Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 must-do tasks for the 2018 offseason

By Chandler Wright

Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers with general manager John Lynch (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers with general manager John Lynch (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jimmy Garoppolo #10 after a one-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jimmy Garoppolo #10 after a one-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Protect the Investment

49ers starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo signed a five-year, $137 million contract with the 49ers on Feb. 8, 2018. It was the biggest news for the 49ers in probably the last 20 years. The Niners should do whatever it takes to protect their latest investment and franchise signal-caller.

As stated above, the team could look at signing Andrew Norwell, the Panthers’ standout guard. Other options include newly released Josh Sitton, formerly of the Chicago Bears, and Justin Pugh of the New York Giants.

The 49ers could also re-sign Brandon Fusco and hope that Joshua Garnett pans out. Or, they could even turn their attention to the draft, where Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson is supposed to be even better than former Notre Dame guard, and current Dallas Cowboys right guard, Zach Martin.

Here is what Mike Mayock has to say about Nelson, courtesy of Mike Florio at profootballtalk.com:

"I think when you look around the NFL today and see that there are more and more high level interior pass rushers than there were five years ago, you know have to be strong across the offensive front. Every top-level quarterback I’ve ever talked to told me that what they hate the most is immediate pressure up the middle. If they can step up into a pocket, they’re all happy. And that’s what [Nelson] is. He is a son of a bitch who is going to knock people down in the run game. I call him a people mover. He opens holes. For 330 pounds, his feet are pretty good. I think he can plug-and-play there for the next 10 or 12 years. I would look at who this kid is, not just on tape, but who the kid is. He loves football, lives football, and because of his work ethic, toughness, and natural ability, unless he has an injury, I think this kid is going to be special."

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To me, Nelson has really always been a player I had a hard time seeing at No. 9/10 to the 49ers, simply because he is this year’s version of the safest pick, I think.

But it all comes down to protecting Garoppolo, and the 49ers need to be better on the offensive line to do that. Getting right tackle Trent Brown back will help, and signing center Daniel Kilgore to a three-year deal helped, but the 49ers probably still need to upgrade one or both guard spots, as well as build depth.

Next: San Francisco 49ers: Why Re-signing OG Brandon Fusco makes sense

I personally love Sitton and think the 49ers should pick him up, re-sign Brandon Fusco, and let Joshua Garnett and Fusco compete. Then, the team would have a solid swing-player in the middle and would just need a good backup tackle because Zane Beadles won’t cut it.

Garoppolo is worth more and better than the 2017 unit, and John Lynch and Shanahan will figure it out.