Where does the 49ers defense need upgrades?

Run stopper
Pass Rusher
Safety

The drop-off in run-stopping ability with the loss of DJ Jones and Armstead points to run-stopper as the key need. Without the ability to take away the run, opponents can dominate TOP and the game.

Pass rush is #2 although you might flip it with run-stopping. You must take away one of the other.

More speed in the secondary.

It is going to take both the draft and FA to fill the holes. There are good options that should be available in the draft but too many holes to fill to rely only on the draft.

This D could use improvements at all three levels but the most pressing are as you mention the DL (IDL & Edge - both run-stopping & pass-rushing talent) and in the secondary with that complementary S that can be this team's dependable ballhawking Centerfielder.

Another talented LB would be nice as not sure if Greenlaw will be re-signed or, if he is, will he return the same player he was pre-injury. If Greenlaw's back and at full strength, having him, Warner, and a complementary third LB (like Al-Shaair was) would make the middle of this D formidable again.

I see such upgrades happening via any of the three avenues: draft & develop, FA, or trades.

Basically up the middle. Who's signed? Maliek Collins, Jordan Elliott, Fred Warner, Mustapha. They'll need a linebacker who can stop the run if Greenlaw leaves and they'll also need a safety to replace Huff.

yup - DT and a FS.

Greenlaw healthy.

Back 7 for sure. Need to prioritize more talent back there.

Everywhere is correct. The glaring need is IDL. Outside of Collins they are all trash. And Collins is more of a situational pass rusher then a run stuffer. They need 3 new bodies for IDL.

Team needs 2 new line backers

Outside of Lenior and Green who do they even have at CB?

At safety we just have no range and no speed. I love MM at SS but we don't have a legit FS.

Everywhere

This teams desperately needs 2 DL's, 2 LB's, 1 Edge and 1 S.

For me the defense kinda needs to be rebuilt, from the interior all the way to the secondary. First off if the playoffs has shown us anything it's that the defense needs two solid run stoppers in the middle along with ball hawking Safeties. 49ers need to trade up to 7 or 8 and select Mason Graham or a playmaker in Malaki Starks. 49ers need that rookie sensation like when they drafted Nick Bosa, who instantly changed the defense. I'd also spend money to bring in a LB like Zach Baun or steal one from the Chiefs and sign Nick Bolton. I hate to say it but the 49ers may need to move on from Dre Greenlaw, he just can't seem to stay healthy.

DL & edge rusher. It would be nice to get a DC that knows how to get pressure on the QB and create confusion

I mean there are literally holes at every single level of the defense.

Everywhere is the correct answer.

Originally posted by Kolohe:
For me the defense kinda needs to be rebuilt, from the interior all the way to the secondary. First off if the playoffs has shown us anything it's that the defense needs two solid run stoppers in the middle along with ball hawking Safeties. 49ers need to trade up to 7 or 8 and select Mason Graham or a playmaker in Malaki Starks. 49ers need that rookie sensation like when they drafted Nick Bosa, who instantly changed the defense. I'd also spend money to bring in a LB like Zach Baun or steal one from the Chiefs and sign Nick Bolton. I hate to say it but the 49ers may need to move on from Dre Greenlaw, he just can't seem to stay healthy.

The reason we got him late in the in draft is b.c he was hurt a lot in college. Love the dude but it's business not personal