Another well-thought out post, but I have to disagree with the amount of personnel changes a 4-3 would bring. So far we’ve only talked about the positive effect for Dockett, but Dan Williams has to be just as amped about the possible switch. He was very hard to block at Tennessee, and would probably excel given the chance to play DT again, especially next to Dockett. Campbell, as noted, will do great regardless of scheme so that leaves one DE to fill. While you believe they’re out of position, it’s still where Schofield played throughout his college career and Acho spent time there as well. With DD and Williams likely demanding double teams I don’t think their lack of size will be as problematic. If they don’t work out, a guy like David Carter might. LB’s? Some change there, but Washington is locked in at MLB, so we’d have to add some real OLB’s, not the one-trick ponies that typically have to convert from DE in college, and are complete guesswork at draft time anyways. Even the ones who have worked out could be facing a new reality, the read option exposed Aldon Smith and Clay Matthews something terrible. Shouldn’t be any major changes in the secondary either, if anything less blitzing makes their lives easier. The only big question is QB pressure/takewaways, but it instantly improves our run defense and I’d say our overall pass d as well.

Don’t get me wrong. Sure there are many positives to a 4-3.

But lets face it, we won games over the last two years due to defense and special teams. If we switch to a 4-3, I think we all can agree that there will be more personnel changes than if we stayed in a 3-4.

Can some of the guys “fit” the 4-3 and be serviceable ? Sure. But with an offense in flux looking for a QB and other holes, can we afford to be plugging in serviceable players who don’t completely fit on defense?

I’m not one of these fans that think we can compete for the West title next year. I’m OK with the thought that we are building over the next two drafts. So, flipping to a 4-3 isn’t the worst thing. But, let’s be clear, there is no way I do it to fit a 32 yr old DT who has a couple years left.

As for our OLBs, I agree that we need an upgrade at one of the spots. And yes, they did play with a hand on the ground. But Groves was a bust in Jax as a DE, Acho doesn’t have the size to play end or the explosive first step to make up for it. Same goes for Schofield. So young guys we drafted have to play out of position.

I just don’t know about the idea of Dockett as an under tackle and Acho with his hand on the ground and Walker trying to cover a TE. I think Washingtons production drops, sacks drop, and our defense has a down year.
I would be for a 4-3 defense if we filled the holes in the draft and understood it will be a two year process.

I would like to see the cards draft back and land Ansah or Werner in the 1st. Both would do well as a LDE. (Wiith 3 picks in the 1-2 rounds they should walk away with a DE, QB, OL)

At the LB corp Washington fits well as a WILL. In an ideal world he puts on 10 pounds of muscle and he could move to the MIKE and would be a stud. Walker could play a SAM. Bradley could be a MIKE or a SAM but neither Walker nor Bradley would be dominant but I do think they woould be serviceable, especially at the SAM since they would likely come off in nickle. Groves played SAM with oakland but did not look great.

I would like to see them pick up a MIKE/Will (depending on washington) in the 3rd or 4th rounds. There are many good options this draft that woould be solid. (I like Riddick but there are many solid options). Have Washington as ROLB behind Campbell and Williams* (not sure I would flip my OLB as a true WILL and SAM but that is a discussion for another day). Have Draft compete with Bradley for MIKE and have Groves, Walker, Schoffield battle for LOLB/ SAM. Have Acho and Draft compete for LDE.

*If Star L. is there in the 1st round I take him and figure out LDE. Star would compete with Williams.