What are the 49ers’ 3 biggest offseason needs entering 2023?
By Peter Panacy
49ers offseason need No. 3: Defensive backfield
The 49ers only started to take their secondary needs seriously last offseason, namely by spending big money on free-agent cornerback Charvarius Ward in a move that worked out well.
However, with defensive backs like Emmanuel Moseley and Jimmie Ward hitting NFL free agency this offseason, it could easily be a revolving door of starting-caliber players.
Two-year pro Deommodore Lenoir made big strides as a starting cornerback, but there could easily be a void at safety if Ward departs. Plus, as recent seasons have shown, the Niners have historically lacked depth at cornerback.
Failure to stockpile that depth could lead to the kind of situation that plagued San Francisco in 2021 when the secondary was a clear-cut weakness.
Simply put, the 49ers need to throw bodies at the defensive backfield and then deploy the best options, especially if neither Moseley and Ward return.