I think it's very fair to say he's not being to be- at age 32- what he was at 27 or 28. But I do think he's still a top-15 ILB. Will there be any sort of "Aaron Donald effect" with Wagner? Maybe. His coverage grade slipped the most which makes sense. And in that regard maybe this signing makes even more sense because they don't need (or want?) him to be a 3-down ILB. He's averaged over 1,050 snaps/year the past 6 years and I think that changes. More like 800.
I do also believe that this is a direct move to address the weakness the 49ers exploited against them over and over. And I also view this from a one-to-one upgrade standpoint. They've replaced probably one of their lowest performing defenders in 2021 with, again, a top-15 ILB.
I also think this signing helps fill the leadership void from Whitworth retiring which is important.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/2022 03:58AM by LMU93.
