Updated on 04/23/2009.
Defensive Tackles:
- B.J. Raji, Boston College
- Peria Jerry, Mississippi
- Evander Hood, Missouri
- Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State
- Ron Brace, Boston College
- Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn
- Fili Moala, USC
- Terrance Taylor, Michigan
- Alex Magee, Purdue
- Vance Walker, Georgia Tech
49ers Outlook: The 49ers are in desperate need of a space eating nose tackle, not only to help stop the run in the middle but also to help free up star linebacker Patrick Willis. Incumbent Aubrayo Franklin grades out as a backup and rookie draft pick Kentwan Balmer appears to be a better fit at defensive end (in the 3-4 defense). A space eater the Niners may target in the 2009 draft could be B.J. Raji of Boston College, who flashes enormous potential, but lacks consistency.
Defensive Ends:
- Brian Orakpo, Texas
- Everette Brown, Florida State
- Aaron Maybin, Penn State
- Larry English, Northern Illinois
- Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
- Tyson Jackson, LSU
- Robert Ayers, Tennessee
- Connor Barwin, Cincinnati
- Lawrence Sidbury, Richmond
- David Veikune, Hawaii
49ers Outlook: In the 3-4 defense, the defensive ends job is to either hold the point of attack (on passing downs) or shed blocks and stop the run. Justin Smith, Ray McDonald and Isaac Sopoaga do a relatively good job, although we could definitely use some more consistency. With Justin Smith playing outside linebacker as well, we desperately need Kentwan Balmer to step up his game in 2009. I don’t consider this position a serious need, but if a top flight prospect falls in our lap … grab him.
Outside Linebackers:
- Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
- Brian Cushing, USC
- Clay Matthews, USC
- Clint Sintim, Virginia
- Cody Brown, Connecticut
- Marcus Freeman, Ohio State
- Nic Harris, Oklahoma
- Zach Follett, California
- Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin
- Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida
49ers Outlook: From the stand point of rushing the passer, this could quite possibly be the weakest position on the 49ers roster, and much of the reason our cornerbacks receive unjustified criticism. I’m going to break down each player in just a quick sentence or so …
Tully Banta-Cain - A waste of money and a HUGE stiff. Good bye and good riddance …
Ahmad Brooks - TBD. Let’s see what this guy can do already. Do we have something to work with here?
Roderick Green - Serviceable backup, nothing more, nothing less. Next.
Parys Haralson - Signed a new deal, should be with us for a while. Has definitely improved.
Manny Lawson - An excellent athlete. Above average in pass protection, below average as a pass rusher. Since Manny plays the WILL spot, he is still a solid starter.
This team is SERIOUSLY lacking a stud pass rushing outside linebacker - if you’re interested in seeing what one looks like, watch the best in the business. Help could come in the form of a tweener defensive end from the 2009 NFL draft as well. These types of players can be picked up in the 2nd and 3rd rounds at great value because they are usually dismissed by teams that run the 4-3.
Inside Linebackers:
- Rey Maualuga, USC
- James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
- Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
- Jason Phillips, TCU
- Darry Beckwith, LSU
- Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
- Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia
- Worrell Williams, California
- Victor Butler, Oregon State
- Gerald McRath, Southern Mississippi
49ers Outlook: When the 2008 season started the 49ers were in desperate need of a stout TED linebacker to play alongside Patrick Willis. Takeo Spikes eventually agreed to a deal with the 49ers and struggled the first part of the season while learning the defense (and building chemistry with his new teammates). Spikes was resigned - a very very good thing!
