5 nightmare scenarios 49ers would hate to see in 2022
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers roster weaknesses reveal themselves in full
No team is perfect entering any given season. It’s just not feasible.
The Niners have their own roster concerns heading into training camp. And despite having a playoff-caliber roster anyway, there are still some worry points they’ll hope to outperform their current level of expectation.
Case in point, nickel cornerback is a question mark after losing starting slot corner K’Waun Williams to free agency. Likewise, strong safety could be an issue after San Francisco watched its long-time starter, Jaquiski Tartt, sign with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Williams to rookie corner Samuel Womack, along with Tartt to second-year pro Talanoa Hufanga, create some notable worries.
Above all other positions, though, the 49ers can and should be concerned with their offensive line, where at least two-thirds of last year’s starting lineup in Week 1 will have been changed out.
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Pro Bowl left guard Laken Tomlinson is gone, joining the New York Jets in free agency, which leaves second-year pro Aaron Banks as the de facto starter after he saw a mere five regular-season snaps a year ago. Likewise, the Niners having to absorb center Alex Mack’s retirement means someone like perennial reserve lineman Jake Brendel is poised to be a starter.
Brendel has just three regular-season starts dating back to his NFL entry in 2016.
These weaknesses could prove to be disastrous for San Francisco this season, and other teams will certainly look to exploit them.