Defensive Line Thread

Originally posted by Giedi:
Hyder kind of changes the equation a bit. I wouldn't mind the 49ers going in with a best player available approach now with Hyder signed. Not saying I don't want a DLineman, but now they have flexibility to go after both a good OLineman and a good DLineman - - whatever the draft brings to them at pick number 61, 93 and 105. (and whatever Jimmy's trade could bring in)

I agree. I can see the early picks focused on OL and the mid-to-late picks on WR, TE & DB.

Depending on how many we keep, 10 or 11, I'd go with these.

DE- Bosa, Ebukam, Willis, Omenihu, Hyder, Rookie(Myjai Sanders maybe)
DT- Armstead, Kinlaw, Givens
NT- Ridgeway(Kinlaw would start with Armstead, but I view Ridgeway as that NT/2i)

Those 9 + 1 rook would be my locks, if an 11th makes it, Hurst would have the best shot, unless they do re-sign Arden Key, which seems unlikely.

Originally posted by AB81Rules:
Depending on how many we keep, 10 or 11, I'd go with these.

DE- Bosa, Ebukam, Willis, Omenihu, Hyder, Rookie(Myjai Sanders maybe)
DT- Armstead, Kinlaw, Givens
NT- Ridgeway(Kinlaw would start with Armstead, but I view Ridgeway as that NT/2i)

Those 9 + 1 rook would be my locks, if an 11th makes it, Hurst would have the best shot, unless they do re-sign Arden Key, which seems unlikely.

Agree, and I just looked up Arden and he's still unsigned as of today (I think). We may be able to get him back after the draft, depending on how the 49er's draft goes. I just think if he's not been signed now, I think teams may be waiting for the draft before trying to sign Arden and we might still have a shot at retaining him. We shall see.

Ridgeway is going to be an interesting signup. Chris Slayton is another DT on the roster. Is he a camp body or a legit player?

Originally posted by Giedi:

Originally posted by JTB1974:
We better use #61 on a DE if we aren't going to go the free agency route. It amazes me how this front office doesn't see the importance of getting another pass rusher opposite Bosa. Bosa could get 25 sacks if you gave him help or he would help get another guy 15+ sacks if that player had elite pass rushing ability. Need to draft Nik Bonito. I would say Mafe but he will be gone before 61. Then draft Cross the safety in the 3rd RD and Marcus Jones the corner with the other 3rd RD pick. Right there you fill 3 big needs.

Hyder kind of changes the equation a bit. I wouldn't mind the 49ers going in with a best player available approach now with Hyder signed. Not saying I don't want a DLineman, but now they have flexibility to go after both a good OLineman and a good DLineman - - whatever the draft brings to them at pick number 61, 93 and 105. (and whatever Jimmy's trade could bring in)

They should always go BPA. We would've had a much better player than Kinlaw if that had in his draft. Hyder signing shouldn't stop them from grabbing a pass rusher if that is who they want. He'll just push an older vet off the roster

Originally posted by AB81Rules:
Depending on how many we keep, 10 or 11, I'd go with these.

DE- Bosa, Ebukam, Willis, Omenihu, Hyder, Rookie(Myjai Sanders maybe)
DT- Armstead, Kinlaw, Givens
NT- Ridgeway(Kinlaw would start with Armstead, but I view Ridgeway as that NT/2i)

Those 9 + 1 rook would be my locks, if an 11th makes it, Hurst would have the best shot, unless they do re-sign Arden Key, which seems unlikely.

I think we need to drop 1 DE for 1 more interior guy. Givens is not stout versus the run at all. Ridgeway hasn't shown much of anything. Both Kinlaw/Hurst have been constantly hurt. This is a position where they need a young guy to start to develop

Originally posted by lamontb:

Originally posted by AB81Rules:
Depending on how many we keep, 10 or 11, I'd go with these.

DE- Bosa, Ebukam, Willis, Omenihu, Hyder, Rookie(Myjai Sanders maybe)
DT- Armstead, Kinlaw, Givens
NT- Ridgeway(Kinlaw would start with Armstead, but I view Ridgeway as that NT/2i)

Those 9 + 1 rook would be my locks, if an 11th makes it, Hurst would have the best shot, unless they do re-sign Arden Key, which seems unlikely.

I think we need to drop 1 DE for 1 more interior guy. Givens is not stout versus the run at all. Ridgeway hasn't shown much of anything. Both Kinlaw/Hurst have been constantly hurt. This is a position where they need a young guy to start to develop

Originally posted by lamontb:

Originally posted by Giedi:

Originally posted by JTB1974:
We better use #61 on a DE if we aren't going to go the free agency route. It amazes me how this front office doesn't see the importance of getting another pass rusher opposite Bosa. Bosa could get 25 sacks if you gave him help or he would help get another guy 15+ sacks if that player had elite pass rushing ability. Need to draft Nik Bonito. I would say Mafe but he will be gone before 61. Then draft Cross the safety in the 3rd RD and Marcus Jones the corner with the other 3rd RD pick. Right there you fill 3 big needs.

