2015 Team Needs

I put this on another forum but if we look ahead to the 2016 draft early needs might be:

OLB - Many think with Aldon gone it will be a 1st round pick. Aaron Lynch looked Aldon like in his first year and he should be the future on one side. The other could be Eli Harold (3rd rounder this year) or possibly Brooks if he returns to his old self and takes a paycut as well. Corey Lemonier (3rd rounder a few years back) might not even make the team and I doubt he is the future. VERDICT: I see Lemonier gone and Lynch/Harold as the future. Brooks could be around a few more years now thanks to Aldon but I could also see him not returning to his old self and being cut/traded. If Brooks is gone someone in the1st-3rd is a possibility but if not more like 4-7.

WR - Boldin signed a 5 year deal although I believe it's void after 2 so I think he is a FA. If he retires or isn't back to go along with Torrey Smith it could be a 1st/2nd round need. DeAndre Smelter could be a future #2 but who knows how he will come back from his ACL tear. Other than that we have Quinton Patton, Bruce Ellington and probably vet Jerome Simpson who might not be around next year. Patton could be in that boat as well. We could see UDFA DeAndre White or Dres Anderson make the team as well. VERDICT: I could see Boldin coming back for 1 more year and I could also see Smelter as our future #2 or 3 (if boldin back). Not sure Simpson or Patton make it through this year or next. Hopefully Ellington and/or Patton step up but Lloyd/injuries might have killed 1 or both o their 9er careers.

ILB - Let's say Bowman is back to his old self or even close and he is the future on one side. Ideally we find an upgrade for Wilhoite on the other. Could be anywhere from rounds 1-4 for a need. I'm a fan of 2nd-3rd round ILB's unless they are something really special as a prospect. VERDICT: I see Wilhoite back on a few year cheap deal to be at least the backup of the future. I would take a ILB in rounds 2-3 to be the future with Bowman unless someone like Moody really steps up but I doubt that. I don't think Wilhoite is the future starter either.

OL - It depends on if Boone is back and how young guys like Brandon Thomas, Trent Brown, and then Marcus Martin (2nd year) do. Odds are we take a G, T or combo guy in rounds 1-4. VERDICT: I feel good about our open G/T spots with Thomas, Brown, Martin, etc but I think we take a guard/tackle or combo in rounds 2-4 as more competition especially if Boone is gone.

TE - Davis is a free agent and if he isn't back we could still have Blake Bell, Vance McDonald (would be last year before being a FA), Derek Carrier and possibly Rory Anderson. Not sure I see us taking one that high even if Davis is gone but it depends on how Blake Bell plays and if McDonald can change his career around.
I think there will be higher needs next year and TE can wait until 2017 for a high pick if need. VERDICT: I see Davis going elsewhere for more money. I think Bell will be our future #1 and Carrier #2. McDonald could re-sign cheap after next year to be a 3rd blocking TE or maybe Rory Anderson ends up the #3.

We will need a kicker if Dawson retires. Very unlikely we use the draft because for a decade plus we have went with vet FA's or held tryouts and the best man wins.

I would say the DL is good with Armstead, Carradine, Dial, Dorsey, Ian Williams (if back, FA), and then possibly Dockett.

The secondary with Brock, Dontae Johnson, Ward, Acker, Reaser at CB and Reid, Bethea, Tartt, (Ward) at S should be good enough. I can see how some would still take a CB or S in the mid rounds for the 49ers. We will have to see how the young guys do (Acker/Reaser/Ward) and if Brock/Johnson play as well as they have in the past.

So if I were picking today and I let Boone/Davis gone but Boldin (and Smelter) back: 1. OLB | 2. G/T Combo Guy | 3. ILB | 4. WR | 5. TE | 5. CB | 6. T | 6. DL? | 7. ?

