The San Francisco 49ers had a tremendous 2017 rookie class and found their franchise quarterback, but some positions still require some attention. Here we take a look at some positions of need , and some possible solutions for them.
If you’re like me, at least one time since playoffs began you watch Jimmy Garoppolo highlight videos on YouTube and thanking whichever force brought general manager John Lynch to the helm (ok maybe not).
Certainly the former hard-hitting safety and FOX analyst has the full confidence of the San Francisco 49ers fandom after an exceptional NFL Draft class and what could possibly be one of the all-time great trade heists if the early returns from Garoppolo are any indication.
Well now it’s time for round two. Lynch has shown he can draft and sign free agents well, and no doubt these positions will be a key focus for him and the invaluable Niners draft team.
I’ve ranked them from least to most important by personal opinion, but really all five positions should be invested in if possible.
No. 5: Defensive End
Why the position must be addressed:
The Niners have a serious pass-rush problem to address this offseason. They ranked an abysmal 26th (tied with the Miami Dolphins with 30) and their top pass-rusher was veteran stopgap Elvis Dumervil with 6.5 sacks.
Clearly this must change.
How it can be addressed:
Defensive end isn’t the biggest problem the Niners have right now, and they already have a pair of promising youngsters in Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas. So it is possible we could see them naturally progress into feared pass-rushers next season as is.
However even then, someone should be brought in. Short of achieving a draft miracle in having N.C. State standout Bradley Chubb fall, the Niners are unlikely to aggressively look in the draft for a pass-rusher.
Ezekiel Ansah, however, looks like an interesting get for the Niners. He is injury prone, but Ansah can be rotated as a pass-rushing specialist who can terrorize quarterbacks and take attention away from the younger linemen.
Also look for a later pick to be used on a prospect who’s a natural pass-rusher and can be rotated in on third downs.
No. 4: Running Back
Why the position must be addressed:
This is a question that really has two answers, and it really depends on what the Niners decide to do with current lead back Carlos Hyde.
If the Niners decide to allow Hyde to join another team via free agency, or if he decides to walk, the Niners will be looking for a lead back.
However if Hyde signs a deal to stay at the Niners, then the focus will be on a running back who can catch the ball. Garoppolo needs as many weapons around him as possible to help his development.
How it can be addressed:
Truth be told, I would sign Hyde and sign a pass-catching back, or draft one, for the simple reason that there isn’t an awful lot to pick from in the free agent pool. The New England Patriots’ Dion Lewis might be the only guy, and he only really got healthy this previous season, still he has potential to at least split touches with Matt Breida.
Oh yeah, and there’s the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell.
If Hyde walks, Bell may be the big free-agent signing that makes use of the enormous cap the Niners currently enjoy, but is the lofty contract he will no doubt demand worth it? Given the wide array of talent available in day two of the upcoming draft, it may be more prudent to look elsewhere.
I’ve written before about how San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny has been turning heads, and he could be the ideal target for the Niners. But don’t rule out the Niners using their considerable draft capital to move up and take the likes of LSU’s Derrius Guice or Georgia’s Sony Michel.
No.3: Linebacker
Why the position must be addressed:
Reuben Foster played excellent football as a rookie, but was injured for a good portion of it and was then arrested. Malcolm Smith never made it to Week 1 and Brock Coyle was decent in relief work, but definitely can be upgraded.
How it can be addressed:
In this article, a case is made for Paul Posluszny:
"Posluszny played under current San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh when he was the Jacksonville Jaguars’ linebackers coach from 2014-16. The two are very familiar with each other, and there’s no documented beef between the two. A reunion wouldn’t be the worst idea, and would provide Foster an outstanding mentor as he moves into his sophomore season."
I think this actually is a good point. Veteran leadership is just what Foster needs, and Posluszny can be a good stopgap.
In the draft, don’t rule out Roquan Smith from Georgia or Tremaine Edwards from Virginia Tech to give Foster a partner in crime, or as I suggested in my previous article, someone like Darius Leonard on day two could make sense.
No. 2: Interior Line
Why this position must be addressed:
I’m going to cheat slightly and include both interior line positions here, as they generally require the same attention by the Niners.
The Niners need to upgrade all three positions on the line, but luckily they have several ways to do so.
How it can be addressed:
I’ve talked before about Quenton Nelson and Bradley Bozeman, and if both were available I would not be shocked to see them double dip. Both guys would instantly upgrade arguably the two biggest holes on the Niners roster. If one or both of these prospects don’t go to San Francisco, Will Hernandez from UTEP is someone to watch and has met with the Niners.
If the Niners go for a veteran, elite guard Andrew Norwell of the Carolina Panthers could be the best offensive line free agent in a very long time, and I’ve no doubt whatsoever the Niners will at least consider him.
Norwell is due a big contract, but at only 26 years old, could be a long-term protector for Jimmy Garoppolo.
No. 1: Cornerback
Why this position must be addressed:
It’s no secret the NFL is now a passing league first and foremost. As a result, teams need at the very least a trio of good corners to have a chance to counter the best passing attacks.
Ahkello Witherspoon got better as the year went on, and K’Waun Williams is a solid third cornerback for the defense. But the Niners need someone across from Witherspoon. Dontae Johnson is not the answer.
How it can be addressed:
The reason why this is ranked ahead of the interior line, is because despite the bigger need of the offensive line there’s a lot less for the Niners to chase.
Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick is almost definitely gone before the Niners pick at No. 9/10, and Iowa’s Joshua Jackson possibly could too. Denzel Ward from Ohio State is a possible solution to the problem.
But maybe the target could be a big fish, and he’s going to be in the Super Bowl.
Next: San Francisco 49ers should not trade Jimmy Garoppolo
The New England Patriots’ Malcolm Butler is one of the top corners in the NFL, and if the Niners decide to devote a good chunk of their war chest to the defensive side of the ball then Butler might be the best possible addition, and one that could turn one of the weakest positions on the roster into one of the most exciting.