NinerFann @tonyuop: Does Aaron Lynch fit as the Elephant/Leo rusher?
ANS: The short answer is, sure he does. The long answer is that his best fit probably is as the defensive end on the other/strong side of the formation, what the 49ers call the ‘big end.’ This player is usually a bit stouter than the Leo/Elephant end and is able to hold up against the run. The problem is that the 49ers have an overabundance of big ends. Solomon Thomas probably will be the starter there when the season begins. It’s perhaps Arik Armstead’s most natural spot. Tank Carradine, DeForest Buckner and Ronald Blair could play there as well. On the flip side, the team has no obvious starter at Leo/Elephant. Which is why Armstead, Blair, Carradine, Pita Taumoepena — and, yes, Lynch — will get a chance to state their case there during the offseason.
Tony Woolard @tony_woolard: What 2018 qb will fit kyles system best? Darnold, Rosen, or Allen?
ANS: Well, you hit on the Top 3. My guess is that his order of preference will be exactly that: Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen. The questions are 1.) Can Darnold build on his impressive 2016 season? He’ll be missing a couple of his favorite receivers from last year. He seems to have the pocket courage — the fearlessness — Shanahan cherishes. 2. Rosen will have his third offensive coordinator in as many years. He seems to be the most prototypical pocket quarterback of the bunch, which Shanahan obviously prefers. Will he finally flourish in Jedd Fisch’s system? 3. Will Allen become a more complete quarterback this season? He might be the most impressive physically, but needs more polish than the other two. He may play in a pro-style system, but he didn’t seem like an adept pocket passer last season … The looming question, of course, is whether the 49ers land Kirk Cousins in free agency. If the answer is yes, they’d be better off using their top pick on a pass catcher, pass rusher or future left tackle than on another quarterback.
Alan Chee @agchee: In your opinion, does CJ still sit at least half the year, even if he’s clearly the best option in camp & preseason? Thanks.
ANS: Well, to answer your question directly: if C.J. Beathard ‘is clearly the best option’ in the preseason, then he will be the starter. But I’m not sure that’s realistic. I don’t think the 49ers have any real intention of starting Beathard this year unless injuries make that a necessity. For a plausible timeline for Beathard, I’d look toward Cousins. He was a rookie in 2012 who didn’t become Washington’s unquestioned starter until 2015.
Jason McCord @jasondmccord Is drafting of Joe Williams a sign Carlos Hyde might not be an ideal fit for Shanahan offense or more reflective of 1-2 punch like in Atlanta?
ANS: My sense is that it’s more of a one-two punch. The 49ers certainly want to push Hyde more than he was pushed the last two seasons (which was not at all). And they want to make sure there is better depth at the position than there was the last two seasons (which was very little). But I think Hyde still is the best runner on the team, someone with better cut-back ability than a runner his size usually has. I’d imagine that Shanahan will craft something that fits his considerable strengths. But, again, they seem eager to push him more than he’s been pushed to this point in San Francisco (which is very little).
Luke Walsh @LukeyWalsh: Who plays the all important single high safety role if (when?) Ward gets injured?
Brad Collins @eastcoast49ers: Which UDFA will make the biggest impact in 2017?
ANS: I wrote about Lorenzo Jerome last week. He might be the answer to both these questions. If Ward got hurt and the 49ers deemed that Jerome was not ready (entirely plausible), it might be that Eric Reid resumes his role as free safety and Jaquiski Tartt plays strong safety.
Caolan Small @Redsmally: One from Ireland Matt. Why such a small in stature WR core? Surely some bigger bodies needed to mix things up?
ANS: Yes, Kyle Shanahan had a couple of big bodies last year in Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu. This year, Pierre Garcon is 6-0, 211 but as physical as it gets at the position. DeAndre Smelter (6-2, 210) is the biggest of the group but has yet to turn his promising physical gifts into production. (Though I thought it was interesting the 49ers parted ways with a number of receivers, but not Smelter. They must be curious about him). The 49ers have not drafted an elite receiver since Terrell Owens. Maybe they’ll finally break that spell next year in a draft that shows signs of having some prospects at the position.
Devin Harrington @devindangerous: What happened with KD Cannon?
ANS: White House ties to Russia? Why was Comey fired? What’s in Trump’s tax returns? Those questions are picayune compared to the greatest mystery of our generation: What really happened with KD Cannon? I know no one will be satisfied with the answer the FAKE MEDIA wants you to believe — he wasn’t impressive during the 49ers’ minicamp — so I will give you the real scoop: Cannon was caught selling yellowcake that he obtained in North Africa to the Iraqis. What’s worse is that this occurred after 49ers curfew. Which is why he was released. #sad
About the Author: Insidethe49
