2017 Team Information (Needs)

Originally posted by NinerGM:
I agree with what most have said here.

Kilgore: I think the film will tell the story; KS ideally wanted someone to come in and compete with Kilgore. Nothing on film this year IMHO changed the need for competition at this spot. I hope we bring in a legit talent to compete. OL will be an area of focus this off-season. The 49ers struggled far too much to execute basic running plays. That's gotta change.

Trenton Brown: I'd extend for 2 years only and then we'll talk after we see the results of the surgery.

Safety: I still think Reid stays around. There's something to be said for having a steady guy in the backfield. I like Tartt but how durable is he? We know Ward has never gotten through a full season since being drafted so I think Saleh looks for someone who he can depend on. Colbert plays through injury and has been phenomenal. Reid, Tartt and Colbert. They'll compete. I don't think Reid will leave as a FA - there won't be a big market for him.

Hyde: I really like Hyde a lot, but as someone put it, "he does a lot of nice things but isn't a homerun threat." I'm not saying Hyde isn't talented, I'm saying there's a boatload ton of gifted backs in college this off-season and Hyde's not only competing with Williams from last year but all the backs coming out. After DE, OL, and CB, the 49ers could take a gifted back high if given the opportunity.

DE (Leo): Yes. Draft 2, sign 2. There will be some interesting situations for the 49ers this off-season.

CB: I'm for a FA vet here given we have a very young secondary who could use some vet leadership given the strong possibility of Reid's role being diminished on the field and in the locker room.

WR: I'm for a FA here vs a draft pick as a starter. I know we'll address this with both.

LB: At least one more starter who can compete and depth.

ST: It would be nice to have a dangerous return guy for once.

Very nice! A couple of things I'd add--Reid was all over the field Sunday. He looked like his old self against the run in particular. Not sure he's an elite safety against the pass but...maybe?

As for other positions--

• Pass rusher...they need to take many shots until they get pressure! Draft, FAs...whatever. OLB-DE-ILB...from everywhere.
• WR should be easier now that the league has seen JG play. Guys will want to come here and play for Shanahan. FAs may be enough.
• OL--not sure Kilgore is up at consistent , read healthy, season long play. Would like to see them draft a top center this year. A FA would be fine, but I'd prefer to groom a rookie behind Kilgore.
• LB--they may be in great shape to draft R Smith, who seems to be an all around beast. A bit light but good in coverage and all over the field. With Foster? Yowza!
• RB--if they get a shot at Barkley I could see them jumping only because he's an elite all around back who would be better than Hyde. Like you, I appreciate Hyde but he just isn't enough.
• CB? I just wonder if they can cobble together a good backfield with the players they have.

Originally posted by Ninefan56:

When will resigning our own players take place? When will the first cuts take place? I know that free agency doesn't start until March. When is the draft? Anyone have a specific schedule of the off season events?

In the OP are links to important dates.

Originally posted by NCommand:
In the OP are links to important dates.

Thanks NC!

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by NCommand:

In the OP are links to important dates.

Thanks NC!

Any time, my man. Great stuff above too!

The way I see the breakdown for offseason--

FA's--some positions are too difficult to learn and rookies will likely not be starters

• Center
• ILB
• S

Draft--high picks are generally used for elite talent and thus positions where that talent can start right away

• WR
• RB
• Pass rusher
• CB

With this in mind I hope the sign veterans at center and then use the draft for elite talent. Looking at this years big boards it seems there are WRs and RBs throughout the first few rounds but is there a talent so great that they need to jump on with the 8/9 pick? My picks would be LB R Smith, RB Barkley, or OG Nelson if they drop. Other than that I think they can trade down.

They still have Katie Sowers on the staff... Its obvious now she did a pretty good job with the wide outs.

January 8, 2018 - Akash Anavarathan

In this Big Board, I'm going to be ranking the 10 top prospects who I believe San Francisco should be targeting with their draft selections in the first and second round. In the first round, the 49ers will either draft nine or 10, depending on the coin flip. In the next round, they own the Saints' pick, which could drop depending on how far New Orleans advances in the playoffs.

49ers' very, very early Big Board:

1. OL Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame

Most scouts have compared Nelson to Dallas' Zack Martin, one of the premier guards in the league. Interior OL play has plagued San Francisco and I think it's priority number one that they protect QB Jimmy Garappolo in the years to come. The question is going to be if Nelson will be there when the 49ers make their first selection.

