I think we have some good young linebackers. Will have to see if they develop with the new coaching.

 

Yeah... Jack might be your answer there.

 

I like Jack but there is a real concern he makes it to the 8th pick let alone a trade down.

 

But they can't pick 'em all. I see Ramsey, Staley or Jack being there to take.

 

I don't think it's a bad idea, but I'm still wondering what cash we're saving in this scenario.

 

I'm less inclined to use our top two picks on LBers. Obviously if we can get M Jack, but I'd like to mix it up and pay the $$ for Danny Trevathan from Denver. Gase should have a good handle whether he's good enough to pay for.
I'd then use a similar strategy for CB. If we can get a good CB in FA (maybe Jenkins?) then it frees up our draft strategy - but would still pick a CB

 

I think I'd take a dominant linebacker over a corner. If still take a corner round two though, maybe even double up in 2 and 3.

 

No one has injury concerns about Smith or Jack?

 

Hopefully this regime will take a risk on some top talent.

 

Nope...see 2015 draft...Todd Gurley II

 

FA LBs

Outside linebackers

Sam Acho, Chicago Bears
James Anderson, New Orleans Saints
Kroy Biermann, Atlanta Falcons
Nigel Bradham, Buffalo Bills
Dwight Freeney, Arizona Cardinals
Chad Greenway, Minnesota Vikings
Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs
Bruce Irvin, Seattle Seahawks
Emmanuel Lamur, Cincinnati Bengals
Travis Lewis, Detroit Lions
Albert McClellan, Baltimore Ravens
Von Miller, Denver Broncos
Mike Morgan, Seattle Seahawks
Mike Neal, Green Bay Packers
Calvin Pace, New York Jets
Nick Perry, Green Bay Packers
Vincent Rey, Cincinnati Bengals
Aldon Smith, Oakland Raiders
Courtney Upshaw, Baltimore Ravens
Philip Wheeler, Atlanta Falcons
Tahir Whitehead, Detroit Lions
Kyle Wilber, Dallas Cowboys
Frank Zombo, Kansas City Chiefs

Inside Linebackers

Jasper Brinkley, New York Giants
Zach Brown, Tennessee Titans
Tank Carder, Cleveland Browns
Chris Carter, Baltimore Ravens
Audie Cole, Minnesota Vikings
Will Compton, Washington Redskins
Demario Davis, New York Jets
Dane Fletcher, New England Patriots
Mason Foster, Washington Redskins
Jerrell Freeman, Indianapolis Colts
Erin Henderson, New York Jets
Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
Steven Johnson, Tennessee Titans
James-Michael Johnson, Miami Dolphins
Jamari Lattimore, New York Jets
Casey Matthews, Minnesota Vikings
Joe Mays, San Diego Chargers
Rolando McClain, Dallas Cowboys
Shea McClellin, Chicago Bears
Spencer Paysinger, Miami Dolphins
Craig Robertson, Cleveland Browns
Keenan Robinson, Washington Redskins
Kelvin Sheppard, Miami Dolphins
Sean Spence, Pittsburgh Steelers
Anthony Spencer, New Orleans Saints
Andy Studebaker, Indianapolis Colts
Danny Trevathan, Denver Broncos
Jason Trusnik, Minnesota Vikings
Sean Weatherspoon, Arizona Cardinals
Dekoda Watson, New England Patriots

BOLD players connected to out New Coaches.

 

Can we get Patrick Willis?

 

Still under contract to the 49ers if he decides to un-retire

 

Derrick Johnson is also a good stop-gap option that would be a big upgrade for us. He's on the old side, but Johnson plus either Jack or Hargraeves would instantly upgrade our defense.

 

I'm no X's and O's guy by any stretch but, I don't understand why a staff wouldn't start building a defense from the DL and work in order of importance back towards the DB's. I understand the importance of preventing the big play but, the front 7 are always in a position to see the higher percentage of plays both short and intermediate. The neglect of upgrading our LB corps has been obvious to me and quite frankly, just too painful to watch. It's why I clamored for Kendricks last draft, and why I'd take Johnson and a top rook this offseason.

 

No one talks about Neville Hewitt.
The kid plays fast and makes plays.
Seems like he could be a wild card in this defense.
He should have been on the field earlier and often.
Totally agree we need a stud Mike though. Draft one please.

 

I've been touting Neville since the day he signed. He has progressed throughout his limited playing time. In the end, I believe he will be better than Jenkins.

 

Are we for sure gonna be a 4-3? What about Dion? I don't like Jack that high. Ramsey, maybe...

 

Can you imagine Dion showing up to camp at 255 lbs with his head screwed on right? I wouldn't bet on it but, that would be the feel good story of the year right there.

 

I thought Hewitt was just okay. I mean, he missed some tackles and seemed out of position a little, but I guess that's to be expected.

I didn't see myself coming away impressed, but he did progress, so I guess that's something.

 

I don't think we need to draft a linebacker at all.

And before you say I'm off my rocker, hear me out.

Reports coming out of New England and Saint Louis (err, Los Angeles?) are suggesting that Jerod Mayo and James Laurinaitis could be cut in the coming months, respectively. Miami would do well to snatch up these two veterans. Additionally, Vance Joseph is implementing a defense that is, at base level, of the 4-3 variety, but with more hybrid tendencies than we've previously seen under Kevin Coyle and Lou Anarumo. Thus, the need for two - possibly three - competent MLB's is huge. In my opinion, we could fill out the rest of the linebacking corps with the versatility of Vincent Rey, Emmanuel Lamur, and Jasper Brinkley. This would be the result:

OLB
Koa Misi
Vincent Rey

MLB
Jerod Mayo
Jasper Brinkley
James Laurinaitis
Zach Vigil

OLB
Jelani Jenkins
Emmanuel Lamur


Of note, I think it would be a mistake to cut Koa Misi. He is not a cap casualty, and far from the root of our linebacking woes. Neville Hewitt and Mike Hull could use more seasoning on the practice squad. Vigil, in my opinion, is a little less raw, and could serve as a complementary ST piece until he develops further.

My primary concern with this blueprint is the lack of speed throughout. This group would put a stop to any and every rushing attempt, but matched up with fast TE's and quick-twitch slot receivers could be their undoing. Not sure how I would address those issues without shelling out 6-8 mil. per year for Bruce Irvin.