49ers could have eye on these edge rushers at NFL combine

Posted By on February 20, 2019

South defensive end Montez Sweat of Mississippi State (9) before the start of the Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

The 49ers need an edge rusher. Have needed one since they cut Aldon Smith after his third DUI arrest in 2015.

But they haven’t made a serious effort to draft one. Three years in a row, they spent a first-round pick on an interior rusher instead. In 2015, the 49ers took defensive tackle Arik Armstead. In 2016, they took defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. And in 2017, they took defensive tackle Solomon Thomas.

General manager John Lynch has drafted only one edge rusher since joining the 49ers organization two years ago, and that was Pita Taumoepenu, a sixth-round pick in 2017 who has appeared in just six games and recorded zero sacks.

Lynch must know he can’t keep ignoring such an important position. This is the year he will make a major investment in an outside pass rusher. And he likely will invest in one with his first-round pick, the second pick in the draft.

This is the first installment of a four-part series breaking down the prospects Lynch may watch most carefully at the upcoming NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, which starts Tuesday. The first installment focuses on edge rushers.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

This article has 195 Comments

  1. Well done on this write-up Grant. Very informative. I think that Bosa’s polish and being the more capable run defender is what will tip the scales in Bosa’s favor, but you are correct that his medical checkups will be a factor as well.

    1. The key to ability is availability. If Bosa is injured often, it won’t matter how talented he is.

  2. How is Ferrell bigger than Solomon Thomas? You said Ferrell weighs about 265 lbs. Thomas weighs at least 285 and probably more by now.

        1. The relationship between Thomas’ size/weight and this blog is like that between Trump and the stock market, with Grant as the Federal Reserve chairman….

            1. I think it has to do with relative proportion of his arm length/torso width/height. But we have to look to advance metrics from PFF for guidance ;-)

    2. I agree with Grant in this. He’s listed at roughly the same size as Allen but he looks much bigger to me. I would bet he’s at least 270 and might be over 280.
      However, he is not just a bull rush guy as he consistently gets great jumps off the ball,allowing him to threaten the edge.
      Now, if only he had a bit better bend to take advantage of that :/.

  3. I like Ferrell the best, but any of those players would be a good addition.
    .
    However, the best strategy to improve might be to trade back and still get one of those players. Losing out on Bosa and Allen may be mitigated by getting additional starters.
    .
    If they move back to 7, they still might get Ferrell.
    .
    If they trade back to 10, they still might get Sweat.
    .
    If they trade back to 13, they still might get Polite.

  4. Yea, I echo MWD on it being a good write up but I don’t see Sweat as a top ten pick. I think Brian Burns will be another player they’ll want to keep an eye on, and his stock will rise or fall on some key measurables, one of which being his weight….

    1. Burns is one of the rare cases where his draft status could depend very heavily on his combine performance.
      His weight, bench, 3 cone and 40 are all very important for him as teams need to know if he can be an olb, de or a situational rusher.

  5. I’ve been calling Bosa the higher floor edge rusher because of his advanced technique… But the injury history is a concern.

    The perfect (though very unlikely) draft would be a QB at pick 1. Raiders trade up to 2 for a QB. Leaving the 49ers with an extra pick while still having a shot at one of Bosa or Allen.

  6. I am usually a fan of “trade down and coach them up.” But let’s not over think this. All of the other ones could be very, very good. But Bosa and Allen could be elite, especially if Bosa checks out medically. We could commit to trading down from the top of the 2nd and 3rd rounds for extra picks in the 4th and 5th and or 6th rounds. This should b the last time for quite a few years that we are organically at this spot in the draft and there is obviously a player that is worth drafting this high that fits our number 1 need. Stay at number 2 and make the pick.

    1. Let us see how they, and others, grade out in the Combine. Maybe a sleeper pick will emerge, or a QB hungry team is desperate enough.
      .
      If Miami trades up with their 13th pick and a 2020 first round pick, that may be an offer the Niners cannot refuse.

      1. Busts emerge at the combine, fans and franchises alike get googly eyed on guys who run 4.35 40s, yet during games they didn’t produce, re: Jason Hill.

        Last I checked they haven’t played a game since December. Avoid the combine warriors.

