SF 49ers roster: Identifying needs in 2021 for each position

SF 49ers Defensive Needs

Despite all the injury attrition, San Francisco’s defense still finished the year with the fifth-fewest yards allowed (5,030), which is quite the accomplishment.

But free agency figures to hit this side of the ball awfully hard, especially in the secondary where all but one of the team’s intended 2020 starters could wind up hitting the open market.

Defensive Line: Depth, Complementary Pass-Rusher

Nick Bosa is coming back from a season-ending ACL tear in Week 2, but the same can’t be said for fellow pass-rusher Dee Ford, whose back injury could extend well into 2021. With the team’s leading sack specialist last year, Kerry Hyder, poised for free agency, some extra pass-rushing help will be vital.

So will depth along the interior, as a rotation was a big part of this unit’s success in 2019.

Linebacker: Depth

The SF 49ers will need to offer a contract extension to Fred Warner, who secured both Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors in 2020.

Behind him, the duo of Dre Greenlaw and Azeez Al-Shaair had their up-and-down moments, but both figure to be solid pieces within the second level of defense. There’s always going to be a need, however, to guard against any long-term injury with some quality reserves.

Cornerback: Boundary, Nickel Starters and Adequate Depth

Richard Sherman, K’Waun Williams, Jason Verrett, Ahkello Witherspoon and Dontae Johnson are all pegged for free agency. Emmanuel Moseley, who can double both on the boundary and over the slot, is a restricted free agent and figures to return.

Still, there’s likely to be some serious free-agent attrition here.

Sherman doesn’t seem likely to return, making the need to retain someone like Verrett a top offseason priority. Additionally, finding both starting-caliber players and developmental depth via the NFL Draft should be high on John Lynch’s mind this offseason.

Safety: Starting Strong Safety, Depth Behind Jimmie Ward

It seems likely the SF 49ers are going to let their starting strong safety, Jaquiski Tartt, walk in free agency this offseason. While solid, Tartt has a pretty lengthy injury history with the Niners, which includes him landing on season-ending injured reserve in 2020 with turf toe.

In his absence, it never seemed as if backups Marcell Harris and Tarvarius Moore would be adequate full-time replacements.

San Francisco did, however, get a relatively injury-free season out of Jimmie Ward, which is good. He’s a centerpiece of the secondary, but he also comes with a lengthy injury rap sheet. Finding another quality reserve defensive back to support him will also be high atop the priority list.