The 49ers underwent some major changes in the opening wave of NFL free agency, which means predicting the 2023 starting lineups should be fun.
Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana’s prediction and suggestion that the San Francisco 49ers should somehow stick it out with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in 2023 ultimately won’t come true.
That’s because Garoppolo was one of a number of now-former Niners starters who departed the team via NFL free agency.
With Garoppolo off to the Las Vegas Raiders, and a number of others who’ll don new uniforms in 2023, head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. are left to hope that replacements and new faces are going to be good enough to keep San Francisco in Super Bowl contention.
On the surface, it still looks as if that’ll be the case even if Garoppolo’s departure means some uncertainty at quarterback between Trey Lance and Brock Purdy, depending on who’s more competent and healthy.
Right there, though, we can start making predictions.
Should the 49ers start Lance or Purdy under center? Both are coming off serious injuries, both have their upsides and downsides, and there can be strong cases in favor of both.
And what about the Niners offensive line? How about the defensive line or the secondary?
Yes, there are fair questions to look at with regard to the starting lineup. So, with that as a backdrop, let’s take a stab at predicting what the offensive and defensive starting lineups will be after the opening waves of NFL free agency in 2023.
Predicting 49ers’ starting defense
Few units experienced as much attrition as San Francisco’s secondary, and it’ll be tough to shore up the losses of notable defensive backs like Jimmie Ward and Emmanuel Moseley, both of whom started for the team for years.
That said, the 49ers’ biggest free-agent splash was on the defensive side of the ball, although it was in the trenches with former Philadephia Eagles lineman Javon Hargrave.
He is one of the handful of free-agent pickups who’ll start right away for the Niners this season.
Defensive line
- Nick Bosa (RDE)
- Javon Kinlaw (DT)
- Javon Hargrave (DT)
- Arik Armstead (LDE)
Linebacker
- Fred Warner (MIKE)
- Dre Greenlaw (WILL)
- Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (SAM)
Cornerback
- Charvarius Ward
- Deommodore Lenoir
Safety
- Tashaun Gipson (FS)
- Talanoa Hufanga (SS)
This is a base-down format, and Armstead will kick inside on passing downs, allowing second-year pro Drake Jackson to come in as the edge rusher.
Granted, this pushes Kinlaw out of pass-rushing situations, but Hargrave’s addition already casts a shadow on Kinlaw’s future with San Francisco anyway.
Speaking of the secondary, the 49ers were impressed enough with Lenoir late last season to suggest he can start opposite Ward, yet the free-agent pickup of Isaiah Oliver as a nickel cornerback will see his presence in passing situations.
No changes at safety, but the Niners will still miss Jimmie Ward’s leadership and versatility.
Predicting 49ers’ starting offense
No more Jimmy Garoppolo in a San Francisco uniform. That’s either a blessing or a curse, depending on what side of the “Jimmy G stan” argument you’d be on.
Regardless, the future of the 49ers under center will fall between either Brock Purdy or Trey Lance, and there are sound arguments for both.
Except only one is nearing a clean slate of health right now.
Quarterback
- Trey Lance
Running back
- Kyle Juszczyk (FB)
- Christian McCaffrey (HB)
Wide receiver
- Deebo Samuel
- Brandon Aiyuk
Tight end
Offensive line
- Trent Williams (LT)
- Aaron Banks (LG)
- Jake Brendel (C)
- Spencer Burford (RG)
- Colton McKivitz (RT)
Lance has the advantage over Purdy in that the latter might not even be recovered from offseason shoulder surgery by the time Week 1 rolls around. And while Lance’s hold on the QB1 role might be precarious, it’s there right now.
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And, no, quarterback Sam Darnold isn’t gunning for it despite being a notable free-agent pickup.
The Niners lost right tackle Mike McGlinchey to the Denver Broncos in free agency. Barring any notable changes, it appears as if fourth-year pro Colton McKivitz will be the shoo-in replacement.
Perhaps that’ll work, and it’ll be good that Brendel re-signed, although it’s Burford’s sole job at right guard now with the versatile Daniel Brunskill departing to the Tennessee Titans, ending San Francisco’s platoon there from last season.