  7. One thing I want to emphasize, is that last year, we all wanted an edge rusher, and Harold Landry was mocked the most. Instead, they went OT, and ignored the pass rushing class.
    .
    Harold Landry had 44 tackles, 2 Passes defended, one forced fumble, 4.5 sacks, 5 TFL and 14 QB hits.
    .
    Niners did not need to draft McGlinchey, because Brown still had a year on his contract, yet they did it anyways, Traded Brown away for moving up 44 spots in the draft, and Brown did his job to help the pats win their 6th ring.
    .
    In retrospect, the Niners should have traded back multiple times and still could have gotten Landry, who went in the second round, 32 spots later. Even Marcus Davenport, who went 5 picks later, had 4.5 sacks, while Solomon Thomas had one sack.
    .
    This year, they need to sign a decent pass rusher and draft a pass rusher, or the fans will howl.

    1. I think they are smarter than you give them credit for. They decided on their 2018 picks based on the surplus of quality edge rushers coming up in the 2019 draft. They also obviously liked McGlinchey and felt it was better strategy to go OT in 2018 and wait to fill the edge position in 2019. You can do that when you are in a multiple year building process. They are operating on a multi-year strategy.

      Seb – while you often do have and bring up good points, you are just as often myopic and incapable of seeing past your own predisposed perspectives. You over evaluate your own level of intelligence, which results in your undervaluing others.

      1. Sorry, but I am just opining. I certainly do not think my opinion is so superior, others are idiots for not agreeing with me.
        .
        There are several writers who I like, and I value their opinion, because they can properly outline their position, and defend their point of view with logic and facts.
        .
        I sound too intelligent? Well at least you think I am intelligent, so thanks for the compliment. Guess I find it hard to sound like Forrest Gump or Yoda.

  9. I wonder if the fact that they got to coach Montez Sweat in the Senior Bowl practices, may give him an advantage when the Niners make their assessments. Those long arms of his gives him a distinct advantage over the O linemen.

    1. Maybe we was only looking at athleticism on the field… and not counting strength?
      To be fair, Clowney has not turned out to be the edge rusher everyone was expecting… and a lot of that has to do with his average bend and fluidity.

      1. Clowney had one tackle in college that went viral and made him an overnight sensation.
        At best, he’s been a flash player in the pros, but nothing resembling his college resume.

        Clowney is the poster boy for underachieving and overhyped potential.
        I wouldn’t touch him as a FA.

    2. Ted Nguyen over at the Athletic had a good write-up last month after the Senior Bowl
      https://theathletic.com/785689/2019/01/25/five-senior-bowl-players-the-49ers-and-raiders-should-both-be-keeping-their-eyes-on/
      Sweat was on his list of “didn’t live up to the hype”. Nguyen characterized Sweat’s performance at the Senior Bowl as compiling highlight reel of power moves with inadequate bend and ability to turn the corner(“looked stiff at the hips.”). He thought that Sweat’s bull rush would have limited results with NFL linemen. “I’m not saying Sweat is a bad player but I think there are enough concerns about his bend to downgrade his first-round hype.”

      1. The Senior Bowl experience is interesting since Kocerek was excused from attending. He should be a fairly important part of the discussion on who they draft.

  11. I had forgotten about Bosa’s knee injury in high school. That injury history is very concerning. Given the injury issues the 49ers have experienced in the Lynch era I’ve got to think that plays into the 49ers scouting. Sitting at #2 gives them tons of flexibility. I’m thinking they go with Allen or Williams at #2 even if Bosa was still on the board.

  12. I still believe that who they sign in free agency will dictate who they draft. If they sign a pure speed outside pass rusher LB then they will draft Bosa. If they sign a combo power\speed defensive end then they will draft Allen. If they sign neither well then your guess is as good as mine.

          1. In the NN podcast they stated they liked him a lot but didn’t trust the niners staff to properly use him. Which could be a legitimate concern.

            I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the niners skip DE for the most part in free agency and focus on db’s and LB’s unless some ends are surprisingly allowed to test the market.

            1. Good points Shoup. Both show the difficulty of us speculating on who to take. The key is how the staff uses whoever they acquire. I don’t know if I’m in the mainstream but I think an awful lot of our lack of defensive production is coaching related, both who and where to use. We need Kocurek to step up on the pass rush issue (or at least give Kiffen a kick in the butt)

            2. There really isn’t any DBs that fit the criteria that the 49ers have unless someone like Xavier Rhodes is released.

              2. Grant Cohn says:
                February 21, 2019 at 11:34 am
                Bradley Roby fits.

                He fits if your defensive scheme is to give up YAC. I think he’s a #3 corner.

