49ers 2017 NFL Draft Positional Preview: Special Teams

Niner Noise kicks off our positional breakdown for the San Francisco 49ers in advance of the 2017 NFL Draft. In this first installment, we take a look at special teams and what, if any, changes will happen in April’s draft.

The 2017 NFL Draft kicks off on April 27, and the San Francisco 49ers will need to make a flurry of impact picks to help turn a lackluster roster around this season.

Often overlooked in the mix is special teams.

True, special teams don’t get a lot of love. Aside from the specialists, special teams players are typically backups and/or role players intended to serve that purpose only.

San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

And yet those roles and impact can be major.

So in this first Niner Noise positional breakdown of post-free agency, pre-draft needs, let’s take a look at how April’s draft might have an impact on this oft-forgotten group.

Free-Agent Moves

The 49ers added former New York Giants kicker Robbie Gould in free agency this offseason, replacing long-time veteran Phil Dawson.

In addition, the Niners have kicker Nick Rose on their roster for both depth and camp competition. So it’s safe to say there’s no need to add another kicker via the draft.

And with punter Bradley Pinion not going anywhere, these two positions probably won’t be addressed at any point this April.

Insofar as the return specialists, the Niners re-signed wide receiver Jeremy Kerley during the offseason. He returned 21 punts for 158 yards a year ago and could find himself filling the same role in 2017.

Free-agent acquisition Marquise Goodwin returned 16 kicks for 351 yards with the Buffalo Bills in 2013, so that’s an option for the Niners as well. But one might suspect head coach Kyle Shanahan to use the wide receiver specifically on offense instead of a special teams contributor.

As of now, the kick returner job remains in the air.

Looking at the Stats

Field position is arguably the most important part of any special teams unit. And San Francisco wasn’t particularly good in this area a year ago.

Sure, part of it has to do with a poor offense failing to move the ball with any sort of regularity.

Still, the Niners ranked 26th in offensive starting field position (own 27.2-yard line) and 30th in opponents’ starting field position (their 31.2-yard line).

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (17) on a punt return against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Lev’i’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Kick coverage was generally OK, as Football Outsiders’ DVOA metric shows. This was minus-0.2 percent, which ranked 17th in the NFL last season — middle of the pack. But if anything, a lackluster offense and porous defense better have an above-average special teams unit to ensure field position doesn’t become a problem.

It was for San Francisco in 2017.

Special Teams and the 2017 NFL Draft

It’s unlikely general manager John Lynch will worry about special teams contributors at any point in Rounds 1 and 2. Those picks will be reserved for impact starters at whatever position/value deemed most effective.

But as soon as Round 3 picks up, the ability to contribute on special teams in one way or another increases exponentially.

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Later picks after the third round are often used on depth players. Having the ability to double on special teams increases a prospect’s value significantly. And the 49ers could stand to use some gunners and possible returners capable of making a difference.

Still, special teams won’t get a lot of love. And it’s reflected by how short this particular breakdown is.

We won’t be writing any articles touting how much the Niners improved their special teams via the draft. No, few people are going to pay attention to that.

Next: 5 Mid-Round Draft Prospects the 49ers Can Start in 2017

But it doesn’t mean this unit is any less important. It just doesn’t get the attention.