QBs:
- Current - Jimmy Garoppolo and C.J. Beathard
- Keepers - Both. If Lynch let's Garoppolo walk after this season, he will be chased out of town. Beathard is a capable, hard-working back-up who comes cheap for the next three years.
- Bubble - None
- Toss - None
- Need - Extremely Low. It's never a bad idea to keep bringing in arms through the draft, but the future looks extremely bright for this position.
RBs:
- Current - Carlos Hyde, Matt Breida, Kyle JuszczykJeremy McNichols, Joe Williams (IR), Raheem Mostert (IR)
- Keepers - Matt Breida, Kyle Juszczyk
- Bubble - Carlos Hyde, Joe Williams, Raheem Mostert, Jeremy McNichols
- Toss - None
- Need - Medium-High. Juszczyk has been the pro-bowl player we expected and looks to be a bigger part of the offense going forward. Breida looks like, at worst, an exciting secondary back. He runs hard, has good speed, and seems to fit the system even better than Hyde at times. Add his dirt cheap contract and he is a lock for the roster. Carlos Hyde, however, is the most polarizing player on the team. There is no arguing he is a quality back, but is he right for the system? Is he worth the contract he will probably demand? We'll see. He obviously wants to be back, but is it a good decision? He has been unspectacular even as the team has soared, but that could be a symptom of a ragged offensive line. The team is flush with cash, but they are going to have to shell out big for Jimmy G. It might make more sense to let Hyde walk and bring in cheaper options. Joe Williams is the biggest question mark. He was Shanahan's pick but he ended up on the IR mostly to stash him because he wasn't ready as a rookie. If he can take a leap then Hyde becomes even more expendable. Raheem Mostert beat him out in the preseason, mainly because of his special teams ability. He has some good qualities, but can he actually add something to the run game? We'll see. Ultimately, The team would benefit from bringing in at least one rookie to push the roster.
WRs:
- Current - Pierre Garcon (IR), Marquise Goodwin, Aldrick Robinson, Trent Taylor, Kendrick Bourne, Louis Murphy, Max McCaffrey, Victor Bolden (IR), Aaron Burbridge (IR)
- Keepers - Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin, Trent Taylor
- Bubble - Aldrick Robinson, Kendrick Bourne, Max McCaffrey, Victor Bolden,
- Toss - Louis Murphy, Aaron Burbridge,
- Need - Medium-High. I can't wait to see Jimmy G throwing to Garcon. Garcon was well on his way to a pro-bowl season with Beathard and Hoyer throwing to him. Goodwin has stepped into the number one role nicely and Trent Taylor makes 3rd and 5 a guaranteed first down. These three should make a solid starting trio. Kendrick Bourne has come on in the last few games and is probably the strongest WR on the bubble. He has a big body, long arms, and excellent hands. I'm pretty excited about his future. Robinson has been a bit of a disappointment. I thought he would step up when Garcon went down, but he has been virtually invisible. The rest of the bubble guys have a pretty big hill to climb to get on the roster next year. The team needs a young star to push the vets at the top.
TEs:
- Current - Garrett Celek, George Kittle, Logan Paulsen, Cole Hikutini (IR)
- Keepers - Garrett Celek and George Kittle
- Bubble - Logan Paulsen and Cole Hikutini
- Toss - None
- Need - Low. Celek and Kittle have both proven to be solid blockers and pass catchers. Each has also shown some chemistry with Jimmy G. Paulsen is a journeyman who could be cut and resigned a few times without concern. Hikutini showed promise and has big upside. The only knock on this group is that there is no "superstar" player. I thinking drafting a TE early would be a luxury for another year, but if a guy blows them away, let's get the weapons!
OTs:
- Current - Joe Staley, Trent Brown (IR), Gary Gilliam (IR), Erik Magnuson (IR), Zane Beadles
- Keepers - Joe Staley, Trent Brown
- Bubble - Gary Gilliam, Erik Magnuson,
- Toss - Zane Beadles
- Need - Low. Staley and Brown are extremely good starters. Staley is on the latter half of his career, and Brown is an up and coming stud. The two should be a great pairing for a few more years. Gilliam's work was short lived, but he would be a solid swing tackle if the team decided to resign him. The issue would be money. Magnuson proved he was tough and might make Gilliam a non-issue. Please get rid of Beadles. They could look to the draft for a development project, but there is no sense in drafting a guy high just to sit for 2+ years.
OGs:
- Current - Brandon Fusco, Laken Tomlinson, Joshua Garnett (IR)
- Keepers - Joshua Garnett?
- Bubble - Brandon Fusco
- Toss - Laken Tomlinson
- Need - Extremely High. Garnett has been tasked with remaking his body to fit the scheme better. Next year will be his make or break year. Fusco has been somewhat solid, but he is a back-up at best on a good offensive line. Tomlinson has been at least marginally better than his predecessors, but there is no way we start he and Fusco again if we are seeking the playoffs. This unit is probably the biggest need on the team. No one would complain if all new faces manned this unit next year.
Cs:
- Current - Daniel Kilgore and Tim Barnes
- Keepers - None
- Bubble - Daniel Kilgore and Tim Barnes
- Toss - Both (Hopefully)
- Need - High. Kilgore has been a source of criticism for years. Zuttah and Barnes were brought in to push him out but neither could beat him. Both of these guys are free agents and the team is better off just starting over with new faces.
