Which current 49ers fit in a 4-3 defense, which don't, and what will it look like

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by TTown9ers:

http://www.uwdawgpound.com/2013/9/13/4727200/the-4-3-under-defining-the-defense

Beat article I've seen on the 4-3 under so far.

Thanks...adding these all to the 2017 Team Information thread.

Agree! A very good article that makes it clear that there are many variations not only to the general scheme but with each position and what players are used. For instance, many have been saying that an UnderTackle has to be smaller and quicker but this article makes it clear that is not uniform across all UnderTackle defenses. This is something I was hoping to read as I would like them to use our best players and develop/morph the scheme to the personnel's strengths.

It gets confusing when trying to figure out "who has to play where". This article is just one approach.

Looking at Carroll's lineups over the years makes it even more confusing. One year, he had a 320 lb man playing 5t (LDE). Last year he had a 310 lb man playing 3T (RDT).

None of these are rules.

There's one rule to the front in this scheme: Get talent, put it in a position to wreck offenses.

Originally posted by Lobo49er:

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by TTown9ers:

http://www.uwdawgpound.com/2013/9/13/4727200/the-4-3-under-defining-the-defense

Beat article I've seen on the 4-3 under so far.

Thanks...adding these all to the 2017 Team Information thread.

Agree! A very good article that makes it clear that there are many variations not only to the general scheme but with each position and what players are used. For instance, many have been saying that an UnderTackle has to be smaller and quicker but this article makes it clear that is not uniform across all UnderTackle defenses. This is something I was hoping to read as I would like them to use our best players and develop/morph the scheme to the personnel's strengths.

It gets confusing when trying to figure out "who has to play where". This article is just one approach.

Looking at Carroll's lineups over the years makes it even more confusing. One year, he had a 320 lb man playing 5t (LDE). Last year he had a 310 lb man playing 3T (RDT).

None of these are rules.

There's one rule to the front in this scheme: Get talent, put it in a position to wreck offenses.

Takes the NBA best 5 approach towards the DL and makes it the best 4 based on the situations. Overall attributes can go along way compared to being great at one thing but needs more work in other areas.

YouTube 49ers vs Dolphins, 49ers vs Bills 1995, enjoy.

Pete Carroll was Seifert's DC.

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by 808niner4lyphe:

If AA stays healthy this upcoming season. He'll prove all you doubters and naysayers to be wrong and eat a big plate of crow sh!t. Give the guy a break, he was injured for Christ's sake. It's like expecting a 4 wheel drive to climb a steep hill with just 3 wheels. I remembered before the injury, Staley and the whole OLine was raving about how unblockable AA was and he will break out last season. Unfortunately he got injured and didn't fulfilled those expectations, its not his fault he got hurt, he didn't planned on getting hurt, its football, sh!t and injuries happens all the time. I believe AA and DEFO will be beasts in the new system being aggressive, because they can easily beat their man one-on-one as long as we have a stud like BWilliams or Poe to take the double teams up the middle. Its like having Bennett and Avril on the field for Seattle.

I agree that Armstead can slide in at either LDE or RDT next to the nose guard in this new system. With two healthy shoulders and another year under his belt, Armstead will be fine. He's not easily blocked one on one typically and has been especially good when kicked inside.

So that said, Armstead may be a better fit as a penetrator at DT than playin the LE, but I don't think it's out of the question for him to play outside some. He's certainly athletic enough. Michael Bennett at 6-3 274 ran a 5.13 at the combine. Armstead at 6-7 292 ran a 5.10.

Oddly (and sadly) enough, mid-way through the season -- before he aggravated the shoulder injury to the point where it needed surgery -- he led the team in sacks with... 2.

The part about AA that is just heartbreaking, is that Chip had to win, or DC had to win, so guess what? AA stays in the lineup which makes him obviously an easy touch since he can't use his shoulders, and is not that helpful on D. Instead of sittng him and getting his shoulder fixed, both HC and DC keep him in lineup. That to me was the lowest point of a really low yr. And it made his rehab later, as well as his return time to starter. Damn shame, altho i understand the reasoning of both HC and DC. Still, they should have done the right thing. When your job is on the line, then it is Ws, not is somebody nicked up or not. Arik's was bad enough for surgery, he should have been surgerized 2 months earlier than happened. Crap.

