Reassessing 49ers’ offseason needs after Reuben Foster release

The San Francisco 49ers can tack on another need after parting ways with troubled linebacker Reuben Foster. So let’s break down what the team’s needs are in 2019 now.

Unfortunately for the San Francisco 49ers, the 2017 Round 1 NFL Draft pick used on former Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster ended up being a wasted pick.

Niners general manager John Lynch gambled. And he ultimately lost, watching as the talented-yet-troubled linebacker was arrested three times in 2018, the latest incident on Nov. 24 being the final straw.

Foster is gone now, tacking on yet another need to the 49ers’ long list of needs amid a lost 2-9 campaign this deep into the season.

There is good news, however. San Francisco’s injury-plagued and lackluster season has put the franchise in top position for the No. 1 overall draft pick this April. And while that may lead Lynch to one of many different choices, it’s a position he’d rather be in than not.

He’d never admit it, of course, but it has its merits.

Plus, the Niners are scheduled to have close to $108 million available in cap space, according to Over the Cap, which includes unused rollover from this season. So, even though Lynch is currently armed with just five selections in April’s draft, free agency should be an easy means to make some serious upgrades to the roster.

Yet it’s important to know what those needs are. Don’t worry, John. We’ve got you covered and broke them down for you.

No. 1: Edge Rusher

Statistically speaking, the 49ers defense ranks in the middle of the pack among most categories except the one that matters most, points allowed (293, 26th overall). Generating turnovers has been a problem, which hurts a lot in today’s pass-happy NFL.

A true edge presence — something the Niners have lacked since the days of former outside linebacker Aldon Smith — should be priority No. 1 for Lynch and Co.

The Ohio State’s Nick Bosa-to-San Francisco argument certainly looks a lot stronger now, doesn’t it?

No. 2: Free Safety

A pass rush would do wonders for the Niners’ maligned secondary, forcing early opponents’ throws and taking pressure off defensive backs. And while it’s a toss-up between a free safety and cornerback on the 49ers’ wish list, there’s a good argument the former is more important in coordinator Robert Saleh’s Cover 3 defense.

Second-year defensive back Adrian Colbert struggled in this role after impressing in 2017, looking far more like the seventh-round draft pick he was.

No. 3: Cornerback

Like Colbert, second-year defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon has looked lost, for the most part, this season. Both prone to giving up big plays and committing penalties, it would be unwise for the 49ers to assume Witherspoon bounces back in 2019.

A quality free safety, such as the Seattle Seahawks’ Earl Thomas (a free agent in 2019), would provide a massive boost. But that doesn’t negate San Francisco’s need for good zone-coverage guys.

No. 4: Wide Receiver

The rookie, Dante Pettis, came on a bit during the Niners’ 27-9 Week 12 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 2018 second-round pick caught his second pro-level touchdown, netting 77 total yards in the process.

But Pettis, who has been set back by injury, isn’t necessarily a go-to receiver. Especially in the red zone, which has been a problem area for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense over the past year-plus.

A big, physical target here would be more than ideal.

No. 5: Linebacker

Foster’s absence pushes this need up to fifth on our list. In some ways, the Niners may actually benefit from Foster no longer being with the team. Just ask Pro Football Focus’ Jeff Deeney:

Grabbing BYU’s Fred Warner earlier this year was smart, and he’ll be a stud. Coverage linebackers are essential in today’s NFL. But the trio of Malcolm Smith, Elijah Lee and Dekoda Watson don’t exactly inspire a lot of impact-level confidence.

No. 6: Second-Unit Tight End

Defenses hate offenses that boast a tandem of two pass-catching tight ends. The 49ers have one in George Kittle. They don’t have another in Garrett Celek.

No. 7: Offensive Guard

It’s not as pressing a need, reinforced by the knowledge the 49ers’ former first-round pick, offensive guard Joshua Garnett, has scantly played this season. But grabbing another interior lineman or two would be smart.

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Starting guards Laken Tomlinson and Mike Person have played moderately well this season. But Person is a free agent in 2019. And it might be a good idea to relegate him to an “uber backup,” of sorts, which he can do.

No. 8: Depth

It’s easy to blame injuries and player regression as the primary reasons behind San Francisco’s season-long struggles in 2018.

But good teams navigate that by stockpiling quality depth at a number of positions. Nearly every unit has been tested by significant injury this season. Case in point, injuries at safety pressued second-string players (D.J. Reed) and even third stringers (Antone Exum) into prominent roles.

It hasn’t worked out well.

Unfortunately, there are too many needs to be addressed with one draft class. But if Lynch and Co. hit on a number of free-agent targets this offseason, finding a few pieces in the 2019 NFL Draft doesn’t seem quite as daunting.

And, heck. It should be a lot easier if the Niners wind up grabbing that No. 1 overall pick anyway.