2016 Needs?

The more I look at it the more I think a top-flight (or big potential) CB is our #1 need.

Our CB core appears to be filled with a bunch of #2's and 3's. I can't say there is a real #1 guy in there. Using the term "shut down corner" is overused, since there are maybe 3 in the entire league. I don't think we'll find that kind of guy. But we need help.

We don't have a CB that is even a top 20 guy. I agree we have a lot of youth and perhaps two of those guys will develop further. But I don't think, even with development, any of these guys are #1 caliber.

At this point we know what Brock is: He's alright, injury prone and drops INTs. But he's alright.

The Acker/Reaser/Ward/Johnson group is very young. And I'm sure each will continue to develop. But I don't see anybody becoming a true #1 CB.

There are a couple top 10 CBs coming out this year that can help on day 1.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by 9ersLiferInChicago:
The way I see it we are in full rebuild mode. So I break our needs down to three basic categories: Top Priorities, Top Needs, and Really Could use - in that order.

Top Priorities (Won't win without.)
- Better coaching staff. I like JT. But while he's more affable we won't win with him at the helm. York won't fire him though.
- Draft a QB with our first pick (Lynch, Cook, or Goff), regardless how well Gabbert plays. Let the new QB sit a year and Gabbert bridge him in for 2017.
- Draft an ILB to play along side Bowman. Trade back up in the 1st if need be. No sense in waiting to see if Hodges can start. If he can he becomes good depth. Or, go hard after Rolando McClain or Sean Weatherspoon in FA.
- Resign Boone. Pay the man. Cannot afford to let him go.
- Resign Tiller.
- Get Devey and Pears on the fastest plane out of SF.
- Change draft philosophy. No more injured players. No more specialist. No more "value" picks. Stop trying to find "hidden gems". The roster has those kind of players in spades. DRAFT GUYS WHO LEGITIMATELY THREATEN TO TAKE TIME AWAY FROM VULNERABLE 1ST AND 2ND STRINGERS!!

Top Needs (Gotta have)
- Resign Boldin. Still has a lot of gas left.
- RT. Trent Brown needs to see more time this season. At some point you gotta let him play.
- Resign Draughn, and draft a RB. Or go get LeGarrette Blount from FA (but still resign Draughn)
- Either draft a OC or go get the best OC in FA we can get, and move Marin to RG.
- Resign Ian Williams and let him anchor that DL, but still draft a true run stuffing tree-stump 2-gapper NG who can push the pocket.
- Resign Celek
- A defensive scheme that fits the personnel.
- Make the Black unnies a permanent ultimate for 4 home games a year. Hey, every little bit helps

Really Could Use
- Sign Muhammad Wilkerson, Stefen Wisniewski, Rolando McClain, and Alshon Jeffery from FA.
- Make a bid for Josh Norman
- Get Marcus Cromartie on the 53

I honestly think the WR position is OK. I honestly like the guys we have in the pipeline - DeAndrew White, Dres Anderson, and DeAndre Smelter (who I think will replace Boldin). But the coaching staff is gonna have to play them. The O-line just isn't holding up. I also think the CB spot is OK as well. The pass rush just hasn't been there. Plus D. Johnson needs to get more time.

Great lists! Would be nice if they could make all these moves, or even most. Not sure about the coaches yet but the five games left in the season will be interesting toward that end. If they come together as a team and win 3 or 4 of these without a drubbing in any......maybe?

AB pointed out that Cromartie is among several players I missed on the 2016 roster, so he's good to go. My miss on that!

Problem with our desires? FAs won't necessarily want to play here, for one reason or another.

Yeah, that is a lot of moves. But a lot of moves is whats needed. It would be great if Baalke would spend the money for those moves, especially the FA's. And I agree that getting top FA in here will be challenging giving the recent history. But look at it this way: It'll only take one top signing to ease the concerns of the others. Say Baalke lands two FAs - Muhammad Wilkerson and Stefen Wisniewski for example - and resigns Boone, all to a multi-year deals. That signals to the other FA, both ours and the streets, that our FO is serious about winning, making negotiations easier.