Originally posted by NCommand:

AA has a grand total of 720 snaps for his entire career. 345 of those was with a ripped shoulder last year. The other 375 he was mostly used in pass rush situations as a rookie (not focused on run stopping) as he was being eased into the lineup. In short, we don't know s**t about AA yet.

Spot on. Unfortunately both HC and DC had to win now. So Arik played. But he sure as heck shouldn't have. This was a disgrace. I just hope he is healed and takes up where he left off, when he really was starting to come around.

Originally posted by Lobo49er:

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by TTown9ers:
http://www.uwdawgpound.com/2013/9/13/4727200/the-4-3-under-defining-the-defense

Beat article I've seen on the 4-3 under so far.

Thanks...adding these all to the 2017 Team Information thread.

Agree! A very good article that makes it clear that there are many variations not only to the general scheme but with each position and what players are used. For instance, many have been saying that an UnderTackle has to be smaller and quicker but this article makes it clear that is not uniform across all UnderTackle defenses. This is something I was hoping to read as I would like them to use our best players and develop/morph the scheme to the personnel's strengths.

It gets confusing when trying to figure out "who has to play where". This article is just one approach.

Looking at Carroll's lineups over the years makes it even more confusing. One year, he had a 320 lb man playing 5t (LDE). Last year he had a 310 lb man playing 3T (RDT).

None of these are rules.

There's one rule to the front in this scheme: Get talent, put it in a position to wreck offenses.

I've been trying to figure out where the best fit in a 4-3 is for AA and Buckner. I imagine that they will get moved around a fair bit, but I think Buckner is more likely to play a 5T most of the time. If Buckner does generally play a 5T then it seems likely that AA would play a 3T more often than not. But I think the best 3T players are quick off the snap and AA often is actually slow off the snap. As a 3T, though, if he gets the right leverage on the guard, he is often a nearly unstoppable. I'll admit, though, that interior line play is something I don't understand particularly well and I'm not nearly as familiar with the interior line play of a 4-3 rather than a 3-4, so my impressions could be complete bullocks.

Originally posted by SmokeCrabtrees:
Takes the NBA best 5 approach towards the DL and makes it the best 4 based on the situations. Overall attributes can go along way compared to being great at one thing but needs more work in other areas.

Exactly! Many thought Justin Smith was too small to succeed in a 3/4 but he was a monster. He would have been successful in any scheme because he is a Football Player of elite level. Armstead and Buckner may or may not have his tenacity but they certainly have been elite in college and have been solid as young players. I expect them to excel in this scheme.

Originally posted by 49erphan:

Originally posted by Lobo49er:

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by TTown9ers:
http://www.uwdawgpound.com/2013/9/13/4727200/the-4-3-under-defining-the-defense

Beat article I've seen on the 4-3 under so far.

Thanks...adding these all to the 2017 Team Information thread.

Agree! A very good article that makes it clear that there are many variations not only to the general scheme but with each position and what players are used. For instance, many have been saying that an UnderTackle has to be smaller and quicker but this article makes it clear that is not uniform across all UnderTackle defenses. This is something I was hoping to read as I would like them to use our best players and develop/morph the scheme to the personnel's strengths.

It gets confusing when trying to figure out "who has to play where". This article is just one approach.

Looking at Carroll's lineups over the years makes it even more confusing. One year, he had a 320 lb man playing 5t (LDE). Last year he had a 310 lb man playing 3T (RDT).

None of these are rules.

There's one rule to the front in this scheme: Get talent, put it in a position to wreck offenses.

I've been trying to figure out where the best fit in a 4-3 is for AA and Buckner. I imagine that they will get moved around a fair bit, but I think Buckner is more likely to play a 5T most of the time. If Buckner does generally play a 5T then it seems likely that AA would play a 3T more often than not. But I think the best 3T players are quick off the snap and AA often is actually slow off the snap. As a 3T, though, if he gets the right leverage on the guard, he is often a nearly unstoppable. I'll admit, though, that interior line play is something I don't understand particularly well and I'm not nearly as familiar with the interior line play of a 4-3 rather than a 3-4, so my impressions could be complete bullocks.

I always appreciate your posts 49erphan...always humble too.

