Make no mistake, Draft Defense First - or the 49ers offense will have no chance at the end

I would strongly like to draft defense and maybe even defensive line. The way our team is built it's how we got to the Super Bowl. And it's how we will get back. We will never have an offense better than Mahomes. Sorry to tell you guys. If our defense just doesn't collapse in the last 6 minutes and we run the ball and eat up the clock instead of passing we win the Super Bowl. We just mismanaged this thing. We were closer than people think.

Yeah everybody wants a WR or an OT to replace Staley someday. And I'm not saying there isn't merit to that. But there is no way our offense will ever be as explosive or score as much as Mahomes. I like Jimmy G and he gets more blame then he deserves. But there is just no way you are going to ever out offense KC or Mahomes. You have to be realistic about this thing. Our best chance to get back and win is a dominant defense and dominant defensive line.

Originally posted by elguapo:

Originally posted by NinerGM:
So I'd say that only a deep speed where a QB throws and the receiver actually catches the ball keeps defenses honest. When I look at this year's tape when Goodwin did play, people started ignoring his routes because we were taking slants and throwing mid-field almost exclusively. Yes is does have some effect, but not the very threat of one if it's not regularly realized. This works for teams (like the Chiefs) because they prove repeatedly that you'll pay for blitzing. When teams play the 49ers regardless of Goodwin's speed, defense don't believe (1) Jimmy will have enough time to throw and (2) when he does since he's not been doing it often enough in a run-first offense, chances are it won't hit. This is the design of every defense we've seen - make Jimmy beat you, IF you can.

Can a guy like Ruggs consistently get open? I have no doubt that he can and will but will the slant be open? Will Jimmy get the ball batted in his face because the OL isn't forcing DL to protect themselves keeping their hands down by punching properly or opening up passing lanes?

They may like Brunskill but I don't think our opinion of Brunskill may be higher than the coaches and the team. From film, I can only speculate that we're scheming around asking Brunskill to repeatedly being on a blocking island as a tackle (though we gradually asked him to do more and more) and since there isn't a ton of film on him at OG, I'm not so sure this is the answer yet. I think that's confirmed by the tender (1 year) the team has put on him while signing a Shanny vet from the Jets. This has all the makings of a camp competition in addition to someone we'll draft. Brunskill might be the answer, but that has yet to be seen and he'll again have to earn a starting role. Nothing will be given.

I do agree with the point that it's easier to find more talent at the top of the draft. However I think for OL, the deeper you get in the draft, the more development is needed and the longer it takes to add to shaky competition we have at IOL today. Our WRs going into the season save one are essentially healthy. I know we'll probably draft a WR. However our issues at OL are much more acute IMHO. We assume Richburg will be back according to him but haven't heard from Kyle or John give us 49ers docs. Also Richburg has been hurt every season since being a Niner. For Kyle if there's one player that's second in importance to QB, it's OC. We have Garland in place but IMHO, that puts even more pressure on the guards to play well. And Person being unceremoniously cut tells me they really want more out of the position.

In any event, I agree, we have to come out of this off-season with both. I'm not as concerned about the order as I am about the player - both need to be able to compete with who we have on Day 1. That being said, I think there's a greater chance of a 2nd round WR (I'm assuming we'll be trading down with at least one of those picks) being able to compete with the WRs we have than a 2nd or 3rd round OG/OC being able to displace Garland or Compton or Brunskill.

Very good post GM, I am with everything you said and I think pretty much everyone else does as well. It's a glaring weakness and they rely on each other. If Jimmy has less time to throw then we need a receiver they can get open sooner. If we wait on a receiver but get a great player to play guard than our current receivers won't look as bad and have more opportunities.

The way I see it now if we don't trade for Odell Beckham Jr. might as well get one of those premier receivers at 13 and possibly trade down at 31 (unless Ruiz is there) then we can get that big boy from Temple to play center or guard in the second round

Agree

A trade at 31 for Odell would be fantastic.

We'll still need a another Guard - although Brunskill played fine at G & T.

A versatile guy who can play Center & Guard would help a great deal.

I lost faith w/Richburg staying healthy.

Why are some obsessed with trying to fix what's already a strength of the team? Makes no sense to me to focus on the strength of the team and ignore positions that are weaknesses. Without Defo the Niners still have the best Dline in the league. But sure let's draft a Dlineman with the #13 pick and go into the season with Deebo and a bunch of question marks at Wide Receiver.

Originally posted by JTB1974:
Why are some obsessed with trying to fix what's already a strength of the team? Makes no sense to me to focus on the strength of the team and ignore positions that are weaknesses. Without Defo the Niners still have the best Dline in the league. But sure let's draft a Dlineman with the #13 pick and go into the season with Deebo and a bunch of question marks at Wide Receiver.

most people say get a elite wide out at 13, then you address the d line. o line and cornerback thing from there. we signed a guy today for the line who of course is not bucks replacement but i am thinking we will go o line after wide out then d line in the draft

BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE.. it's going to be this way..