              4. Mid,
                This team needs to stop looking for guys that “fit the mold” of what they are looking for and just find guys that can cover.

                Having a guy who is 6’3″ and 207lbs does nothing if he can’t stay with the guy he’s tasked to cover. Even if we get a guy who’s 5’8″ and can cover the qb has to throw over or around him.
                The best part is, even if they have a 6’3″ guy but the qb misses the 7in window (for example), that midget of a db might pick the ball off by being in the right place. Right now qb’s don’t even have to throw around our db’s for the most part.

                Right now this team has to worry about getting competitive in the secondary, not about getting their ideal guy.

              5. Grant, mind telling me what you’re basing your assessment on? He was on the field for over 250 more snaps but he was targeted only 4 more times than last year. He gave up 300 more receiving yards, and 200 more yards after the reception. He was one of four corners who gave up the most yardage at over 800.

              8. Never heard of it. Roby is a better player than Shaquill Griffin, who is a No. 1 CB in the same system. Roby would be a huge upgrade over Ahkello Witherspoon.

              10. Neither does that website. They’re guessing what his assignments were. We’ve gone over this.

              11. Wasn’t his assignment to be the man this year after the departure of Talib? Remember the talk prior to the start of the season? Roby ready to blossom, but you’ve still not told me what makes you think he can bloom in San Francisco when he didn’t in Denver! The climate???

              13. Ahh, he’s from the Great Trent Brown clan. Doesn’t need to sweat the little things that most players do to improve. Just do his thing. K. Don’t think we’ll be interested in going down that road again….

              14. You take strange positions based off bogus websites. Roby would drastically improve the 49ers secondary. You must be a big fan of Witherspoon.

              15. It’s not that. Roby did not live up to expectations after Talib left. He’s been a #3 corner up until last year, and the numbers weren’t good. All you’ve told me is your expert opinion, which I have respect for. I’m just asking for something to hang my hat on other than that opinion. You can’t give it me. If this were televised in 4k, the beads of sweat on your brow would be glistening….

              16. Grant, Roby came close to losing his position as a starter because of how bad he was.

                It isn’t about just fit Shoup (even though that is important with any system); it is about the quality, and the overall quality is not good. Most of the CBs have trouble staying healthy, struggled as starters, or potentially overachieved in 2018.

              17. Roby broke up 12 passes last season. None of the 49ers cornerbacks broke up more than four.

                Roby also forced three turnovers.

              18. Peters broke up eight passes, had three interceptions, and returned one for a TD. Yet the overall consensus is that he and Roby did not play well in 2018. Stats never tell the whole story.

              21. Roby tied for 20th in pbus last season. In 2017, he broke up 17 passes, which tied for 11th. He’s a No. 1 corner.

              22. Too many to post Grant, but an article from Mile High Sports is part of the evidence because it states that he (Roby) disappointed in his first season as a starter.

                https://milehighsports.com/2018-season-review-should-the-broncos-retain-bradley-roby-or-let-him-go/

                One thing I did not think of that the article mentions is that his struggles are believed to have been because of the coaches and scheme he was playing in. If that is the case, then one has to wonder if he would want to come to the 49ers and play under Woods who was the DC he played under during 2018.

          2. I thought the LEO was the best pass rusher. Trey Flowers had 7.5 sacks last season, and 2 postseason sacks.

            1. That’s true, but usually the LEO has speed and explosiveness. That’s why Dekoda Watson played the position for the 49ers, and why Joey Bosa does not play it for the Chargers.

          1. That talent has yet to show up on a consistent basis though, and there have been too many off-the-field issues. I would pass on him and sign someone like Preston Smith, Shaquil Barrett, Brandon Graham, or Alex Okafor.

      3. Grant,
        I’m surprised you are touting Fowler as a free agent signing for the 9ers with your concerns regarding health. He has had an ACL tear and a serious shoulder injury to go along with a violent off field incident for which he was suspended for.

        1. He’s 24, has missed only one game the past three seasons and can be had without giving up a draft pick. I would take the chance.