But it sounds like to me you've got it down. I think most could see a shuffling between AA & Buckner at LDE/5T and RDT/3T. AA is used to playing on the left. But he and Buckner have played every spot in a 3-4 so no big deal. Typically, that 5T is an edge setter, funnels runs inside and works in tandem with the SAM who lines up next to him to ensure no RB gets to the edge. They'll both usually try and blow up the RT and TE/FB. You might see some stunts here and there but it's mostly a vanilla spot and his job will be to muscle the RT into submission. If he adds any pass rush (and both Buckner and AA are capable of 6-8 sacks a year from there), it's a bonus. The 5T is certainly not an edge rusher but it could be ideal (like Bennett) if you can find a player who's equally effective at stuffing the run AND pass rushing but that's rare. The 5T is single blocked usually and he's usually responsible for just one gap. In fact, 3 of the 4 of the DL only have to deal with one gap and one blocker.

Next up is the 1T/NT. This guy is typically, the only one who has to be responsible for 2 gaps and 2 blockers. He's the work horse. Ironically, that's the former role of Buckner and AA in our 3-4. So right now, we have a number of players who could step in there in Mitchell, Purcell, Dial, Jones, Buckner & AA. Typically, you'll like a wide-bodied fatty there who's impossible to move hence why we went after Brandon Williams. But he doesn't have to be huge...but he absolutely needs to be able to hold the point of attack, anchor and not give leverage. His blue collar job frees up the 5T and esp. the man next to him at 3T.

3T is your interior pass rusher. I'd say he's the second most important pass rusher next to the Elephant (as this defense was originally designed). He's your Bryant Young...smaller DT but incredibly quick with an array of pass rush moves and a nack for penetration and blowing up running plays in the backfield and disrupting the QB's step-up lane. Solomon Thomas would be ideal there. Blair could find a lot of success there as well. Neither Buckner nor AA really fit that spot b/c neither are explosive off the line but are both good at collapsing their OL there. In short, they won't be blowing by OL and beating OL to the spots and being disruptive backfield forces. Instead, they'd have one gap and bull rush their OL back and disrupt that way.

Finally, you have your Elephant. This dude is typically in the 250-260 range and explosive as hell. He's your pure edge rusher. He too is single covered and he has one job --- get to that QB. He's bendy, has crazy balance, is as quick as he is fast (closing on QB's), etc. He's the Charles Haley/Aldon Smith of our defense.

We can get away with 3T for now but we badly need that Elephant if we want this defense to hum.

I'd like lynch to think about Turing tartt into a LB like jones is in ATL

Originally posted by NCommand:
I always appreciate your posts 49erphan...always humble too.

But it sounds like to me you've got it down. I think most could see a shuffling between AA & Buckner at LDE/5T and RDT/3T. AA is used to playing on the left. But he and Buckner have played every spot in a 3-4 so no big deal. Typically, that 5T is an edge setter, funnels runs inside and works in tandem with the SAM who lines up next to him to ensure no RB gets to the edge. They'll both usually try and blow up the RT and TE/FB. You might see some stunts here and there but it's mostly a vanilla spot and his job will be to muscle the RT into submission. If he adds any pass rush (and both Buckner and AA are capable of 6-8 sacks a year from there), it's a bonus. The 5T is certainly not an edge rusher but it could be ideal (like Bennett) if you can find a player who's equally effective at stuffing the run AND pass rushing but that's rare. The 5T is single blocked usually and he's usually responsible for just one gap. In fact, 3 of the 4 of the DL only have to deal with one gap and one blocker.

Next up is the 1T/NT. This guy is typically, the only one who has to be responsible for 2 gaps and 2 blockers. He's the work horse. Ironically, that's the former role of Buckner and AA in our 3-4. So right now, we have a number of players who could step in there in Mitchell, Purcell, Dial, Jones, Buckner & AA. Typically, you'll like a wide-bodied fatty there who's impossible to move hence why we went after Brandon Williams. But he doesn't have to be huge...but he absolutely needs to be able to hold the point of attack, anchor and not give leverage. His blue collar job frees up the 5T and esp. the man next to him at 3T.

3T is your interior pass rusher. I'd say he's the second most important pass rusher next to the Elephant (as this defense was originally designed). He's your Bryant Young...smaller DT but incredibly quick with an array of pass rush moves and a nack for penetration and blowing up running plays in the backfield and disrupting the QB's step-up lane. Solomon Thomas would be ideal there. Blair could find a lot of success there as well. Neither Buckner nor AA really fit that spot b/c neither are explosive off the line but are both good at collapsing their OL there. In short, they won't be blowing by OL and beating OL to the spots and being disruptive backfield forces. Instead, they'd have one gap and bull rush their OL back and disrupt that way.

