Defense Could be One Off-season Away from Top 5

[21Savage]

Despite the doom and gloom, I believe we can be one off season away from fielding a top
5 defense. This will necessitate:

- Hiring a top tier DC
- Switching to a 3-4 and moving Parsons to a more natural OLB position
- Investing through draft picks and FA signings

Projected 2025 D:

OLB: Micah Parsons/ Carl Lawson
DE: Top 10 pick (Mason Graham, Deone Walker)
NT: Mazi Smith/ Free Agent/ Draft pick
DE: Javon Kinlaw/ Gholston/ Keeland
OLB: Sam Williams/ Draft pick/ Free Agent

ILB: Overshown/ Draft pick
ILB: Kendricks/ Liufau

CB: Diggs/ Free Agent
CB: Lewis/ Carson
CB: Bland/ Draft pick
SS: Bell/ Draft pick/ Free Agent
FS: Thomas/ Draft pick/ Free Agent


But I do believe that once we get past the imbedded and warranted pessimism of this season that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Pair this with an emphasis on the run game and we should be back to being respectable.

 

[Bob-Lillys-War]

Yeah defense is ok , the offense is what needs a QB

 

[JonesBoys]

I just don't see a top 5 defense with Mazi starting. He's that bad. Need to find a way to kick him to the bench. They need to shore up the interior defensive line and add another pass rusher.

 

[hopemsu]

very well could get much better with a new DC, but this defense is very bad. Any long term fixing is going to need something that will help our playoff chances, as we MUST get someone that can stop the run in the middle. It is what alllll super bowl contenders have in common.

We are statistically worst in the league in a couple categories and next to last in a couple others. Moving Parsons won't help, if he's not rushing the passer, he is not adding value as an true linebacker. He is bad against the run, and getting off run blockers. The only way we could fix this defense in 1 offseason; wed have to get a Chris Jones type, and there aren't many of those going around.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Pretty sure they were top 5 the last 2 seasons. Best defenses dallas has had easily since the 90s but we will see next season or there after

 

[JohnsKey19]

Mazi is arguably the worst starting DT in the league. How is he going to anchor a 3-4, on even an average defense? You're getting that new Defensive Coordinator fired with the quickness.

 

[NFCBeasts]

Mazi is a bust …. i like your optimism and hope you are right. The question becomes with our cap space , having to pay MP, how much will we be able to spend on top tier free agents . Let’s wait and see I suppose.

 

[Parcells4Life]

No one plays a 3-4/4-3 more than 20% of the time.

 

[diamonddelts]

Despite the doom and gloom, I believe we can be one off season away from fielding a top
5 defense. This will necessitate:

- Hiring a top tier DC
- Switching to a 3-4 and moving Parsons to a more natural OLB position
- Investing through draft picks and FA signings

Projected 2025 D:

OLB: Micah Parsons/ Carl Lawson
DE: Top 10 pick (Mason Graham, Deone Walker)
NT: Mazi Smith/ Free Agent/ Draft pick
DE: Javon Kinlaw/ Gholston/ Keeland
OLB: Sam Williams/ Draft pick/ Free Agent

ILB: Overshown/ Draft pick
ILB: Kendricks/ Liufau

CB: Diggs/ Free Agent
CB: Lewis/ Carson
CB: Bland/ Draft pick
SS: Bell/ Draft pick/ Free Agent
FS: Thomas/ Draft pick/ Free Agent


But I do believe that once we get past the imbedded and warranted pessimism of this season that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Pair this with an emphasis on the run game and we should be back to being respectable.

Top 5 defense with Mazi starting? Hell naw.

 

[gimmesix]

Despite the doom and gloom, I believe we can be one off season away from fielding a top
5 defense. This will necessitate:

- Hiring a top tier DC
- Switching to a 3-4 and moving Parsons to a more natural OLB position
- Investing through draft picks and FA signings

Projected 2025 D:

OLB: Micah Parsons/ Carl Lawson
DE: Top 10 pick (Mason Graham, Deone Walker)
NT: Mazi Smith/ Free Agent/ Draft pick
DE: Javon Kinlaw/ Gholston/ Keeland
OLB: Sam Williams/ Draft pick/ Free Agent

ILB: Overshown/ Draft pick
ILB: Kendricks/ Liufau

CB: Diggs/ Free Agent
CB: Lewis/ Carson
CB: Bland/ Draft pick
SS: Bell/ Draft pick/ Free Agent
FS: Thomas/ Draft pick/ Free Agent


But I do believe that once we get past the imbedded and warranted pessimism of this season that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Pair this with an emphasis on the run game and we should be back to being respectable.

I see Kneeland as an outside linebacker in a 3-4. He's only 6-3, 270.

The biggest obstacle to top five is the line. We'd need to completely replace what we've got. Mazi could be a rotating NT, but we need better than him as a starter. Luckily, most of the DL we have this year are free agents next year, so whoever comes in would be able to handpick his starters out of the dumpster.

 

[gimmesix]

very well could get much better with a new DC, but this defense is very bad. Any long term fixing is going to need something that will help our playoff chances, as we MUST get someone that can stop the run in the middle. It is what alllll super bowl contenders have in common.