          1. Ansah is a big risk, but the reward may be worth it. Also, he may be available since other teams may be leery of his injury history. Fowler, too.
            .
            Still prefer Trey Flowers, but gaining Fowler weakens the Rams.

      4. Would have thought that Brandon Graham would be more productive for the Niners than Fowler… But I guess Saleh knows Fowler better….

          1. Yeah, possibly. It was a situation where Niners would lose a pick and Fowler would have leverage on extension negotiations.

      5. Good call Grant.
        This scenario would provide a dramatic upgrade from day one.

        Thomas is entering his 3rd year and he “must” show significant improvement. Arik showed just enough last year to earn a commitment from the team for one more season.
        But the fact that I talk about these two high draft picks with a hint of doubt tells me that the FO can’t miss on this draft and FO signings.

    2. Old Coach, I also think that who the Jags and Dolphins sign as QB will dictate what happens in the draft.

  13. Sorry, can’t resist. From Bleacher Report…

    “This year, Trent Brown heads the list of tackles who have teams lining up to overpay him.

    Granted, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 25-year-old Brown made it clear—if given a choice—he’d prefer to remain with the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, although he knows that may not be possible.

    “That’s definitely something I would love, but hey, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” Brown said. “Hopefully it’s somewhere where I can build some longevity, somewhere where that would be a great place and a great fit schematically, in the locker room, on the field, and also somewhere that’s also a great fit for my family as well.”

    The reality is the Patriots aren’t going to pay Brown over $15 million a season any more than they would have Solder. Brown was decent in 2018, but he wasn’t great. Per Fansided’s Peter Panacy, Brown’s 70.6 grade at Pro Football Focus ranked him 35th among 80 qualifiers at tackle.

    But in FA, bad tackles get paid like good ones, and good tackles get paid like great ones.”

      1. Of course. Credibility matches the quality of what we toss around on this blog…

          2. Biases are also very fascinating to me — for example, Grant’s biases against Shanahan and for Trent Brown….

            1. I always provide transparency for my opinions, which are inherently subjective. PFF provides no transparency and tries to pass off opinion as fact. Big difference.

              2. Here’s another recent article where they explain the grading process for an individual player:
                https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-explaining-dallas-cowboys-rb-ezekiel-elliotts-2018-pff-grade:
                “We use a Massey-type rating system using PFF run-blocking and run-defense grades to adjust our play-by-play grading by opponent and rank offensive lines in run blocking (they are what helped Mike Renner create lists like these). The last three seasons, the Cowboys offensive line has ranked fourth, second and sixth, respectively. ”
                The limitations of all their opinions are directly related to the limitations of their metrics. However, I see no basis for your habitual assertion that PFF “provides no transparency and tries to pass off opinion as fact”.

      1. Lest we forget the one, the only…the “great” Nate Davis.

        Guys like Seb were on here screaming to put him in, all because of one preseason throw…

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5UKir1Py70

        Oddly enough, I think Davis was about 8 years too early and playing for the wrong franchise…he’d have fit in perfectly with this years KC team.

          2. Wow, I get blamed for a lot.
            .
            IICRC. Nate Davis did play well in a preseason game, so he might have been another option due to the mediocre QB play before Kaep, but I did not think he was anything near Kaep’s skillsets. I think he was cut and put on the PS, then cut and signed with the Seahawks. The next season, Kaep was drafted.

        2. He’s available. Plays in the Indoor Football League. He’ll be 32 in May, Kaep turns 32 in November.

          Niners can sign him, then trade him for a boatload of picks….

    3. “Hopefully it’s somewhere where I can build some longevity, somewhere where that would be a great place and a great fit schematically, in the locker room, on the field, and also somewhere that’s also a great fit for my family as well.”

      I think it’s time for Brown to don some funky threads, post a cool Instagram video, and rename himself as the Big Tummy….

    2. I like Ferrell and think he’s underrated… he’s basically what SF hoped they were getting in Solomon Thomas.
      A power rusher who can threaten the edge just enough for it to be respected in his arsenal even if it’s not top notch. Imo he’s an 8 to 10 sack a year guy who occasionally will reach 12.

