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San Francisco 49ers: A Way-Too-Early Look at Position Needs for 2018

By Peter Panacy

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 47-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 47-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: Edge Rushers

Despite a deep crop of edge rushers in the 2017 draft, the 49ers weren’t able to bring in anyone of note until taking former Utah EDGE Pita Taumoepenu in Round 6.

Taumoepenu is raw and will need plenty of development to secure a regular role on the roster. It’s unlikely he’ll make a big impact right away and, at best, is just a situational pass-rusher, since his run-stopping abilities aren’t particularly great.

The 49ers will hope for one of two things to happen this season. Either EDGE Aaron Lynch will drop weight, show up in shape for training camp and get back to the kind of production he had during his rookie season.

Or defensive end Arik Armstead — with whom the Niners are experimenting at LEO, per the Sacramento Bee’s Matt Barrows — is capable enough to secure this role in coordinator Robert Saleh’s 4-3 scheme.

Neither is truly ideal or promising.

Detroit Lions EDGE Ezekiel Ansah will be a free agent, although it’s doubtful the Lions let him hit the open market. But Adrian Clayborn might be an option in free agency, especially considering his ties with head coach Kyle Shanahan from their days with the Atlanta Falcons. And New England Patriots EDGE Kony Ealy might be an option as well.

But Boston College’s Harold Landry or Texas’ Malik Jefferson may be options via the 2018 NFL Draft.

At any rate, this will likely be a position the 49ers have to address again this offseason.