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San Francisco 49ers: Creating the ideal starting lineup for 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Garrett Celek #88 after Celek caught a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Garrett Celek #88 after Celek caught a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 10: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs into the end zone for a 20 yard touchdown reception in the first quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 10: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs into the end zone for a 20 yard touchdown reception in the first quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Running Back

Halfback: Le’Veon Bell

Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk

This is going to be a bit of a stretch, because some of the 49ers’ big-name free-agent signings have already cut significantly deep into the team’s cap space. We can project numbers all we want and bank on San Francisco’s chief contracts negotiator, Paraag Marathe, to successfully navigate the cap.

But this is an ideal starting-lineup scenario, so why not get the most ideal player here?

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell isn’t going to be the team’s starting running back next season. And he could likely be traded elsewhere before the Oct. 30 trade deadline.

San Francisco doesn’t need to trade for him. Just hope he hits the open market and bank on the possibility there’s plenty of cap space to make a deal on the elite talent.

True, this would mean the 49ers would take a pass on their injured running back, Jerick McKinnon, who is out with an ACL injury but also has a massively front-loaded contract. Letting go of him early during his four-year deal isn’t the worst thing ever. Especially if Bell was suddenly in the picture.

If you wanted a dynamic playmaker, who would you rather have? McKinnon or Bell?

Yeah, thought so. Remember, this is an ideal lineup.