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5 positions the 49ers must address this offseason
When a team wins its regular-season finale and still fires its coach only hours after that game, it speaks volumes as to the amount of work needed to be done to turn the franchise around. Jim Tomsula's reign as successor to Jim Harbaugh lasted only one season and now the San Francisco 49ers must sift through the wreckage and rebuild for the 2016 season. One could make a strong argument - and a winning one - that the 49ers need a major upgrade at every position on the roster. The most obvious problem that needs to be addressed is an offense that ranked last in the NFL with a paltry average of 14.9 points per game.
1. Quarterback
Colin Kaepernick's $11.9 million 2016 base salary is guaranteed for injury on April 1. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) November 21, 2015
Unless the Niners hire a coach (hello, Chip Kelly?) who is convinced he can resuscitate Colin Kaepernick's career, it's hard to believe he won't be cut loose given his declining performance on the field and his health off of it. There's also the matter of Kaepernick's guaranteed $11.9 salary for next season that will kick in if he's on the roster come April 1. Blaine Gabbert exceeded expectations after replacing a benched Kaepernick over the second half of the season, but that's not to say he has shown he can be the long-term solution. Gabbert is cost-effective and likely assured himself of no worse than a backup role for next season. Now the question becomes whether the 49ers use their first-round pick (No. 7 overall) to select a quarterback. Given general manager Trent Baalke's spotty draft record and so many other needs, it promises to be a front-burner topic leading up to the 2016 draft.
2. Offensive line
#49ers Daniel Kilgore on Anthony Davis’ potential return in '16: “If he comes back and they welcome him back, obviously, he’s welcome back…”
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 22, 2015
This unit may be a bigger concern than at quarterback if there was not the possibility of a quick fix on the horizon. Right tackle Anthony Davis, who surprised the team by deciding to take a year off to let his body heal, is saying to wants to play again in 2016. That would not only solve a big need at that position, but allow the 49ers to move Erik Pears back to guard, where he was initially slated to play before Brown opted to sit out. In turn, Pears would fill a void with guards Alex Boone and Andrew Tiller headed for free agency. Center Daniel Kilgore returned late in the season after sitting more than a year due to injury, replacing an overmatched Marcus Martin.
3. Wide receiver
Baalke's decision to give Torrey Smith a five-year, $40 million contract last year was a disaster - as was the GM's entire free-agent class. Smith had two receptions or fewer in 13 of the 16 games and was as one-dimensional as a wideout can be with three of his four touchdown passes covering at least 71 yards. Anquan Boldin had a decent season with 69 receptions and four TDs, but he's also 35 years old and set to become a free agent. The 49ers have an intriguing prospect in DeAndre Smelter, a fourth-round pick in 2015 who sat out the season due to a knee injury sustained in college, but they desperately need an infusion of talent at the position.
4. Defensive line
The #49ers can't afford to let NT Ian Williams walk in free-agency. He's too valuable on the field & inside that locker room.
— Ryan Sakamoto (@SakamotoRyan) December 29, 2015
It's way too premature to say the 49ers whiffed on 2015 first-round pick Arik Armstead, as some 49er fans suggested after he supplied only two sacks and 19 tackles during his rookie campaign. Ian Williams had a solid season at nose tackle but is also headed for free agency, while fellow tackle Glenn Dorsey may not be ready for the start of next season after suffering an ACL tear in Week 9. The 49ers can't seem to make up their mind as to whether Tank Carradine is best suited to play tackle or end, but an already-glaring need for a pass-rushing threat was magnified after outside linebacker and team sack leader Aaron Lynch sustained a concussion in December.
5. Cornerback
Although the lack of a pass rush certainly didn't do San Francisco's cornerbacks any favors, Tramaine Brock and Kenneth Ackers tied for the team lead with three interceptions apiece. It's a telling sign that one of the season's more memorable moments came in late November, when Brock dropped an easy interception in the end zone, prompting 49ers fans to blow up the Twitterverse. Acker, Dontae Johnson and Marcus Cromartie all took turns starting opposite Brock, although neither made a claim to nailing down the job. One plus is that Jimmie Ward came on strong down the stretch while serving as the nickel cornerback.
