Defense:
Defensive Line (8-9 players will make the final roster)
- Locks (6): Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, Solomon Thomas, D.J. Jones, Ronald Blair, Sheldon Day
- In the Hunt (4): Kentavius Street, Julian Taylor, Ryan Delaire, Cassius Marsh (
) - Need: High priority. Need at least 1-2 players.
- Outlook: This group is incredibly deep up the middle. While Jones is the only true Nose Tackle on the team, Sheldon Day has some experience there and the majority of snaps will be from a nickel or rush defense anyway. The real weakness is on the edge. Marsh was useless there last year and Blair figures to be a serviceable back-up at best. No other player on the roster figures to line up there full time. Dee Ford will probably see quite a few snaps with his hand in the ground, but I am counting him as a LB for now because I believe they will have him rushing from the SAM position or a two point stance. One of Street and Taylor will most likely make the roster, if not both, so that puts the group at 7-8 players. Adding an edge in the draft is essential and Lynch could possibly add a guy who could play NT just to push Jones.
Linebackers (6-7 players)
- Locks (5): Fred Warner, Kwon Alexander, Dee Ford, Elijah Lee, Malcolm Smith
- In the Hunt (5): Brock Coyle, Dekoda Watson, James Onwualu, Pita Taumoepenu, Mark Nzeocha (If he is resigned)
- Need: Low priority.
- Outlook: This group represents the major investment of the off-season. Many of you might disagree with me that Ford is a SAM, but it is the best way to get him on the field as much as possible. Warner, Alexander, and Ford are a HUGE upgrade as a starting trio and should be the heartbeat of the defense. Elijah Lee played pretty well as a surprise starter last year and may be on his way to being a starter somewhere else, so he makes a nice back-up to Alexander and Warner. Smith restructured his contract for the team and probably stays for one more year. The next roster spot will be a battle between Watson, Pita, and possibly Nzeocha to be the primary SAM back-up. Watson, if healthy, probably has the edge, but if Pita can show progress he could be an explosive rotation rusher. If they keep 7, he probably makes it.
Safeties (4-5 players)
- Locks (3): Jaquiski Tartt, Marcel Harris, Adrian Colbert
- In the Hunt (2): Terrell Williams, Antone Exum (If he is resigned)
- Need: High Priority. Need a single high safety.
- Outlook: The most disappointing outcome of this free agency period for many fans here was the team did not come away with Earl Thomas. Colbert regressed in his second season after coming in with high expectations. Tartt has been a solid safety and has switched between FS and SS. He, at the very least, offers the team a solid starter. Harris was an unknown for most of the season as he recovered from an Achilles tear in college. When he did see the field, he was aggressive and fun to watch. Still, he had plenty of rust as he misread or mistimed several plays. But the potential to be a thumping in-the-box safety is there. Also, a guy like D.J. Reed might see some snaps in the single-high FS position. He has experience there in college and might have the speed to stay there. Tarvarius Moore is also a possibility, but I have them both starting the year as CBs. Exum did some nice things last year, but the overall impression of this group is that no one has distinguished himself as a star or a play-maker. The historically low number of interceptions last year is either an aberration or a sign that we need to use a high pick to sort out this position. Oh, and Jimmie Ward's back.
Cornerbacks (5-6 players)
- Locks (4): Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon, Tarvarius Moore, D.J. Reed
- In the Hunt (7): K'Waun Williams, Jimmie Ward, Greg Mabin, Tarvarus McFadden, Tyvis Powell, Emmanuel Moseley, Tyree Robinson
- Need: Medium priority. A solid vet or high round rookie would definitely help this group.
- Outlook: Sherman is still playing at a high level. Witherspoon took a big step back last year, so his future is uncertain. Reed flashed in his first year and probably has the inside track to be the slot corner ahead of Williams. Moore got on the field and showed some physicality and speed, but he is still raw. Ward is not a bad player, but he is just always hurt, so I am not counting on him to do anything. The rest of the guys here are in a pack. Whoever stands out has a shot at a roster spot. I am more optimistic than most about this position. I think Witherspoon is in line for a bounce back year and I think the other young guys will take a step forward.
Offense:
Quarterback (2-3 players):
- Locks (3): Jimmy Garoppolo, C.J. Beathard, Nick Mullens
- In the Hunt (0): No one else on the roster
- Need: None
- Outlook: The success of this team depends on the health of Jimmy G. As much as I believe Beathard and Mullens are solid back-ups in this league, neither of them is likely to take this team to the playoffs. Some folks want us to consider trading either of those guys, but that is somewhat ridiculous. I think teams recognize Mullens' success as being the result of Shanahan's offense more than Mullens' supreme talent. What Beathard and Mullens do bring to this team is hard work, intelligence and the potential to win a game or two as needed. The team will probably bring in an UDFA to groom on the practice squad, but otherwise, this group is good to go.
