National Football League

San Francisco 49ers: Breaking Down Issues With Roster

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:43 p.m. ET

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The San Francisco 49ers seriously lack depth. It’s been an issue for the franchise all of 2016, so let’s break down what’s going on with the roster and why.

January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers chief executive officer Jed York (left), Chip Kelly (center), and San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke (right) pose for a photo in a press conference after naming Kelly as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers are 1-5.

They hired a new head coach who many thought would make the team competitive again. But that has not been the case.

This time last year the Niners were 2-4 with Jim Tomsula steering the ship. Maybe coaching is not the Niners’ biggest problem. Maybe the roster Chip Kelly inherited is the reason that this storied franchise is currently in shambles.

Roster depth is a real issue in sports. Look at the Los Angeles Lakers or the San Francisco Giants pitching staff (looking mostly at the bullpen). T

eams have suffered tremendously when they fail to draft and sign talented players and when those players have nobody else behind them.

This is an issue for the Niners, and is a big reason the team has started 1-5. Let’s figure out where and why.

Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; The video board reads “defense” as the Baltimore Ravens try to move the football against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Ravens 25-20.Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Niners Defense: A Shadow of What Was

In 2011, the Niners boasted the No. 1 rushing defense in the NFL. Guys like Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman were absolute men that year. Three first-team All-Pro selections and two Pro Bowl selections between the four aforementioned and two more Pro Bowl selections on defense outside of them.The defense had play makers all around. Nobody was excited about facing this unit.Fast-forward to 2016. The Niners are ranked dead last in rushing defense. The unit has given up an average of 174 yards a game on the ground.This is great for fantasy football owners, unless you own the 49ers D/ST unit.The 49ers are in a major transition period. The defense has faced an absurd amount of turnover and has lost major players to injuries. Bowman was lost to an Achilles injury in Week 4. Nose tackle Ian Williams is out for the entire season after suffering an ankle injury during the offseason.Therefore, the Niners have had to make some major roster changes.

Niners Forced to Replace Talent With Inexperience

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) runs after a catch for a touchdown as Buffalo Bills strong safety Aaron Williams (23) pursues during the first half at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Niners Offense Lacks Playmakers

Niners fans saw a brief glimpse of what Colin Kaepernick brings as the starting quarterback in Week 6. While the team suffered a devastating blow to the Buffalo Bills, fans had hope for a few enjoyable quarters.

Wide receiver Torrey Smith hauled in a 53-yard touchdown, and Kaepernick had 66 yards rushing. However, the Niners were unable to remain consistent on offense as the Smith touchdown was the only time the unit found the end zone.

Wide receiver Bruce Ellington was poised for a breakout season under Chip Kelly. Unfortunately, Ellington suffered a torn hamstring and will miss the entire 2016 season.

Behind Ellington the Niners have Quinton Patton and recently acquired Jeremy Kerley. Kerley was quarterback Blaine Gabbert‘s favorite target. Under Gabbert’s control, Kerley registered 300 yards and two touchdowns. Kerley registered just two receptions against the Bills with Kaepernick under center.

Outside of Kaepernick and running back Carlos Hyde, who has the Niners ranked fifth in rushing offense, there are not many options for the Niners. Defensive scheming is easy when you only have to watch out for one or two guys.

The Big Picture

The issue is that the Niners lack big playmaking ability. If they continue to rely on Hyde to pound the ball, the team could face losing Hyde to another injury.

Note that Hyde was seen wearing an arm sling in practice on Tuesday.

So who do the Niners go to on offense? Long gone are the days of Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker, Michael Crabtree, Frank Gore and Randy Moss. Sure Moss was a short-lived year, but the man was a threat.

Simply put, the Niners have failed to replace lost talent with experienced veterans or with talented young players out of the draft.

Speaking of the draft, a lot of roster depth issues can be linked to the Niners draft picks. Now would be a good time to look at what Trent Baalke has brought the Niners.

Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke speaks at a press conference during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Trent Baalke has made 48 draft picks since 2010. Where are they now?

Questions about the Niners roster issues can be traced back to previous draft classes. There are two common “facts” that Niners Faithful have put together since entering the Trent Baalke era.

These Picks Are Offensive

The first is that Baalke loves drafting injured players.

Maybe he loves a good recovery story. Or maybe it is just cheap labor. His most recent gamble was with South Carolina running Back Marcus Lattimore. Lattimore suffered two major knee injuries in college, but that did not stop Baalke from drafting him.