What Super Bowl 54 loss means for 49ers 2020 offseason plans
No. 1: Free Agency
Keeping defensive lineman Arik Armstead should be the first priority of the 49ers at the start of the offseason. Armstead finally lived up to his first-round value by leading the team with 10 sacks in 2019.
San Francisco’s defensive line was such a phenomenal unit that the team would be crazy not to try to keep it together. Early reports have the Niners using the franchise tag on Armstead. This would make sense because although he had a great 2019, he disappointed early on in his career.
A one year “prove it” type deal is likely to be the future for the 26-year-old pass-rusher.
The team’s biggest needs are secondary help, offensive line help and a big end-zone threat on offense.
Keeping safety Jimmie Ward should be considered by the team as well as adding a free agent like Minnesota Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes to shore up the secondary.
The 49ers got beat by the Chiefs’ speedy wide receivers in the Super Bowl. Waynes could help with his 4.31, 40-yard dash speed. He was a former first-round pick by the Vikings and could really fit in as a slot corner in the 49ers defensive scheme.
It is unlikely the Niners make a splashy signing this offseason, as their current cap situation will not allow them to really go after any big-name free agents.
Expect them to take a look at some of the available interior offensive lineman, but the draft might be a better place to address this need.
As for an end-zone threat, the 49ers might already have that guy on their roster in last year’s third-round pick, wide receiver Jalen Hurd. Hurd didn’t play a meaningful snap for the team in 2019 after suffering a back injury that landed him on the injured reserved list for the whole season.
He did show some signs that he could be a red-zone threat throughout the preseason. At 6-foot-4, he could be the big target San Francisco desperately needs.
With the lack of available cap space, the team is going to have to rely on guys like Hurd coming back from injury and making a big impact. The Niners have a lot of these situations on the roster.
Running back Jerick McKinnon and wide receiver Trent Taylor could also come back and fill the need for free-agent signings.