As for free agency Evan Mathis is one of the few FA's out there that could help us this year but my guess is he wants a lot of money and a longer deal than teams are willing to give him. Most are probably looking at a 1, maybe 2 year deal when he is probably looking for 3-4. We have the money so its possible but part of me wants to see what Thomas, Martin, Looney and Brown can do. I think we have 2-3 starters there if we give them a chance.

As for next year's free agents with Aldon and Cook gone the list is:
Vernon Davis, Alex Boone, Ian Williams, Reggie Bush, Michael Wilhoite, Joe Looney, Kendall Hunter, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Craig Dahl and Phil Dawson (And a few others like Bishop, Wheeler, Chuck Jacobs, etc that could be gone before the season starts).

With us not needing to re-sign Aldon to a 80-100 million dollar deal we could afford Davis and Boone if we wanted. At their age and price tag I'm not sure either is a good idea but we will see how they play this year. Problem is it could be fool's gold and them playing for a big contract. I could see both letting down after getting paid big. I'd let them both go, re-sign Williams to a budget friendly deal, same with Bush and Wilhoite (assuming they play well). Looney and Hunter I can go either way on but I really hope we move on from TJE, Dahl and Dawson (too high of price/age). We will have 9-12 picks next year so I say sign those few budget guys, keep reloading through the draft and if we let Davis and/or Boone go we could make a big splash if need be but I'd be fine if we didn't and just signed a few outside budget guys. SIDE NOTE: If Armstead, Carradine, Dial, Dorsey (if DE) look good we can cut Dockett if we want and have 0 dead money with 3.5 mil saved.

we should lock up Ian Williams soon, preferably before wk1...

Gore_21--It may be a bit early to look forward to the 2016 draft but since you opened the door...my thoughts--

1) BPA: There are no obvious weaknesses more glaring than any other, so they will take the best play maker available in the first round.
2) ILB: They need to add a stronger playmaker beside Bowman. Moody and Wilhoite are decent but won't turn heads.
3) OT: They need a tackle who can be a long term steady lineman, not a fill in. Pears, Staley and even Boone are not young. Brown may be that guy but as a late round pick it's not likely.
4) QB: Back up is a need unless Gabbert makes strides and agrees to stick around for a while after next year.
5) NT: I'll keep hoping for a monster NT until...ever!
6) CB: This position may be very strong but if they have a chance to pick up a difference maker...
7) OLB: Same as CBs unless Harold and Lemonier both crap out.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:
Gore_21--It may be a bit early to look forward to the 2016 draft but since you opened the door...my thoughts--

1) BPA: There are no obvious weaknesses more glaring than any other, so they will take the best play maker available in the first round.
2) ILB: They need to add a stronger playmaker beside Bowman. Moody and Wilhoite are decent but won't turn heads.
3) OT: They need a tackle who can be a long term steady lineman, not a fill in. Pears, Staley and even Boone are not young. Brown may be that guy but as a late round pick it's not likely.
4) QB: Back up is a need unless Gabbert makes strides and agrees to stick around for a while after next year.
5) NT: I'll keep hoping for a monster NT until...ever!
6) CB: This position may be very strong but if they have a chance to pick up a difference maker...
7) OLB: Same as CBs unless Harold and Lemonier both crap out.

I thought I forgot QB for a second but thinking about it with Gabbert signed for this and next year I have to wonder if we will even bother developing a 3rd QB. We didnt this year. Not that Gabbert makes me secure but I just don't see him going anywhere. Clearly Kap is the future and we are screwed if he gets you know what. I'm not sure they see the point of keeping a 3rd qb or even developing one since they are all in on Kap and they probably wouldn't let a young guy be the #2 qb anyways.

As for a monster NT I know some of you guys always want one but I just don't see it happening as we prefer the 300 lb NT's. I expect us to re-sign Ian Williams and Dorsey can backup him. Dial I believe could probably play NT as well. I just don't see that monster nt happening; I know some of you have waited so long for it. Anyways, I can't argue with anything else but you are right it's really early for the 2016 draft and a lot will change during the season and offseason. Never hurts to start thinking and talking about it though.

