3-4 OLB possibilities

People can post their ideas for 3-4 OLB possibilities in here, but I had a couple ideas that were interesting (one rendered moot due to Cotchery's release but I'll share it anyway).

1) Trade Jerricho Cotchery (WR) to the 49ers for Thaddeus Gibson (OLB) and a late round pick.

Reasoning: With Crabtree injured and in doubt for the first six games of the season, the 49ers could really use a veteran WR who can be a reliable target for Alex Smith but more importantly Colin Kaepernick. Cotchery was rumored to be interested in signing with San Diego if he was released to play with college teammate Phil Rivers, so acquiring Cotchery would prevent a division rival from getting better as well. The 49ers have 1st round pick Aldon Smith in the fold at one OLB spot, and the rapidly improving Ahmad Brooks (who I was bashed for bringing up one year ago as a promising prospect) as the other starting OLB. Thaddeus Gibson was a 4-3 DE from Ohio State who also spent time at SLB for them. Don't be fooled by the OSU pedigree and think Vernon Gholston -- Gibson was always a LB before going to OSU and is fluid in his movement. He has a mean streak rushing the passer and is sized similarly to Lamarr Woodley. The 49ers need a WR more than they need a backup OLB, and trading Gibson with a late round pick ensures Cotchery's arrival in the Bay Area.

**with Cotchery off the team, a variant of this trade could still happen with just a draft pick, or perhaps Dwight Lowery or a backup NT since they lost Franklin. Gibson is a great project who I've followed for a while and it really seems that his best fit is at 3-4 OLB to utilize his hybrid skill set. If they are high on Gibson, than a slightly taller price could potentially bring us Ahmad Brooks.

2) Ricky Sapp, waived by the Eagles.

Reasoning: Sapp is recovering from injury and is currently about a step slower than his top speed. He was never going to make it as a 4-3 DE because he doesn't have the size or strength to hold the point, and the Eagles also just brought in their version of the dream team and didn't have room for Sapp. Sapp, when healthy, has a lightning-quick first step and a decent arsenal of pass rush moves that were never coached up at Clemson, perhaps the worst school in the country at player development. Bowers, Spiller, Harper, Sapp, McDaniels, and Jacoby Ford all succeeded at Clemson on their own athletic talents and all need to be coached up in the NFL to be effective (save maybe Bowers). He has a knack for rushing the passer and he can move pretty well in space. If we can stash him on the PS or as a backup OLB, the risk-reward here could be huge.

There are some other good ideas, but those were the most logical. I have a hard time figuring out why we didn't trade Jerricho for at least a developmental prospect (Taylor Mays or Gibson from 49ers) or a late round pick. Some teams really need a good veteran WR who may not be able to attract one on the open market, and we can always use a late round draft pick. Could have freed us up to take someone in the supplemental draft and not have lost a pick (net) for next year's draft. While Pryor is only minorly interesting to be used in Brad Smith's wildcat QB role and to be dealt later for a higher pick (a la Kolb), some other guys could end up in the draft that would be well worth the pick for us: Michael Floyd or Janoris Jenkins.