We are statistically worst in the league in a couple categories and next to last in a couple others. Moving Parsons won't help, if he's not rushing the passer, he is not adding value as an true linebacker. He is bad against the run, and getting off run blockers. The only way we could fix this defense in 1 offseason; wed have to get a Chris Jones type, and there aren't many of those going around.

In a 3-4, Parsons would still be rushing the passer/attacking the pocket as an OLB on pretty much every down. His role would be like Ware's when Parcells/Phillips was here. Or like T.J. Watt's in Pittsburgh.

 

[gimmesix]

No one plays a 3-4/4-3 more than 20% of the time.

Nickel does greatly affect the percentages.

 

[stilltheguru]

Top 5 against bottom feeders or real offenses in December? If you think they'll be top 5 next year vs real teams Jerry really is the GOAT salesman

 

[KJJ]

Yeah defense is ok , the offense is what needs a QB

The defense was okay yesterday. It played well in the first half but it’s been awful most of the season.

 

[KJJ]

The defense is a long way from being one offseason away. lol The DL needs to be overhauled. Sure, the D played well for the most part on Sunday but it’s very inconsistent and we’re giving up a ton of points. The defense finally has a good showing at least for a half and all of a sudden it’s getting close?

 

[exciter]

Lawson won’t be here!
The prospect of Williams in coverage is terrifying!
Mazi can’t hold up as a 1tech, 2 snaps in zero he would be running to the locker room in tears because his bra is cinching.
Kinlaw is a walking IR designation waiting to happen… plays for the Jets… 49ers sent him away!
Kneeland is a 43 5t epitome of the position… let’s make him a waisted 2nd round pick!
Overshown is having issues holding up as a WiLL hed get destroyed playing 34 SAM!
A potato could figure out Kendrick’s won’t be here!
Liafau hasn’t shown nothing to indicate he’s smart enough to be a 34 MiKE!
Switching to a 34 would be a 3 year rebuild!

 

[Kingofholland]

Despite the doom and gloom, I believe we can be one off season away from fielding a top
5 defense. This will necessitate:

- Hiring a top tier DC
- Switching to a 3-4 and moving Parsons to a more natural OLB position
- Investing through draft picks and FA signings

Projected 2025 D:

OLB: Micah Parsons/ Carl Lawson
DE: Top 10 pick (Mason Graham, Deone Walker)
NT: Mazi Smith/ Free Agent/ Draft pick
DE: Javon Kinlaw/ Gholston/ Keeland
OLB: Sam Williams/ Draft pick/ Free Agent

ILB: Overshown/ Draft pick
ILB: Kendricks/ Liufau

CB: Diggs/ Free Agent
CB: Lewis/ Carson
CB: Bland/ Draft pick
SS: Bell/ Draft pick/ Free Agent
FS: Thomas/ Draft pick/ Free Agent


But I do believe that once we get past the imbedded and warranted pessimism of this season that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Pair this with an emphasis on the run game and we should be back to being respectable.

I agree this team has way more potential than the results we're seeing. If they managed to find a dominant DT this defense would look much different. Paired with Parsons, Overshown, Diggs, and Bland I like that combo.

 

[Adreme]

Despite the doom and gloom, I believe we can be one off season away from fielding a top
5 defense. This will necessitate:

- Hiring a top tier DC
- Switching to a 3-4 and moving Parsons to a more natural OLB position
- Investing through draft picks and FA signings

Projected 2025 D:

OLB: Micah Parsons/ Carl Lawson
DE: Top 10 pick (Mason Graham, Deone Walker)
NT: Mazi Smith/ Free Agent/ Draft pick
DE: Javon Kinlaw/ Gholston/ Keeland
OLB: Sam Williams/ Draft pick/ Free Agent

ILB: Overshown/ Draft pick
ILB: Kendricks/ Liufau

CB: Diggs/ Free Agent
CB: Lewis/ Carson
CB: Bland/ Draft pick
SS: Bell/ Draft pick/ Free Agent
FS: Thomas/ Draft pick/ Free Agent


But I do believe that once we get past the imbedded and warranted pessimism of this season that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Pair this with an emphasis on the run game and we should be back to being respectable.

Okay so assuming you put all the draft and free agency capital into the defense, where are the resources to add 2 new starters in the OLine, a new RB, and a new WR2/3?

Nothing can really start again for the offense until that OLine is fixed. They downgraded at 2 positions and Martin has aged quickly.

 

[Majic]

Lawson won’t be here!
The prospect of Williams in coverage is terrifying!
Mazi can’t hold up as a 1tech, 2 snaps in zero he would be running to the locker room in tears because his bra is cinching.
Kinlaw is a walking IR designation waiting to happen… plays for the Jets… 49ers sent him away!
Kneeland is a 43 5t epitome of the position… let’s make him a waisted 2nd round pick!
Overshown is having issues holding up as a WiLL hed get destroyed playing 34 SAM!
A potato could figure out Kendrick’s won’t be here!
Liafau hasn’t shown nothing to indicate he’s smart enough to be a 34 MiKE!
Switching to a 34 would be a 3 year rebuild!

You have to build around Parsons. A 3-4 makes sense.
How about Williams as a 5T.
Could Overshown become an OLB? with a bit more weight?

 

[plasticman]

They literally are one season away from being a top 5 defense.....last season.