Originally posted by genus49:
Originally posted by 49ersam-II:
Defo needs a replacement and this draft, we are in a position to actually get a much better prospect than Defo during his rookie year. With all compliments Defo received he never was a pro bowler - watching him over the years, he really lacked the big guy strength that dominates OLs. This draft we can actually get one, ala Reggie White level!
That's a big 10 no from me.
Now if we think a defensive prospect is BPA and it's possible with Brown/Kinlaw potentially available but our DL is still very strong as long as it stays healthy(something that can be said for any position/team in the NFL)
The Super Bowl result is the perfect example of the NFL being different these days. There was a stat thrown around something like any team that had more than 45 sacks and went to the SB was undefeated...until we lost last year.
The NFL is all about offense these days, the rules are about it, FF love is all about it and it appears the refs "let teams play". When that happens you better have a well rounded offense that can take advantage of the refs allowing holding by the OL.
Our DL was our strength but the refs basically nailed our foot to the ground.
Best way to overcome Buckner's loss? Put up a ton of points and make the opposing offense unable to run the ball. Because as good as Buckner was a pass rushing DL of Bosa, Thomas/Jones/Taylor, Armstead, Ford is still pretty impressive. Let them pin their ears back and rush and we're in good shape.
Perfect points, genus. You nailed it.
KC got us out of our element. We wound up having to pass when we didn't want to. Our interior got eaten alive because that was their biggest weakness. You score points, the other team has to pass. We got behind late and had no choice. Overall, it's never necessarily one or the other. You have to be good enough collectively to win. Ultimately, we've just got to add the pieces that make us the most complete team possible.
Our most glaring weakness were clear from last year (in no particular order):
1. Deep speed and separation / jump ball threat at WR
2. Interior PP
3. Quality LB depth (Al-Shaair/Lee/Nzeocha the reserves behind Warner/Kwon/Greenlaw)
4. Quality S depth (Marcell Harris....)
5. The ability to stay healthy in certain areas.
We had a TON of DL depth last year, but somehow, we lost just about every bit of it. Ford got hurt, then Blair got hurt, then Damontre Moore got hurt, then Jullian Taylor got hurt, then Jones got hurt, Street came off IR then went back on it. That's more than half the DL. No team can carry enough on the roster to overcome that amount of injuries on their line.