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San Francisco 49ers: Top 5 Positions Needing Improvement in 2016

By Jerod Brown

Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers fans cheer for their team prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers fans cheer for their team prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Alex Boone (75) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Alex Boone (75) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Interior Lineman

The 49ers, as of now, have two solid starting guards in Andrew Tiller and Alex Boone. The issue is that Boone will become an unrestricted free agent in March and has noted his desire to test the open market.

Many other teams will value Boone as a tackle, earning the six-year veteran significantly more money. According to Over The Cap, the highest-paid guard earns an average yearly salary that is less than half of the average yearly salary of the highest-paid right tackle.

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Boone has played tackle for the 49ers in a pinch, but has primarily been utilized as a guard. The 49ers are in clear rebuilding mode and it would be hard to imagine a scenario in which Boone takes significantly less money to stay as a 49er. The team will either have to compensate him as a right tackle or expect to see him sign elsewhere in free agency.

As such, the 49ers need a major improvement at whichever guard position that Tiller does not start at next season. The 49ers gave Jordan Devey and Marcus Martin an opportunity to earn the position and both have largely failed.

In the 2016 NFL draft, the 49ers might be interested in targeting Cody Whitehair, an offensive lineman from Kansas State. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report noted Whitehair as a name to watch in his Scouting Report, suggesting that the Wildcat tackle will move inside as he transitions to the NFL.

The 49ers have larger needs than interior lineman but if Trader Trent can play the boards right at the top of the second round, the 49ers could solidify their offensive line for 2016.

While pick number seven is too high, the 49ers could target Whitehair in the second round to immediately upgrade over players currently on the roster.

Next: Down with Brown?