There wasn’t an insurgency of star players, but make no mistake, GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have done their best to overhaul the rosterir in free agency. The San Francisco 49ers look and feel like a better football team.
Lynch and Shanahan have added so many new players to their operation in Santa Clara, there’s almost two factions of the roster: Trent Baalke holdovers and new regime pieces. Adding proven professionals and depth was a priority in free agency, but the 49ers know they’re still missing several blue chip pieces needed to compete for championships, namely at quarterback, wide receiver, pass rusher and cornerback
As we continue to speculate on what the 49ers will do with the No. 2 overall pick — I’ve settled on Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster — let’s take a look at where each position group stands before the NFL Draft. Rankings are in order of overall depth.
1. Offensive Line
Players: Joe Staley, Zane Beadles, Daniel Kilgore, Joshua Garnett, Trent Brown, Jeremy Zuttah*, Garry Gilliam*, Alex Balducci, Norman Price, John Theus
Snyopsis: Honestly, where is the weakness on the offensive line? Depending on where Zuttah lines up, there will be healthy competition at center, guard and right tackle. Staley is still a Pro Bowl caliber player. Left guard Beadles was arguably Baalke’s best free agent signing in years. Personally, I could see Zuttah winning the center spot and Kilgore sliding over to right guard over Garnett. The 49ers should be developing young talent like Garnett at the start of their re-build, but he’ll have to earn his spot if he wants to play. Brown vs. Gilliam will be a juicy training camp battle. Brown is talented, but at 355-pounds, he just might not be an ideal scheme fit. Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme requires agile offensive linemen who move quick in space, something the 315-pound Gilliam can do — although he’s not a good pass protector.
2. Secondary
Players: Jimmie Ward, Eric Reid, Rashard Robinson, Jaquiski Tartt, K’Waun Williams*, Keith Reaser, Dontae Johnson, Will Redmond, Prince Charles Iworah, Marcus Ball, Vinnie Sunseri, JaCorey Sheppard
Synopsis: The 49ers are non-committal on whether Ward will switch from cornerback to safety, although that decision probably got easier after releasing Tramaine Brock — who both Lynch and Shanahan said was a surefire starter. Locking in Ward at outside cornerback with Robinson and Williams holding down the nickel back spot is a firm plan heading into the draft. The problem is that Reid and Tartt both excel more in the box safety role — defensive coordinator Robert Saleh already said Reid will play as a box safety. That leaves a gaping hole in the Earl Thomas role as a center fielder. If Ward does end sliding back to free safety, where he played in college, who would jump in and start at cornerback? Reaser and Johnson are nice depth pieces, but they aren’t viable options as Week 1 starters. There’s certainly a lot of talent in this positional group, but still a ton of moving parts before the draft. Considering the likes of Malik Hooker, Jamal Adams and Marshon Lattimore, drafting secondary makes a whole lot of sense.
3. Defensive Line
Players: DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead, Earl Mitchell*, Ronald Blair, Quinton Dial, Chris Jones, Mike Purcell
Synopsis: By improving his “man strength” Buckner’s sophomore season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting facets of 2017. He has major improvements to make as a run defender, but the 23-year-old was relentless against the pass a year ago and can turn from bright spot to building block with more seasoning. Armstead is a different story. A shoulder injury cut his season in half in 2016, and a source inside the building told me his love of football has been questioned. Year 3 could be make or break for Armstead, but he has the size and strength to be a difference maker. Mitchell will plug the middle as a starter, with Purcell backing him up. Blair’s shiftiness and versatility to line up inside and outside make him an asset heading into training camp. Dial and Jones could be competing for a roster spot.
4. Running Backs
Players: Carlos Hyde, Kyle Juszczyk*, Tim Hightower*, DuJuan Harris, Mike Davis, Raheem Moshert
Synopsis: Hyde’s entering a contract year with a head coach who has a track record of churning out incredible production from this position. There will be games he carries the football 25 times in 2017. He’ll be given every chance to prove he’s a franchise guy toting the rock. Juszczyk could probably be listed with the tight ends — he’ll be that involved in the short passing game. Hightower is a beloved teammate and will serve as injury insurance for the often nicked up Hyde. Harris, Davis and Moshert will almost 100 percent be competing with a rookie for the final spot. If there’s one thing Shanahan loves most about the draft, it’s unearthing running backs — although do not rule out LSU running back Leonard Fournette at No. 2.
