SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS OFFSEASON PLAN.

Cap Room: $65,456,149 (Niners Nation)

Team Needs: WR, EDGE, CB

Coaching: Kyle Shanahan (OC, HC) Robert Saleh (DC)

GM: John Lynch (GM)

COACHING CHANGES: DC Robert Saleh should not be fired. That being said, if he can’t make it work this year, it will be his last, by nature of a midseason or an end of season firing. However, the 49ers do need some key pieces to make that Seattle Defense work. Kyle Shanahan will not be going anywhere.

IN-HOUSE SIGNINGS: Robbie Gould, K; Bradley Pinion, P; Raheem Mostert, RB; Mike Person, G;

Robbie Gould has been money since signing with the 49ers and they need to bring him back, Pinion has been a good punter since coming out of Clemson and has earned a second contract. Raheem Mostert is a pro bowl caliber gunner and should be brought back on a reasonable deal, he also has added value as a 3rd running back for the team. Mike Person signed with the 49ers late as more of an afterthought but beat out Josh Garnett for a starting spot and has played admirably of late and should be given a short deal (2 years maybe).

CUTS (OR Trades): Pierre Garcon, WR; Malcolm Smith, LB; Earl Mitchell, DT; Gary Gilliam, OT

Pierre Garcon has been okay but carries a heavy cap number, it would be best to try and find a trade partner for Garcon. Malcolm Smith has been painfully unproductive for San Francisco, if you can find a trade partner for Smith that would be best but cutting him would be best. Mitchell has been okay but the 49ers drafted D.J. Jones to take over his role and Mitchell carries a few million in cap to his name that could be cleared, Garry Gilliam could save the team just over 5 million in cap room to cut him (or maybe you restructure his contract, that would be ideal to keep him as a backup). These cuts leave San Francisco with just over 73 Million in cap, now let’s spend it. Also, the 49ers should test the trade waters for Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard, and trade one but not both.

FREE AGENCY ADDITIONS: Dee Ford, EDGE; Earl Thomas, S

Dee Ford has played spectacularly this year for Kansas City and should be a major target for San Francisco. If Ford doesn’t get a large contract in Kansas City he will demand a massive payday on the open market. San Francisco has the cap to get this done, he will command 15-18 million on the open market. San Francisco, should give Ford around 4 years/75 Million dollars, 35 Million guaranteed, front-loaded in a contract that gives a lot of its’ money in incentives for being active, as well as sack escalators as well. If they can’t sign Ford, they should look for Ezekiel Ansah, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dante Fowler, Jadaveon Clowney, Shane Ray, or Shaq Barrett if any of them hit the market. Overall the 49ers need to add one or two EDGEs in this Free Agency class. Earl Thomas was playing well before his leg injury ended his season. Earl would be worth taking a long hard look at signing. San Francisco is 1/1 signing Seattle players coming off of major injuries so far after signing Sherman to a 3 year, 39 Million dollar contract last offseason and he played very well in the 2018 season, why not take a shot on Earl Thomas? There is no question about the scheme fit because this scheme is built on Earl Thomas/Kam Chancellor/Richard Sherman/Bobby Wagner. Earl will demand around a 4 year/46 Million dollar contract (11.5 Million average), 20 million guaranteed.

DRAFT TARGETS: EDGE, WR, CB

EDGE is the main need that should be addressed in round one. The top EDGEs for the 49ers would be Nick Bosa from Ohio State, Clelin Ferrell from Clemson, Jachai Polite from Florida, or Josh Allen from Kentucky. Any of these EDGEs would be a huge help to San Francisco’s team, Bosa or Ferrell look like the most likely though. Let’s be optimistic and say San Francisco takes Nick Bosa. The 49ers should attack Wide Receiver at the beginning of day two and try to find their number one guy. Some of the best that could be available early round two are J.J. Arcega Whiteside (6’3″, 222; Stanford), Hakeem Butler (6’6″, 225; Iowa State), Riley Ridley (6’2″, 200; Georgia), or N’Keal Harry (6’4″, 221; Arizona State) Any of these are viable options that would seriously upgrade San Francisco’s receiving core. Round 3 would be where San Francisco should look for some secondary help. Viable corner options possible for early round 3 would be Derrick Baity (6’2″, 186; Kentucky), or Michael Jackson (6’1″, 225; Miami). If the 49ers came out with of the first two days with any mix of these players, fans should be happy. In day 3 the 49ers should look for depth on the linebacker core, offensive line, and secondary.

OVERVIEW: 

The Quarterback position should look much better in 2019 as Jimmy G returns from injury and looks to have a strong 1st full season as the 49ers’ starter, the running back core will boast 2018 free agency addition Jerick McKinnon coming off of an ACL, looking to prove himself as a starter, Matt Breida will also return as a fan favorite. The wide receiver core would have lost Pierre Garcon but would have picked up a very good wide receiver in day two of the draft, Dante Pettis will be looking to redeem himself after a slightly disappointing rookie year. Kendrick Bourne, Richie James, Trent Taylor will be contributors and speedster Marquise Goodwin will look to be an impact player. George Kittle could be an All-Pro level Tight End if the 2018 season showed us anything. Mike McGlinchey had a very encouraging rookie year and Joe Staley looks like he will stay around for another year as Jimmy G’s blindside protector. Mike Person and Laken Tomlinson are each average players at the guard position and 2018 free agent addition Weston Richburg looks to have an impact at center. The EDGE rusher position should be significantly bolstered through free agency and the draft, hopefully with two star level players. The interior will consist of one of the leagues best with DeForest Buckner. Ronald Blair came on last year and will try to continue that, Solomon Thomas needs to prove that he is a good player on this defense and Cassius Marsh is good EDGE depth. Fred Warner had a good rookie year and Rueben Foster should have a bounce back campaign leaving the 49ers very strong at linebacker with one of the leagues best units. The cornerback core should include a Veteran Pro Bowler Richard Sherman and a day 2 addition as well as 2017 3rd round pick Ahkello Witherspoon, who showed promise in his rookie year but seemed to fall off in his 2nd year, he will look to have a bounce back campaign. K’Waun Williams will continue to be a good player at slot corner. Earl Thomas will man the middle of the field in the Seattle defense, Adrian Colbert would try to fill in some, Tartt will be the Kam Chancellor at strong safety if he can stay healthy. This 49ers team, if everything goes right, should be a playoff team.