2. LB Roquan Smith, Georgia

Remember LBs Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman? The 49ers could choose to recreate that and strengthen the middle of their defense with LB Roquan Smith. The Bulldogs' linebacker plays sideline to sideline and is the one of the best defenders in the country. Pairing him with LB Reuben Foster could create a formidable tandem.

3. RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State

Kyle Shanahan and Bobby Turner don't draft RBs early. Fact. This is a deep running back draft class. Fact. But Penn State's Saquon Barkley is the best running back prospect in recent memory. If he's there when the 49ers make their first selection, can they really pass on him?

4. S Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama

Can he be a full-time cornerback in the NFL? If Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick can develop into what Jalen Ramsey is for the Jaguars, I wouldn't hesitate pulling the trigger on him. With the 49ers' loaded at safety, I'm not sure if Robert Saleh can FIT"zpatrick" him into the puzzle.

5. DE Bradley Chubb, NC State

With the 49ers' lack of pass rush this season, it's one of the major positions of need heading into 2018. So why not take the best pass-rusher in the draft? Chubb's had back-to-back years of double-digit sacks.

6. CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State

Is anyone watching what former Buckeye Marshon Lattimore is doing in New Orleans during his rookie season? I think CB Denzel Ward has the ability to have a similar impact in his rookie season wherever he lands. The best true cornerback in this draft class, ladies and gentleman.

7. CB Josh Jackson, Iowa

Jackson's not far behind Ward, with his FBS-leading eight interceptions. If the 49ers chose to go with a defensive back to pair with Ahkello Witherspoon, Jackson and Ward are fantastic options.

8. WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama

Kyle Shanahan has known to be a fan of receivers that find quick separation from their defenders. Nobody seems to be better at that in this class than Calvin Ridley. Is he Amari Cooper? Nope, but he's a productive college player that can turn into a solid professional.

9. OT Connor Williams, Texas

The second-best offensive line prospect, Connor Williams, would also be an intriguing option for the 49ers in the first round. This could be an eventual replacement for LT Joe Staley, who is getting up there in age.

10. DE Harold Landry, Boston College

The Boston College pass rusher has all the physical tools to be successful at the next level. Over his last three seasons, he has 46.5 sacks. That kind of production will be immensely valuable for San Francisco in the first round.

Originally posted by NCommand:

January 8, 2018 - Akash Anavarathan

In this Big Board, I'm going to be ranking the 10 top prospects who I believe San Francisco should be targeting with their draft selections in the first and second round. In the first round, the 49ers will either draft nine or 10, depending on the coin flip. In the next round, they own the Saints' pick, which could drop depending on how far New Orleans advances in the playoffs.

49ers' very, very early Big Board:

1. OL Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame

Most scouts have compared Nelson to Dallas' Zack Martin, one of the premier guards in the league. Interior OL play has plagued San Francisco and I think it's priority number one that they protect QB Jimmy Garappolo in the years to come. The question is going to be if Nelson will be there when the 49ers make their first selection.

2. LB Roquan Smith, Georgia

Remember LBs Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman? The 49ers could choose to recreate that and strengthen the middle of their defense with LB Roquan Smith. The Bulldogs' linebacker plays sideline to sideline and is the one of the best defenders in the country. Pairing him with LB Reuben Foster could create a formidable tandem.

3. RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State

Kyle Shanahan and Bobby Turner don't draft RBs early. Fact. This is a deep running back draft class. Fact. But Penn State's Saquon Barkley is the best running back prospect in recent memory. If he's there when the 49ers make their first selection, can they really pass on him?

4. S Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama

Can he be a full-time cornerback in the NFL? If Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick can develop into what Jalen Ramsey is for the Jaguars, I wouldn't hesitate pulling the trigger on him. With the 49ers' loaded at safety, I'm not sure if Robert Saleh can FIT"zpatrick" him into the puzzle.

5. DE Bradley Chubb, NC State

With the 49ers' lack of pass rush this season, it's one of the major positions of need heading into 2018. So why not take the best pass-rusher in the draft? Chubb's had back-to-back years of double-digit sacks.

6. CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State

Is anyone watching what former Buckeye Marshon Lattimore is doing in New Orleans during his rookie season? I think CB Denzel Ward has the ability to have a similar impact in his rookie season wherever he lands. The best true cornerback in this draft class, ladies and gentleman.

