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San Francisco 49ers: 7 Players on the Hot Seat This Offseason

By Trevor Irvine

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) stands on the sideline against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) stands on the sideline against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) gives a thumbs up following the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns defeated the 49ers 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) gives a thumbs up following the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns defeated the 49ers 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Kicker Phil Dawson

It is harsh to say that Dawson is on the 49ers hot seat after he has had another outstanding season. He is arguably the special teams Most Valuable Player, having made 20-23 of his field goal attempts this season, with two of those misses having been blocked.

Per KNBR.com, Dawson wishes to return for his 18th season:

Dawson wanting to return to the 49ers is commendable. However, Dawson becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. He will be 41 in late January, and his cap hit this year has been $3,067,000, which is highly unlikely to be spent again in 2016 on a kicker.

The obvious scenario is to let him walk and to either get a young kicker in the draft or bring in a cheaper and younger version of Dawson.

It will be sad to see Dawson leave, however saving this money can be used for other need positions. The 49ers need depth and better skill players in several areas, most namely the offensive and defensive lines.

Next: Ahmad Brooks