Offense? Defense? Special groups? The reply is the entire above.
With the authorized tampering interval formally kicking off as we speak, there’ll quickly be a flurry of bulletins as groups conform to offers with the group of free brokers set to hit the market at first of the brand new league yr on Wednesday.
I put collectively a listing of the 5 most vital positions for the 49ers to handle throughout free company, and included my reasoning for every spot on the checklist. Without additional ado, quantity 5…
5. Edge
The 49ers actually like Drake Jackson, and so they have the reigning defensive participant of the yr on the different edge spot. Because of this, it wouldn’t be stunning in the event that they determine to not make a giant splash on the place by bringing in a big-name free agent.
The most vital factor to handle right here will likely be reinforcing depth, with Charles Omenihu, Samson Ebukam, and Jordan Willis all scheduled to be unrestricted free brokers. All three performed a pivotal position within the 49ers edge rotation final yr, and discovering replacements at an inexpensive charge ought to be among the many 49ers entrance places of work’ greatest priorities this offseason.
4. Right sort out
Mike McGlinchey seems to have all however priced himself out of the 49ers finances going ahead, and his potential departure leaves a giant gap to fill on the best aspect of the 49ers offensive line.
The placement on the checklist would possibly come as a shock, however that has extra to do with the standard of gamers on the place who can be found within the draft. There are a handful of gamers who the 49ers might tackle day two which have the potential to step in from day one and be a beginning caliber participant on the place.
3. Cornerback
With Emmanuel Moseley set to hit free company, there’s a little bit of uncertainty about what precisely his market will appear to be coming off an ACL tear final season. When wholesome, Moseley is among the higher quantity two corners within the league, and he was enjoying at a stage that ought to web him a substantial pay day so long as there are not any points along with his restoration timetable.
Deommodore Lenoir’s spectacular play down the stretch would possibly ease the urgency the 49ers need to be aggressive in pursuit of a veteran possibility on the place, however it’s too vital of a place to miss solely. Finding a stable veteran with inside/outdoors versatility could possibly be the completion on what appears to be like like one of the best protection within the NFL on paper.
2. Center
The nerve middle of the offensive line, this can be a place you can not afford to have a serious drop-off at following the stellar season that Jake Brendel put collectively in 2022. Dating again to when Weston Richburg was manning the center, there’s a clear correlation between the success of this crew and having above-average play from their middle.
Unlike the best sort out spot, middle is a place the place I might be way more reluctant to have a day two choose be the man you’re relying on to be a day one starter. Between having to test protections and all that comes with being the point of interest of the offensive line, it’s wiser to put money into a confirmed veteran at that received’t want the time and reps to develop like a rookie will.
1. Kicker
Now this one would possibly actually come as a shock, however for my part it’s the place which you can least afford to take a shortcut in by foregoing the costlier veteran possibility. The fact is, save for a couple of video games right here and there, the 49ers have been spoiled with an elite stage of dependability on the place over the past decade, with Phil Dawson and Robbie Gould being about as dependable as you may get.
I do know everybody likes Jake Moody and from a monetary standpoint, discovering a rookie who works out can be in one of the best curiosity of the crew’s finances transferring ahead. However, that’s simply far an excessive amount of of a danger to take at this time limit given how sturdy the remainder of the roster they’ve constructed is.
Thinking about all of the work that has been performed to place collectively this juggernaut of a soccer crew, in the event you’re John Lynch or Kyle Shanahan, you could have to have the ability to look your self within the mirror and ask your self one factor.
Are you comfy trotting out a rookie kicker in January together with your season on the road? Would you have the ability to abdomen the fallout of a complete season’s price of labor crumbling down as a result of the second was too huge for a man who hasn’t been requested to kick with that type of stress earlier than?
For me, the reply is a straightforward no to each. I perceive if Gould desires to be elsewhere and the 49ers want to get youthful on the place. That’s fantastic, however there are veteran choices out there who the 49ers ought to make a powerful effort to usher in as a long-term resolution on the place, and assist keep the lengthy string of success they’ve had with kickers over the past ten years.
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