Would you be willing to trade up to number 1?

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:
I understand the value of a player like Garrett...however, unless the Niner FO beefs up our DL significantly, taking an elite PR with our 1st pick has less value. Aldon Smith was great primarily because of Justin Smith. We have two young twin towers who should develop into fine players, but there's no depth of any consequence beyond them & Dorsey. I still think Blair has a lot of potential...but O'Neil needs to figure out how to best use him. We just don't have much DL quality depth....as Denver showed in the last SB, having it (and a DC who knows how to use it) can win championships. All this is a long way of saying again, the Niners need to trade down to acquire more talent at a variety of positions. It's the best elixir I know of to get better sooner instead of later.

I think it's the exact opposite. If Ian Williams doesn't make it back we could use depth at NT but I think a stud edge rusher would make our defense infinitely better. We've got two or three young DT's with serious potential who are being asked to do too much because we don't have a high motor threat on the outside. If we get some serious heat coming around the edges, the interior will get some breathing space to create mayhem - which pressures QB's which gives our secondary the opportunity to make plays.

A stud edge rusher, keeping our veterans healthy and a genuine NFL caliber defensive coordinator is all we need to be a top 10 D, maybe top 5.

Originally posted by Jasta:

I think it's the exact opposite. If Ian Williams doesn't make it back we could use depth at NT but I think a stud edge rusher would make our defense infinitely better. We've got two or three young DT's with serious potential who are being asked to do too much because we don't have a high motor threat on the outside. If we get some serious heat coming around the edges, the interior will get some breathing space to create mayhem - which pressures QB's which gives our secondary the opportunity to make plays.

A stud edge rusher, keeping our veterans healthy and a genuine NFL caliber defensive coordinator is all we need to be a top 10 D, maybe top 5.

Agree with all of that

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:

I understand the value of a player like Garrett...however, unless the Niner FO beefs up our DL significantly, taking an elite PR with our 1st pick has less value. Aldon Smith was great primarily because of Justin Smith. We have two young twin towers who should develop into fine players, but there's no depth of any consequence beyond them & Dorsey. I still think Blair has a lot of potential...but O'Neil needs to figure out how to best use him. We just don't have much DL quality depth....as Denver showed in the last SB, having it (and a DC who knows how to use it) can win championships. All this is a long way of saying again, the Niners need to trade down to acquire more talent at a variety of positions. It's the best elixir I know of to get better sooner instead of later.

As for Blair, he needs to sub for Harold. Eli is a non factor on the field. Blair would get a better push off the edge and he's better in pursuit, which should help the run D.

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:
I understand the value of a player like Garrett...however, unless the Niner FO beefs up our DL significantly, taking an elite PR with our 1st pick has less value. Aldon Smith was great primarily because of Justin Smith. We have two young twin towers who should develop into fine players, but there's no depth of any consequence beyond them & Dorsey. I still think Blair has a lot of potential...but O'Neil needs to figure out how to best use him. We just don't have much DL quality depth....as Denver showed in the last SB, having it (and a DC who knows how to use it) can win championships. All this is a long way of saying again, the Niners need to trade down to acquire more talent at a variety of positions. It's the best elixir I know of to get better sooner instead of later.

I think the need for a dominant pass rusher greatly outweighs the need for DL depth. Nose tackles can be found later on in the draft or in free agency but its crucial to be able to generate a consistent pass rush which is what the 49ers are lacking in badly. If you have a shot at a guy like Garrett, you take it, adding him will make the entire defense better as a whole. The backend looks better because now you have a legit pass rushing threat, offenses are forced to go max protect more often. Your other guys on the front seven get more 1 on 1 opportunities as teams will have to focus their attention on Garrett, more favorable matchups for Buckner, Armstead and Lynch...etc. You can get to the QB with 4 more often, meaning less need to rely on blitzing to generate a pass rush and more favorable coverage matchups in the secondary.