Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
I like the thought of adding Gibson, but none of those players is a potential difference-maker, they are all solid #3 WR's at best.
I also don't see all these holes in the defense like you are saying. Add Richard Seymour and you've got depth at DE. Re-sign Soap, draft Hughes, along with Ian Williams,better off overall at NT.
In the secondary, Rogers won't be cut, his savings would be minimal, so its the same group coming back, minus Brock, who would be replaced by Alford, I see that as a huge plus and Alford as a potential replacement for Brown if they can't re-sign him or Rogers if they do cut him a year or two down the road.
I see both Goldson and Whitner returning. No point in the 49ers cutting an experienced safety like Whitner just because. His contract is up at the end of next season, at which point he would be allowed to walk and Williams would take over his spot after having had a year to develop.
Beyond that, what are these holes that you're seeing on the defense? They are set at linebacker, set at CB with Brown and Culliver for now. Set at DE with Ray McDonald and Justin Smith. Obviously they need a potential replacement for Justin and I'd love to see the 49ers acquire a stud 3-4 DE but I just don't see any that will likely be available if Datone Jones goes early, if thats the case, they might as well make the offense more explosive.
This defense as is, will one of the best in the NFL again, ranking at the very top, if you can make this offense more dynamic, that's a hell of a difficult matchup for virtually every team out there. I know the visceral response is to blame the defense after the Superbowl, but if the 49ers don't give up that kick return to Jacoby Jones, if they have more depth at DE, if their offensive is more explosive and dynamic, there's no way they lose that game.
The way I look at it, this team needs:
1. Playmakers on offense, particularly those who can excel in the red-zone. Austin with his insane quickness and Rogers with his strength and size, both foot the bill.
2. Depth on defense. Adding Seymour, Logan, Collins, Alford and Williams covers depth.
3. Improved special teams coverage-You add Alford, Thomas and Collins to the special teams and let them use their athletic abilities to light people up.
I agree with your team needs. I don't understand why people think we don't need WRs. We simply don't have playmakers outside of Crab and Davis. I'm hoping Jenkins will be another playmaker but besides that Manningham and Williams are both depth guys and who knows how the injury will effect them. I don't feel confidant with just Crab and Davis as the only guys that can get 100+ yards in a game and anyone that does is delusional.
I think with the defense we should definitly grab one of the top teir NT Jenkins, Hankins, or Williams and than hit depth in the 3rd round like you did with Bennie Logan. We get a solid back up and hopefully a future starter(McDonald is from LSU just like Logan). I also think we need a beastly pass rusher. Im kinda hoping we get the BPA pass rusher at 31.