Finally, you have your Elephant. This dude is typically in the 250-260 range and explosive as hell. He's your pure edge rusher. He too is single covered and he has one job --- get to that QB. He's bendy, has crazy balance, is as quick as he is fast (closing on QB's), etc. He's the Charles Haley/Aldon Smith of our defense.

We can get away with 3T for now but we badly need that Elephant if we want this defense to hum.

I really believe all these positions are based on the talents given, rather than dictating who you draft. Dean and Haley had weaknesses but SF managed to use their strengths while allowing other players to mask or make up for their weak points. J Smith was almost the perfect DL as he could cover in the flat when necessary, contain the edge, bull rush or speed rush with moves.

Armstead is a bull of a player who can take two OL and move them back into the QB, but he tends to get too high and doesn't have great lateral quickness. They had him trying to stunt inside last year and he wasn't quick enough to do so and still be effective. Buckner is quicker and has better ability to penetrate to the QB, but he also plays too high at times. That means they either need to learn to keep low or they need to play off the middle. I'd like to see the niners draft a bull type NT who can't be moved by a double and who can get a push on passing downs. This would allow the other two guys to have fewer double teams, which would also help the quicker pass rusher we need to get a clean path to the QB. Labels be damned! LOL!

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by NCommand:
I always appreciate your posts 49erphan...always humble too.

But it sounds like to me you've got it down. I think most could see a shuffling between AA & Buckner at LDE/5T and RDT/3T. AA is used to playing on the left. But he and Buckner have played every spot in a 3-4 so no big deal. Typically, that 5T is an edge setter, funnels runs inside and works in tandem with the SAM who lines up next to him to ensure no RB gets to the edge. They'll both usually try and blow up the RT and TE/FB. You might see some stunts here and there but it's mostly a vanilla spot and his job will be to muscle the RT into submission. If he adds any pass rush (and both Buckner and AA are capable of 6-8 sacks a year from there), it's a bonus. The 5T is certainly not an edge rusher but it could be ideal (like Bennett) if you can find a player who's equally effective at stuffing the run AND pass rushing but that's rare. The 5T is single blocked usually and he's usually responsible for just one gap. In fact, 3 of the 4 of the DL only have to deal with one gap and one blocker.

Next up is the 1T/NT. This guy is typically, the only one who has to be responsible for 2 gaps and 2 blockers. He's the work horse. Ironically, that's the former role of Buckner and AA in our 3-4. So right now, we have a number of players who could step in there in Mitchell, Purcell, Dial, Jones, Buckner & AA. Typically, you'll like a wide-bodied fatty there who's impossible to move hence why we went after Brandon Williams. But he doesn't have to be huge...but he absolutely needs to be able to hold the point of attack, anchor and not give leverage. His blue collar job frees up the 5T and esp. the man next to him at 3T.

3T is your interior pass rusher. I'd say he's the second most important pass rusher next to the Elephant (as this defense was originally designed). He's your Bryant Young...smaller DT but incredibly quick with an array of pass rush moves and a nack for penetration and blowing up running plays in the backfield and disrupting the QB's step-up lane. Solomon Thomas would be ideal there. Blair could find a lot of success there as well. Neither Buckner nor AA really fit that spot b/c neither are explosive off the line but are both good at collapsing their OL there. In short, they won't be blowing by OL and beating OL to the spots and being disruptive backfield forces. Instead, they'd have one gap and bull rush their OL back and disrupt that way.

Finally, you have your Elephant. This dude is typically in the 250-260 range and explosive as hell. He's your pure edge rusher. He too is single covered and he has one job --- get to that QB. He's bendy, has crazy balance, is as quick as he is fast (closing on QB's), etc. He's the Charles Haley/Aldon Smith of our defense.

We can get away with 3T for now but we badly need that Elephant if we want this defense to hum.

I really believe all these positions are based on the talents given, rather than dictating who you draft. Dean and Haley had weaknesses but SF managed to use their strengths while allowing other players to mask or make up for their weak points. J Smith was almost the perfect DL as he could cover in the flat when necessary, contain the edge, bull rush or speed rush with moves.

Armstead is a bull of a player who can take two OL and move them back into the QB, but he tends to get too high and doesn't have great lateral quickness. They had him trying to stunt inside last year and he wasn't quick enough to do so and still be effective. Buckner is quicker and has better ability to penetrate to the QB, but he also plays too high at times. That means they either need to learn to keep low or they need to play off the middle. I'd like to see the niners draft a bull type NT who can't be moved by a double and who can get a push on passing downs. This would allow the other two guys to have fewer double teams, which would also help the quicker pass rusher we need to get a clean path to the QB. Labels be damned! LOL!