7. CB Josh Jackson, Iowa

Jackson's not far behind Ward, with his FBS-leading eight interceptions. If the 49ers chose to go with a defensive back to pair with Ahkello Witherspoon, Jackson and Ward are fantastic options.

8. WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama

Kyle Shanahan has known to be a fan of receivers that find quick separation from their defenders. Nobody seems to be better at that in this class than Calvin Ridley. Is he Amari Cooper? Nope, but he's a productive college player that can turn into a solid professional.

9. OT Connor Williams, Texas

The second-best offensive line prospect, Connor Williams, would also be an intriguing option for the 49ers in the first round. This could be an eventual replacement for LT Joe Staley, who is getting up there in age.

10. DE Harold Landry, Boston College

The Boston College pass rusher has all the physical tools to be successful at the next level. Over his last three seasons, he has 46.5 sacks. That kind of production will be immensely valuable for San Francisco in the first round.

These are all needs on the list. Protection for the Franchise and a pass rusher stood out the most to me. Everything else seemed a luxury lol

Originally posted by qnnhan7:

These are all needs on the list. Protection for the Franchise and a pass rusher stood out the most to me. Everything else seemed a luxury lol

Exactly!

Ideally, we'd take a small trade back and still pick one of our immediate needs.

Immediate Needs:

OL Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame - who wants to count on Joshua Garnett and Brandon Fusco?
DE Bradley Chubb, NC State - here's your Big End who can set the edge AND edge rush and can play every down (vs. Tank and Dumervil splitting that role)
CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State - certainly, a huge need
CB Josh Jackson, Iowa - see above
DE Harold Landry, Boston College - here's your LEO; could be an upgrade on 3rd downs over Marsh and grow into an every down LEO with time?

Future Needs:

LB Roquan Smith, Georgia - you can't rely on Foster's health or Malcolm Smith
S Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama - Tartt will be a FA next year
WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama - Garcon isn't getting younger
OT Connor Williams, Texas - Brown is a FA next year and Staley is getting up there in age

Luxury:

RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State - special player that has the potential to make a good running game special

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by qnnhan7:

These are all needs on the list. Protection for the Franchise and a pass rusher stood out the most to me. Everything else seemed a luxury lol

Exactly!

Ideally, we'd take a small trade back and still pick one of our immediate needs.

Immediate Needs:

OL Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame - who wants to count on Joshua Garnett and Brandon Fusco?
DE Bradley Chubb, NC State - here's your Big End who can set the edge AND edge rush and can play every down (vs. Tank and Dumervil splitting that role)
CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State - certainly, a huge need
CB Josh Jackson, Iowa - see above
DE Harold Landry, Boston College - here's your LEO; could be an upgrade on 3rd downs over Marsh and grow into an every down LEO with time?

Future Needs:

LB Roquan Smith, Georgia - you can't rely on Foster's health or Malcolm Smith
S Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama - Tartt will be a FA next year
WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama - Garcon isn't getting younger
OT Connor Williams, Texas - Brown is a FA next year and Staley is getting up there in age

Luxury:

RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State - special player that has the potential to make a good running game special

Seemed like a toss up between pass rusher or CB. Currently it's so so pass rusher and very thin at CB. I don't see Dontae Johnson as long term starter or a starter. We can get by with either or, but not both again next year.

I leaned toward a pass rusher, because Fangio had shown the defense can be very effective with good pressure up front yet so so DBs

Originally posted by qnnhan7:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by qnnhan7:

These are all needs on the list. Protection for the Franchise and a pass rusher stood out the most to me. Everything else seemed a luxury lol

Exactly!

Ideally, we'd take a small trade back and still pick one of our immediate needs.

Immediate Needs:

OL Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame - who wants to count on Joshua Garnett and Brandon Fusco?
DE Bradley Chubb, NC State - here's your Big End who can set the edge AND edge rush and can play every down (vs. Tank and Dumervil splitting that role)
CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State - certainly, a huge need
CB Josh Jackson, Iowa - see above
DE Harold Landry, Boston College - here's your LEO; could be an upgrade on 3rd downs over Marsh and grow into an every down LEO with time?