Originally posted by Gore_21:
I thought I forgot QB for a second but thinking about it with Gabbert signed for this and next year I have to wonder if we will even bother developing a 3rd QB. We didnt this year. Not that Gabbert makes me secure but I just don't see him going anywhere. Clearly Kap is the future and we are screwed if he gets you know what. I'm not sure they see the point of keeping a 3rd qb or even developing one since they are all in on Kap and they probably wouldn't let a young guy be the #2 qb anyways.

As for a monster NT I know some of you guys always want one but I just don't see it happening as we prefer the 300 lb NT's. I expect us to re-sign Ian Williams and Dorsey can backup him. Dial I believe could probably play NT as well. I just don't see that monster nt happening; I know some of you have waited so long for it. Anyways, I can't argue with anything else but you are right it's really early for the 2016 draft and a lot will change during the season and offseason. Never hurts to start thinking and talking about it though.

Yes, the problem with a great NT is the cost down the road. Baalke isn't going to pay a NT twice what the rest of the DL makes combined! If they had been in a postion to take a guy like Danny Shelton they may have taken a shot as they'd have him for a number of years on a rookie contract.

They must think Gabbert can do an adequate job but I hope they use a mid-round pick next year on a developmental guy. There weren't any really good bets this past draft.

Never really too early! A time for optimism...

Originally posted by Gore_21:
I put this on another forum but if we look ahead to the 2016 draft early needs might be:

OLB - Many think with Aldon gone it will be a 1st round pick. Aaron Lynch looked Aldon like in his first year and he should be the future on one side. The other could be Eli Harold (3rd rounder this year) or possibly Brooks if he returns to his old self and takes a paycut as well. Corey Lemonier (3rd rounder a few years back) might not even make the team and I doubt he is the future. VERDICT: I see Lemonier gone and Lynch/Harold as the future. Brooks could be around a few more years now thanks to Aldon but I could also see him not returning to his old self and being cut/traded. If Brooks is gone someone in the1st-3rd is a possibility but if not more like 4-7.

WR - Boldin signed a 5 year deal although I believe it's void after 2 so I think he is a FA. If he retires or isn't back to go along with Torrey Smith it could be a 1st/2nd round need. DeAndre Smelter could be a future #2 but who knows how he will come back from his ACL tear. Other than that we have Quinton Patton, Bruce Ellington and probably vet Jerome Simpson who might not be around next year. Patton could be in that boat as well. We could see UDFA DeAndre White or Dres Anderson make the team as well. VERDICT: I could see Boldin coming back for 1 more year and I could also see Smelter as our future #2 or 3 (if boldin back). Not sure Simpson or Patton make it through this year or next. Hopefully Ellington and/or Patton step up but Lloyd/injuries might have killed 1 or both o their 9er careers.

ILB - Let's say Bowman is back to his old self or even close and he is the future on one side. Ideally we find an upgrade for Wilhoite on the other. Could be anywhere from rounds 1-4 for a need. I'm a fan of 2nd-3rd round ILB's unless they are something really special as a prospect. VERDICT: I see Wilhoite back on a few year cheap deal to be at least the backup of the future. I would take a ILB in rounds 2-3 to be the future with Bowman unless someone like Moody really steps up but I doubt that. I don't think Wilhoite is the future starter either.

OL - It depends on if Boone is back and how young guys like Brandon Thomas, Trent Brown, and then Marcus Martin (2nd year) do. Odds are we take a G, T or combo guy in rounds 1-4. VERDICT: I feel good about our open G/T spots with Thomas, Brown, Martin, etc but I think we take a guard/tackle or combo in rounds 2-4 as more competition especially if Boone is gone.

TE - Davis is a free agent and if he isn't back we could still have Blake Bell, Vance McDonald (would be last year before being a FA), Derek Carrier and possibly Rory Anderson. Not sure I see us taking one that high even if Davis is gone but it depends on how Blake Bell plays and if McDonald can change his career around.
I think there will be higher needs next year and TE can wait until 2017 for a high pick if need. VERDICT: I see Davis going elsewhere for more money. I think Bell will be our future #1 and Carrier #2. McDonald could re-sign cheap after next year to be a 3rd blocking TE or maybe Rory Anderson ends up the #3.

