Originally posted by sspiker:
It's remarkable how solid our roster currently is, where the biggest questions are what size extensions are our best young players going to get. Most other fanbases would be thrilled to be in the position we're in. Kudos to Lynch, Peters, and Marathe for their roster construction. If we are able to re-sign Tomlinson and D.J. Jones (and maybe K'Waun and Key), we will really just a few holes/depth to fill out in FA and the draft.
My priority list:
Offensive Line: Even with re-signing Tomlinson, we need an upgrade at RG and swing tackle. We can't rely on Aaron Banks, and McKivitz and Moore should compete with a veteran for swing tackle. It'd also be nice to start thinking ahead to when Alex Mack can't go anymore.
Cornerback: Emphasis here is on nickel corner, which is hopefully filled by K'Waun. Otherwise, we have Mosely and Thomas penciled in as starters; I'd love to bring in a FA to compete and use another draft pick to shore up this position and provide valuable depth. We never want to have to rely on Dre Kirkpatrick to start again.
Safety: Whether re-signing Tartt or not, we still need depth here. Hufanga is a great STer and rotational player, but I don't think he has the speed to be a starting safety.
Edge Rusher: Key may have played himself out of the Bay Area, given our other priorities. Would love to see us address this position in the draft, but not sure if we'll be in a position to get anything more than developmental depth here.
Speed WR: For the first time in a very long time, the WR room is a strength for this team, with a soon-to-be extended Deebo, Aiyuk, and Jennings. We could use a speed option to take the top off defenses.
TE: It seems we've been talking about bringing in a complement to Kittle for years and it never pans out. I'd love to see Charlie Woerner step up in his 3rd year, and it seemed like he might after his big game in Chicago, but he's faded as a factor since then.
DL Depth: This is assuming we sign DJ Jones; even if we don't, I think we probably roll with Kinlaw next season. Either way, bringing in cheap depth in the draft or FA is likely to keep the room stocked with bodies.
Back-up QB: Seems likely we'll bring in a veteran QB who knows Shanny's system.
RB/LB Depth: We have locked in starters here, but a late draft pick and/or cheap veteran talent seems likely to compete in training camp.
Just wanted to circle back to the 2021 off season of team needs in this year's OP.
It looks like we didn't fix a number of the issues we identified...and they cost us dearly...and they're on your current list for 2022 already, again.
2021 Team Needs/Top Targets: (Draft & Free Agency)
Team Needs: QB, IOL (C & RG), CB, ER (Speed), XWR (Speed), T (Future), SS, TE2, SWR, ST (Returner)
QB - QB might be the first pick if their guy is available. There's nothing more important!
IOL - Once again, Weston Richburg's future hangs in the balance. Ben Garland, Daniel Brunskill and Colton McKivitz do not appear to be the answer and RT Mike McGlinchey fell off a cliff as a pass protector. 2 different QB's were placed on I.R. 3 times and gave this unit gave up 124 QB hits (2nd most). Unit pass protection remains the teams #1 need/issue.
CB - Will Jason Verrett, Ahkello Witherspoon, K'Wuan Williams, Richard Sherman, and/or Emmanuel Moseley be back?
ER- Once again, Dee Ford's future hangs in the balance. Kerry Hyder is an UFA as is Ronald Blair who missed all of 2020. Nick Bosa is returning from an ACL.
XWR - Kyle badly needed a speed guy after Marquise Goodwin left. He was unsuccessful in finding this player last year. This can be a ST player (returner) but a threat of that outside speed, even in part time duty, really helps open up Kyle's offense.
T - If the FO loses UFA Trent Williams, this will jump up to a high priority. Either way, a real talent needs to challenge Mike McGlinchey as he's way too comfortable and he had PRP injections last summer and lost a ton of weight to help minimize the strain on the knees but it cost him dearly in pass protection.
SS - Jimmie Ward (SS) and Tarvarius Moore (FS) are most likely your starters with quality depth in Marcell Harris who can also play SAM. Jaquaski Tartt is most likely gone.
TE2 - Imagine what Kyle could do for Jimmy with a TE2 like the Patriots had with Gronk/Hernandez. I believe Jalen Hurd was going to be our Hernandez but with a busted back, ACL and chronic injury concerns, ShanaLynch might need to go another direction here. Jordan Reed is a question-mark.
SWR - This position fell off a cliff and badly needs big play from both a big and small slot.
[ Edited by NCommand on Jan 31, 2022 at 12:42 PM ]
