Because an NFL season is getting ready, it starts with an audit: what are the strengths and weaknesses of the workforce? Then, how to strengthen via the market and the draft. The editorial staff of DNA of Sports invites you to take stock of the off-season of the 32 franchises. Today the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers season was great, but the end was frustrating. Defeated by the Eagles in the conference final, Kyle Shanahan’s team will once again be one of the favorites for the Super Bowl in 2023. However, to strengthen their workforce and thus claim the title, San Francisco, and John Lynch in the lead, has many puzzles to solve.
The owners
1. Nick Bosa (DE)
2. George Kittle (TE)
3. Fred Warner (LB)
The best defenseman in the NFL within the best defense in the league. Nick Bosa is a leader by example in San Francisco. Not the most vocal, it’s on the pitch that he expresses himself best, his 18.5 sacks and his title of defender of the year speaking in his favor. At only 25 years old, Bosa has the future ahead of him, and a nice contract extension should crown his performance.
The 49ers defense as a whole has been lethal in 2022. If Nick Bosa is its most prominent member, it is Fred Warner who is its captain. In his key position, in the center of the squad, he is the soul of this defense. In addition, his level of play is constant, always at a very high level, making him one of, if not the best linebacker in the NFL today.
If Fred Warner is the soul of defense, George Kittle is the soul of the team. The superstar tight end finally seems to be back at his highest level, after two seasons a little below his standards at the reception. His connection with Brock Purdy has been perfect, and he’s still a genius blocker, perfect for the Niners’ running game. A fan favourite, George Kittle’s career is written in red and gold.
The strength of the 49ers is the accumulation of stars in key positions. There are so many good players in this team that Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey or even Talanoa Hufanga are also part of the bay.
Undesirables
– Ambry Thomas (CB)
– Charlie Woerner (TE)
John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan did a great job. Very few players seem really undesirable in this squad. So the only players whose departure could benefit the team are end-of-rotation players. Ambry Thomas and Charlie Woerner, by their performances, did not convince, and they could bring in around 1 million dollars each.
The real work of the 49ers staff will be at the level of the restructuring of the contracts of the highest paid players, in order to make room for possible signatures, and especially for the big extension to come, that of Nick Bosa, who should become the highest paid player in the league, excluding quarterbacks.
summer men
The quarterbacks
Having two quarterbacks under rookie contract is a chance for the 49ers, as the rest of the workforce is expensive. However, two problems arise. First, the experience, of which Brock Purdy and especially Trey Lance are sorely lacking, even if the first was convincing in 2022. Then, and this is surely the most problematic, both are currently injured. If Trey Lance should be back for training camps, nothing is less certain for the supposed holder, Brock Purdy, whose elbow operation will take place this Friday.
If Trey Lance had started the titular season before being injured in week 2, it was Brock Purdy who finished it, with great fanfare. The last choice of the last draft has shown great promise, and has never lost a game he has played in full. His injury early in the conference finals put a halt to his progress and his team’s season, also jeopardizing his 2023 season.
Suddenly, while he seemed to be moving towards a replacement status, Trey Lance should have his chance again as a starter in San Francisco. He could even be all season long if Purdy doesn’t get back in time. The Niners also need to think about signing a third, more experienced quarterback who can both coach these two youngsters and enter the field if injury problems return in the future.
The main free agents
1. Mike McGlinchey (OT)
2. Jimmie Ward (S)
3. Jimmy Garoppolo (QB)
4. Emmanuel Moseley (CB)
5. Samson Ebukam (DE)
The others: Azeez Al-Shaair (LB), Robbie Gould (K), Daniel Brunskill (G), Hassan Ridgeway (DT), Tashaun Gipson (S), Jordan Willis (DE), Jake Brendel (C), Charles Omenihu ( DE), Jason Verrett (BC), Ross Dwelley (TE)…
After six years of service, Jimmy Garoppolo’s journey to San Francisco will come to an end. Not always appreciated at its fair value in the Bay, Jimmy G has shown that he is capable of winning, and should find a starting place elsewhere in the league.
