Originally posted by Gore_21:
Likely Need:
Backup QB - Gabbert and Johnson are FA's after this even if they make the team. Harbaugh needs to pick a guy in rounds 2 or 3 and develop him to be the backup of the future. No more playing with broken washed up vets.
I think the same...we need a dependable backup at QB. a pick in the 3rd round is possible imho.
OL - Kilgore or Martin will be the C of the future most likely. A lot will depend on if we get Boone extended and if Iupati is re-signed but we also have Looney, Brandon Thomas to compete for those 2 guard spots if both are gone. Even if we re-sign one of those guys we shouldn't need help with Looney/Thomas winning the other spot. If we lose both it might be a high need if Looney and Thomas can't take over both spots. 3rd Tackle could be another need.
o-line is always a need.
CB Depth - Culliver, Cox and Cook will all be FA's after this year but I don't see us losing all 3 of them. I expect Culliver back and re-signed long term as soon as his legal issues clear up. Brock, Ward, Johnson and Morris or Acker will be under contract for next year. So unless we lose all 3 it's probably not going to be a big need or a need at all. I see it being Brock, Culliver, Ward, Johnson, Cox/Cook, Morris/Acker.
we will find another good CB-backup on day 3.
WR Depth - Crabtree, Lloyd, Osgood are FA's after this year. Even if we lose all 3 (or the other 2 are cut before) that still leaves us Boldin, Johnson, Ellington, Patton so we would still have a solid group. It would probably be a mid round need then. If we re-sign Crabtree it's not a need at all.
imho, our wr coprs seems to be stacked, especially if Crabtree extends. Crabtree, Boldin as possession receivers, Ellington/Johnson as quick guys, Patton as everything and PERHAPS Washington as a long-term project.
RB Depth - This will depend on if Gore and Hunter are back and how Lattimore does. The only way I see this being a need is if we lose Gore and Hunter and Lattimore never plays. That would leave Hyde and James. I see at least 1 of Lattimore, Gore or Hunter being back though.
from supposed no-need before the last draft to a total need in next year. Gore won't do it forever, LMJ is another type of player anyway. Let's wait and see what Hyde can REALLY do. Hunter will be given another chance next summer. There are a lot of question marks behind Lattimore.
4th S - We have yet to see who will be our 4th and 5th? safety but Reid, Bethea and Ward will likely be 1-3. I think we need to draft a #4/5 in the mid rounds next year. Someone who can play ST on a high level as well.
a very minor need if Reid, Ward and Bethea are still here and alive next year.
7th DL? - McDonald, Dorsey, Smith, Williams, Carradine, Dial, TJE/DP?. TJE is a FA after this year and I don't think Okoye or Ramsey are the long term answer. We have 6 DL signed so if w plan on keeping 7 then we can draft one in the late rounds to compete with TJE if we re-sign him or maybe Okoye/Ramsey.
d-line is always a need.
TE - Vernon is signed through 2015, McDonald should be our long term #2 and Carrier will likely be our #3. Unless we plan on upgrading our 3 it's not a need. If we would take one it would be a late round pick.
So, Vernon will enter his contract year next year and you assume that we don't have a need at TE then? I assume the complete opposite.
OLB - Brooks, Smith, Lemonier, Lynch and Skuta if re-signed. We have Aldon through 2015 so after that season if we can't get him sign long term then we have a major need but until then not a need.
True that. Though, you can never have too many pass-rushers.
ILB - Bowman, Willis, Borland, Moody/Skov or Wilhoite if re-signed. If we cut Moody/Skov and they are gone and then Wilhoite leaves it could be a need otherwise no unless we want to upgrade #4 ILB.
we need another outstanding ILB who could take over for Willis or Bowman because their contracts are way too heavy, imho.
