Free agency set up bounceback year
Free agency’s opening week should pay off well for the 49ers. But it’s dangerous to assume success, especially after failed shopping sprees in recent springs.
This time, they re-signed key starters, hired a savvy center and poached a young pass rusher from the rival Rams.
Left tackle Trent Williams, fullback Kyle Juszczyk and cornerback Jason Verrett were a must-keep trifecta. Center Alex Mack proclaimed he “can be great in this system,” and so can quarterback hunter Samson Ebukam.
More additions will strengthen what already is a playoff-caliber roster. For now, let’s look at the depth chart, rate positional needs and scout potential solutions.
Quarterback
*Jimmy Garoppolo, Josh Johnson, Josh Rosen ANALYSIS >> Nothing has changed since the season ended, despite speculation Garoppolo could get moved if an upgrade could be had. Joe Flacco visited Thursday and would upgrade the backup spot without threatening Garoppolo’s job. C.J. Beathard is reportedly auditioning for Jacksonville and Nick Mullens is recovering from elbow surgery. POSSIBLE ADDS >> Flacco, Alex Smith (if he doesn’t retire) or a draft pick, such as Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Mac Jones, Davis Mills or Kellen Mond.
NEED LEVEL >> Medium
Running back
*Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., Jamycal Hasty, Austin Walter, Kyle Juszczyk (FB), Josh Hokit (FB) ANALYSIS >> Keeping Juszczyk’s versatility is a significant relief, especially with his lead blocks for the dynamic duo of Mostert and Wilson. A five-deep backfield could mean they add a versatile veteran or an undrafted rookie.
POSSIBLE ADDS >> Le’veon Bell, Duke Johnson, Rex Burkhead, Kenny Gainwell (Memphis), Pooka Williams (Kansas). NEED LEVEL >> Low
Wide receiver
*Brandon Aiyuk, *Deebo Samuel, Richie James Jr., Travis Benjamin, Trent Sherfield, River Cracraft, Jalen Hurd, Jauan Jennings, Kevin White, Matt Cole, Austin Proehl ANALYSIS >> Rather than pony up for Juju Smith-Schuster or Curtis Samuel, the 49ers took a low-key approach and added Trent Sherfield, a special-teams ace with Arizona. They could still make noise with a slot receiver or No. 3 man to replace Kendrick Bourne. POSSIBLE ADDS >> Trent Taylor, Danny Amendola, N’keal Harry, Taylor Gabriel, T.Y. Hilton, Desean Jackson, Kadarius Toney (Florida), Tutu Atwell (Louisville), Amari Rodgers (Clemson)
NEED LEVEL >> High
Tight end
*George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner, Daniel Helm, Chase Harrell ANALYSIS >> As much as Kittle endorses his fellow tight ends, the 49ers’ commitment to them is suspect, a year after they thrust Jordan Reed into the mix with so-so results. A veteran or another draft pick (Kyle Pitts?) is certainly possible. POSSIBLE ADDS >> Zach Ertz, Richard Rodgers, Pitts (Florida), Tommy Tremble (Notre Dame)
NEED LEVEL >> Medium
Offensive line
*LT Trent Williams, *LG Laken Tomlinson, *C Alex Mack, *RG Daniel Brunskill, *RT Mike Mcglinchey, T Justin Skule, T Shon Coleman, G/T Colton Mckivitz, C Jake Brendell, C/G Dakoda Shepley, G Isaiah Williams, T Corbin Kaufusi, C Weston Richburg (likey retiring)
ANALYSIS >> Retaining Williams at a historic cost (six years, $138 million) was this offseason’s top priority, but adding Mack’s veteran knowledge can’t be understated after last year’s center rotation. The line’s other starters are not guaranteed long-term commitments so competition still could come. Guard Lane Taylor (Packers) reportedly visited. POSSIBLE ADDS >> Lane Taylor, Ben Garland, Tom Compton, Rashawn Slater (Northwestern), Dillon Radunz (North Dakota State) NEED LEVEL >> Medium
Defensive line
*Nick Bosa, *Arik Armstead, *Javon Kinlaw, *Samson Ebukam, D.J. Jones, Dee Ford, Ketavius Street, Kevin Givens, Darrion Daniels, Alex Barrett, Josiah Coatney, Daeshon Hall ANALYSIS >> So much of the 49ers’ fate is tied to Bosa’s knee recovery. Ford’s comeback is more doubtful, hence the intriguing addition of Ebukam to join a defensive front with some familiar muscle in Armstead, Kinlaw and Jones. POSSIBLE ADDS >> Kerry Hyder Jr., Dion Jordan, Ziggy Ansah, Jaelen Phillips (Miami), Azeez Ojulari (Georgia), Darius Stills (West Virginia) NEED LEVEL >> Medium-high
Linebacker
*Fred Warner, *Dre Greenlaw, *Azeez Al-shaair, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Jonas Griffith ANALYSIS >> Warner awaits an extension after his Allpro season and should be surrounded by a familiar crew. Former position coach Demeco Ryans is now the defensive coordinator. POSSIBLE ADDS >> Elijah Lee, K.J. Wright, special-teams veteran, late-round draft pick NEED LEVEL >> Low-medium
Cornerback
*Jason Verrett, *Emmanuel Moseley, Dontae Johnson, Ken Webster, Tim Harris, Briean Boddy-calhoun, Mark Fields, Adonis Alexander
ANALYSIS >> Although they’ve re-signed Verrett and Moseley as probable starters, nickel back K’waun Williams remains on a tepid market, and same goes for Richard Sherman, whose return was unlikely but perhaps now more appealing. Johnson indicated his re-signing on an Instagram story, minus Trent Williams’ fanfare. POSSIBLE ADDS >> K’waun Williams, Brian Poole, Caleb Farley (Viriginia Tech), Patrick Surtain II (Alabama), Jaycee Horn (South Carolina), Paulson Adebo (Stanford)
NEED LEVEL >> High
Safety
*Jimmie Ward, *Tarvarius Moore, Marcell Harris, Jared Mayden, Kai Nacua, Obi Melifonwu, Chris Edwards
ANALYSIS >> Ward is now the secondary’s veteran leader with Jaquiski Tartt adrift in free agency. Time for Moore and Harris to make bigger impacts.
POSSIBLE ADDS >> Jaquiski Tartt, Kareem Jackson, Trevon Moehrig (TCU)
NEED LEVEL >> Low
Specialist
K Robbie Gould, P Mitch Wishnowsky, LS Taybor Pepper
ANALYSIS >> Gould and Pepper re-signed through 2022, so the bigger question mark is Wishnowsky, a 2019 fourth-round pick who improved last season.
NEED LEVEL >> Low.