Running Backs (4-5 players)
- Locks (4): Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida, Tevin Coleman, Kyle Juszczyk
- In the Hunt (3): Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Matt Dayes
- Need: Low priority/None
- Outlook: Signing Coleman surprised many, considering the investment made in McKinnon last year. Considering how many carries Mostert, Wilson, and Morris got last year, I think it is a perfect signing. Now the team has three lightning fast, versatile running backs to rotate and keep healthy. None of these guys are 25 carries a game guys, so rotations will keep them healthy. The key will be for the coaches to figure out how to rotate them without killing momentum. I think we will see games this season when each of them takes over and the team rides that guy. As for the 4th RB spot, Mostert and Wilson figure to battle it out. Mostert probably wins because of his speed and special teams ability, but Wilson should promise on short yardage, so we'll see what Shanahan values. This should be an excellent group and it will take the pressure off the weaker wide receiver group.
Wide Receivers (5-6 players)
- Locks (3): Dante Pettis, Marquise Goodwin, Trent Taylor
- In the Hunt (3): Kendrick Bourne, Richie James, Steven Dunbar
- Need: High priority. The team needs at least one guy from the draft and hopefully an early round guy.
- Outlook: Pettis really started to come into his own last year. Goodwin struggled with minor injuries and personal matters, but he remains a dangerous weapon. Taylor is a first down machine who should be much healthier this year. After them, it gets murky. Bourne has the best shot to make the team of the remaining players. He has excellent athletic ability, good hands, and works exceptionally hard. His needle is pointing up. James has some potential, but may get bumped in favor of a high draft pick because there are guys on the team that can do just about everything James can do, but better. If the team keeps 6 WR, that is his best shot. Dunbar has intriguing size, but he is an unknown. The thing this team truly lacks is a tough catch making possession receiver. In his prime, Garcon was that guy, but injuries have taken their toll on him. So the team needs to find a guy who can fill that role.
Tight Ends (2-3 players)
- Locks (2): George Kittle, Garrett Celek
- In the Hunt (2): Ross Dwelley, Marcus Lucas
- Need: Low priority/None
- Outlook: Kittle broke out in the biggest way and cemented himself as a top 3 TE in this league. Celek is a solid veteran who does everything well enough to be counted on. There is really no reason to move on from him unless a much more talented player fell into our lap. There aren't many of those in the draft. If the team chooses to keep a third TE, Dwelley made a few plays last year and has the physical attributes that could be developed. More competition could be added in the late rounds or UDFA, but this shouldn't be a big concern.
Offensive Line (8-9 players)
- Locks (5): Joe Staley, Mike McGlinchey, Laken Tomlinson, Mike Person, Weston Richburg
- In the Hunt (5): Shon Coleman, Erik Magnuson, Josh Garnett, Najee Toran, Christian DiLauro
- Need: Medium Priority. Guard and swing tackle are needs.
- Outlook: After resigning Person, the entire starting 5 from last year are back. But is that a good thing? This unit had some big lapses last year, but the offense did perform well with third and fourth stringers at almost all of the skill positions, so they must have done their jobs well at some point. Particularly, Staley and McGlinchey were excellent on the ends. Tomlinson continues to make strides and Person was a steady contributor. Richburg caught the most flack from the fans, and perhaps rightfully so. He seemed to allow far too much pressure up the middle and had some trouble with the OLine calls at times. Still, he did have moments of brilliance and will hopefully progress with a season in the system under his belt. If the same 5 start this season it certainly won't be a disaster, but it won't be a huge strength for us. As far as depth, the team has a bunch of unknowns or don't-want-to-knows. Coleman came here in trade with the Browns and has yet to do much. He needs to grab the swing tackle job this off season or the team will need to draft one. Magnuson is a decent back-up with versatility, but his ceiling seems to be pretty low. Garnett finally got a chance to play a bit last year and didn't do too badly, but this year he either wins a starting job or gets cut. There is no reason to keep hanging on to him if he can't play. The team could use an early round guy who can play OG and C to push Person and Tomlinson.
Parting Thoughts:
- I have identified 35 players as Locks. You probably disagree with some of my choices, but that leaves 18 roster spots that are up for grabs.
- I rank the priorities like this: 1. Edge Rusher 2. Wide Receiver 3. Safety 4. OL 5. CB 6. Punter
- The drop off from starter to back-up is greater than we have had in a long time. It says that the team is much more talented, but that the depth is not there yet.
- Bosa, Bosa, Bosa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!