While Garoppolo is the biggest name on this list, the most important to Kyle Shanahan’s system is arguably Mike McGlinchey. The right tackle, drafted by the franchise in 2018, is one of the most prominent players on the free agent market, in a key position in the NFL. Not sure that San Francisco has the means to keep him, in which case the search for his replacement would become the priority of the leaders.
In defense, choices have to be made on all lines. The 49ers will likely have to choose between Charles Omenihu and Samson Ebukam versus Nick Bosa. Azeez Al-Shaair, less prominent due to Dr. Greenlaw’s big season, could pack his bags. The question around Emmanuel Moseley, injured at the start of the season, arises, even if the rumors of the corridors abound in the direction of an extension. Jimmie Ward, 49ers safety for 9 seasons, could also leave, after losing his place to Tashaun Gipson, also out of contract.
Finally, Robbie Gould, a more than solid kicker, who has never missed a single kick in the playoffs since his arrival in the league in 2005, expressed his desires elsewhere at 40 years old. He would like to be closer to the east coast and his family.
Top 5 Needs
1. Center
2. Defensive end
3. Offensive tackle
4. Defensive tackle
5. Quarterback
If Mike McGlinchey were to leave, then the right tackle issue would become the number one priority. The problem for the Niners is that they do not have unlimited means, and the market for this position is not flourishing. In addition, the internal solutions are not convincing.
Extension of Jake Brendel or not, the question around the position of center is still relevant in San Francisco. If the latter, for his first season as holder, showed great things, he nevertheless remains a limited player in a system where the center has an essential role. The arrival of a player by the draft, with a learning season, could be the solution.
The defensive line, if it remains a strength of the 49ers, will be renewed. Many players are at the end of their contract, and some cannot be extended. Plus, with recurring injuries to Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw, a solid defensive tackle wouldn’t be out of place.
As indicated above, a veteran quarterback could also join the Bay, to supervise Trey Lance and Brock Purdy, but also to deal with possible injuries, usual on this position in San Francisco. Many names have circulated in recent days, such as Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan or even the retired Philip Rivers. Case to follow.
Target
Shy Tuttle (DT-Saints)
If San Francisco seems like a dream destination for many free agents, the Niners’ lack of salary leeway is a brake on the arrival of stars.
Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw have missed many meetings in 2022, and Kinlaw, since joining in the 2020 draft, hasn’t fully convinced. The 49ers leaders may want to strengthen on the inside of the defensive line. A signing of Shy Tuttle, the defensive tackle of the Saints, would abound in this direction.
Not the most publicized player, Tuttle is a very solid player against the run, compiling 48 then 49 tackles and not missing a game the last two seasons. At 27, he still has good years ahead of him, and could cost between 6 and 8 million dollars per season, an affordable price for San Francisco.
The new blood
Olusegun Oluwatimi (C – Michigan)
Another concern for San Francisco: if they have 11 draft picks thanks to the many compensatory choices, their first is at the end of the third round. We will have to choose intelligently, even if John Lynch since his arrival proved that he could do business late in the draft.
The starting center in 2022, Jake Brendel, is out of contract, and even if he extends, does not seem to be a long-term solution. It’s almost certain that San Francisco will have their eye on several players in this position.
Olusegun Oluwatimi could be the perfect player for the 49ers. The experienced 23-year-old started 49 games as a center at the university level, with Virginia and Michigan, and in 2022 won the Rimington Trophy, best center trophy, and the Outland Trophy, the best interior lineman award. , mixed attack and defense. Whether as an immediate starter or behind a more experienced player at first, Oluwatimi could settle for a long time on the Niners line.
Other choices: Luke Wypler (C – Ohio State), KJ Henry (DE – Clemson)…
