49ers: Free agency, the NFL Draft and other areas of concern in 2020

Continuity Across the 49ers Roster

Let’s face it: The 2020 49ers won’t be like what fans witnessed in 2019. There are going to be changes, perhaps big ones.

On the positive side, there is already a solid core group, around which John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan will look to build and improve.

San Francisco 49ers

That said, some key questions are present without having to look too deep.

Veteran left tackle Joe Staley, who unfortunately missed out on his second attempt to secure a Super Bowl ring, told the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch early in January he wasn’t planning on retiring. But that time is coming sooner than later. And it’s anyone’s guess whether or not a Super Bowl loss changes Staley’s thoughts earlier than anticipated.

How about running back? Will Shanahan look to maintain the rotational depth he enjoyed over the course of 2019, understanding the team had serious lacks at wide receiver for the first half of the year? If Emmanuel Sanders returns, that likely solves one question. But it also leaves open the Niners’ hopeful development for 2019 rookie wideout Jalen Hurd, along with three-year pro Trent Taylor, both of whom missed the year with injuries.

San Francisco’s defensive line was one of the deepest units in the league last season. Arik Armstead, Ronald Blair and Sheldon Day are all pending free agents, though.

Who stays? Who goes? Hard questions, sure.

In coming weeks, as the 49ers start looking at potential options, the overall plan both Lynch and Shanahan want to pursue will become clearer.

For now, though, the Niners face arguably the toughest offseason they’ve had to endure in a long, long time.