2015 Team Needs

Originally posted by wailers15:
Major Needs:

DB depth: Brock couldn't stay healthy, nor Ward, Reid's concussion issue should be a concern, lot's of rookies got PT this yr (lots of room to grow), gotta lock up Culliver. Cox is decent, but not much to get excited about. Dahl will be gone (thank you) so a replacement will be needed. I think Donte Johnson should be moved back to safety, he just doesn't have the recovery speed

DL depth: Big worry spot here. Williams can't stay healthy (bad breaks / no pun intended), Smith may retire, Ray Mac gone, Dorsey (can he stay healthy with age), Dial & Tank are very very raw. This is a huge need. We saw this yr the lack of pass rush & sacks, granted injuries & suspensions didn't help.

WR: for the love of God can we draft a WR that can stretch the field?!?! Crabtree will be gone (no way can I see us paying his overrated-injured ass)

Totally...internal signings will be key; Cox is a good player who can also play the slot, Culliver remains solid and a fixture at RCB, Johnson played terrific all year at both CB spots and esp. the slot (love him best here over Ward, even), etc. Got a couple lessons the last game of the year against the Cardinals which is good as well.

2015 UFA: (Free agents with 4 year NFL experience)
QB Blaine Gabbert - could be a keeper if you go back to the WCO
QB Josh Johnson - could be a keeper if we go to a more RO-type of offense
RB Frank Gore - he'll be back
RB Alfonso Smith - worth another look esp. if we go to a WCO and as a receiver out of the backfield
RB Phillip Tanner - meh?
WR Michael Crabtree - see ya!
WR Brandon Lloyd - see ya!
WR Kassim Osgood - on again/off again as needed.
OG Mike Iupati - see ya!
DE Dan Skuta - would certainly like him back.
ILB Desmond Bishop - see ya!
CB Chris Culliver - would certainly like him back.
CB Perris Cox - could certainly like him back.
CB Chris Cook - would certainly like him back. Top ST aces as well.
S Bubby Ventrone - on again/off again as needed.
Note: CB Cameron Fuller is already under contract in 2015.

2015 RFA: (Free agents with 3 year NFL experience)
TE Garrett Celek - could be a big hit if we go back to the WCO.
ILB Michael Wilhoite - well played this year.
LOS Kyle Nelson - great season.

2015 ERFA: (free agents with 2 year NFL experience)
DE Tony Jerod-Eddie - very versatile player for us.



I think this year we'll see Ward worked into the FS and nickle more...super excited about LJ McCray as well esp. with Dahl gone.

Originally posted by HearstFan:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by HearstFan:
Agree with most - EXCEPT Anthony Davis at RT is not just a plodder, he is highly athletic. The problem with the OL is coaching/scheme, not talent. The OL sucked when Solari coached it under Nolan and Sing, was good when Trevno was co-OL coach, and sucked again when Trevno left, leaving Solari back in charge.

1. Cox would be my priority res-signing
2. Bye to Crabs
3. Bye to Iupati because someone will way overpay for him - we have Brandon Thomas in the wings from last year's draft.

#1 Draft priority - big bodied receiver - a la Mike Evans or Benjamin from 2014 draft - they had big impacts on their teams.

I think some, like myself, were under the impression we might be moving to a more WCO zone blocking scheme and therefore, we might see some adjustments along the OL (most athletic T's, great pulling G's, agile C, etc.). We'll see but I do expect a different lineup than what we've seen in the past. Another posted noted that Solari is actually a very good zone blocking OL coach and the power running game as not his forte. So, that's another one to keep an eye on.

Interesting point - thank you. But if you look at each OL individually, they don't seem to be plodders per se:
LT Staley - considered a bit undersized, but highly athletic and mobile
LG Iupatis - although big and strong, also considered to have excellent mobility and an excellent pulling guard.
C Martin / ? - honestly, not sure how to characterize our new centers
RG Boone - has a tackle frame, but is stiff, so is back-up tackle caliber; although performs well, not an ideal guard either for leverage or movement. But does seem ability to get to the second level for blocking ok.
RT Davis - excellent athlete, size to play strong-side running blocker on right, but I think he is a more natural LT, but what do I know.

Redshirt Rookie Brandon Thomas - projected as a Tackle, but also considered to have excellent qualities for guard. Wonder if he may be tall for a guard like Boone.

So MAYBE the issue is/was that the OL is actually more apt for a mobile / zone scheme rather than a power run scheme?? I think with the right coach and with the level of athleticism and experience along our OL, they should be capable of either scheme.

It' a good take. I know we had many struggles on screens as well and many theorize it's b/c of the size of our OL. We may be looking for OL who can block very effectively in space and can CONTINUE to block through the whistle. Diet and conditioning could be a big factor next season as well. Every one of our OL looked out of shape from Boone, to Martin to Davis.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by lamontb:
I honestly wouldn't mind a good d lineman FA signing if Cowboy retires to go along with a draft pick. And if he doesn't retire I still see it as a priority position. Probably at #5 on your list. Especially running the 3-4. Tank and Dial are still question marks. Dorsey and Williams coming off major injuries. Not to mention Dorsey had one solid year at NT but he's struggled their most of his career and was better at DE. .

