What a brutal loss the San Francisco 49ers suffered at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams. The 49ers were up by 10 points with seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Being up two scores with little time left should’ve given them a walkthrough win. Instead, the 49ers completely collapsed to lose to a final score of 27-24. The 49ers are now riding a two-game losing streak with their defense largely at fault. They have been incredibly underwhelming through three games this season, but there is a way for them to fix that. There are two changes the 49ers need to make to improve it and they can thank the Rams for pointing it out.
Two Changes the 49ers Defense Needs to Make
Bench CB Isaac Yiadom for CB Renardo Green
There was a lot of hype surrounding cornerback Isaac Yiadom. He was viewed as a “diamond in the rough” addition to the 49ers defense from the New Orleans Saints. However, he’s been everything but that. Yiadom has failed to provide stability in the secondary. He’s allowing 12.3 yards per reception in coverage, which means he’s allowing automatic first downs when targeted. Get Yiadom out of there. He isn’t providing any positive impact on the 49ers so far. There is zero indication that he will get it together.
Rookie cornerback Renardo Green is the player the 49ers need to start on defense over Yiadom. Green isn’t that much less of a talent than Yiadom, and the fact that he is a rookie means there will be struggles. But the 49ers have to live with that in the hopes that Green ascends as the season progresses. With Yiadom, they are already experiencing struggles, except there is no hope for him to ascend.
The 49ers have a chance to develop Green into a resounding starter. There is a reason they drafted him in the second round this year, which is the highest round the 49ers have ever taken a cornerback. He has shown the ability to be sticky in coverage in the preseason. Now is the time to see what they have by providing him with opportunities. There is a future with him that can bring stability to the secondary that isn’t occurring with Yiadom. Make the change.
Bench LB De’Vondre Campbell for LB Dee Winters
If it wasn’t clear before, then it is clear now why linebacker De’Vondre Campbell is no longer with the Green Bay Packers. He isn’t good, which is putting it nicely. It’s difficult to see what exactly he brings to the table. One thing is for sure is that he doesn’t bring speed. Campbell looks like he is moving in quicksand out there. He is a player that offenses cannot wait to attack. That is exactly what the Rams did towards the end of the game.
Campbell needs to be benched for literally anyone. Second-year linebacker Dee Winters should be the guy since he is fast, but he aggravated his ankle injury in the loss to the Rams. He will have to wait until he recovers. Otherwise, he is the ideal option to start. Until then, the 49ers should go with anyone else as the second linebacker next to Fred Warner. They need someone who has speed whether it is Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles or rookie Tatum Bethune.
The 49ers can live with a player who has speed and whiffs on tackles from time to time. What they can’t live with is Campbell continuing to be sluggish in coverage and against the run. Adding an extra safety to run a big nickel formation would be better than Campbell out there. He was brought in to be the placeholder for Dre Greenlaw as he recovers from a torn Achilles. But he has been a failed addition through three games. Make the change before it gets worse.
Main Image: Jayne Kamin-Oncea – USA Today Sports
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