DTs:
- Current - DeForest Buckner, Earl Mitchell, Sheldon Day, D.J. Jones, Chris Jones (IR)
- Keepers - DeForest Buckner, Earl Mitchell, Sheldon Day
- Bubble - D.J. Jones, Chris Jones
- Toss - None
- Need - Extremely Low. Buckner is the cornerstone of this defense. Mitchell is a stout vet who plays the run well. Day is a really solid rotation guy. Both of the bubble guys could easily make the roster if needed. Add on the fact that Armstead might be better off in the middle and Solomon Thomas can also fill in, this unit doesn't figure to be a need area.
DEs:
- Current - Solomon Thomas, Elvis Dumervil, Ronald Blair, Tank Carradine, Leger Douzable, Cassius Marsh, Aaron Lynch, Arik Armstead (IR)
- Keepers - Solomon Thomas
- Bubble - Elvis Dumervil, Ronald Blair, Tank Carradine, Leger Douzable, Cassius Marsh, Arik Armstead
- Toss - Aaron Lynch
- Need - High. It is no secret that this team needs more pass rush. Thomas has played the run well and made a few appearances at the QB, but he is not the pass rusher many had hoped for. Dumervil can still get it every once and awhile, but he might be too old, expensive, and slow to resign. Marsh has played well since being claimed and has a great chance to be back. Armstead still has not found his place on the line. Carradine and Blair both have better qualities for the 4-3, but have yet to distinguish themselves. Lynch is the only guy who has no business coming back. Terrible work ethic, no character, and a suspension waiting to happen. Ultimately, finding an elite pass rusher is the biggest need for this defense.
LBs:
- Current - Reuben Foster, Eli Harold, Brock Coyle, Dekoda Watson, Elijah Lee, Mark Nzeocha, Pita Taumoepenu, Malcolm Smith (IR), Donavin Newsom (IR), Jimmie Gilbert (IR)
- Keepers - Reuben Foster, Malcolm Smith, Brock Coyle
- Bubble - Dekoda Watson, Elijah Lee, Pita Taumoepenu, Donavin Newsom, Jimmie Gilbert
- Toss - Eli Harold, Mark Nzeocha
- Need - Medium High. Foster is another building block of this defense. Smith was brought in to be the long-term answer at the SAM position. Those two could or should be starters next year. Coyle has played well this year, but he is better as a special teams ace. Watson is another special teamer who has done a decent job when called upon. The rest of the bubble guys are rookies who could play their way on to the roster now that they have some experience, but it would be huge for this defense to add another sideline to sideline thumper to pair with Foster. Can we all agree that we have seen enough of Eli Harold being blocked into obscurity?
Safeties:
- Current - Eric Reid, Adrian Colbert, Jaquiski Tartt (IR), Jimmie Ward (IR), Dexter McCoil, James Chanceller (IR), Don Jones (IR)
- Keepers - Adrian Colbert, Jaquiski Tartt, Jimmie Ward
- Bubble - Eric Reid, Dexter McCoil, James Chanceller, Don Jones
- Toss - None
- Need - Medium. Eric Reid will be a tough decision. He will be a free agent and might command a big salary and he has played well this year, but he still struggles some in coverage and still has a huge history of concussions. I think they stick with him, especially because he brings leadership to a young squad. Many of you are sold on Colbert as the answer at FS. I just don't see it. I think he is a really solid back-up, but he is just not the "eraser" the team needs back there. Tartt really improved last year until the broken arm and might be ready to take a starting spot. Ward wasn't terrible as the FS, but he wasn't great either. He still brings value to the secondary, but the team needs to figure out where. I'd still like to see the team get an Earl Thomas like player to shut down the middle of the field, but that might be a luxury next year. In the mean time, this group should be serviceable.
CBs:
- Current - Ahkello Witherspoon, K'Waun Williams Dontae johnson, Antone Exum, Greg Mabin, Leon Hall, Tyvis Powell, Asa jackson (IR)
- Keepers - Ahkello Withersppon, K'Waun Williams
- Bubble - Greg Mabin, Tyvis Powell, Asa Jackson
- Toss - Leon Hall, Antone Exum
- Need - Extremely High. Witherspoon looks like the real deal. Williams is the slot CB we have needed for years. After that, the cupboard is bare. Johnson had the nice pick 6, but that was luck rather than skill. He has been disappointing as a starter. The young guys like Mabin and Powell will get a shot to improve in the offseason, but this unit is in desperate need of a talent transfusion. If they don't use one of the top three picks on CB, the front office is crazy. The team needs to find a CB to pair with Witherspoon, fast.
Roster needs in order:
- OG - Shanahan's offense is predicated on running the ball and using play-action to open up the passing game. Even while the team has been on this incredible hot streak, the running game has sputtered. Talent at this position cannot be compromised and right now there is none.
- CB - A great pass rush can hide the flaws in coverage, but this team doesn't have that either. They desperately need a guy who can shutdown an opposing receiver.
- LEO/DE - The team's run defense has been stellar, but they still need a guy who can get to the QB.
- C - This position could be lumped into the OG need. There should be a few veterans in free agency who can come in and improve this team.
- WR - Jimmy G has done well with what the team has, but imagine how amazing it would be to have a game-breaker!
- LB - Foster needs a running mate.
- RB - There are plenty of question marks on this unit. It would make sense to keep pushing competition.
- Safety - The team could get by with what they have, especially if they resign Reid, but they could use a true eraser back there.
- OT - Finding Staley's replacement will becoming more pressing in the coming years.
- TE - The group we have is really solid, but you can never turn down an upgrade if we see one.
- DT - Who is going to be pissed if they draft a DT in the first round?
- QB - It feels damn good to have our guy!