In any event we have to try. I don't expect the coaching staff to go anywhere . But I refuse to think that Baalke thinks we're just a few mid-level FA's and well placed draft picks away from returning to contention. I can't believe that Baalke feels this season is an anomaly. So many changes have to be made, money has to be spent, and bold draft moves need to be made. There's just no way around that.

The interesting thing this offseason will be -- no matter how he prioritizes the needs -- Baalke will need to diverge from his usual offseason strategy.

We need immediate impact players in both FA and the draft for him to stick around in 2017. If he stays, he's on a short leash. We must win now.

Originally posted by 9ersLiferInChicago:
Yeah, that is a lot of moves. But a lot of moves is whats needed. It would be great if Baalke would spend the money for those moves, especially the FA's. And I agree that getting top FA in here will be challenging giving the recent history. But look at it this way: It'll only take one top signing to ease the concerns of the others. Say Baalke lands two FAs - Muhammad Wilkerson and Stefen Wisniewski for example - and resigns Boone, all to a multi-year deals. That signals to the other FA, both ours and the streets, that our FO is serious about winning, making negotiations easier.

In any event we have to try. I don't expect the coaching staff to go anywhere . But I refuse to think that Baalke thinks we're just a few mid-level FA's and well placed draft picks away from returning to contention. I can't believe that Baalke feels this season is an anomaly. So many changes have to be made, money has to be spent, and bold draft moves need to be made. There's just no way around that.

Signing those three would be absolutely fantastic! Then the draft could be used to go BPA at OLB, OG and ILB.

Originally posted by okdkid:
The interesting thing this offseason will be -- no matter how he prioritizes the needs -- Baalke will need to diverge from his usual offseason strategy.

We need immediate impact players in both FA and the draft for him to stick around in 2017. If he stays, he's on a short leash. We must win now.

I've been hoping for this since...ever! I can understand accumulating draft picks when your roster is depleted and you need bodies for competition, but for several years now the niners could have (with willing partners obviously) traded up for fewer, higher picks.

Originally posted by okdkid:
The more I look at it the more I think a top-flight (or big potential) CB is our #1 need.

Our CB core appears to be filled with a bunch of #2's and 3's. I can't say there is a real #1 guy in there. Using the term "shut down corner" is overused, since there are maybe 3 in the entire league. I don't think we'll find that kind of guy. But we need help.

We don't have a CB that is even a top 20 guy. I agree we have a lot of youth and perhaps two of those guys will develop further. But I don't think, even with development, any of these guys are #1 caliber.

At this point we know what Brock is: He's alright, injury prone and drops INTs. But he's alright.

The Acker/Reaser/Ward/Johnson group is very young. And I'm sure each will continue to develop. But I don't see anybody becoming a true #1 CB.

There are a couple top 10 CBs coming out this year that can help on day 1.

I agree, but disagree.

The only CB I think we should make a real bid for is Josh Norman. But I really don't think Carolina let him walk out the door. He bet on himself and it's gonna pay off in FA. The bidding war for him is gonna be ridiculous. So he won't come cheap.

Our CB corp is young, but they aren't average either. D. Johnson just isn't getting enough time. We're just now seeing what we have in Reaser and Acker. But judging our young secondary harshly right now is a bit unfair given the inconsistent pass rush. Plus, Mangini's scheme just don't fit the defensive personnel. He consistently exposes them to mismatches while the D-line and pass rushers don't get pressure.

A new owner

Originally posted by okdkid:
The interesting thing this offseason will be -- no matter how he prioritizes the needs -- Baalke will need to diverge from his usual offseason strategy.

We need immediate impact players in both FA and the draft for him to stick around in 2017. If he stays, he's on a short leash. We must win now.

I've been saying this for quite a while and IMO this is a make or break draft for Baalke.

