49ers interview 3 candidates to become new DC, including ex-Falcons coach

The San Francisco 49ers, for the second time in the last five years, saw defensive coordinator Robert Saleh take on a head coaching gig on the East Coast.

He's now the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, and that means the 49ers need to find a new defensive coordinator. Fortunately, there are some solid options, and they've already begun to interview some top candidates.

According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, the 49ers have interviewed three candidates for their open DC job. All three candidates are intriguing, but one name, the former Atlanta Falcons head coach, stands out.

49ers DC search in full swing, ex-Falcons HC top choice

"Source: Thus far, the 49ers have interviewed Raheem Morris, Joe Woods, and Gus Bradley for their vacant defensive coordinator position," Maiocco reports.

Of these three names, Morris stands out as the most interesting of the bunch. His time with the Falcons didn't go great, but he's a great defensive mind, and paired with a great head coach in Kyle Shanahan, he could help improve the 49ers' defense going forward.

Bradley wouldn't be a terrible option either, while Woods might be one of the more unknown of these candidates so far.

The 49ers aren't likely done interviewing candidates either, as some other top defensive names could become available or be worth exploring this offseason.

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One name to keep a very close eye on is current Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. He lost the Browns head coach job to Todd Monken and has since expressed his desire to be away from the team.

Landing someone like Schwartz would be great, but that doesn't mean the current three candidates they've interviewed wouldn't be nice options, either.

Morris is one of the more interesting defensive coordinators this cycle, and someone the 49ers should try to hire if the fit is right and the interviews go well.

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