After they were knocked out in the wild-card round of the postseason, the San Francisco 49ers have added some real difference-makers on both sides of the ball over the last few months.
While their roster is better than it was at the end of the year, they could still bring in talented players who could help take them to the next level. On Monday, a new name hit the market, as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Vita Vea requested a trade.
Every team in the league could benefit from adding a player like Vea, but former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho believes that Vea landing in San Francisco would make them legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
"If the Niners get Vita Vea. It's time to usher them back into the conversations. We've ushered the Rams into the Seahawks,
as reigning champs, into the Philadelphia Eagles, they always stay in those conversations," Acho said on his "Speakeasy" podcast. "Because you got to think about what the Niners are building this offseason. I would suggest the Niners have had quietly, maybe the best offseason in all of football. You bring Dre Greenlaw back. I love the Niners linebacking core greater than any other linebacking core now. Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw. You go get Oso Odighizuwa. I believe that he is perfectly situated now to start at defensive tackle. Alfred Collins continuing to ascend. You forgot about Mykel Williams, first-round pick from last year because of the injury. Nick Bosa looks as good as ever.
"Now, if you can get Vita Vea, now think about the depth. Now, you're rotating three defensive tackles... I think if you bring in Vita Vea, now, that run defense, which was so porous last year, instantly becomes a strong suit. I think the secondary has questions. Outside of D-Mo (Deommodore Lenoir), everybody's got questions about that secondary. Is it Ji'Ayir Brown? Is it (Malik) Mustapha? But if you get somebody as stout as Vita Veya up front, playing next to Alfred Collins with Oso Odighizuwa rotating in, plus Nick Bosa on the outside, plus you got Mykel Williams on the outside, plus you got Romello Height. I just think that is an incredible formidable front in that front seven."
Vea has been phenomenal in his eight years in the league, recording 256 tackles, 79 quarterback hits, 35 sacks, nine passes defensed, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He's also made two Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay.
With Vea reportedly interested in playing for the Las Vegas Raiders or in his home state of California, the 49ers have a good shot to land him if they're interested. Plus, they have to keep him away from the Los Angeles Rams before they bring back Aaron Donald and have the scariest interior defensive line pairing ever.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Former NFL LB believes 1 move would put 49ers in Super Bowl discussion
