Former 49er defensive back suggests the team should change its draft approach

The San Francisco 49ers have made the playoffs as a legitimate championship contender, with multiple Super Bowl appearances in the last four seasons.

Over the years, the 49ers have built some of their franchise staples through the draft, such as Fred Warner, Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and others; however, former NFL defensive back Donte Whitner believes the team should change its drafting approach moving forward.

"I think it's time for the 49ers to get away from the safe draft picks. The guys who are easy to control in the locker room. It's time to go and get guys from the inner city. From Ohio State, Georgia. Just like the Philadelphia Eagles did," Whitner proposed.

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The former eighth overall pick also provided an edgy perspective on the type of players San Francisco should bring in: "You need to go get guys who have some off-field issues. You need to get guys who have anger issues. You need to get guys who refuse not to be great football players.... That's what it's going to take to compete," Whitner stated.

Now, of course, Whitner isn't saying that if players don't have anger or off-field issues, they shouldn't be drafted, but he is suggesting that the team look for players known for having a chip on their shoulder. 

Whether the team will listen to the former Niner's advice will have to wait until April at the earliest, but it is not hard to see the point Whitner is making: every team needs players with something to prove on its side to be great.

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