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NFL Free Agency: Breaking Down Each Team’s Biggest Offseason Need

By Peter Panacy

Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) reacts after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) reacts after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) makes a call during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) makes a call during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco 49ers

Projected Cap Space: $76,963,264

Biggest Need: Quarterback

Where don’t the San Francisco 49ers need help?

With quarterback Colin Kaepernick opting out of his contract, the Niners will have exactly zero QBs on their 2017 roster to start NFL free agency. That’s a big problem at the game’s most important position. And it isn’t helped by understanding there isn’t exactly an NFL-ready starter at this position in the draft.

Related Story: How Kaepernick Opting Out Affects the 49ers NFL Draft Plans

Wide receiver is another glaring need too. And while the Niners might be enticed to target a free-agent wideout like Alshon Jeffery or Brandon Marshall, finding someone to get the ball out from under center is just a bit more important, right?

Look for general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan to draft a quarterback or two this year. But he probably won’t start in 2017.

That job goes to a journeyman backup like Matt Schaub — with whom Shanahan worked in Atlanta — or Brian Hoyer.