    3. TomD

      I’m sort of hiding in the shadows here until the true ‘experts’ either run out of wind, opinions, or other options; usually just before the combine…but I have been of the opinion that Clelin Ferrell or Josh Allen should be our pick at #2… Trade back ? ..I would like more picks by trades of Thomas, Malcolm Smith, and Celek. …Hire Seb for trade-back…

      1. Yeah OREGONINER,

        There’s a reason Shanny hired a new D-Line coach and Pass Rushing coach to sort through these pass rushers, especially given the trade down scenarios.

      2. If I had the Niners ear, I would recommend they go incognito on the blog sites of other teams and postulate trade scenarios. Make sure they are win/win situations, and both teams gain something, like a player they covet.
        .
        Me, I am too content posting here, so I refrain from blog hopping, except to peruse other sites to listen to the chatter.

  16. If the Niners are fortunate enough to be able to sign either Trey Flowers or Dante Fowler in free agency, I would be all on board with trading back to get more picks and choosing an edge rusher outside of Bosa or Allen (if we trade back to 7 through 15, that could include Ferrell, Burns, Sweat). That way we come away with two edge rushers, and more picks than the paltry 6 we are going to end up with.

    2. I’m not sure Fowler makes a trade down worth it… he posted fewer sacks than Marsh last year, despite playing next to Donald and a boy named Suh.
      That said I don’t know his pressure rate… anyone?
      I thought he was better than that… need to check some of his tape. Right now it seems he might be vastly overpaid in FA, and SF might get someone with similar production without breaking the bank.

    4. Pot…Kettle

      I like the way you think…I want at least 4 starters in this draft…1 OG, 2 edge rushers, 1 OT….pick up a LB in FA as well as aTE

  17. Re: Nick Bosa, you criticized comparisons to his brother a week ago when they were used to bump up his stock. Now you’re using his brother’s injury history against him? You can’t have it both ways, Grant. Either we consider his pedigree or we don’t. You can’t take the bad and ignore the good. Particularly when the bad is soft tissue injuries.

  18. My #1 thru #12 sign and draft combos are as follows (I understand that a few of the FA’s probably will not be available)
    1. Sign Clowney draft Bosa
    2. Sign Lawrence draft Allen
    3. Sign Clark draft Allen
    4. Sign Za’darius Smith draft Bosa
    5. Sign Ford draft Bosa
    6. Sign Shaq Barrett sign Bosa
    7. Sign Preston Smith draft Bosa
    8. Sign Vinny Curry draft Allen
    9 Sign Ansah draft Allen
    10. Sign Romeo Okawara draft Bosa
    11. Sign Graham draft Allen
    12. Sign Shelby Harris draft Allen

    5. I like 1 as the best collection of talent.

      2, 3, and 11 are great, and work because Lawrence, Clark, and Graham can be LEO with Allen at SAM in the base defense.

      I know there is a connection to Ansah, and he will be one of the few actually available, but I hope we stay away from Ansah.

  19. Grant, I went back last night and watched 4 games of Allen (2018) and 3 of Bosa (2017).

    Bosa definitely got doubled more often than Allen. And it is fairly clear to see Bosa handled double teaming better than Allen – he was still disruptive when getting extra attention.

    One thing I did notice about Allen on rewatching though was how good he is at widening his arc just as he gets the OL to commit to blocking him. Makes them stop their feet, overreach and get off balance. Probably his best asset as a speed rusher, more so than his rip (which he also does well). Hadn’t really noticed it that much before, but I think its one of the key reasons his speed rush is so effective.

    1. He gives a slight inside head fake, too, which sells the move.

      Allen also has the best speed-to-rip move since Cameron Wake.

      1. Yeah, that’s what helps get them to stop their feet. The poor OTs at Miss St got destroyed over and over by it.

        1. Bosa uses the move, too. It’s his go to. It’s the anti-speed-to-power. More like power-to-speed. Bosa is better at swiping the OT’s hands away. Allen is more explosive.

          2. Yeah, I have two main knocks on Bosa (ignoring injury) – he is on the ground too often for my liking, and while he is a good athlete for his size he isn’t overly fast which means he needs to go through blockers more to get to the QB, which I think is why his sack rate compared to win rate is a bit lower than you would like.

            Allen definitely is explosive. He closes quick.

              1. I believe so too. I suspect he will also have one of the best shuttle and 3-cone times too if does those tests. Most fluid and sudden moving edge guy I have seen on film this year.