Cornerbacks:
- Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
- Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
- Vontae Davis, Illinois
- Darius Butler, Connecticut
- D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt
- Sean Smith, Utah
- Jairus Byrd, Oregon
- Donald Washington, Ohio State
- Asher Allen, Georgia
- Coye Francies, San Jose State
49ers Outlook: To all the haters out there, the 49ers are actually pretty solid at the cornerback position. Much of the blame they have received comes from other positions that strongly affect a cornerback’s performance - outside linebackers and safeties. Sure, Walt Harris is getting up there in age but Shawntae Spencer is a starter on many teams. Obviously we need him to come back healthy from his 2008 injury but he is a good insurance policy for Walt Harris. Additionally, Tarell Brown has improved tremendously this season and could also be destined for a starting role in 2009. And Nate Clements, yes he is a top 10 corner in the league. Now that Donald Strickland has landed with the Jets, I could see us drafting a corner at some point in the middle rounds.
Safeties:
- Rashad Johnson, Alabama
- Louis Delmas, Western Michigan
- William Moore, Missouri
- Patrick Chung, Oregon
- Darcel McBath, Texas Tech
- Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest
- Emanuel Cook, South Carolina
- Michael Hamlin, Clemson
- C.J. Spillman, Marshall
- David Bruton, Notre Dame
49ers Outlook: With Dashon Goldson now the starter at free safety, we still need an insurance policy. I really like Rashad Johnson and wouldn’t mind picking him up in round 2. It looks as though Reggie Smith will be backing up Michael Lewis so we are OK at the strong safety postion.
December 4th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
B.J. Raji would work wonders on our line IMO. He’s big but mobile and no doubt would be an upgrade over what we have now. Patrick Chung is a baller, he’s played bout FS and SS and has decent cover skills.
December 4th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Skip — As always, thanks for all your time and effort on this. In reading your comments, we likely were separated at birth… Totally agree that NT is one of our top 4 priorities, and FS is another. TBC — yes to saying goodbye. Roman — yes that he can’t make a play to save his life. I’m of the opinion that in the draft, SF (after any FA signings) should look at upgrading the pass rush, NT, FS and (I know we disagree here) QB in no particular order, and take the best player available at those different positions in the first two rounds. After that, go for quality wherever you can find it to upgrade everywhere else.
December 5th, 2008 at 7:14 am
I like it. Good job!
April 4th, 2009 at 2:36 am
TBC and Roderick Green were both cut.
April 4th, 2009 at 11:05 am
re: TBC and Roderick Green were both cut.
Correct, TBC was cut which is why “Good bye and good riddance” was left alone. Roderick Green was never waived, he just wasn’t re-signed. He still has a chance of coming to camp should the 49ers pass on an OLB in the earlier rounds of the draft.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:36 am
How sure are we that Reggie Smith is going to back up Michael Lewis as Skip suggests? We know they put him there in that minicamp. But with all the DBs that sat that one out, it’s risky to draw that conclusion. I thought the logical move for Smith would be to FS.
On top of that we have the unresolved situation of Roman, who may be back as the backup there, and Jimmy Williams. I’m confused and wondering if any of you have thoughts on what might happen next.
It’s clear they gave up on Keith Lewis and that there are lots of teams that need help back there going into a thin draft. I don’t see us jumping on one of those top 4 or 5 guys in the first couple of rounds so we may be stuck where we are for now.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
This years draft is deeper at FS so I think we will probably end up with one in rounds 2-5. Also, strong safety is an easier position to play so Smith can probably make an impact more quickly (if needed).
April 7th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Thanks for answering, Skip. While I like Michael Lewis a lot, he keeps getting dinged up - something that really kind of goes with the job - small guy tackling bigger guy and he’s getting more miles on those treads. Keith Lewis got lots of time as his backup. So, I think you need someone who can step in there. Hopefully, that’s Reggie or Jimmy Williams.
I also agree that we need a draft pick somewhere in the middle to late rounds to add to the group (nice to have 5 picks in the last 3 rounds). Going into the off season we seemed to have a strong DB group with less need to draft there except for the FS spot. Having let Strickland get away and the uncertainty with Spencer (can he come back strong this year?), Harris (when is he going to fall apart?), R.Smith and Williams (are either of these guys an upgrade?) and Roman (will he be around for another year as a backup?) leaves us with more of a need than I thought.