimensional.

Originally posted by 9erred:
I am amazed at how many people say we can't draft so and so because they are a 4-3 DE or so and so because they are not a 3-4 DE. The Niners only ran a pure 3-4 defense 35% of the time or so. Isaac Sopoaga was in on only 31 % of the niners defensive snaps. When teams go into multiploe WR sets and the niners go into a nickel or dime package the NT comes out and McDonald and Smith play the 3 technique instead of the 5 technique position. This essentially means that 65% of the time the niners are in a hybrid or a 4-3 defense.

So the Zoners who want to draft a run stuffer that weighs 350 pounds with the first round pick, I say NO. I would rather have Smiths replacement who will be on the field the majority of the time than a run stuffer who is only in on 35% of downs.

See the link, NT is not used as much for the 9ers.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Could-Cut-Ties-With-Defensive-Anchor-190701441.html

What if Smith's replacement isn't there? Do you just draft a guy all of a sudden because he's a defensive end and no other reason?


Additionally, if you draft a DE, who's going to play more snaps next season, a starting NT or a backup DE? There's also no guarantee that an NT wouldn't play more snaps. Soap's snaps dropped off this year from last, some of that had to do with how team's were scheming against the offense, I feel another part was attributed due to his reduced overall effectiveness.

So yeah, you can look at simply as an issue of snaps, I look at it as matchup issue. There's no position on the defense that the 49ers can improve on defense more than NT IMO. If they can find a top DE such as Datone Jones in the 1st round, great, I'm all for it, but if they don't have any particularly compelling prospects available, then there's no reason not to select a player like Jenkins or Williams.

Originally posted by JamesGatz83:
This is a valid point. That said, 35% of the time, we do need a run stuffing nose.

A big reason we spent 65% of the time in nickel and dime packages is because teams gave up on the run game due to our ability to shut it down. It is important that we retain the ability to make teams one-dimensional.

Additionally with the teams like the Patriots running up to 90 offensive snaps a game and the Eagles going to a hurry up offense. The future DL need to be able to stuff the run, rush the passer AND have endurance. If you can get that in a 350 pounder, go for it. I am just saying a 3-4 DE in shape probably will see the field more than a run stuffing one gap NT.

Still need a run stuffer, just not with the 1st. rd. pick. We still need one within the 2nd-4th rds. as we got gashed repeatedly inside, and we gave up more 100yrd. rushers than we have in previous seasons. We're either old or in-experienced at NT with no future heir appearant. So, I can agree - not with our 1st. pick, but a definite need.

No one thinks RJF can shoulder the load 35% of the time?

Originally posted by AXEGRINDER:
No one thinks RJF can shoulder the load 35% of the time?

LOL, no.


I don't think he's even that great as a backup, let alone a starter.

Has everyone lost interest in Dobbs already? I still believe he can play DE, maybe not at Smiths level but I did like what I saw from him. Just curious what you guys think

Read something on Pro Football Focus about this particular problem. Their suggestion...............re-sign Aubrayo Franklin . On the surface, it sounds ridiculous, but he can still play the run very well. Just a thought..........

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/02/11/2013-team-needs-san-francisco-49ers/

The number 1 priority on the D-line is to find Justin Smith's replacement. That would be someone with a quick first step and a nonstop motor, who is big enough to line up at end in the base D, and inside on pass rushing downs. Assuming Smith recovers 100% from his tricep injury, the rookie would spell Smith and McDonald, who played on 96% of our defensive snaps, while he learns the position. Strengthening our DT/DE with a three man rotation should give Aldon Smith more sacks.

We can find good Nts later in the draft, which is fitting cause they will only be in on 1/3 of the snaps.

Originally posted by m_brockalexander:
Read something on Pro Football Focus about this particular problem. Their suggestion...............re-sign Aubrayo Franklin . On the surface, it sounds ridiculous, but he can still play the run very well. Just a thought..........

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/02/11/2013-team-needs-san-francisco-49ers/

this! franklin didn't have too bad of a year with the chargers. I think this would be a smart move for the niners

The fact that the nose tackle isn't on the field a ton is why I like the potential of getting Jonathan Jenkins. Dominant when he's on, but get's tired too easily. Won't be getting tired if he plays less than 50% of the snaps

But I agree that a NT is a staple to every 3-4 defense and having one does mean teams won't want to run on us, explaining why we move to the nickel or dime 65% of the time to defend the pass.

good points but none the less we still need someone, who is not RJF, to replace soap because we still need to be stout against the run. maybe we shouldnt use a 1st but our 2nd or one of our thirds should be used on a run stuffer. datone in the first and Brandon Williams with our first 3rd!

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by 9erred:
I am amazed at how many people say we can't draft so and so because they are a 4-3 DE or so and so because they are not a 3-4 DE. The Niners only ran a pure 3-4 defense 35% of the time or so. Isaac Sopoaga was in on only 31 % of the niners defensive snaps. When teams go into multiploe WR sets and the niners go into a nickel or dime package the NT comes out and McDonald and Smith play the 3 technique instead of the 5 technique position. This essentially means that 65% of the time the niners are in a hybrid or a 4-3 defense.

So the Zoners who want to draft a run stuffer that weighs 350 pounds with the first round pick, I say NO. I would rather have Smiths replacement who will be on the field the majority of the time than a run stuffer who is only in on 35% of downs.

See the link, NT is not used as much for the 9ers.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Could-Cut-Ties-With-Defensive-Anchor-190701441.html

What if Smith's replacement isn't there? Do you just draft a guy all of a sudden because he's a defensive end and no other reason?


Additionally, if you draft a DE, who's going to play more snaps next season, a starting NT or a backup DE? There's also no guarantee that an NT wouldn't play more snaps. Soap's snaps dropped off this year from last, some of that had to do with how team's were scheming against the offense, I feel another part was attributed due to his reduced overall effectiveness.

So yeah, you can look at simply as an issue of snaps, I look at it as matchup issue. There's no position on the defense that the 49ers can improve on defense more than NT IMO. If they can find a top DE such as Datone Jones in the 1st round, great, I'm all for it, but if they don't have any particularly compelling prospects available, then there's no reason not to select a player like Jenkins or Williams.

While I agree wholeheartedly drafting Cowboy's replacement should be our #1 priority, it may not be the first pick. We have enough picks this year to play around with. Whether that means moving up in the first round or taking an extra pick or two in the second round, it's all good.

BJ Raji and Haloti Ngata both play on the ends of a 3-4 and can play NT. We need that kinda versatility because were not getting a cowboy this draft.