We will need a kicker if Dawson retires. Very unlikely we use the draft because for a decade plus we have went with vet FA's or held tryouts and the best man wins.

I would say the DL is good with Armstead, Carradine, Dial, Dorsey, Ian Williams (if back, FA), and then possibly Dockett.

The secondary with Brock, Dontae Johnson, Ward, Acker, Reaser at CB and Reid, Bethea, Tartt, (Ward) at S should be good enough. I can see how some would still take a CB or S in the mid rounds for the 49ers. We will have to see how the young guys do (Acker/Reaser/Ward) and if Brock/Johnson play as well as they have in the past.

So if I were picking today and I let Boone/Davis gone but Boldin (and Smelter) back: 1. OLB | 2. G/T Combo Guy | 3. ILB | 4. WR | 5. TE | 5. CB | 6. T | 6. DL? | 7. ?

Gore_21, really nicely done...not many needs when you get down to it esp. if some of the unknowns pan out this year. You'd want to try and upgrade with BPA like you said and stockpile and continue to build depth and contingency plans the Baalke-way. But next year may be a year we target some proven upgrades via FA for OLB, T, ILB, WR, etc. thanks to not having to invest some $70-$100M in Aldon.

Originally posted by NCommand:
Gore_21, really nicely done...not many needs when you get down to it esp. if some of the unknowns pan out this year. You'd want to try and upgrade with BPA like you said and stockpile and continue to build depth and contingency plans the Baalke-way. But next year may be a year we target some proven upgrades via FA for OLB, T, ILB, WR, etc. thanks to not having to invest some $70-$100M in Aldon.

It was nicely done! When you look at some of the guys who have great athletic talent but haven't proven themselves it makes me a bit giddy...but then I remember that only a few of them will likely reach their percieved potential...the under 25 set!

TE
McDonald looking much better this year
Bell is an all around good athlete...and smart

OG
Thomas--been waiting for him and hope he warrants the high pick considering his injury
Martin--one of the youngest OL and I have high hopes
Looney is still young and can be at least good depth at three positions
Farrell is young and did OK last year as well...

RB
Hyde showed enough last year to allow Gore to depart
Davis is a Gore type runner who can hit the hole with good vision

FB
Millard is a freakish athlete who may make Miller expendable...though blocking for CK may give Miller the edge

WR
Smelter would have been drafted higher if not for injury and I love his size and aggressiveness
White will be very interesting if he can avoid the injuries that kept him from excelling in college
Ellington is going to return kicks and may be a great thrid WR in the near future
Patton is having a good camp and may finally get it

OLB
Harold may be the quickest guy off the ball on defense


DL
Dial is Dobbs on steroids...oops...bad analogy! Sorry!
Carradine is finally healthy and has had time to learn the playbook
Williams is only 25 years old! He isn't nuproven except for staying healthy
Armstead came in with some questions but his size, power and overall athleticism is really great!

DB
Ward is a tweener who has shown flashes
Tartt has so much athleticism he reminds me of Jeff Fuller, a guy I loved
Reid has already proven himself but for staying healthy
McCray showed some ability last year...hope he can find a spot

CBs
Wright and Brock are the only two guys over 24 years old--28 & 24 respectively
Johnson showed promise last year and may be a starter
Acker has potential but will find it difficult to get on the field. May not be strong enough
Reaser is one of may young 9ers who has leadership qualities...and talent. Injured two of four college years.
...and a hoard of others!

