Draft key to youth movement around Lance-led offense
NFL draft plans often are secret. The 49ers? Their calm, understated approach to free agency surely screams out their draft strategy: offensive help.
Other than at quarterback, of course. There's a surplus of those, what with Trey Lance deemed “ready” to start, barring an 11th-hour reprieve for Jimmy Garoppolo's tenure.
What about the rest of Kyle Shanahan's offense? What newcomers will grow alongside Lance?
The 49ers' offense is entering a full-blown youth movement, all due respect to their Pro Bowl stalwarts who are still seeking their first Super Bowl win: left tackle Trent Williams, center Alex Mack and fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
Last year's draft set the stage for the offense's nowimmediate future. They handpicked Lance, running backs Elijah Mitchell and Trey Sermon, and offensive linemen Aaron Banks and Jaylon Moore. A month from now, more wide receivers, tight ends and linemen should join the party, via the majority of their nine draft picks.
They may not have a firstround pick (sent to Miami in last year's bounty for the No. 3 pick of Lance) but it's hard to envision them not trading up from No. 61.
Defensively, the draft also could deliver another pass rusher or two, another defensive back or two. The 49ers' biggest “if” factor in 2022 — outside of Lance's potential — is if 2020 top pick Javon Kinlaw can rally from knee surgery and become a lynchpin at defensive tackle.
The past two weeks of free agency lacked sizzle but did fill two key needs: a highend cornerback (Charvarius Ward), and special-teams help. Any later-arriving free agents are merely bridges for a future-minded roster.
The offense needs more punch and depth. Shanahan has the power to change that, and he did not do so in free agency. Because young building blocks await in the draft, like last year (and every year, which is the 49ers' preferred business model).
Sure, the NFC West still could be won via a diverse run game and stout defensive front. Anyone notice the upgraded AFC West is on the 2022 schedule, too? The 49ers need offensive firepower to keep pace with those clubs and the NFL, in general. With that, let's take a look at changes across the offense:
Quarterback
Then: Garoppolo had Shanahan's loyalty throughout, even taking every playoff snap despite injuries. Or, you could say, Shanahan stayed loyal to his plan of redshirting Lance, who learned via practice reps and 2 1/2 games as Jimmy G's temp.
Now: Lance should transcend the starting role. Garoppolo's shoulder surgery tanked his trade value as he can't throw until camp, either delaying his exit or opening the door to an improbable 49ers' come-* back. Having Lance “win” a pseudo camp competition could enhance his credibility and teammates' confidence. Also, Brian Griese's insertion as a first-time QB coach adds a new element to the room.
Running back
Then: Raheem Mostert didn't last more than four snaps as the openingday starter. In came Elijah Mitchell to nearly rush for 1,000 yards, seizing the spotlight ahead of fellow rookie Trey Sermon, plus Jeff Wilson Jr. and Jamycal Hasty.
Now: Mitchell certainly can pump up his production, if he avoids another string of injuries. Sermon is in the midst of a key offseason that could re-launch his career. Wilson and Hasty are back as trusted agents. Draft weekend could yield speedy reinforcements for a system that churns through rushers and makes stars out
of unsuspecting ones.
Wide receiver
Then: Deebo Samuel broke out as an All-pro wide receiver, while moonlighting as a running back in part because of attrition at that position. Brandon Aiyuk awoke from an earlyseason slumber and Jauan Jennings also emerged as a third-down weapon. Veterans Trent Sherfield, Mohamed Sanu and Travis Benjamin were duds, offensively.
Now: The Samuel-aiyukjennings trifecta is back. Samuel is capable of duplicating last year's record numbers, considering the 49ers didn't bring in another WR1 (a la Davante Adams or Tyreek Hill) and potential offensive growth under Lance. Ray-ray Mccloud could factor in as a slot receiver, but his main draw is as a return specialist. Lance needs a deepthreat speedster from the draft. A tall target also would help in the red zone, .
Tight end
Then: George Kittle played 77 percent of the snaps despite a calf injury that did sideline him for three October games. Neither Charlie Woerner nor Ross Dwelley (nor converted wide receiver Jordan Matthews) emerged as a great complement to Kittle or the offense.
Now: Kittle is already entering Year 6 and could reclaim All-pro stature. The 49ers have long sought a better TE2. This draft might deliver that for their youth movement, more so than an over-30 veteran in free agency, all due respect to Rob Gronkowski, Kyle Rudolph and Jared Cook.
Offensive line
Then: Starting every game on the interior were center Alex Mack and guards Laken Tomlinson and Daniel Brunskill. Left tackle Trent Williams, after becoming the NFL'S highestpaid offensive lineman, finally earned All-pro honors. Mike Mcglinchey's quadriceps tear at midseason gave Jaylon Moore an audition at right tackle, then it was Tom Compton's job.
Now: Aaron Banks is the favorite to replace Tomlinson at left guard, where Banks earned All-american status at Notre Dame and thus a second-round selection last draft. Shanahan, in his media session Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings, said Banks is “ready to go,” as was the case late last season when Shanahan opted not to insert him and break up the team's winning chemistry. If Brunskill re-signs on his $2.4 million tender, he'll again have to beat out younger, drafted competition, whether that is Moore (as Shanahan hinted at this week), Colton Mckivitz or a mid-to-late-round rookie. Grooming an offensive tackle for future years also is an emerging priority.
Extra points
• The NFL revised its overtime policy, again, so each team is assured a possession in postseason games..
• Don't get too riled up about CEO Jed York mentioning the Garoppolo/ Lance dynamic in the same breath as the 49ers' fabled duo of Joe Montana and Steve Young. Translated, York is suggesting that stashing Lance on the sideline another season is not a career nor franchise killer, not if Young was able to patiently outlast Montana.”if Steve Young can sit on the bench for four seasons — Steve Young is a Hall of Famer — if he is willing to do it, and he has the competitive will to do it, why can't somebody else?” York asked at the NFL owners meetings in Florida on Tuesday, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.
• This offseason's biggest move is yet to come, and that seemingly will be a contract extension for wide receiver Deebo Samuel. After the recent deals for Adams and Hill, might he be better served doing his extension before those of fellow 2019 draft classmates DK Metcalf, A.J. Brown and Terry Mclaurin? That's for Samuel's agent to decide.