Hyder kind of changes the equation a bit. I wouldn't mind the 49ers going in with a best player available approach now with Hyder signed. Not saying I don't want a DLineman, but now they have flexibility to go after both a good OLineman and a good DLineman - - whatever the draft brings to them at pick number 61, 93 and 105. (and whatever Jimmy's trade could bring in)

They should always go BPA. We would've had a much better player than Kinlaw if that had in his draft. Hyder signing shouldn't stop them from grabbing a pass rusher if that is who they want. He'll just push an older vet off the roster

For sure, if a good pass rusher drops to the 61st pick. But if the BPA was an OLineman, I'd probably choose an OLineman considering Hyder did have a good year with us even if Bosa was not playing. Imagine what kind of a year Hyder will have *with* Bosa. Point is any rookie DLineman has to be good enough to beat Hyder if they will draft him at #61 in my opinion. I hope Pick #93 and Pick #105 do go to strengthen the trenches on *both sides* of the ball. I think that is where the draft can really impact in a positive way for this team. I'd be betting that they will find another day three gem - hopefully a running back or WR to add to the team later in the draft.

In 2021, the DL went from solid to elite with 2 moves: Arik Armstead going inside full-time and Arden Key replacing Javon Kinlaw inside as a pass rusher. Kocurek has already implied that AA will be inside full-time again, but I'm curious to see how the DL will replicate Key's production. Arden Key was awesome last year as a money-down pass rusher. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that he and AA last season as a money down interior pass-rushing duo was as good if not better than Defo and AA in 2019. Key's departure has left behind some big shoes to fill in that role, but on the bright side, not a single person envisioned him in that role let alone thriving before the 2021 season.

I'm excited to see who will be the 2022 version of Kerry Hyder/Arden Key. Also, I'm excited to get Key back in 2023 after the Jags play him exclusively at edge and then end up cutting him.

If Kinlaw can be productive/stay healthy, this DL gonna be really damn good. Especially if Hyder can return to his 2020 form.

Originally posted by Heroism:
In 2021, the DL went from solid to elite with 2 moves: Arik Armstead going inside full-time and Arden Key replacing Javon Kinlaw inside as a pass rusher. Kocurek has already implied that AA will be inside full-time again, but I'm curious to see how the DL will replicate Key's production. Arden Key was awesome last year as a money-down pass rusher. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that he and AA last season as a money down interior pass-rushing duo was as good if not better than Defo and AA in 2019. Key's departure has left behind some big shoes to fill in that role, but on the bright side, not a single person envisioned him in that role let alone thriving before the 2021 season.

I'm excited to see who will be the 2022 version of Kerry Hyder/Arden Key. Also, I'm excited to get Key back in 2023 after the Jags play him exclusively at edge and then end up cutting him.

Arden Key is having the best year of his career under 49ers superstar DL coach Kris Kocurek, primarily lining up inside as a 3T using a silky smooth swipe move for 4 of his 5 HQ sacks this season. Another example of elite coaching unlocking disregarded talent. pic.twitter.com/QjlrLGdGEC

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) December 30, 2021

I've been wondering how Kocurek was going to combat the loss of that role too. Jackson inside? Hyder? Turay? Ebukam?

Originally posted by Heroism:
In 2021, the DL went from solid to elite with 2 moves: Arik Armstead going inside full-time and Arden Key replacing Javon Kinlaw inside as a pass rusher. Kocurek has already implied that AA will be inside full-time again, but I'm curious to see how the DL will replicate Key's production. Arden Key was awesome last year as a money-down pass rusher. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that he and AA last season as a money down interior pass-rushing duo was as good if not better than Defo and AA in 2019. Key's departure has left behind some big shoes to fill in that role, but on the bright side, not a single person envisioned him in that role let alone thriving before the 2021 season.

I'm excited to see who will be the 2022 version of Kerry Hyder/Arden Key. Also, I'm excited to get Key back in 2023 after the Jags play him exclusively at edge and then end up cutting him.

Arden Key is having the best year of his career under 49ers superstar DL coach Kris Kocurek, primarily lining up inside as a 3T using a silky smooth swipe move for 4 of his 5 HQ sacks this season. Another example of elite coaching unlocking disregarded talent. pic.twitter.com/QjlrLGdGEC

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) December 30, 2021

Huge credit to Kocurek for thinking outside the box and finding a role for Arden Key. Key did not stand out at edge - once he was was moved inside, he was a force. My guess for this year's Hyder/Key "wow, where did he come from" award is Turay.

Originally posted by NCommand:
I've been wondering how Kocurek was going to combat the loss of that role too. Jackson inside? Hyder? Turay? Ebukam?

Maurice Hurst is known as a good interior pass rusher. I hope he can be a key part of the rotation.

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by NCommand:
I've been wondering how Kocurek was going to combat the loss of that role too. Jackson inside? Hyder? Turay? Ebukam?

Maurice Hurst is known as a good interior pass rusher. I hope he can be a key part of the rotation.

This. People forget how good he was when healthy.

Originally posted by GangstaGangsta:

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by NCommand:
I've been wondering how Kocurek was going to combat the loss of that role too. Jackson inside? Hyder? Turay? Ebukam?

Maurice Hurst is known as a good interior pass rusher. I hope he can be a key part of the rotation.

This. People forget how good he was when healthy.

Staff hasn't forgotten..and is why they are giving him another chance

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:

Originally posted by GangstaGangsta:

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by NCommand:
I've been wondering how Kocurek was going to combat the loss of that role too. Jackson inside? Hyder? Turay? Ebukam?

Maurice Hurst is known as a good interior pass rusher. I hope he can be a key part of the rotation.

This. People forget how good he was when healthy.

Staff hasn't forgotten..and is why they are giving him another chance

That would be nice if he doesn't milk a calf injury for a full year again. He does have legit interior pass rush ability.