National Football League

San Francisco 49ers: 5 Biggest Roster Needs Heading into 2017 Offseason

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:32 p.m. ET

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The San Francisco 49ers need a complete upgrade and overhaul to their current roster. Niner Noise ranks the top five roster needs the team has heading into the 2017 offseason.

Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers team helmets on the sidelines during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Levi’s Stadium. Charges won 38-35 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Whether it be through free agency or the NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers need to make some considerable efforts to revamp and overhaul their current roster in 2017.

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It goes without saying. The 2-14 Niners lack both depth and playmakers across the board. If you pick a statistical category, chances are San Francisco is either dead last or close to it.

Well, except for the running game, of course. And that’s not going to be a top-five need.

But what about the others? There are plenty. So let’s take a look at the five most important positions San Francisco needs to address this offseason with some key free agents and draft picks who might be able to help.

Insofar as free agency, the Niners should be equipped to be aggressive. According to Over the Cap, San Francisco should have roughly $82 million in available cap space this offseason (including rollover).

Tack on as many as 11 draft picks, including one likely compensatory selection, and there’s a good chance the 49ers are able to bring in some noteworthy talent.

True, the Niners rebuild isn’t going to be just one offseason. But let’s take a look at how this process can get off to a good start.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) reacts in the game against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers won 28-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5: Cornerback

Cornerback shouldn’t have been a pressing need for the 49ers this offseason, considering how many defensive backs former general manager Trent Baalke has stockpiled in recent years.

Sadly, only corners Jimmie Ward and Rashard Robinson are the only true standouts from this position. And it wouldn’t be surprising to see Ward move back to his natural safety position at some point in the not-so-distant future.

Veteran corner Tramaine Brock is an OK figure here. While 2016 saw him beat infrequently, when he was beat, Brock was beat bad.

Unless the Niners are banking on guys like Will Redmond and Dontae Johnson to suddenly turn the corner, they need to find some playmakers from this position right away.

Free-Agent Targets

NFL Draft Targets

Next: No. 4: Edge Rusher

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Wilson was injured on the play. The Seahawks won 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4: Edge Rusher

While cornerback is a priority, the 49ers have long gotten away with a strong front-seven defense and just OK defensive backs. When San Francisco’s front seven were good, this worked.

But the problem in recent years has been the lack of an edge pass rush.

Linebacker Aaron Lynch, the team’s best pass-rusher, was a shell of himself this season and recorded just 1.5 sacks. He missed time too, both due to suspension and an ankle injury, and was out of shape.

Veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks could easily be a cut candidate this offseason, and it’s hard to say we’ve seen enough out of fellow OLB Eli Harold.

And edge rusher Tank Carradine has been a complete bust.

Free-Agent Targets

NFL Draft Targets

Next: No. 3: Inside Linebacker

January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Tre Mason (27) runs the football against San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3: Inside Linebacker

While rushing the passer is going to be important, teams learned they could simply run the ball right down the 49ers’ collective throat with great effect over 2016.

No wonder why San Francisco’s historically bad run defense ranked dead last in the NFL.

True, fans can trust All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman (Achilles) returns to form. The same moderate hopes can be placed on fellow ILB Ray-Ray Armstrong (pectoral). Still, upgrading the interior of the Niners’ linebacker corps will go a long way in ensuring San Francisco’s defense returns to its 2012 form.

Free-Agent Targets

NFL Draft Targets

Next: No. 2: Wide Receiver

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) misses the catch against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Lev’i’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2: Wide Receiver

Unlike the previous positions, San Francisco has almost zero depth and playmaking ability at wide receiver heading into 2017.

It’s a position largely avoided by now-fired GM Trent Baalke in years prior. And this has come back to bite the 49ers in a big, painful way.

Aside from No. 1 wideout Torrey Smith, who has seen back-to-back career-low years in 2015 and 2016, the Niners don’t boast anyone against whom opponents will scheme in the receiving game. And it isn’t as if the team should be counting on younger guys like DeAndre Smelter or Aaron Burbridge to make a significant impact. They’re depth receivers at best right now.

Free-Agent Targets

NFL Draft Targets

Next: No. 1: Quarterback

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) warms up with quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1: Quarterback

Of course, the 49ers need to address the single most important position in sports — quarterback.

It doesn’t seem likely starting QB Colin Kaepernick returns in 2017. He’ll either opt out or be cut, saving considerable cap space for the Niners this offseason. And there is zero chance backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert returns to the red and gold in the upcoming season either.

Cross off roster QBs Thad Lewis and Christian Ponder, and the 49ers truly have a clean slate here.

Unfortunately, the free-agent market on signal-callers is pretty thin. And it’s not likely the top free agent here, Washington Redskins QB Kirk Cousins, makes it to the market.

So that probably leaves the draft.

Free-Agent Targets

More from Niner Noise

NFL Draft Targets

A new coaching cast and general manager will dictate a lot about the direction the Niners will go. Still, these needs can’t be overlooked.

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