5. Wide Receivers
Players: Pierre Garcon*, Marquise Goodwin*, Jeremy Kerley, Bruce Ellington, Aldrick Robinson*, DeAndre Smelter, Aaron Burbridge, DeAndre Carter, Chris Harper, Eric Rogers, Rashad Ross*
Synopsis: This group is by no means a finished product, but there are now proven playmakers to rely upon when it’s 3rd and 8. Garcon could realistically haul in 90 receptions for 1,200 yards in 2017. Goodwin is coming off his most productive season with the Bills and was highly coveted by the Redskins in free agency. Robinson has been a home run hitter for Shanahan in both Atlanta and Washington. Kerley will be given a chance to compete for a role, but it’ll be nowhere near the 65 catches he had starring for Chip Kelly a year ago. Expect one draft pick and one undrafted player to compete for the final spot. As for a sleeper with the remaining names? Watch out for Ross, an Oakland native.
6. Linebackers
Players: NaVorro Bowman, Malcolm Smith*, Ray-Ray Armstrong, Carl Bradford, Brock Coyle*, Jayson DiManche*
Synopsis: A healthy Bowman will change the entire complexion of this defense. Don’t expect spectacular play from Smith but he’s mostly consistent. After starting strong in September but then falling to an injury, Armstrong is wild card. Somehow, Jed York allowed Baalke to extend his contract in late December, a reminder that there were no rules in Santa Clara last year. Armstrong can cover well in space, but we don’t know much about his run-stopping ability. My latest mock draft has the 49ers taking Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster at No. 2 overall to pair with Bowman ala KJ Wright and Bobby Wagner in Seattle.
7. Quarterbacks
Players: Brian Hoyer*, Matt Barkley*
Synopsis: Hours after free agency began, Shanahan pounced on Hoyer for a reason. There are very few bargain veteran quarterbacks in the league who can run Shanahan’s complex system and Hoyer is certainly one. Hoyer’s last 16 games: 24 touchdowns, 6 interceptions and a 95.0 QB rating. Most remember his postseason meltdown with Houston, but Hoyer is remarkably productive for a quarterback that keeps bouncing around the league. As for Barkley, Chicago was the most injury-decimated team of 2016. Despite serving up 14 interceptions in seven games, he still made some magic happen for the Bears. Not a bad Plan B in this bridge year before Kirk Cousins’ impending arrival. My latest mock doesn’t have the 49ers drafting a quarterback until round four in Miami’s Brad Kaaya. Shanahan won’t force a quarterback with the No. 34 pick if he truly doesn’t think that player can one day lead this team to playoff wins.
8. Tight Ends
Players: Vance McDonald, Logan Paulsen*, Garrett Celek, Blake Bell, Je’Ron Hamm
Synopsis: McDonald is a solid pass catcher, but he’s not a dynamic No. 1 tight end that poses serious matchup problems for a defense. Paulsen will surprise 49ers fans with his soft hands in the red zone and innate skills as a run blocker. Rookies should be brought in to compete for the final spot with Celek, Bell and Hamm.
9. Pass rushers (combination of DL and Linebackers)
Players: Ahmad Brooks, Aaron Lynch, Eli Harold, Tank Carradine
Synopsis: It was rather surprising that the 49ers didn’t chase any type of pass rushing help in free agency. A 32nd ranked run defense overshadowed the fact that this team rarely pressured the quarterback in 2016 — 33 sacks finished 19th in the NFL. While cutting veteran leaders Torrey Smith and Antonio Bethea, the 33-year-old Brooks was kept after posting six sacks a year ago. Suspended for the first four games of the season and battling an ankle injury, Lynch was a non-factor last season. If he’s not serious coming into training camp, his roster spot may be in jeopardy. Harold started 13 games but has yet to prove he’s a consistent playmaker at the NFL level entering his third season. As Saleh has said, this team needs a true hallmark LEO pass rusher. Until then, it’s slim pickings down here.