The NFL draft is tomorrow, and after taking a look at offense yesterday, it would stand to reason that on the eve of a sudden influx of new players, I would take a look at the 49ers’ moves on defense this offseason. In short, I am not very pleased with what transpired this offseason. There won’t be any weepy lamentation for players lost a la my strange piece on the 49ers Tight Ends and the loss of Delanie Walker. Pending the pieces the draft brings to the Niners, I am a bit disappointed in their defensive moves this offseason. Much like the offense, I’ll walk you through the changes in each group (the line, the linebackers, and the defensive backs). Let’s start with the big men up front.
Defensive Line:
Losses: Ricky Jean-Francois, Isaac Sopoaga
Gains: Glenn Dorsey
Out of all the moves in all the personnel groups, this set of moves stings the most thus-far. While Sopoaga was seeing diminishing time in the 49ers system, due to their increased use of the Nickel formation, he still was a big, beefy body. RJF was a big contributor to the 49ers’ system last year as a backup that could fit in anywhere on the line, and his loss is as big if not bigger than Sopoaga. Even with the increased focus on airing the ball out in the NFL, I still believe that the games are won and lost in the trenches, and losing two warriors in the trenches has to sting. Tying this into question marks surrounding Justin Smith’s help, the 49ers defensive line is suddenly in massive question.
The addition of Glenn Dorsey is likely to offset this; Dorsey was the 5th overall pick several years ago, and whether it was bad coaching, a lack of caring or any other myriad of reasons, he’s pretty much a bust so far. I have faith that he can be the new RJF, a backup at every position who can fill in when needed to start. I think he’ll be a good fit for the 49ers, who are no strangers to reclamation projects (see: Moss, Randall; Davis, Leonard; Jacobs, Brandon, etc.).
The lack of depth on the defensive front was an issue going into last season, and the 49ers responded by netting the loss of a starting member. Obviously, this is going to be addressed with one of the 49ers many picks this year. It looked like they would be handling this issue with their first pick, but its looking increasingly likely they’ll be taking one of the TE’s Eifert or Ertz, or safety Matt Elam with that pick. Even more likely is that they are trading up and any guess at what the 49ers will do in the draft is ultimately moot. I say cash in all the chips and bring in Star Lotulelei; or maybe 34 is where Margus Hunt ends up with the 49ers?
Linebackers:
Losses: Not much to speak of; potentially Larry Grant, Tavares Gooden & Clark Haggans
Gains: Dan Skuta and the return of Parys Haralson, Cam Johnson and Darius Fleming
The 49ers best unit, by far, was the linebacker corps. Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman are all-world MLB clones of each other; Aldon Smith holds the record for most sacks in the first two seasons and Ahmad Brooks is the unsung hero of the corps. Brooks was extended before last season, Willis is in the middle of his contract, Bowman signed a massive extension and Smith is still on his rookie contract. There’s not much room for movement here, except for depth. Larry Grant is a backup extraordinaire for Bowman/Willis, but is facing a 4 game PED suspension and is likely to not be resigned. Haggans was pulled off the scrap heap solely for depth, and is likely riding off into the sunset this year with the second year players Cam Johnson and Darius Fleming vying for playing time. Parys Haralson, sidelined all last year with an injury, also will provide serious depth for the Niners.
Their only gain is a linebacker in name only. Dan Skuta is a special teams ace in every sense of the word. After Jacoby Jones ran roughshod over the Special Teams in the Super Bowl, the 49ers went out and nabbed Skuta. They are hoping he fills the Blake Costanzo role from two years ago that they sorely lacked last year.
Defensive Backs:
Losses: Dashon Goldson
Gains: something called a Craig Dahl, Nnamndi Asomugha
Much like Delanie Walker, Dashon Goldson was simply priced out of the 49ers range. He was also priced out of everybody’s range because the Buccaneers paid them more than rumors stated he was asking for. Granted, 49ers fans should be upset about the loss of Goldson. He was great in run stuffing and keyed in on big hits (sometimes at the expense of actual, real defense), but he was deservedly selected for multiple Pro Bowls. The actions that the 49ers took to fill his roster spot clearly point to drafting a safety to fill his production. The 49ers took division rival’s former safety Craig Dahl. Dahl is a smart player, and at this point in his career, he is likely signed to be a backup and mentor to whoever they take (cough Cyprien cough).
The “big” 49ers free agency signing, by name at least, is Nnamdi Asomugha. Originally with the Raiders, Asomugha was one of the most feared cornerbacks in the NNFL. He could entirely shut down one side of the field, rendering it essentially non-useable for the other team’s QB. He moved on to the Eagles, where he ceased being the same player. He routinely was burned and quickly became a shell of his former self. Some blame the schemes run in Philly. Either way, he’s on a put-up-or-shut-up contract with $0 guaranteed. It’s another reclamation project from the Harbaugh regime. Luckily they showed that if you contribute, you play. If you run your mouth, you get suspended, then cut when no team can pick you up (Brandon Jacobs).
I like this move for the 49ers, since it’s literally no risk, all reward. The loss of Goldson stinks, but if Nnamdi pays dividends, their DB corps will have a net gain before the draft starts.
Special Bonus Shoutout to Special Teams:
Out: David “Shanks” Akers
In: Phil “Fill Up the Stat Sheet” Dawson
Dawson was the only decent player on the Browns for a long time. Akers was hurt and stunk up the joint last year. This move owns. I have no analysis for this because it’s a move for a Kicker. They’re barely even people! Gross.
There you have it, the major moves by the 49ers between the Ravens hoisting the Lombardi and the Chiefs drafting an OT tomorrow. It’s hard to say how they will do without knowing what new players are on their roster come Sunday, but one thing stands true: the 49ers will look significantly different than they did last year, when they were able to return all 11 starting defensive starters. Whether that is for better or worse, only time will tell.
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