              2. Polite is going to be the combine king. What he needs to do is ace his interviews, alleviate any character concerns, and perceived lack of hustle at times on the field. He does all that, and Jachai’s the limit!

            2. I see what you’re saying about Bosa. He frequently needs to lunge and dive to finish off the sack.

              Ignoring injury, Bosa probably is the better player right now, when you factor in run defense. But, I still feel Allen is the superior pass rusher, even though his technique isn’t as refined as Bosa’s.

              1. “Ignoring injury, Bosa probably is the better player right now”.

                Thing is, this is all based on freshman and sophomore years too. Just think about it – he is already the best technician at DE in the draft but didn’t get to demonstrate improvement his junior and senior years. This is something I think is underrated. Take a guy like Allen as a comparison – it took him until his senior year to get his speed rush to a point where people actually really feared him as a pass rusher.

                This is why I really like Bosa as a prospect. You are getting, barring injury, a really high floor player that already has NFL size, good athleticism for that size, and has demonstrated the capacity to learn and implement an array of advanced techniques at a young age. But in no way should we assume he has hit his ceiling. He can and likely will continue to get stronger, add to his arsenal and refine his techniques further. Basically he is a guy that you come out of the draft feeling confident he can be a good NFL player immediately with potential to be excellent pretty quickly.

                Allen on the other hand took four years to really refine his pass rush technique, for essentially one type of pass rush move. The fact he developed it to the point where he was the best speed rusher in college football last year speaks highly of his ability to develop himself, but the time taken to get there and the lack of much in the way of other moves suggests he may take a bit of time to learn and implement new things. Nothing wrong with that – most players are the same. And what he currently provides is already a good skill set. But it suggests he is a guy that might take a bit longer to become a truly excellent player in the NFL.

                This is why for mine I couldn’t take Allen over Bosa. And why I am not overly excited about taking Allen at #2 – I think that is just a bit too high for him.

              2. This is a very well-thought argument. Please allow me to retort.

                Bosa received far superior coaching at Ohio State than Allen did his first three years at Kentucky. Allen’s senior year, Kentucky hired outside linebackers coach Brad White, who had spent the previous six seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Under White, Allen instantly became a top-notch pass rusher. And he’s merely three months older than Bosa. And Allen has no injury history, unlike Bosa’s, who’s injury history is quite troubling.

                This is why for mine I couldn’t take Bosa over Allen at No. 2, and why I am prepared to rip the 49ers if they do take Bosa. Warning everyone now.

              3. Same here, Big Scootie. I don’t understand those that believe Allen and Bosa are close. They’re not. Allen is closer to Polite and Burns for mine, and that’s why I feel taking Allen at #2 is like shopping at Whole Foods rather than Walmart….

              4. Also well reasoned arguments.

                Its true that coaching matters. But as I said, Allen has still only really refined one move in four years. It is something that needs to be considered. And as for age – Bosa was a year and three months younger than Allen when he was dominating as a sophomore compared to Allen dominating as a senior.

                Based on your post, the reason you would rip taking Bosa is the injury history, correct?

              5. Yes. The talent is undeniable, but the total package isn’t clean, and that’s more important when you’re picking No. 2.

              6. Put it this way, Grant. Would you rather have Levi’s or Wrangler’s? I’ll take the Levi’s.

              8. Grant,
                To your being “prepared to rip the 49ers if they draft Bosa” I understand you believe that Allen is the superior pick, but in this very post you call Bosa “elite” how much can you rip a team for not taking your pick but still picking an “elite” talent at the same position group?

              10. Foster failed because of Character not talent or athleticism. As far as I know Bosa has no character issues.

              11. Foster also failed because his surgically-repaired shoulder is shot.

                Bosa has had two season-ending injuries since 2015. He also quit on his team. I wonder how durable he is, and how much he loves football.

    2. Scooter,
      Did you watch all-22 film? Could you discern the level of engagement from snap to whistle that would show the player’s typical level of hustle (or lack thereof)?
      Also, do you know of any data on QB pressures per game, maybe separated by single teamed or double teamed?

      1. No, not all-22. But in terms of hustle, Allen is better than Bosa. Bosa is a good effort player until the ball leaves his area and then he can be a bit of a loafer.

        In terms of QB pressures, PFF provide information on that. But haven’t seen anything breaking it down by number of blockers engaged.

