The San Francisco 49ers had arguably the best NFL roster in 2022. But the team lost some key players like Jimmie Ward, Mike McGlinchey, Robbie Gould, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Emmanuel Moseley. The 49ers brought in some new players, and also have players who were backups last season, who they are hoping can fill some of those voids.
So who are the most important new starters as we make our way toward training camp? Let's take a look at the five most important new starters for the 49ers.
1. Colton McKivitz
Projected role: Starting right tackle
McGlinchey is gone (he's not dead, he's just with another team), and his replacement will be Colton McKivitz. And it will be up to McKivitz, who has started five games in his three-year career, to hold up the right edge of the offensive line.
The 49ers offensive line is good, but they're not great. They perform well, for the most part, but seem to crumble in big moments against really good defensive lines, usually in big games (see Super Bowl LIV, 2021 NFCCG, 2022 NFCCG). They have to be better if the 49ers are going to win a Super Bowl, especially with young, injury-prone QBs behind them.
Can McKivitz be a key to winning another Lombardi? He's not as strong in the run game as McGlinchey, but I think he'll be better in pass protection than his predecessor. The question will be if he can hold up in the biggest moments.
2. Drake Jackson
Projected role: Starting edge rusher
Nick Bosa is all-world. But he can't handle things alone. Someone has to step up on the opposite side, and Drake Jackson, the second-year edge rusher from USC, should be the guy who gets the first shot. Jackson has bulked up this offseason and looks to be ready for the challenge ahead. He got off to a great start last season, but ran out of gas as the year went on.
If Jackson isn't able to take the job, look for Clelin Ferrell, or some sort of rotation, to try to provide that pressure off the "other" edge.
Whether it's Jackson or an edge rush by committee, the 49ers have to get more (from the edge opposite of Bosa) than they have in previous years.
3. Jake Moody
Projected role: Starting Kicker
Matt Maiocco, of NBC Sports Bay Area, has said multiple times that no 49ers rookie will impact the team in 2023 (for better or for worse) more than rookie kicker, Jake Moody. Not only is Moody filling the shoes of a postseason legend, in Robbie Gould, but the 49ers expect to be playing in some huge January games. So Moody is going to be called upon to make big kicks in some close games this season.
In an interview with Tracy Sandler, a 49ers reporter, and avid Michigan fan, I asked if Jake Moody is ready for the pressure of being a rookie kicker on this team. She said that Moody is no ordinary rookie, that he's ready for the pressure, and that Jim Harbaugh said it best: "Death, taxes, and Jake Moody."
Let's hope Harbaugh (and Tracy) are correct.
4. Isaiah Oliver
Projected role: Starting nickel corner
The 49ers have had some great play at nickel corner over the past few years. Ward stepped in last season and was great. Before him, K'Waun Williams held down that role. The 49ers not only expect the nickel to cover slot receivers, but they also expect him to be really solid in the run game. Ward and Williams both played the run well.
In the offseason, Isaiah Oliver was signed to replace Ward. Those are big shoes to fill, but the 49ers, namely new Defensive Coordinator, Steve Wilks, appear to be high on Oliver.
Oliver is a big corner who has a chance to flourish under Wilks. Last season, while with the Atlanta Falcons, Oliver had 37 tackles, three tackles for a loss, two quarterback hits, a sack, and seven passes defended, to go along with an interception in 12 games played. He started five games.
Though he's dealt with some injuries in his career, Oliver has been one of the better nickel corners in the league, when healthy.
5. Javon Hargrave
Projected role: Starting defensive tackle
Javon Hargrave was huge for the Philadelphia Eagles last season, recording 60 tackles, 16 QB hits, 11 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. If he can give the 49ers a similar season, he will take pressure off of Bosa and Arik Armstead, and provide some much-needed pass rush from the interior of the line, something that's been missing since the team traded away DeForest Buckner.
Hargrave is a big upgrade from Javon Kinlaw, that's for certain. But one thing that can't be overlooked is that Hargrave's arrival also gives the 49ers' defensive line a potentially high-level rotational piece by making Kinlaw a backup. If the fourth-year player can get healthy, and be a force inside, the Hargrave signing makes the 49ers defensive line even better than just a simple addition of a really good player. It allows a young, unproven player the chance to just play without the pressure of being a former first-round pick.
And that could be huge—for Kinlaw and the 49ers.
These five new starters will be needed to play at a higher level than they've ever played in order for the 49ers to finally get over the top and win Super Bowl number six.