Out of Their Depth

Mar 12, 2013 at 5:19 PM

Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.

With the 49ers embarking on free agency, and then the draft, we enter that hope-filled season when NFL teams can add talent. Many national commentators proclaim the 49ers "loaded," lacking only a few starters. Well, starters, maybe yes, but teams also need depth, and I agree more closely with local scribes, such as 49erswebzone writers Jason Giese on the defensive line and Al Sacco on the running backs, when assessing those Niners' needs. With scads of draft picks this year, either for trade or draft, the 49ers must look not only for starters, but also for depth. Preparatory to the next few weeks, let's look at three different kinds of depth.

Stop-gaps. Teams hope these players can step in if a regular sustains an injury, or simply needs to sit for a spell to mull missed assignments. Often these players contribute very little, even on special teams. Sometimes they sub in on special packages, such as goal line, or short-yardage situations. No one expects these subs to develop into long-term impact players, and folks are generally happy if they don't mess up too badly. Usually, veterans on their way out fill these slots. An example from last season: Leonard Davis. Teams would prefer to have more of the other kinds of depth, but, given the injury hazards, most organizations, realistically, need to settle for a few stop-gaps. Occasionally, like Deion Sanders for the 1994 Niners, these players exceed stop-gap status and become one-year wonders.

Contributors. Teams need as many of these guys as they can get. Where do they contribute? As special-teamers, backups, and part-time starters. Ideally, one would like these players to excel not only on special teams, but to provide quality playing time when starters need rest. Indeed, sometimes they blur the distinction between backup and starters, for instance Delanie Walker (best wishes in Tennessee, versatile one) or Chris Culliver. As all 49er fans know, the current special teams need boosting. While stop-gaps often sign as free agents or arrive via trade, teams traditionally add these contributors during the middle and late rounds of the draft, or even as undrafted free-agent signings.

Replenishers. Every team hopes to stockpile as many of these players as possible. Every fan invests dreams of future success in these guys, even if they don't always pan out. These players, however they arrive, usually in the early-to-mid rounds, may not start right away, but they catch the eyes of coaches and fans alike, and often, at a young age, work and/or dazzle themselves into more playing time, and, eventually, become starters. These players provide true quality depth, not only in and of themselves, but because they permit teams to let more expensive veterans leave in free agency. NaVorro Bowman provides a penultimate example: drafted in the third round in 2010, he flashed so much ability that the 49ers let Takeo Spikes walk the following season, and installed Bowman as starting inside linebacker. Mr. Bowman's subsequent play testifies to the importance of stocking the depth charts with potential young starters.

True depth does not just mean names on a roster, but quality players capable of contributing now, and starting later. The 49ers 2012 draft has so far not provided much in the way of replenishers, although some of last year's rookies, particularly the injured, may yet pan out. But the 2013 49ers cannot afford two consecutive drafts bereft of replenishers, and short, too, of genuine contributors. For that reason, the upcoming draft looms as especially important, both in terms of salary-cap implications, and as a source of replacement talent.

The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
Enjoy this article? Follow us to never miss more!

Powered by Follow.it


Comments

More San Francisco 49ers News

placeholder image

49ers to feature revamped RB depth chart against Bears due to injuries

By David Bonilla
Dec 4

The San Francisco 49ers are moving forward without star running back Christian McCaffrey or backup Jordan Mason for the season's final five games. McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve Tuesday after suffering a PCL injury during Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills. Mason,...


placeholder image

Pro Bowl voting: Four 49ers players leading their positions in the NFC

By Site Staff
Dec 2

Four San Francisco 49ers players are leading Pro Bowl Games voting for their respective NFC positions: tight end George Kittle, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, defensive end Nick Bosa, and linebacker Fred Warner. The NFL sent out the following press release. NEW YORK — Dec....


placeholder image

With playoff hopes fading, 49ers need to 'do something special' to turn their season around

By Kirk Larrabee
Dec 1

With five games remaining in the 2024 NFL season, it's safe to say the San Francisco 49ers' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. Making matters worse is the fact the 49ers have appeared lifeless in their past two games -- a 38-10 loss at Green Bay on November 24 and a 35-10...


placeholder image

49ers' Kyle Shanahan on blocking out online noise: 'Don't make someone else's reality your reality'

By David Bonilla
Nov 29

Kyle Shanahan takes a pragmatic approach to handling online criticism—he ignores it. The San Francisco 49ers head coach recently opened up about his mindset during a challenging season for his squad, which was once considered a Super Bowl favorite but is now 5-6 and...


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone