How Should the 49ers Approach the Dilemma at ILB?
By David Ochoa
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A month ago the San Francisco 49ers were sitting pretty at the top of the league with the best linebacker corps in the league. With Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman in the middle with Chris Borland backing them up, it appeared the 49ers were set on in the inside for many years to come. Unfortunately within a span of a couple weeks, the 49ers lost both Willis and Borland to retirement. So how do the 49ers survive this blow to their depth?
Before the surprising retirements, the 49ers were reportedly looking to trade Michael Wilhoite because of the plethora of talent that they had.
Sources: #49ers trying to trade LB Michael Wilhoite, who started 16 games in 2014 ... http://t.co/i14bGG8215
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 4, 2015
Wilhoite was a 16-game starter last season, and started in Bowman’s place while he rehabbed a nasty knee injury he suffered in the 2013 NFC championship game. In 2014, Wilhoite tallied 87 tackles and two interceptions.
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As of right now, Bowman and Wilhoite are the projected starters in 2015 with Nick Moody and Shayne Skov looking to back them up. But will the 49ers bring in another free agent or draft a rookie?
It was reported that the 49ers are interested in former NFC North linebackers, Lance Briggs and Erin Henderson. Briggs is coming off a couple very disappointing years, and Henderson has had a difficult time staying out of trouble.
How about the draft?
When news of Borland’s retirement came out, Bleacher Report’s draft expert Matt Miller had this to say about ILB in the draft.
Do the @49ers draft an ILB at No. 15? I don't have a linebacker graded that high currently. Eric Kendricks top ILB at No. 25
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 17, 2015
It seems logical that the 49ers would draft at least one linebacker in the draft, but most likely not until the later rounds. Both Borland and Bowman were drafted in the third round, so it has been proven that the 49ers can find great linebacker talent in the later rounds.
All in all, the 49ers will look at all options but ultimately Wilhoite will most likely be the week one starter next to Bowman. It will be very difficult to beat him out for the starting spot.
There is no denying that the 49ers got weaker at ILB, but they still have talent there that is better than many other teams in the league.