Originally posted by LaMattsBlue:
A new owner

Maybe he can do us a favor and sell to Lacob and company!

I guess I'm at a different point as to this coming offseason. No one knows how FA will shake out. There are always a few players let go that no one sees coming, and then there are teams that completely fall in love with a guy and spend a ton of money on him wrecking the market.

Yes, its obvious we need help on both lines, LB, WR, and there are some good names out there. If we sign them, who knows. I'd love to see Wilkerson and Mack, but 31 other fan bases can say the same thing. We will have a ton of money, but that may not be enough. I think alot depends on who our coaching staff is after the season and if proven vets believe they can come here and not only get paid, but win as well.

As for the draft, I'm no longer looking at posistions of need. We are beyond that IMO. Its BPA as far as I'm concerned. Dont care if its a tackle, DE, LB, doesnt matter. Sorry Goff, Cook and Lynch fans. None of those guys are likely to crack the top 10 BPA. But I'll wait to see what MadDog has to say in the spring.

A qb to start is a disaster waiting to happen, and I dont see the logic in using a very high pick on a qb to sit behind Blaine for a year, just dont see the potential in these guys with so much other talent at other posistions that will be available to us.

We need talent everywhere after the past offseason purge. Take what we can get in FA, take the BPA in the draft and work with the talent that is assembled, no matter who the qb is.

Originally posted by frozen49er:
I guess I'm at a different point as to this coming offseason. No one knows how FA will shake out. There are always a few players let go that no one sees coming, and then there are teams that completely fall in love with a guy and spend a ton of money on him wrecking the market.

Yes, its obvious we need help on both lines, LB, WR, and there are some good names out there. If we sign them, who knows. I'd love to see Wilkerson and Mack, but 31 other fan bases can say the same thing. We will have a ton of money, but that may not be enough. I think alot depends on who our coaching staff is after the season and if proven vets believe they can come here and not only get paid, but win as well.

As for the draft, I'm no longer looking at posistions of need. We are beyond that IMO. Its BPA as far as I'm concerned. Dont care if its a tackle, DE, LB, doesnt matter. Sorry Goff, Cook and Lynch fans. None of those guys are likely to crack the top 10 BPA. But I'll wait to see what MadDog has to say in the spring.

A qb to start is a disaster waiting to happen, and I dont see the logic in using a very high pick on a qb to sit behind Blaine for a year, just dont see the potential in these guys with so much other talent at other posistions that will be available to us.

We need talent everywhere after the past offseason purge. Take what we can get in FA, take the BPA in the draft and work with the talent that is assembled, no matter who the qb is.

Agree with much of your post, disagree in a few places. Free agency is always a guess...what players will come here versus going to a team percieved to be a SB contender? Huge problem for the organization. Overspending would be a mistake unless it was a short contract that would solidify a need. I'm thinking center first off.

• Kilgore is a pretty decent center but he has been injured and counting on his return would be a mistake.
• Resigning Boldin would make the WR corps fine.
• A young QB would benefit by sitting behind Gabbert for a year or two...just as Rodgers sat behind Favre.

So this is going to be a very turbulent off season with many surprises...from a whole new staff including GM down to a new QB...just have no idea what's going on in the mind of the young owner.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by 9ersLiferInChicago:
Yeah, that is a lot of moves. But a lot of moves is whats needed. It would be great if Baalke would spend the money for those moves, especially the FA's. And I agree that getting top FA in here will be challenging giving the recent history. But look at it this way: It'll only take one top signing to ease the concerns of the others. Say Baalke lands two FAs - Muhammad Wilkerson and Stefen Wisniewski for example - and resigns Boone, all to a multi-year deals. That signals to the other FA, both ours and the streets, that our FO is serious about winning, making negotiations easier.

In any event we have to try. I don't expect the coaching staff to go anywhere . But I refuse to think that Baalke thinks we're just a few mid-level FA's and well placed draft picks away from returning to contention. I can't believe that Baalke feels this season is an anomaly. So many changes have to be made, money has to be spent, and bold draft moves need to be made. There's just no way around that.

