The 49ers made only a few notable moves in NFL free agency in 2022, leaving these four remaining needs atop the wish list heading deep into the offseason.
The San Francisco 49ers weren’t overly aggressive in NFL free agency in 2022, at least not the start of it, landing only one high-profile player in cornerback Charvarius Ward.
However, that move by general manager John Lynch solved arguably the biggest position need this offseason, addressing a weakness that was obvious over the latter weeks of the regular season and into the playoffs.
With Ward now taking over the CB1 role for the Niners, Lynch and Co. nevertheless need to turn their attention to the rest of the roster.
Sure, some of the other moves helped upgrade special teams, which was probably the second-biggest need outside of bulking up the cornerback room. But with some modest salary-cap constraints and the willingness not to overbid on expensive talent, San Francisco still needs to look for help in the second and third waves of free agency.
Or, just as possibly, the 2022 NFL Draft.
Regardless of how it’s done, the 49ers still need to stockpile talent for these four positional needs.
49ers position need No. 4: Wide receiver
The Niners certainly have their top two wide receivers set for the upcoming season, All-Pro Deebo Samuel and No. 2 man, Brandon Aiyuk. And there’s a good chance third-year pro Jauan Jennings solidifies a role for himself following a loud 24-catch, 282-yard, five-touchdown campaign during the regular season.
Yet San Francisco was awfully quiet in the free-agent market for wide receivers, only adding return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud but also losing fellow wideout Trent Sherfield to the Miami Dolphins.
McCloud has speed, yes, and it’s possible head coach Kyle Shanahan is envisioning using him as a deep threat to take advantage of quarterback Trey Lance‘s strong arm.
Still, the depth behind Samuel, Aiyuk, Jennings and potentially McCloud is awfully thin with few bona fide options, meaning the 49ers will have to both address the depth chart and guard against potential injury attrition.
49ers position need No. 3: Safety
At the time this is being written, the Niners appear poised to lose veteran strong safety Jaquiski Tartt to NFL free agency, as he remains unsigned.
While it’s unclear whether or not San Francisco plans on replacing Tartt on defense with one of its free-agent pickups, former Indianapolis Colts All-Pro special teams ace George Odum, who has been a spot starter in his career, the likelihood of Tartt accepting yet another team-friendly deal after doing so a year ago doesn’t seem imminent.
Sure, the 49ers may look at other options outside of Odum, possibly deploying on-roster players like Tarvarius Moore or Talanoa Hufanga.
Right there, though, risks start to accumulate. Moore is coming off a season-long absence because of an Achilles tear suffered last offseason, while Hufanga’s straight-line speed and coverage skills aren’t exactly adequate enough for him to be a full-time starter.
If the Niners feel confident in Odum starting on defense, fine. But if they don’t, chalk up the need for another safety high up on the list.
49ers position need No. 2: Offensive line
San Francisco’s offensive line already experienced some notable attrition in NFL free agency when John Lynch refused to match or exceed what the New York Jets ultimately paid Pro Bowl left guard Laken Tomlinson, a three-year deal worth up to $40 million.
Kudos to Lynch for not overspending there, but Tomlinson departing does open up a notable void at the position, one which the 49ers can hope second-year pro Aaron Banks fills adequately enough.
Even though Banks, a 2021 second-round pick, found himself inactive for much of his rookie season and saw only five regular-season snaps.
Read More: What’s the 49ers’ plan for Aaron Banks in 2022?
Things get more challenging, though, as right tackle Mike McGlinchey is still working his way back from a quad injury and subsequent surgery, and his availability for training camp is still in doubt. After McGlinchey suffered the injury in the first half of last season, the Niners deployed veteran offensive lineman Tom Compton in his stead, but now Compton has joined the Denver Broncos on a free-agent deal.
Right guard could stand for an upgrade, too, meaning San Francisco’s work on its O-line is far from complete.
49ers position need No. 1: Edge rusher
Yes, the 49ers got an exceptional season from Pro Bowl EDGE Nick Bosa in 2021, him leading the team with an impressive 15.5 sacks.
But the depth behind him was sorely lacking, and it took some defensive line shifts to get other contributors making dents in the sack department, namely moving defensive end Arden Key inside where he eventually finished second on the team behind Bosa with 6.5 sacks.
Key, a free agent, also didn’t generate immediate interest from the Niners in terms of a re-sign deal, and it’s possible San Francisco will seek an upgrade anyway.
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True, the 49ers are going to keep fellow EDGE Dee Ford around another year, restructuring his contract, but Ford’s chronic injury problems point towards him being more of a non-factor than a quality pass-rushing option.
No, the Niners need more. They can’t afford to have Bosa shoulder almost the entire load.
Luckily, the 2022 NFL Draft is chock full of promising pass-rush prospects, and John Lynch would be wise to use at least one of his earlier picks to address this need, thereby finding someone who can complement Bosa and will be around on a cheap rookie deal for a while after Bosa eventually inks what should be a massive contract extension.
All the while keeping San Francisco’s prolific defensive line intact.