Five Positions the 49ers Need to Address in the Offseason
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As elite of a team that the San Francisco 49ers are, they have quite a sum of positions that could use some help. Vacancies due to players hitting free agency have also created more of a need at specific positions. Other areas just need to be addressed as it was a fault in the 2022 season.
Here are the five positions the 49ers need to address in the offseason.
Center
Jake Brendel is bound for free agency after producing a Pro Bowl season. Quite a surprise he was to earn that accolade as he was a huge question mark going into the season. Brendel played well throughout the season. And while it is tough to quantify an offensive lineman's impact, he rarely found himself surrendering sacks and penalties. He could be in line to return to the 49ers, but I would guess the 49ers are exploring other avenues. Nick Zakelj is one player who the 49ers could look to hand the starting job to, but that isn't their M.O. with players.
They will want to bring someone in via free agency or the draft to compete for a spot there, so I wouldn't pencil in Zakelj as a starter. Besides, it would be a fairly long jump to entrust him suddenly and to play well. The 49ers need to look at their options here. Strengthening the offensive line is key this offseason and it starts with the vacant center position. It has been a key component in the 49ers' offense. Anytime they have had average or below average players there, the offensive line unravels. Addressing this spot is extremely important.
Right tackle
One of the most polarizing players on the 49ers in recent years has been Mike McGlinchey. Well, he may have played his final game as the starting right tackle for them. McGlinchey is set to hit free agency, which means he could find himself with a few suitors that will up his price. The 49ers do not engage in bidding wars with their own players hitting free agency. Only Trent Williams was the exception back in 2021, and he was well worth it. Finding a new right tackle could be the best option for the 49ers.
Colton McKivitz is sure to slide into the fold, but again, the 49ers do not gift starting roles. They want players to compete and will need another option here. The draft is probably where it is best for the 49ers to find someone. Free agency isn't stockpiled with sure fire right tackles. At that point, the 49ers might as well bring McGlinchey back considering they're familiar with him. Center and right tackle are pivotal pieces that the 49ers have to address and get right this offseason. They have to keep their quarterbacks upright no matter who is under center.
Defensive tackle
This past season saw the 49ers' pass rush take a bit of a step back. Nick Bosa is the one who elevated, while the rest of the defensive linemen dropped. Defensive tackle is where the 49ers really could've used some more efficiency. It didn't help that Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw were missing in action for the majority of the season. Depth and impact players were severely lacking. Defensive tackle should be addressed in both the draft and free agency.
Armstead and Kinlaw cannot be trusted to stay healthy. And if they somehow manage to do it, then the 49ers will still need adequate linemen who can give them breathers. There is no such thing as too much defensive line depth and the 49ers need that. They just need to bring in talented players who can get after the quarterback. It was always Bosa or bust for the defensive line this year. That has to change. Perhaps the 49ers can look to bring back Arden Key again. Regardless, there needs to be a player or two brought in to make the interior threatening again.
Edge rusher
As I stated for defensive tackle, the pass rush just cannot be just Bosa. Charles Omenihu had his moments this season but wasn't really a lethal player game in and game out like that. He just cannot be the No. 2 after Bosa. The 49ers were hoping that Drake Jackson would rise to the occasion as the season went on, but he just never found his footing. Even if Jackson steps up and becomes impactful next year, the 49ers still need more.
2019 was when the 49ers were loaded on the defensive line. It is because they kept force feeding players at the position. Knowing that they have a magician as the position coach in Kris Kocurek, the odds are that he will churn out a couple of sweet players there. The 49ers have to keep loading up players there. Whether it is in free agency or dipping heavily into the draft. It needs to be reinforced as a lethal pass rush is critical.
Free safety
A vacancy is at free safety for the 49ers with Tashaun Gipson and Jimmie Ward hitting free agency. Talanoa Hufanga could possibly be with a new partner up high with him. Ward is practically a lock to be signed elsewhere given how the 49ers gave his starting spot to Gipson. A bold move considering Gipson was going to be a free agent as well. There's a chance Gipson returns, but it likely won't be at the cheap cost that he signed late in training camp. Then there is the possibility of Gipson being a one-year wonder with how strong he played last season.
Either way, the 49ers have to figure out what they are going to do there. The safety position has always been solid for the 49ers the past four years. They can't just put anyone up there. Re-signing Gipson, assuming Ward really is gone, is probably best while the 49ers draft his replacement. Kind of like what they did with Jaquiski Tartt and Hufanga. It worked well before, why not again?
