2024 Top Team Needs & Ideal Future Plans

Regardless of who the DC is, I think our needs are pretty much the same as they have been in a few areas, as well as on offense. To me, this is what we need the most:

1) Inside & Outside Cornerback help
Lenoir has had some solid moments outside, but right now he's playing there out of necessity because the team feels Ambry is so bad, they'd rather watch Oliver get roasted in the slot because he can play the run well. Thomas is the outside version of Oliver, decent in run support, but burnt toast in coverage. We have no insurance behind Ward, and Womack and Luter are coming off injury and are completely unproven, so there's no excuse for us to not address this area. Top priority IMO.

2) Big run plugger in the middle
I think there will be several quality prospects in the draft we could and should target here. We need to bolster the interior run D and improve our ability to make stops on third and fourth and short. I like AA but he hasn't had more than 3 sacks since 2019, and he seemed better on the edge against the run than inside. He'll turn 30 next year and will count a whopping $30 million against the cap. If I'm the Niners, I don't know what you do. Restructure? Post June trade or cut? Request a pay cut? His situation IMO is one of the key ones to watch going into next year.

3) LT of the future
I have a hard time seeing Trent sticking around if we haven't won a Super Bowl by the end of the next season. Regardless, we need someone who can offer higher quality insurance than Moore.

4) C upgrade
At minimum to serve as interior until they're ready. Brendel has been getting bullied at times in the run game, far more than I'm comfortable with. He's solid overall, but lacks a consistent push in the middle which limits our offensive diversity sometimes.

5. Legit speed and quickness threat at WR
We have the power RAC guys, the great route runner finesse guy, but no one who truly takes the top off and can leave guys in the dust in the open field. Kyle's offense would take it to the next level with someone like this.


Honorable mention: legit TE of the future, safety competition and depth.

Don't expect a big splash move, need to extend our own, but the needs listed make sense, still see them extending Dre, AA, Mooney, BA, Huf, maybe Banks, or Re-Sign Chase Young, tag him.

It's great that we have our early round draft picks to utilize in addressing these needs.

Originally posted by AB81Rules:
Don't expect a big splash move, need to extend our own, but the needs listed make sense, still see them extending Dre, AA, Mooney, BA, Huf, maybe Banks, or Re-Sign Chase Young, tag him.

I don't see a reason to extend Ward or AA. They need to be replaced unless it's extremely team friendly.

Defensive coordinator.

Originally posted by AB81Rules:

Don't expect a big splash move, need to extend our own, but the needs listed make sense, still see them extending Dre, AA, Mooney, BA, Huf, maybe Banks, or Re-Sign Chase Young, tag him.

AA's contract is a problem, IMO. Can we not rework his deal to add some void years? He's playing solid still but $30 million is a LOT for someone who has not consistently generated top tier pass rush outside of one season in his career.

Originally posted by 49er-from-Yavin-IV:
It's great that we have our early round draft picks to utilize in addressing these needs.

And by utilize... you mean waste on raw prospects that don't contribute anything.

Extra space in the trophy case.

RG and PK too.

Originally posted by NCommand:
RG and PK too.

Too early for this, Burford needs time to develop, and the 49ers aren't cutting Moody after 1yr, he'll get a 2nd yr IMO.

Originally posted by lamontb:

Originally posted by AB81Rules:
Don't expect a big splash move, need to extend our own, but the needs listed make sense, still see them extending Dre, AA, Mooney, BA, Huf, maybe Banks, or Re-Sign Chase Young, tag him.

I don't see a reason to extend Ward or AA. They need to be replaced unless it's extremely team friendly.

Ward is our best CB, he was top notch the first 5 weeks, so he's been off for 3 weeks like the rest of the defense, doesn't mean we need to discard him, he's been a great FA signing, same with Hargrave. As for AA, I don't see the issue with extending him, not all about sacks, or stats, he gets pressure, and is a good run defender.

A competent Defensive Coordinator

Here's another question, AB, is there anyone we could unload that makes sense for additional cap savings?

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by AB81Rules:
Don't expect a big splash move, need to extend our own, but the needs listed make sense, still see them extending Dre, AA, Mooney, BA, Huf, maybe Banks, or Re-Sign Chase Young, tag him.

AA's contract is a problem, IMO. Can we not rework his deal to add some void years? He's playing solid still but $30 million is a LOT for someone who has not consistently generated top tier pass rush outside of one season in his career.

AA already has 3 void years on his current deal doesn't he?

2024 top need in Feb is a TROPHY!