We need interior line help improving that will make jimmy a better qb

Person really won the starting job over Garnett who was an injury prone bust, and thank goodness he was good enough otherwise it'd have been awful. I'm thinking Brunskill best spot will be LT, keep learning behind Joe, and trade down #31 to get an IOL to compete with the other guys. Other than Cesar Ruiz, who is a C, I don't see a lot of great IOL in this draft class. That being said, C is one of the most important positions in offense, and our expensive starter has not been healthy the last 3 seasons. Alex Mack completely transformed Atlanta offense with Shanahan for a reason.

A big mock trend lately is Lynch must take a WR at #13...we go through this just about every off-season. While I really like Jeudy, a lot of the so-called elite college receivers aren't so hot when they go up against top DB's week in & week out. Jeudy's a guy I think will do well...primarily because he runs great routes consistently. Coach loves receivers who can do that. That said, if Derrick Brown or Javon Kinlaw are there at #13, I think Lynch would have a hard time passing on them. On the other side, if he gets a crack at OT Thomas at #13, that'd be a great pick. Even though Staley played at a high level down the stretch & into the playoffs, I think it's safe to say he's in the twilight of his career. That's 3 different ways Lynch could go...and any of 'em would be a great pick.

Jeudy is the best thing we can get in this draft period. I see some Jerry in him

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by 49ersam-II:
Defo needs a replacement and this draft, we are in a position to actually get a much better prospect than Defo during his rookie year. With all compliments Defo received he never was a pro bowler - watching him over the years, he really lacked the big guy strength that dominates OLs. This draft we can actually get one, ala Reggie White level!

Credibility = 0 when you state the bolded.

While he is correct that Buckner is not Reggie White, Aaron Donald or Chris Jones.

He lost credibility when he said he was never a pro bowler when he did in fact was one, he was also an all pro.
Also as a prospect coming out, he was rated higher than any of the DL prospects in this draft. Plus he neglects to think about how bad the coaches we had. in the beginning.

With that said, I do agree that the niners passing Defense will suffer, our DBs, were good because of the pressure the front seven provided, not to mention the stout run defense. Buckner, Bosa, and AA played a lot of the snaps.

If we get Okuda (when hell freezes over) then we won't need to worry. If not then Kinlaw or Brown should be taken. If they are gone however then go for the WR, Ruggs can be use like T Hill. or trade down and get Jefferson.

As far as OL, goes or any other position, people keep forgetting Kyles philosophy and that you can't make every position solid, you have to choose what is going to be your foundation pieces based on the scheme.

Originally posted by SteveWallacesHelmet:

Originally posted by NinerGM:

They may like Brunskill but I think our opinion of Brunskill may be higher than the coaches and the team. From film, I can only speculate that we're scheming around asking Brunskill to repeatedly being on a blocking island as a tackle (though we gradually asked him to do more and more) and since there isn't a ton of film on him at OG, I'm not so sure this is the answer yet. I think that's confirmed by the tender (1 year) the team has put on him while signing a Shanny vet from the Jets. This has all the makings of a camp competition in addition to someone we'll draft. Brunskill might be the answer, but that has yet to be seen and he'll again have to earn a starting role. Nothing will be given.

I hate to nitpick what was a pretty good post, but can you elaborate on this? Can you also elaborate on why you have this general opinion to begin with? Brunskill was amazing in pass protection last year. Think I saw a tweet that said he allowed pressure on like 3% of his pass snaps, which was top 10 in the NFL.

I think he has more than earned the right to be a starter, nor do I see this as giving it to him. He played his ass off last year.

To add, as an ERFA, the 1-year tender is pretty standard. Why sign him to a massive extension now when you can keep him cheap for 1 more year while we try to maintain other pieces, and then if he proves he can do it again in 2020, we extend him. I imagine at minimum he remains with the team as a top-flight reserve going forward.

Originally posted by fan49:

Jeudy is the best thing we can get in this draft period. I see some Jerry in him

I like Ruggs a little better but Jeudy will do if available

Originally posted by SteveWallacesHelmet:
If we draft a DT with our first pick, I will be irate. That makes the least amount of sense out of any positions I have seen brought up.

I couldnt possibly disagree with the OP more than I do.

Saying it's not our top need is one thing. But I don't see how anyone can say it makes the least amount of sense when our best and most consistent DT is gone. Unless of course you think Buckner's production is easily replaceable with the guys already on the roster which I don't agree.

Originally posted by 9moon:
BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE.. it's going to be this way..

.