So if Boone is LT and Staley is RT where is Davis? Would you put him at guard or cap casualty?

CB could be tricky like. I think it's either going to be Cox or Culliver. I hope it's Cox.

Good work

Excellent perspective. Updated the OP.

And yes, Davis would slide inside to be our power G (can is also athletic enough to to pull, block down field, etc.). He already got "paid" so this shouldn't be a big issue unless HE views RG as a demotion (which I would doubt).

I can get with Davis at guard

was Crabtree ever supposed to be a stretch the field kind of guy? IMO you build your receiving core with possession guys...and find a stretcher, cuz the stretchers are basically 1 trick ponies at that point

Originally posted by NinerGM:
Tom Gamble has been released by the Eagles. I thought we worked very well with Baalke. I say bring him back to the west coast. Sadly enough the reason why he wanted to go east is no longer a item.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12104370/tom-gamble-released-philadelphia-eagles

I think Baalke and Gamble together again you would see a lot more great personnel moves.

I was reading yesterday that their is strife with Chip Kelly and Rosemond the Eagles GM. And that Gamble being fired was ownership taking the GM's side. Gamble was a Kelly guy.

Originally posted by lamontb:

Originally posted by NinerGM:
Tom Gamble has been released by the Eagles. I thought we worked very well with Baalke. I say bring him back to the west coast. Sadly enough the reason why he wanted to go east is no longer a item.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12104370/tom-gamble-released-philadelphia-eagles

I think Baalke and Gamble together again you would see a lot more great personnel moves.

I was reading yesterday that their is strife with Chip Kelly and Rosemond the Eagles GM. And that Gamble being fired was ownership taking the GM's side. Gamble was a Kelly guy.

Granted they came in at the same time, but other than that, how is Tom Gamble a Chip Kelly guy?

Dont forget to add a veteran QB to mentor Kap. He needs it. Much better when Alex was on the sideline schooling him.

Amari Cooper or Kevin White.

The 49ers actually appear to have more needs than we first thought. People are also forgetting that MacDonald is gone now in addition to Justin Smith (possibly) and is a huge blow to the 49er defense. If they can't find anything in FA then DL for me becomes a huge priority. Tank was a 2nd round pick but he hasn't done anything and is verging on bust territory. Dial is okay but nothing spectacular. I believe another big body up front will have to be brought in.

KAP needs an elite WR to succeed. Look at Romo with Dez, Ryan with Jones, Cam with Benjamin, Stafford with Mega, ... Even Manziel with Evans in college... KAP seriously needs a WR of that status that can help him out even when the throws not exactly money.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by leakyfausett:
I might add that I expect a couple of compensatory picks for overall loss/gain. One could very well be very high if Iupati gets the kind of money he will be looking for.

Great point!

My Bad. Accually the Iupati, Crabtree moves would be for next year. Still we lost Wittner, Brown and Dixion and added Bethea. we should net two more picks since the two safeties cancel each other out and Brown started and played in 14 games and Boobie also played a ton we should get a couple of late round compensatory picks. Either way we are reloading not rebuilding.

I would resign Iupati(I think he prefers to stay vs take more money and play for a losing team)

On the FA front I would explore signing Suh. He would bring his rough image which could be used as a positive on our D. Suh gets in trouble on the field, not off the field. If we can sign him to a contract and harness that mean streak he would be a possible long term replacement for Justin.

I would let all of our other potential FAs on our team walk except for Cox, and offer VD a pay cut and a chance to earn a 2016 contract. If not he would go too.

Originally posted by leakyfausett:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by leakyfausett:
I might add that I expect a couple of compensatory picks for overall loss/gain. One could very well be very high if Iupati gets the kind of money he will be looking for.

Great point!

My Bad. Accually the Iupati, Crabtree moves would be for next year. Still we lost Wittner, Brown and Dixion and added Bethea. we should net two more picks since the two safeties cancel each other out and Brown started and played in 14 games and Boobie also played a ton we should get a couple of late round compensatory picks. Either way we are reloading not rebuilding.

You nailed it...we'll probably end up with 9 picks. Rogers too? I've confirmed we're drafting 15th now.

Originally posted by Rubberneck36:
Dont forget to add a veteran QB to mentor Kap. He needs it. Much better when Alex was on the sideline schooling him.

I have a veteran QB plus a hand-picked QB by the new HC/OC as a top tier need.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Rubberneck36:
Dont forget to add a veteran QB to mentor Kap. He needs it. Much better when Alex was on the sideline schooling him.

I have a veteran QB plus a hand-picked QB by the new HC/OC as a top tier need.

Hand-picked isnt happening. New coach wont do the draft, that Baalke's job and the FO signed Kap to the extension. That wasnt a Harbs thing only.

Besides, many coaches will be enamored with the thought of Kap and what they can do with him.