  20. Apparently Justin Houston might be let go by the Chiefs. He’d be a nice pick up as a short term pass rush fix.

  21. Agreed. Shanny hired new a new D-Line coach and Pass Rushing coach due to the plethora of pass rushers in this draft. He’s factored in the trade down scenarios also.

    Good coaches can teach more moves to someone like Allen who has shown to be a speed rusher on the videos available–albeit, a dominant one.

      1. Q: What can you tell us about defensive coordinator Vic Fangio?

        Stock coach’s response: “Vic’s a very intense guy.”

        Harbaugh: “A cold-blooded, stone-cold, serial killer.” – Feb. 18 on KNBR

        Q: Your thoughts on Cam Newton, coach?

        Stock coach’s response: “He’s obviously a very talented young man. A special, special talent. He has qualities you just can’t coach. I think he’s got all the talent in the world.”

        Harbaugh: “That’s plutonium-grade raw material, you know?” – March 22 at NFL owners meeting

      1. Exactly how I see him too. That’s why if they decide to go that route, Graham or Ansah makes the most sense to me in F/A.

        1. The sad thing is Solomon Thomas probably will be the starting LEO next season. There’s no where else to play him in the base defense.

          1. This is probably the year he’ll need to make a name for himself. He’ll have Kocerek holding his hand.

          2. True, unless they do sign/ draft someone that can take that spot. Tbh, Thomas should play big end in base.

              3. The 49ers can afford to keep Armstead, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up trading him before the season starts.

              5. Maybe he gets traded in the same fashion as the Great Trent Brown. If he can make it there, he’ll make it anywhere, New York, New York!

              6. Sure the 49ers can afford it, but can they justify it? Spending $9 million on a guy that is mainly a run defender might be pushing it.

              8. So true Razor. It could be that Kocurek will want to put Buckner on the outside, get rid of Thomas and Armstead, and suggest the team draft Q. Williams if the Cardinals don’t take him. One never knows.

          3. I’m interested in what we get from Kantavius Street in training camp.

            At 6’2″ and 280 lbs he seems to fall in the “tweener” category.
            He played DE in college but I don’t see him playing that position in the pros.
            I’d like to see him being given a shot at DT.

            He may not have the ideal size but his freakish strength could make up for lack of size.

              5. Grant,
                I love Taylor. I don’t believe it will happen until his 3rd season but he is going to be very good. Kind of how I felt about Blair when they drafted him.

    2. Sorry, just got a 5 ton load of rock, and am building walls while installing drainage.
      .
      Do not have time for my tractor, and need to fix the muffler, first. Cannot even get out in the field to jump start the tractor, so I will wait until the grass grows taller.

        1. My walls are wanted, beautiful and practical. Might have to wait on the wall and work on the drainage, since there is no emergency for the wall. ;p

  24. No way in hell a team is going to pay Roby $9 million a year. Gonna be between $6-$7 million on the high end.

      1. Sure, but it’s not #1 corner money. Validates my point that he’s yet to prove he’s a #1.

          1. Niners should have passed on Ward, and signed Roby, who Denver took as the next player in the draft.
            .
            I wonder why Denver has not signed him, if he is that good.

  25. Grant, Coleman just got a raise.

    Looks like the Great Trent Brown will be playing for the team he’s named for.

      1. Their offensive line coach cracks me up due to his name. It’s the character played by Bill Murray in, What About Bob?

        1. So, when Trent B. makes the HOF, which team will he choose to be affiliated with?

  26. In the 49ers’ 33-30 loss at Green Bay in October, quarterback C.J. Beathard threw a late-game interception to set up the Packers’ game-winning drive. Beathard’s pick came in a 3rd-and-3 situation when Green Bay brought an all-out blitz. Beathard hurled a deep pass to Marquise Goodwin that was intercepted by Kevin King.

    “When C.J. threw the interception at the end of the game, Shanahan was more mad at me for my route,” Kittle said. “It was (3rd-and-3) and I had a five-yard stick route. I ran it at four yards. He told me ‘Hey, just run it at two (yards). It’s a zero blitz. You probably would have caught it and run for 15 yards.’ So that’s the type of stuff he sees and — in the back of my head — I don’t even realize it until he tells me.”

Comments are closed.