Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area held a live chat today to address questions from fans, touching on a number of San Francisco 49ers topics. One topic was the team's defensive backs, who he does not feel will be an issue for the team. The question also led into a discussion about the team's pass rush.
"I think they have some defensive backs who are pretty good players. To me, the question is the pass rush," said Maiocco. "They got a lot of guys – young guys – who have promise. Maiocco mentioned Jimmie Ward, Dontae Johnson, Keith Reaser, Kenneth Acker, Will Redmond, Rashard Robinson, and Prince Charles Iworah who the 49ers have drafted in the past three years to go along with projected starter Tramaine Brock.
"There's going to be some answers there. They just need guys to get after the quarterback." Maiocco believes that Aaron Lynch looks good at linebacker, but the team needs guys like Tank Carradine to step up. Carradine has been taking some snaps at linebacker during the team's offseason program.
"I think the defensive backfield is in better shape than the pass rush," Maiocco added. The 49ers looked to upgrade in the trenches during the 2016 NFL Draft, selecting DE DeForest Buckner out of Oregon with the seventh overall selection. The hope is to bookend him on a defensive line that added DE Arik Armstead, also from Oregon, in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
The 49ers also drafted DE Ronald Blair out of Appalachian State in the fifth round.
Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
Falcons hire defensive coordinator once on the 49ers' radar
By David Bonilla
Jan 18
The Atlanta Falcons are hiring Jeff Ulbrich as their new defensive coordinator, removing another highly qualified candidate from the market.
The #Falcons are hiring Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator, per sources. A former NFL linebacker, Ulbrich finished last season...
PFN 7-round mock draft: 49ers address both sides of the ball with top picks
By David Bonilla
Jan 19
Seven-round mock drafts are always fascinating and challenging, attempting to project every pick for every team. Pro Football Network analyst Dalton Miller recently released one, predicting the San Francisco 49ers will address both sides of the ball with their first two...
49ers star defender wants to see Maxx Crosby in red and gold
By David Bonilla
Jan 19
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir has a bold idea to strengthen the team's defense heading into the 2025 season: bring in Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby. Taking to social media, Lenoir expressed his desire to see Crosby in red and gold.
Max Crosby...
The Draft Network's mock draft projects popular pick to 49ers
By David Bonilla
Jan 19
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, many mock drafts predict that the San Francisco 49ers will focus on bolstering their offensive line with the 11th overall pick. Mason Johnstone of The Draft Network shares this view, selecting Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. for the...