Like you guy said we lost a lot of big name vets but some were past their prime and some were overpaid. We have a lot of young talented players it's just a matter if they step up or not. I'm never one to say we should go splurge in free agency and I don't expect it but I could see us going after a big FA this year with us not having to pay aldon. especially if we don't re-sign boone and/or vernon. I start with Williams and a few other budget guys but we will have room now to go make a splash now if we want. I don't see us keeping both vernon and boone but possibly one. Even if we did we would still have plenty of cap space to go out and get one of the top FA's. Not that we need to but it's an option.

dtg, nice list... we really have done a nice job of reloading and building a youth movement but like I said it's a matter of who steps up now. Can't wait to see who all steps up; you know there will be 3, 4, 5 guys from Acker, Reaser, Lynch, Harold, Brown, Martin, Thomas, etc, etc that will surprise. And I agree Baalke wont pay a NT big money and I just think we prefer the 300 lbs over the 335-350 lbers but I get where you guys are coming from that want one but personally I'm fine with Williams/Dorsey. Side note I see you mentioned Bell. I think he can be what McDonald should have been. There is still hope for him if he learned to catch but we certainly didnt use him right the last few years. We needed to get him easy catches and get his confidence up not have him block all game long and go deep occasionally. Nice, short easy stuff and let him use his body to box out. Anyways, back to bell I think he is a quicker, some what less stout (still very big) McDonald but hopefully with better hands. I think he can be a future #1 TE for us. I'd like to see Carrier step up and compete for the #2 job with McDonald. He's signed for a few more years yet so he should be around as the future #2 or 3. I hope we can stash Rory Anderson his tape looks very intriguing.

As for needs I'm pretty confident in the CB, S and DL position. OLB worries me but I expect Lynch and Harold to step it up. Wilhoite in coverage scares me but hopefully with Bowman back he can take care of that aspect and Wilhoite can play the middle/run. I'm confident in the FB, TE and RB position. QB obviously depends on Kap staying healthy and I expect his work with Warner to pay off and hope he does it every offseason. WR's I'm good with 1 and 2. I am curious to see if Patton or Ellington step up. I think Simpson will make the team and contribute. I'm also curious to see what White, Anderson or Jacobs can do if they make the squad. The other spot that worries me is the OL but I think Thomas, Martin, Brown can all be good starters. I hope they can gel and hope the new coaches finally taught these guys how to pick up a blitz.

Resign Brooks ASAP to a good deal. We can't lose anymore talent to FA.

Originally posted by jreff22:
Resign Brooks ASAP to a good deal. We can't lose anymore talent to FA.

LOL...we've got him locked up through 2017 at $9M and $8M respectively. We can MORE than afford those hits if needed.

But I hear ya! No more losses please!

Originally posted by jreff22:
Resign Brooks ASAP to a good deal. We can't lose anymore talent to FA.

He's already signed through 2017. The reason we were ready to cut/trade him is he was making like 8-9 mil a year but I believe to took some what of a cut and is at like 6-7 per. Still too much unless he is a starter and returns to his old self.

Originally posted by Gore_21:

Side note I see you mentioned Bell. I think he can be what McDonald should have been. There is still hope for him if he learned to catch but we certainly didnt use him right the last few years. We needed to get him easy catches and get his confidence up not have him block all game long and go deep occasionally. Nice, short easy stuff and let him use his body to box out. Anyways, back to bell I think he is a quicker, some what less stout (still very big) McDonald but hopefully with better hands. I think he can be a future #1 TE for us. I'd like to see Carrier step up and compete for the #2 job with McDonald. He's signed for a few more years yet so he should be around as the future #2 or 3. I hope we can stash Rory Anderson his tape looks very intriguing.

I'm hoping McDonald fulfills his potential so we'd have two really good TEs if VD continues to suffer injuries...but I could see Bell replacing McD on the depth chart and perhaps making him expendable.

dtg and Gore...

Man, you two are REALLY getting good at this. I may have to have you manage the 2016 Team Needs thread for me.

Originally posted by NCommand:
dtg and Gore...

Man, you two are REALLY getting good at this. I may have to have you manage the 2016 Team Needs thread for me.

No way you are out of it...it takes a village!