Analysis: The 49ers’ top 6 roster needs following free agency

The 49ers roster has been noticeably tweaked since it appeared in February’s Super Bowl.

Gone are two notable starters, DeForest Buckner and Emmanuel Sanders, while others like Arik Armstead, Jimmie Ward, Kendrick Bourne and Matt Breida are expected to return.

Kyle Shanahan’s plan was to keep as many players from last year’s conference champion as possible. But the team’s diminishing cap room prevented it, making it important to recoup draft assets to help sustain for the long term.

One of those assets is the No. 13 pick acquired from the Indianapolis Colts for Buckner. Another could be a compensatory pick in 2021 after Sanders signed with the New Orleans Saints ⁠— assuming the 49ers don’t add another significant piece in free agency, which isn’t expected.

San Francisco has two first-round selections but isn’t scheduled to pick again until the fifth, making it likely the front office has already started speaking to other teams about possible trades into the middle rounds.

But what about the areas to address in the draft? Here’s our take on six pressing needs the 49ers could address with their seven choices.

Tight end

The 49ers already lost two tight ends this offseason: Garrett Celek to retirement and Levine Toilolo to the New York Giants in free agency. That leaves George Kittle, Ross Dwelley and Daniel Helm, a practice squad player throughout most of last season, as the only tight ends on the roster.

Kittle is approaching the final year of his contract and is due for an extension. It will likely shatter the record-setting contract Austin Hooper signed with the Cleveland Browns last week totaling $44 million over four seasons.

Dwelley, who grew up in El Dorado Hills, was a feel-good story in 2019, particularly when he filled in for Kittle in two-plus games in November. But he’s not nearly as good a blocker as Celek or Toilolo, which could force San Francisco to be on the lookout for another tight end, perhaps with one of their two fifth-round picks. That’s the round the team found Kittle in 2017, of course.

Defensive line

The foursome of Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, D.J. Jones and Dee Ford should be a good one even though Buckner is out. But Ford isn’t great against the run and he played just 22 percent of the snaps last season while dealing with knee tendinitis and hamstring issues.

Jones ended the season on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain and will often leave the field in throwing situations. That could pave the way for Solomon Thomas to get more pass rushing snaps on the inside.

Reserve Sheldon Day on Wednesday agreed to a deal to join Buckner with the Colts, likely forcing San Francisco to rely heavily on Kentavius Street, who spent most of his first two seasons dealing with knee issues after tearing his ACL before the 2018 draft.

Which all means the 49ers would be wise to add another defensive tackle in the draft, perhaps during the first two rounds, where Derrick Brown (Auburn), Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina), Jordan Elliott (Missouri), Neville Gallimore (Oklahoma) and Ross Blacklock (TCU) as possible options.

Safety

Bringing back Ward was important for two reasons. First, he was excellent last season while the 49ers pass defense was statistically the best in the league. Second, he would have been awfully hard to replace, particularly if the pass rush takes a step back with Buckner no longer around.

Strong safety Jaquiski Tartt is entering the final year of his three-year extension he signed during the 2018 draft after the team took tackle Mike McGlinchey in the first round and not talented safety Derwin James.

Tartt is a good, versatile player. He’s strong in the box and also in coverage where he has the speed to stick with most receivers. But durability is a concern. He’s missed 19 games over the past three seasons, including a rib injury that cost him most of last December.

Marcell Harris, a sixth-round pick in 2018, didn’t play like an eventual replacement for Tartt while he was out. That should have San Francisco keeping an eye for another strong safety if the team decides he’s not worth giving another contract.

Cornerback

The 49ers maintained the league’s best passing defense despite there being uncertainty for spells opposite Richard Sherman. Ahkello Witherspoon played well before getting hurt in Week 3 allowing Emmanuel Moseley to prove he belongs, though will likely have to continue battling Witherspoon for the starting job in 2020.

All three corners are unsigned beyond the coming season when Sherman will turn 33 as Witherspoon hits the end of his rookie contract. Moseley will be a restricted free agent. Slot cornerback K’Waun Williams is also unsigned beyond 2020, making him a candidate for a new deal after playing well for most of the last two years.

Suffice to say, with Sherman getting closer to his eventual retirement and no certainty at the position beyond this season, the 49ers have to be thinking about the future. They might consider getting that player in the building this offseason to develop before starting in 2021.

Offensive line

The 49ers are planning to have Joe Staley back at left tackle for 2020, but his status beyond remains unclear. He’ll turn 36 in August and is under contract for 2021 after signing a two-year extension last June. There isn’t a clear replacement at tackle whether McGlinchey switches to replace Staley or remains on the right side.

San Francisco brought back Shon Coleman on a one-year contract despite missing last season with a broken ankle. Daniel Brunskill and Justin Skule will also return. But none of those three projects as a sure-fire Staley replacement for the long haul.

Additionally, the 49ers cut starting right guard Mike Person after two seasons. Veteran Tom Compton was brought in to compete for a role, but he’ll be on his sixth team in six seasons.

Don’t be surprised if San Francisco ends up with an offensive lineman early in the draft, particularly if their preferred receivers (spoiler alert) are off the board. They could add a tackle to stick at right guard immediately that could be moved outside once Staley hangs them up.

Wide receiver

The 49ers have added a wideout in every draft since 2002, yet it remains one of the most talked-about positions each offseason because they’ve struggled to find stars. Michael Crabtree is the club’s only draftee during that span to have a 1,000-yard season with the team. Brandon Lloyd, a rookie in 2003, had 1,448 yards with the Broncos in 2010.

Deebo Samuel had the most promising rookie campaign since Jerry Rice in 1985. Kendrick Bourne evolved into a valuable third option. But losing Sanders, last season’s top receiver, leaves a big void to fill. Plus Dante Pettis’ 2019 shouldn’t give the team any confidence he’ll be a productive starter going forward.

Nabbing the 13th pick from the Colts could offer the 49ers their best shot at a star receiver. There are three expected to be in the mix in the top half of the first round: Jerry Jeudy (Alabama), CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma) and Henry Ruggs III (Alabama). There are also a slew of prospects that could be had at pick No. 31 or in Round 2, including Justin Jefferson (LSU) Jalen Reagor (TCU), Brandon Aiyuk (Arizona State), Denzel Mims (Baylor) and Michael Pittman (USC).

This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 4:00 AM.