Haha, true. Seattle is an example where they have zero interior pass rush but make up for it, morph, by having about 4 edge rushers. So there is certainly flexibility within the scheme like a WCO but the concepts, principles and ideas are the same.

Originally posted by NCommand:
I always appreciate your posts 49erphan...always humble too.

But it sounds like to me you've got it down. I think most could see a shuffling between AA & Buckner at LDE/5T and RDT/3T. AA is used to playing on the left. But he and Buckner have played every spot in a 3-4 so no big deal. Typically, that 5T is an edge setter, funnels runs inside and works in tandem with the SAM who lines up next to him to ensure no RB gets to the edge. They'll both usually try and blow up the RT and TE/FB. You might see some stunts here and there but it's mostly a vanilla spot and his job will be to muscle the RT into submission. If he adds any pass rush (and both Buckner and AA are capable of 6-8 sacks a year from there), it's a bonus. The 5T is certainly not an edge rusher but it could be ideal (like Bennett) if you can find a player who's equally effective at stuffing the run AND pass rushing but that's rare. The 5T is single blocked usually and he's usually responsible for just one gap. In fact, 3 of the 4 of the DL only have to deal with one gap and one blocker.

Next up is the 1T/NT. This guy is typically, the only one who has to be responsible for 2 gaps and 2 blockers. He's the work horse. Ironically, that's the former role of Buckner and AA in our 3-4. So right now, we have a number of players who could step in there in Mitchell, Purcell, Dial, Jones, Buckner & AA. Typically, you'll like a wide-bodied fatty there who's impossible to move hence why we went after Brandon Williams. But he doesn't have to be huge...but he absolutely needs to be able to hold the point of attack, anchor and not give leverage. His blue collar job frees up the 5T and esp. the man next to him at 3T.

3T is your interior pass rusher. I'd say he's the second most important pass rusher next to the Elephant (as this defense was originally designed). He's your Bryant Young...smaller DT but incredibly quick with an array of pass rush moves and a nack for penetration and blowing up running plays in the backfield and disrupting the QB's step-up lane. Solomon Thomas would be ideal there. Blair could find a lot of success there as well. Neither Buckner nor AA really fit that spot b/c neither are explosive off the line but are both good at collapsing their OL there. In short, they won't be blowing by OL and beating OL to the spots and being disruptive backfield forces. Instead, they'd have one gap and bull rush their OL back and disrupt that way.

Finally, you have your Elephant. This dude is typically in the 250-260 range and explosive as hell. He's your pure edge rusher. He too is single covered and he has one job --- get to that QB. He's bendy, has crazy balance, is as quick as he is fast (closing on QB's), etc. He's the Charles Haley/Aldon Smith of our defense.

We can get away with 3T for now but we badly need that Elephant if we want this defense to hum.

Thanks for the compliment; I have plenty to be humble about.

It does seem weird to think of AA lining up more on the right side than the left, but because Buckner strikes me as having noticeably better ability to change direction, move laterally and keep track of the ball, I think it makes more sense for him to play the 5T.

Why do you think Thomas would be better as a 3T rather than a 5T?

It can be confusing where players will line up, depending on the situation. Here are the guys I see being part of the front line: AA, Mitchell, Jones, Buckner, Blair, Dial and I'm hoping Lynch drafts a stout interior DL like Watkins. I really don't see Lynch drafting Solomon...for me, the missing link is alongside Mitchell. Pretty much all the guys I just mentioned can play DE & DT. But Mitchell and Watkins would present a very stout middle of the DL that we need so much. Plenty of candidates to play the LEO/Elephant position...if he's in good shape, Lynch is the obvious choice. But, I wouldn't count out Brooks or Harold. Would love to see Lynch draft Willis, too.

Originally posted by NCommand:
AA mostly played on that left side so I could see them wanting to keep him there...same with Chris Jones.

Originally posted by NCommand:
I always appreciate your posts 49erphan...always humble too.