Future Needs:

LB Roquan Smith, Georgia - you can't rely on Foster's health or Malcolm Smith
S Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama - Tartt will be a FA next year
WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama - Garcon isn't getting younger
OT Connor Williams, Texas - Brown is a FA next year and Staley is getting up there in age

Luxury:

RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State - special player that has the potential to make a good running game special

Seemed like a toss up between pass rusher or CB. Currently it's so so pass rusher and very thin at CB. I don't see Dontae Johnson as long term starter or a starter. We can get by with either or, but not both again next year.

I leaned toward a pass rusher, because Fangio had shown the defense can be very effective with good pressure up front yet so so DBs

That's just my interpretation of team needs of these 10 but I'm with you on edge rushers. But damn, it would be great to get Nelson to help our running and protect JG.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by qnnhan7:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by qnnhan7:
These are all needs on the list. Protection for the Franchise and a pass rusher stood out the most to me. Everything else seemed a luxury lol

Exactly!

Ideally, we'd take a small trade back and still pick one of our immediate needs.

Immediate Needs:

OL Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame - who wants to count on Joshua Garnett and Brandon Fusco?
DE Bradley Chubb, NC State - here's your Big End who can set the edge AND edge rush and can play every down (vs. Tank and Dumervil splitting that role)
CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State - certainly, a huge need
CB Josh Jackson, Iowa - see above
DE Harold Landry, Boston College - here's your LEO; could be an upgrade on 3rd downs over Marsh and grow into an every down LEO with time?

Future Needs:

LB Roquan Smith, Georgia - you can't rely on Foster's health or Malcolm Smith
S Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama - Tartt will be a FA next year
WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama - Garcon isn't getting younger
OT Connor Williams, Texas - Brown is a FA next year and Staley is getting up there in age

Luxury:

RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State - special player that has the potential to make a good running game special

Seemed like a toss up between pass rusher or CB. Currently it's so so pass rusher and very thin at CB. I don't see Dontae Johnson as long term starter or a starter. We can get by with either or, but not both again next year.

I leaned toward a pass rusher, because Fangio had shown the defense can be very effective with good pressure up front yet so so DBs

That's just my interpretation of team needs of these 10 but I'm with you on edge rushers. But damn, it would be great to get Nelson to help our running and protect JG.

Your lists are always interesting NC! I believe the best way to look at the draft is to isolate special players who may be available at your spot, then compare who can be picked later in the draft to supply that need. Also need to find those needs among FAs. I believe the 9ers will be a destination of choice more this year than in the past.

Players I particularly like, or who others on this site have referenced: LB R Smith, DEs Chubb and Harold, RB Barkley (and perhaps Guice?), WR Sutton, OG Nelson, etc.

Then the key will be to look at positions where there is depth this year--QB, WR, DB, ILB but not OLB, DE/OLB pass rushers, safety.

Looking over the boards it seems the niners will be able to get WRs, CBs, RBs and an ILB in the draft but perhaps not a pass rusher. So if the team has a choice between Chubb and Sutton they should take Chubb. Harold may be more valuable than his current ranking. Barkley will have to impress teams that he is really special to take a top spot.

Steve Busichio's team needs:

1a. Cornerback
1b. Edge Rusher
2. Guard
3. Wide Receiver
4. Running Back
5. Middle linebacker
6. Left Tackle

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Your lists are always interesting NC! I believe the best way to look at the draft is to isolate special players who may be available at your spot, then compare who can be picked later in the draft to supply that need. Also need to find those needs among FAs. I believe the 9ers will be a destination of choice more this year than in the past.

Players I particularly like, or who others on this site have referenced: LB R Smith, DEs Chubb and Harold, RB Barkley (and perhaps Guice?), WR Sutton, OG Nelson, etc.

Then the key will be to look at positions where there is depth this year--QB, WR, DB, ILB but not OLB, DE/OLB pass rushers, safety.

Looking over the boards it seems the niners will be able to get WRs, CBs, RBs and an ILB in the draft but perhaps not a pass rusher. So if the team has a choice between Chubb and Sutton they should take Chubb. Harold may be more valuable than his current ranking. Barkley will have to impress teams that he is really special to take a top spot.

I love that approach. I had a post on that approach somewhere. Using CBS to get an idea who might be available at 9 or 10 and I walked away thinking we might be in prime position to trade back a bit with a QB-needy team esp. now that they all declared. And there should be a ton of the marquee players you listed from 9-15 that just so happen to meet a priority team need.

