49ers Making Bad Decision Shopping Michael Wilhoite Instead of Chris Borland

The San Francisco 49ers almost have the right idea.

The Niners have one too many inside linebackers. They have two all-time greats (NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis), two quality backups (Michael Wilhoite and Nick Moody) and one up-and-comer (Chris Borland) who finished fourth last season in the voting for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Someone has to go. According to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee, it’s going to be Wilhoite:

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Sources: #49ers trying to trade LB Michael Wilhoite, who started 16 games in 2014 ... http://t.co/i14bGG8215

— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 4, 2015"

Wilhoite started last season because Bowman was injured. Now, Bowman is healthy and Barrows reports the Niners want to trade Wilhoite for a sixth- or seventh-round pick.

What would the Niners gain by trading Wilhoite for a sixth- or seventh-round pick? They would trade a good backup and decent starter for someone who may not make the roster.

Wilhoite is a veteran with a relatively low salary who knows the 49ers’ defensive scheme and knows the NFC West. He is more valuable to the Niners than a late-round pick. He is the wrong guy to trade.

The 49ers should move Borland instead.

Borland’s value will never be higher than it is now and they can get an impact player for him—a player they need. After Willis injured his toe and was placed on injured reserve last season, Borland became a starter and recorded 93 tackles in an eight-game stretch, according to NFL.com.

To put that in perspective, Luke Kuechly started 16 games for the Carolina Panthers and led the NFL with 153 tackles. Borland was on pace to register 186 tackles as a rookie.

Borland was a third-round pick last year. If the 49ers trade him this offseason, they could probably get a second-round pick in return—maybe even a first-round pick. Something around No. 30 overall.

The Niners already have the 15th pick in the upcoming draft. If they also had the 30th, they could come away from the first day of the draft having filled their two biggest needs: offensive lineman and wide receiver.

Trading Borland would help fix the 49ers offense.

There’s more. With the 15th pick, general manager Trent Baalke could draft someone who can play guard or tackle. Someone who can replace Mike Iupati when he signs with another team or back up Anthony Davis if he gets hurt again.

The Niners had a great offensive line in 2012. It featured three first-round picks—Iupati, Davis and Joe Staley. Three is a magic number.

The Niners need to replace Iupati, a great run-blocker, with a first-round pick to ensure the offense has a dominant running game. A dominant running game is a young quarterback’s best friend.

After the Niners handle the offensive line, then they can draft a wide receiver with the pick they would receive by trading Borland. Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong should be available at No. 30. Strong would be a fixture in the Niners’ starting lineup for the next 10 years.

Borland might become a fixture in another team’s starting lineup, but not the Niners’. He doesn’t fit their defense. In spite of his achievements, the 49ers would not lose much by trading him.

Borland is slow. He must be flanked by outside linebackers who can cover in a sideline-to-sideline capacity for him. He is a between-the-tackles thumper, a classic middle linebacker who must leave the field on third down because he’s a liability in pass coverage. Think Matt Millen.

The 49ers don’t use a classic middle linebacker. The Niners use two inside linebackers (Willis and Bowman) and ask them to cover the entire width of the field on every play. Borland can’t do that.

Teams started to figure that out toward the end of last season.

In Week 12, the 49ers played the Washington Redskins. In the first quarter, Redskins running back Alfred Morris carried the ball outside the tackles to his right.

Borland tried to chase down Morris near the sideline. Here’s what happened:

USA TODAY Sports

Borland missed the tackle and Morris gained 22 yards on that play.

Morris isn’t fast. He ran a 4.67 at the combine in 2012. But Borland runs a 4.83. He had to lunge at Morris with his arms. NFL running backs destroy arm tackles.

Another team exploited Borland the same way the next week. The 49ers were playing the Seahawks in Seattle. Marshawn Lynch carried the ball outside the tackles to his right. Borland chased him. Borland lunged. Borland missed. Lynch gained 33 yards.

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This isn’t to prove Borland can’t play. He’s a heck of a player. However, he has limitations which are problematic in the 49ers’ style of defense.

And the Niners have no reason to change their defense to accommodate Borland. They already have a great defense.

Trading a player as good as Borland is a luxury very few teams have. The 49ers should feel lucky they have it once they realize they do.

Follow @grantcohn