But it sounds like to me you've got it down. I think most could see a shuffling between AA & Buckner at LDE/5T and RDT/3T. AA is used to playing on the left. But he and Buckner have played every spot in a 3-4 so no big deal. Typically, that 5T is an edge setter, funnels runs inside and works in tandem with the SAM who lines up next to him to ensure no RB gets to the edge. They'll both usually try and blow up the RT and TE/FB. You might see some stunts here and there but it's mostly a vanilla spot and his job will be to muscle the RT into submission. If he adds any pass rush (and both Buckner and AA are capable of 6-8 sacks a year from there), it's a bonus. The 5T is certainly not an edge rusher but it could be ideal (like Bennett) if you can find a player who's equally effective at stuffing the run AND pass rushing but that's rare. The 5T is single blocked usually and he's usually responsible for just one gap. In fact, 3 of the 4 of the DL only have to deal with one gap and one blocker.

Next up is the 1T/NT. This guy is typically, the only one who has to be responsible for 2 gaps and 2 blockers. He's the work horse. Ironically, that's the former role of Buckner and AA in our 3-4. So right now, we have a number of players who could step in there in Mitchell, Purcell, Dial, Jones, Buckner & AA. Typically, you'll like a wide-bodied fatty there who's impossible to move hence why we went after Brandon Williams. But he doesn't have to be huge...but he absolutely needs to be able to hold the point of attack, anchor and not give leverage. His blue collar job frees up the 5T and esp. the man next to him at 3T.

3T is your interior pass rusher. I'd say he's the second most important pass rusher next to the Elephant (as this defense was originally designed). He's your Bryant Young...smaller DT but incredibly quick with an array of pass rush moves and a nack for penetration and blowing up running plays in the backfield and disrupting the QB's step-up lane. Solomon Thomas would be ideal there. Blair could find a lot of success there as well. Neither Buckner nor AA really fit that spot b/c neither are explosive off the line but are both good at collapsing their OL there. In short, they won't be blowing by OL and beating OL to the spots and being disruptive backfield forces. Instead, they'd have one gap and bull rush their OL back and disrupt that way.

Finally, you have your Elephant. This dude is typically in the 250-260 range and explosive as hell. He's your pure edge rusher. He too is single covered and he has one job --- get to that QB. He's bendy, has crazy balance, is as quick as he is fast (closing on QB's), etc. He's the Charles Haley/Aldon Smith of our defense.

We can get away with 3T for now but we badly need that Elephant if we want this defense to hum.

Nice post.

I think Jordan Wills at 34 makes too much sense for our LEO/Elephant. He tested better at the combine than Cliff Avril. He will be a beast IMO.

I don't think Soloman Thomas is the guy for us at 3 tech. I just dont see it. To me he is a 5 tech and would be fantastic there but then what do we do with Buckner and AA? I think a perfect fit at 3 tech Jonathan Allen. If he gets single blocking which he will in this scheme look out. Some say his shoulders are a concern but some say they aren't. To me he is a clone of BY. I think Allen will be an absolute monster and has 10+ sack potential as well as the ability to be a force vs, the run. He is the ideal at 3 tech and one of the best defensive linemen to ever come out of Alabama.

Good luck running on that right side. Brooks and Buckner are ideal at setting the edges and both can offer as pass rushers. Im not so sure how well Earl Mitchell can hold up against a double team but Lynch sure talked him up. I think we get a wide body later on for obvious run downs. Mitchell only played around 30% of the snaps so we should have a rotation there between him, Dial and a rookie IMO.

Ronald Blair, Arik Armstead and Quinton Dial give us some fantastic depth and can start in a pinch if need be. I wouldn't bank on Aaron Lynch or Eli Harold offering much but they can be quality reserves and play a depth role.

SAM- Ahmad Brooks
LDE- DeForest Buckner / Arik Armstead
NT- Earl Mitchell
RDT- Jonathan Allen / Ronald Blair
Elephant- Jordan Willis

That is a downright scary and versatile D-line that can set the tone early on in games. With Allen, Buckner and Willis we have 3 guys with 8-10 sack potential

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:
It can be confusing where players will line up, depending on the situation. Here are the guys I see being part of the front line: AA, Mitchell, Jones, Buckner, Blair, Dial and I'm hoping Lynch drafts a stout interior DL like Watkins. I really don't see Lynch drafting Solomon...for me, the missing link is alongside Mitchell. Pretty much all the guys I just mentioned can play DE & DT. But Mitchell and Watkins would present a very stout middle of the DL that we need so much. Plenty of candidates to play the LEO/Elephant position...if he's in good shape, Lynch is the obvious choice. But, I wouldn't count out Brooks or Harold. Would love to see Lynch draft Willis, too.

You're reading my mind dude.