Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Prioritizing team needs in 2018

By Logan Stanley

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 leads a huddle with Joe Staley #74, Carlos Hyde #28, Elvis Dumervil #58, Aldrick Robinson #19 and Garrett Celek #88 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 leads a huddle with Joe Staley #74, Carlos Hyde #28, Elvis Dumervil #58, Aldrick Robinson #19 and Garrett Celek #88 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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While the San Francisco 49ers ended the 2017 season in resounding fashion, the roster still requires attention. These are the top areas that need to be addressed in the offseason.

There is no denying quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo elevates the play of those around him. Playing with nearly the same squad that rolled off nine consecutive losses, Garoppolo then was the catalyst for a five-game winning streak to end the season.

Even with the San Francisco 49ers operating under full capacity due to injuries, they were a far better version of themselves when the switch was made at quarterback.

That serves as a basis for optimism, but there are spots on the team that could use upgrades.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Per Over The Cap, San Francisco will be armed with $114.7 million in cap space, giving them the flexibility to sign plenty of players to their likening. The 49ers also own nine picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, including a top-10 and two third-round selections.

Say general manager John Lynch hands out a deal in the range of $25 million annually for Garoppolo, that still leaves San Francisco with roughly $90 million in cap space. And they have a healthy amount of draft picks.

No matter what happens, there will be resources to spend. Here is where the team needs to focus their roster building on.

No. 1: Interior offensive line

Before the season started, guard Joshua Garnett suffered a knee injury that prevented him from playing at all in 2017. While the starting position is not guaranteed, Garnett has an inside track to win it and I expect him to do so.

According to The Athletic’s David Lombardi, the third-year player has shedded significant weight in an effort to essentially re-shape his body that will better suit Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Garnett played at 325 pounds in college, but told Lombardi he now does not want to be heavier than 310 pounds.

Pencil in Garnett as a starter. But the other guard position needs to be taken care of, because either Laken Tomlinson, Brandon Fusco or Zane Beadles will not suffice. Those three, who all played snaps at left or right guard, were not an effective bunch.

There is the crown jewel in the draft, Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson. The prospect is being heralded as the NFL’s next great interior offensive lineman, with comparisons to Zach Martin being tossed around.

SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

With the Chicago Bears — who just hired Notre Dame’s offensive line coach to the same position — picking at No. 8 right before the 49ers, Nelson will most likely be gone, if he is not selected before that.

In free agency, there is the Carolina Panthers’ Andrew Norwell. That too is a long shot, considering Norwell was just selected as a first-team All-Pro. Carolina will likely lock him up, but San Francisco should make any run they can at him.

Another position in need of a boost is center. Daniel Kilgore is not a long-term option here. Ohio State’s Billy Price and Arkansas’ Frank Ragnow are potential names to watch for in the draft.

Free agency is a route the 49ers can take as well; Weston Richburg, from the New York Giants, is the top name on the market.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Ahkello Witherspoon #41 of the San Francisco 49ers takes off from the line of scrimmage against the Minnesota Vikings in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Ahkello Witherspoon #41 of the San Francisco 49ers takes off from the line of scrimmage against the Minnesota Vikings in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Cornerback

At pick No. 66 in the 2017 Draft, it appears that San Francisco has found a starting cornerback in Ahkello Witherspoon. The rookie from Colorado played well after being inserted to the lineup when Rashard Robinson was traded to the New York Jets.

While yes, Witherspoon had stretches of rough play, the overall body of work suggests there is shut down ability. To compliment Witherspoon, the 49ers need to go out and grab another cornerback.

The rush defense is already much improved. With a stout pass defense, San Francisco would be one of the top units in the league.

There is Iowa’s Josh Jackson — a real possibility at No. 9/No.10 for the 49ers — Ohio State’s Denzel Ward and Colorado’s Isaiah Oliver as options in the draft.

Free agency also offers an abundance of choices. Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson, New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler and Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller are all set to hit the open market.

No. 3: Edge rusher

The defensive line has been the center of focus for the past three seasons, with first round draft picks used on Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Solomon Thomas in consecutive years.

The draft capital spent is significant, but 2017 showed improvement across the defensive line. One of the biggest issues from last season was their inability to stop the run. That now has been solved, as the 49ers allowed 3.8 yards per carry, No. 7 in the NFL.

There is still one component of play lacking — rushing the quarterback. San Francisco was near the bottom of the league in sacks, tied for No. 26 with the Miami Dolphins at 30.

More from Niner Noise

The 49ers need their LEO, whose primary job is to get after the quarterback. In the draft, there is going to be a handful of players to select from. NC State’s Bradley Chubb, Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell and Boston College’s Harold Landry are all realistic choices at the top portion of the draft.

Washington State’s Hercules Mata’afa, LSU’s Arden Key and Oklahoma’s Ogbonnia Okoronkwo are also some names to keep an eye out for.

As for free agency, it is limited in terms of viable options. Ezekiel Ansah of the Detroit Lions and Adrian Clayborn of the Atlanta Falcons are the top names available.

Next: 2018 NFL Draft: Who are the experts tabbing to the 49ers in their latest mocks?

Garoppolo is a beacon of hope for the 49ers franchise. But that does not mean all is fixed for San Francisco. There is still work to be done, and addressing these issues on the team will work toward a successful future.