Per CBS:

1. Cleveland Browns
Sam Darnold, QB, USC. I still think the Browns will add a quarterback in free agency and wouldn't be surprised if that guy is Alex Smith. Darnold's excellent skill set could be harnessed in his first year in the NFL and learning from Smith would be ideal for him and the future of the Browns organization.

2. New York Giants
Connor Williams, OT Texas. GM Dave Gettleman gave quite a vote of confidence to Eli Manning, and the former was a part of the Giants organization a good chunk of Eli's prime, so it's not as if he's not tied to the quarterback. Williams is coming off an injury but had outstanding tape in 2016 at the left tackle spot.

3. Indianapolis Colts
Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State. The offensive line is probably a bigger priority right now, and the Colts can address that in free agency. With Barkley, they get a fun, elite-level skill-position player to take pressure off Andrew Luck in his return from the sidelines.

4. Cleveland Browns (from Texans)
Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma. A mammoth offensive lineman with premier blocking skills and improving pass-protecting sets, Brown is the perfect player to be groomed for the left tackle position behind Joe Thomas.

5. Denver Broncos
Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA. There's a chance the Broncos trade up a few spots to secure Rosen, but in this mock without trades, they land him at No. 5, which isn't far-fetched anyway, especially if he gets past the Giants at No. 2. Rosen has been an alpha quarterback since high school, something John Elway knows a lot about.

6. New York Jets
Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma. Mayfield doesn't come without controversy, from his off-field mishap to his on-field celebrations. The truth is that he was an super-efficient passer at Oklahoma and has moxie that'll be fun for fans in New York City.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State. I'll be surprised if it's not a pass-rusher or cornerback here for the Buccaneers, and while Minkah Fitzpatrick is appealing, Chubb's ready to be a star immediately in the NFL and will significantly help the back-end players in Tampa.

8. Chicago Bears
Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU. The nightmare with Kevin White doesn't stop the Bears from picking Sutton here, a 6-foot-4 wideout with open-field elusiveness and jump-ball dominance. Mitchell Trubisky gets the top receiver he needs.

9. San Francisco 49ers
Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame. The Jimmy Garoppolo era is ready to take off for a full season in San Francisco, and with Nelson, the 49ers get the blocker with the most impressive collegiate film in the 2018 class. He'll help the run game and limit pressure up the middle on Jimmy G.

10. Oakland Raiders
Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia. Derrick Brooks was a key cog in Gruden's legendary Buccaneers defense, and while Smith has a long way to go before reaching Brooks-level status, he brings a Brooks-like combination of speed and power at the inside linebacker spot.

11. Miami Dolphins
Derwin James, S, Florida State. The Dolphins are shifting to a secondary with athleticism and length. Xavien Howard came into his own down the stretch, and Cordrea Tankersley looks like a capable No. 2 cornerback. At safety, Reshad Jones is underrated but he'll be 30 next month. James is a do-everything safety prospect.

12. Cincinnati Bengals
Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame. McGlinchey is ready to pave lanes for the run game in the NFL right now, and with some coaching, he can be a serviceable pass-blocker. Cincinnati's defense is playoff-caliber, it just needs to control the line of scrimmage on offense like it did early in the Andy Dalton era.

13. Washington Redskins
Taven Bryan, DL, Florida. Bryan is likely to be a draft riser after what should be a strong showing at the combine. With the amount of sub-packages featured up front in today's NFL, a player who's comfortable getting to the quarterback from any spot on the line is very valuable.

14. Green Bay Packers
Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma. With Jordy Nelson nearing the end of his career, the Packers could use more offensive weaponry for the return of Aaron Rodgers. Andrews is a matchup nightmare at 6-foot-5 with impressive athletic gifts after the catch.

15. Arizona Cardinals
Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA. The Cardinals are another team that could be in the veteran quarterback market, and even if they don't find their sure-fire starter in free agency, they go the best-player-available route here with Miller, a pro-ready pass blocker with high upside due to his athletic talents.

Originally posted by NCommand:
Steve Busichio's team needs:

1a. Cornerback
1B. Edge Rusher
2. Guard
3. Wide Receiver
4. Running Back
5. Middle linebacker
6. Left Tackle

So he thinks we are set at Center? lol