49er defense next year -- target the RUN game

Oh man, such a pleasure to acknowledge that the only real weakness on the defense right now is something that has traditionally been a strength, and our traditional weakness is now a strength (pass rush/pass defense).

Just curious what you guys think we should do in the draft next year to build up an insurmountable run defense? Do you think it's the LBs or maybe another traditional Baalke run stuffer is in the cards?

I'm imagining losing Kwon is what's hurting us in the time being for stopping the run. I think our run defense is pretty decent and I wouldn't want to give up the pass rush just to improve it.

I think we could legitimately build a roster that is built to shut down the run teams/QBs, and then a more hybrid defense that can get after the passer a bit more. We could tweak these lineups week to week. Like a defense that has the better run pluggers and more traditional formations, versus the more aggressive pass rushers and wide 9.

These last three games would have preferred the Fangio led squads a bit more, but overall we never stopped the pass like this, so I wouldn't want our team to stray too far identity wise.

Imo we are built for speed. We have all d-linemen that penetrate. Maybe a huge DT to hold and stuff the run next to buck?

Clones of Willis and Bowman

Personally, I'd beef up the pass rush more because of Dee Ford's degenerating knees. In addition, get another WR either via the draft or free agency for depth on the WR spot. The 49er defense is perfectly suited to hold on to leads vs a run defense oriented scheme that seeks to catch up if behind. So for a 49er defense to hold leads, the offense has to get a lead in the first place.

We've dominated the run - the first 8 games because the offense was able to get an early lead and then let the defensive pass rush loose to go after the QB. But when you face a good defense (like Seadderall) and cant get that big lead, then this defense kind of suffers. In other words, this team is built to get an early lead and keep it. When it can't it really has problems.

I think it's as simple as getting DJ Jones healthy (or getting him a capable backup) the run D is very different with him in it.

Nothing against Kwon but Greenlaw has really stepped up so far.

I think we already have the pieces on the roster with DJ Jones and Julian Taylor. Just need to be discipline and more playing experience. Taylor is a stud in the middle and should play a little more with DJ being injured, he's an immovable force in the middle and strong enough to hold up the middle against double teams. Kentavius Street is too slow as an Edge defender IMO, he's big enough and a very strong human being that I think we should move inside to defend against the run and use his short range quickness to rush from the 3T. But we should continue to draft Edge Rushers to harass QBs every year.

We need to make sure we have a plan against running QBs going forward.

Originally posted by 808niner4lyphe:
I think we already have the pieces on the roster with DJ Jones and Julian Taylor. Just need to be discipline and more playing experience. Taylor is a stud in the middle and should play a little more with DJ being injured, he's an immovable force in the middle and strong enough to hold up the middle against double teams. Kentavius Street is too slow as an Edge defender IMO, he's big enough and a very strong human being that I think we should move inside to defend against the run and use his short range quickness to rush from the 3T. But we should continue to draft Edge Rushers to harass QBs every year.

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:

I think it's as simple as getting DJ Jones healthy (or getting him a capable backup) the run D is very different with him in it.

Liking this take for now, kid has been a beast today.

Next year? Wow. Can't believe you guys can think that far ahead. This year is so special and we are in the heart of it

Originally posted by smithgdwg:
We need to make sure we have a plan against running QBs going forward.

This. I'm more concerned about running QBs than I am stopping running backs. Our style of D leaves the running game vulnerable. So far it seems the running QB is the ONLY team that has a chance against us. Add a guy that can play LB or DE. A combination of that and cleaning up our turnovers will be the path to limiting the offenses that have success against us.

I dont think we really need to do much other than let the young guys gain more experience. Greenlaw, Warner, DJ Jones all stepping it up as they gain experience, same goes for Saleh. Kwon coming back next year already too. I want to see how Saleh adjusts to Jacksin this week with his scheme. Could tell us a lot with how this team plays running QB's going forward.

Simple...keep DJ Jones healthy

I think it's just a (small) weakness that we'll have going forward, but with our ability to shut down the pass, it doesn't really matter.