2 Months San Francisco 49ers Comment

49ers signed S Craig Dahl, formerly of the Rams, to a three-year contract.

Dahl, 28 in June, started all 16 games in 2012, racking up 78 tackles, two pass breakups, and one interception. Dahl isn't a sure tackler and often times gets lost in coverage, so he'll likely be the third safety in San Francisco. Look for the 49ers to target someone like Charles Woodson or an early draft pick to replace Dashon Goldson in the starting lineup.

2 Months San Francisco 49ers Comment

Free agent S Craig Dahl will visit the 49ers.

Dahl was routinely burned in coverage with the Rams, and was caught numerous times tackling the air around him. He started all 16 games last season, but he will never be viewed as a starter at any point over the rest of his career. Dahl isn't a capable replacement for Dashon Goldson.

As anyone who has ever tried to play matchmaker with a couple of his or her friends can attest, it is a maneuver wrought with peril. They either hit it off and live happily ever after or hold it against you forever when it doesn't work out.

That is why I have retired from playing ‘cupid' with my friends and limit my matchmaking to the fantasy realm. It keeps the number of angry phone calls to a minimum and is a lot more fun.

The defensive back position is full of fantasy relevant free agents for 2013, and, looking at where respective players can best reach their fantasy potential may not fall in line with where a lot of ‘NFL experts' feel players should sign.

Hey, let's be honest here folks. As Individual Defensive Player (IDP) fantasy owners we really don't concern ourselves with whether or not a cornerback can shut down his side of the field as much as we want the man thrown at as often as possible.

We want our safeties having to come down into the box to support a weak run stopping defense more than we want him trolling 20 yards downfield as the last line of defense. With that in mind, let's get down to some fantasy matchmaking ...

William Moore, SS, Atlanta: Moore was hampered down the stretch last season with a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the final four weeks of the regular season. On the bright side, he did play every defensive snap in the games he played in and finished the year with 62 solos and 85 total tackles including the playoffs.

After appearing in only two games as a rookie (knee and hamstring issues), Moore has been a three-year starter for the Falcons. He has racked up more than 200 combined stops with 11 interceptions along with 1.5 sacks and five forced fumbles in his career.

The St. Louis Rams are in need of a premier strong safety to line up alongside Quintin Mikell (who may need to restructure his deal if he wants to remain a Ram) in their secondary, and Moore would fit the bill perfectly. He is steady against the run and capable of more than holding his own in coverage.

He has struggled with staying healthy and has missed 24 regular season games in his four years in the league but is coming off his best season to date. St. Louis is highly unlikely to bring back strong safety Craig Dahl, who is a free agent and has underwhelmed in his stint for the Rams.

Adding a Pro Bowl talent like Moore to the mix of Cortland Finnegan, Janoris Jenkins as well as Mikell improves the Rams defense considerably as well as...

5 Months San Francisco 49ers Comment

The Rams are not expected to re-sign free agent S Craig Dahl this offseason.

St. Louis is expected to pursue "a better coverage option" at the free safety spot. Dahl, 27, is no better than a replacement-level talent and forced just one turnover in 16 starts in 2012. He should resurface elsewhere as a backup.

6 Months San Francisco 49ers Comment

Rams S Craig Dahl was forced from St. Louis' Week 14 game against the Bills with a head injury.

Dahl is officially questionable to return, but is believed to have a concussion. The Achilles' heel of the Rams secondary, Dahl has been replaced by Darian Stewart.

10 Months San Francisco 49ers Comment

Craig Dahl and Darian Stewart are alternating reps with the first-team defense at free safety.

These two also battled for the job in 2011, with Dahl opening the season with the gig. That lasted just five games though, as Stewart took over for the final 11 games of the season. The Rams secondary actually ranked seventh in the league last year.