The switch to a 3-4 defense (17 Viewers)

[Joodas Avila]

So with the recent news that Brandon Staley is the new DC, there is now a very strong probability he is going to switch to a true 3-4 defense. What will the d-line and linebacker front look like? Does the team have enough players to fit that mold already?
I have so many questions.
Can they extend Cam Jordan's career as a 5-tech DE? Who will man the middle? do they need a proper NT? Can Bresee be it, or does he move to DE and Shepherd plays NT? Who will be the primary OLBs in this scheme? Granderson and Foskey? What about the inside Linebackers?

I think Cam & Bresee can fill the 5T role. I think Sheperd & Bink will play inside at DT/NT. But Sheperd seems like he also be a 5T, too. Cam also fits as a rush OLB & could be lined up there, too. Granderson & Foskey would be rush OLBs. But the rest of the DL would have to be restocked bia FA & the draft.

In FA, EDGE OLBs like Azeez Ojulari (if he can stay healthy), Patrick Jones, & Malcolm Koonce could be major gets at a decent price. Then draft someone like Mike Green, or Donovan Ezeiruaku, or one of the many 34 EDGE OLBs available in this class to round out our new look pass rush.

At 5T, someone like Tershawn Wharton or Chauncey Golston would/could be sleeper hits in FA. We could even resign Tanoh or Turner at the position as well. In the draft, Derrick Harmon on Day1, Josh Farmer, Ty Robinson, & Jordan Buch on Day2 would be the perfect fits at 5T. What’s more, Harmon, Farmer, Robinson, & Burch could also play inside as the odd front DT.

I think we’re strong at ILB & prob roll w/DD & Werner. Id resign Willie Gay & maybe make Nick Bolton the target in FA.in the draft Danny Stuntsman & Jeff Bassa could be Day2 slam dunks. Im super hyped on what our D will look like after FA & the draft. This offseason is pretty loaded w/34 D talent.

 

[Rouxble]

I'll let Roux correct me on these alignments but it could also look like this and still be a 4-2-5. Looking at it from this perspective Adebo would be a priorityresign and I'd look to potentiall upgrade from Harris in FA since safety market is low priced. I'd also look to upgrade the NT position w/ a draft pick. I'd likely draft another Edge guy to groom behind Granderson. (Foskey seems like a Sam sometimes drop/sometimes rush guy more than a pure passrusher)

So FA CB, S and then you could probably switch to the offensive side of the ball. Maybe you let Juwan Walk but you resign MVS. All of a sudden you're looking at the TE/RB/DE at 9 and then a NT at 40. After that you can use the other picks to hit what you didn't hit a 9

The 4-2-5 has a lot of flexibility, especially with a 3-3-5 (w/ two off ball LB’s) or 2-4-5 personnel package. The likely base would be a G front with two standup wide 9’s. The DT’s line up in a 2i and a 3, with the 3 to the nickel (to the passing strength). The LB’s line up in a 30.

The two edges have the C gaps, with the DT’s absorbing doubles and playing gap and a half in the middle. The LB’s ball fit behind the DT’s. The safety has time to get to the runner if the front successfully closes off all the interior gaps.

I posted a video in another thread of it working perfectly for the Chargers against the Broncos. All the interior gaps get sealed off, and the runner has to bounce it outside to find three defenders waiting for him.


View attachment RPReplay_Final1740321346.mov

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

The 4-2-5 has a lot of flexibility, especially with a 3-3-5 (w/ two off ball LB’s) or 2-4-5 personnel package. The likely base would be a G front with two standup wide 9’s. The DT’s line up in a 2i and a 3, with the 3 to the nickel (to the passing strength). The LB’s line up in a 30.

The two edges have the C gaps, with the DT’s absorbing doubles and playing gap and a half in the middle. The LB’s ball fit behind the DT’s. The safety has time to get to the runner if the front successfully closes off all the interior gaps.

I posted a video in another thread of it working perfectly for the Chargers against the Broncos. All the interior gaps get sealed off, and the runner has to bounce it outside to find three defenders waiting for him.


View attachment RPReplay_Final1740321346.mov

How would the alignment look w/ 3-3-5 Personnel? What my 4-2-5 shows is somewhat of a 3-3-5 but Alontae is the Wide 9 Sam. So he’s got potential to drop or blitz considering his 3 sacks in 2 games last year. That’s the reason for the bigger front, extra run stopping and I think Bresee can win as a DE in some looks.