No. 1: ILB Malcolm Smith
The first 49ers game I actually watched was the NFC Championship against the Seahawks in 2014. I didn’t know anything about football at the time, but a friend had told me to watch and I wanted to support my home team, so I watched.
And to this day, nothing hurts more than seeing Malcolm Smith intercept Kaepernick’s ball in the end zone to stamp a Super Bowl ticket for the Seahawks.
Super Bowl MVP and two years with the Raiders later, Smith is now on the 49ers. I was conflicted when John Lynch signed him in free agency because of complaints from my Raiders friends about how he was a liability, but he had a great training camp. Unfortunately, he tore his pectoral during the open practice and was placed on injured reserve.
Smith should slide into the starting lineup next season alongside Reuben Foster in coordinator Robert Saleh’s defense, with the two commanding the middle of the field. Inside linebacker Brock Coyle, who has been impressive in Smith’s absence, should rotate with Smith on passing downs.
Next: 3 reasons why the 49ers make the playoffs in 2018
With Smith back, the defense will get a big upgrade.
Can it be September 2018 already?