The 49ers did a lot to reinforce their depth via the 2022 NFL Draft, yet these three positions are still coming off as notably weak this offseason.
The San Francisco 49ers would love to believe their 2022 NFL Draft class and, to a lesser extent, their crop of undrafted free agents would be enough to address whatever shortcomings their roster had after the bevy of moves and losses following free agency.
But the Niners’ lone move of re-signing oft-injured cornerback Jason Verrett after the draft signaled they weren’t entirely convinced of their draft moves.
Nevertheless, San Francisco’s cornerback room somehow managed to emerge as one of the stronger positions (at least in terms of depth) heading into offseason workouts and towards training camp.
We already looked at the 49ers’ three strongest positions in the wake of the draft, one of which was the aforementioned cornerback crop.
Now it’s time to evaluate those positions that don’t quite hit the depth chart as hard. In fact, they should be viewed as the Niners’ weakest positional groups heading into 2022.
49ers weak position No. 3: Tight end
Key additions in 2022: Tyler Kroft, Troy Fumagalli
“Weak” has to be somewhat relative a term here, especially considering San Francisco boasts one of the best tight ends in the game in All-Pro George Kittle.
However, considering the fact Kittle does have something of a noteworthy injury history over his pro career, the need to identify a serviceable backup is always on the table.
Understandably, the 49ers didn’t reach on what was generally considered a weak draft class at tight end, so we shouldn’t knock the front office too much there. Yet banking on Kittle to be supported by reserve tight ends like Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner is a bit of a tall task, especially considering Dwelley’s sharp decrease in production in 2021.
The Niners’ offseason addition of veteran tight end Tyler Kroft sparks the competition, and he’ll unquestionably challenge both Dwelley and Woerner for a spot on the depth chart.
Raise your hand if you ever heard of Troy Fumagalli, though.
Regardless, San Francisco better hope Kittle enjoys a rare fully healthy season in 2022.
49ers weak position No. 2: Offensive line
Key additions in 2022: Spencer Burford*, Jason Poe*, Dohnovan West*, Nick Zakelj*
* denotes rookie
The 49ers offensive line could go one of two different directions in 2022. It could either be pretty good or awfully bad, largely dependent on how healthy and incumbent this unit remains from last season.
The Niners already lost Pro Bowl left guard Laken Tomlinson to the New York Jets in free agency, and they’re now hoping second-year pro Aaron Banks can step into the fray after seeing just five offensive snaps a year ago.
Hopefully, at least from San Francisco’s vantage point, that’s the only change. Left tackle Trent Williams is a mainstay, and the hope is for right tackle Mike McGlinchey to be 100 percent in time for training camp after tearing his quad halfway through last season. And it isn’t as if right guard Daniel Brunskill is horrible either.
However, Pro Bowl center Alex Mack is on the verge of retirement, be it this season or next, meaning the team’s contingency plans have to be in place now.
Perhaps that explains why the 49ers threw a number of resources at the O-line, including two draft picks in Spencer Burford and Nick Zakelj, while also adding two high-profile UDFAs in Dohnovan West and Jason Poe.
Maybe one or two of those additions pan out nicely. Perhaps more or none.
Either way, there are a lot of question marks and concerns here.
49ers weak position No. 1: Safety
Key additions in 2022: George Odum, Leon O’Neal Jr.*
There are relatively few starting spots up for grabs with regards to the Niners roster this offseason, but one of them is at strong safety in light of the team electing not to re-sign its long-time starter, Jaquiski Tartt.
That non-move could fairly be questioned, yes, even if San Francisco is hoping former Indianapolis Colts special teams ace George Odum steps into a bigger role as a defensive starter.
If not, the 49ers may have to turn to reserve defensive backs such as Talanoa Hufanga and Tarvarius Moore, both of whom have question marks with regards to coverage ability and returning from injury, respectively.
Want your voice heard? Join the Niner Noise team!
The Niners had multiple chances to land a top-end safety prospect in the NFL Draft, such as Illinois’ Kerby Joseph and Maryland’s Nick Cross, both of whom were available in Round 3 when San Francisco finally came on the board at No. 93 overall.
Yet the 49ers passed.
In fact, the Niners’ only notable addition to this spot on the roster was UDFA Leon O’Neal Jr. out of Texas A&M, and he’ll still face long odds to crack the 53-man group.
Whatever the starting lineup winds up being, particularly at strong safety, San Francisco had better hope for a good bunch.