Signing those three would be absolutely fantastic! Then the draft could be used to go BPA at OLB, OG and ILB.

Big indeed. But I think we should draft a QB with our first pick and let Gabbert bridge him for a season. Also, I think we should be aggressive and trade back into the 1st to draft an ILB if we cannot/don't get Rolando McClain or Sean Weatherspoon in FA. But I've never been a fan of BPA, especially in the 1st - 4th rounds.. In the NFL the BPA could be at a position you are not in need of or is lower on the priority list. If the BPA is, say, a Safety or TE in the 3rd round, and we took him based on BPA, I'd be livid because we'd be better seared at spending that pick at a position more in need of talent and competition.

Originally posted by frozen49er:

Sorry Goff, Cook and Lynch fans. None of those guys are likely to crack the top 10 BPA.

I think that both Lynch and Goff are already in the top 10. I think that one of them is very likely to be the #1 pick in the draft while the other will be gone by the 8th pick. Matt Miller has Goff as his #1 draft prospect. ESPN has Lynch as the #2 draft prospect.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:
Agree with much of your post, disagree in a few places. Free agency is always a guess...what players will come here versus going to a team percieved to be a SB contender? Huge problem for the organization. Overspending would be a mistake unless it was a short contract that would solidify a need. I'm thinking center first off.

• Kilgore is a pretty decent center but he has been injured and counting on his return would be a mistake.
• Resigning Boldin would make the WR corps fine.
• A young QB would benefit by sitting behind Gabbert for a year or two...just as Rodgers sat behind Favre.

So this is going to be a very turbulent off season with many surprises...from a whole new staff including GM down to a new QB...just have no idea what's going on in the mind of the young owner.

Regarding Kilgore/Mack, that was just the OL name that came to mind first, could have been any lineman, talent is talent even if you need to move guys around. Point being any high level DL and OL in FA would excite the hell out of me.

Boldin is great short term, and I cant see us picking a WR in the 1st round with so many other holes. Maybe with a real line our wideouts will get more chances next year and we can see what we have in the young guys. I loved the T. Smith signing last year, thought he and Boldin would be a fantastic duo with the other guys developing into their roles, just hasnt worked out that way. What a line can do. Wont get into qbs or coaches here, plently of threads for that.

I agree, a young qb to sit is a great idea. I just think we have too many other areas to address in the 1st round than to pick a guy to sit. We need impact and talent everywhere, a qb in rounds 2 or 3, fine. But I cant see taking Goff to ride the pine if Bosa, Tunsil, Stanley, Ndemche (i cant spell, sue me lol) are sitting in the green room.

Originally posted by okdkid:

The more I look at it the more I think a top-flight (or big potential) CB is our #1 need.

Our CB core appears to be filled with a bunch of #2's and 3's. I can't say there is a real #1 guy in there. Using the term "shut down corner" is overused, since there are maybe 3 in the entire league. I don't think we'll find that kind of guy. But we need help.

We don't have a CB that is even a top 20 guy. I agree we have a lot of youth and perhaps two of those guys will develop further. But I don't think, even with development, any of these guys are #1 caliber.

At this point we know what Brock is: He's alright, injury prone and drops INTs. But he's alright.

The Acker/Reaser/Ward/Johnson group is very young. And I'm sure each will continue to develop. But I don't see anybody becoming a true #1 CB.

There are a couple top 10 CBs coming out this year that can help on day 1.

I agree that there isn't a #1 CB on the roster, but I don't think CB is near the top of the list of needed upgrades. The division doesn't really have a #1 WR. Maybe Floyd on ARI.

This team needs to be competitive against the division. It needs to be better at scoring points because there are excellent defensive teams, and rush the passer.

To spend high draft picks or chunk cap space on a CB isn't the best use of team assets imo. Not when there are other critical deficiencies on the roster.