San Francisco 49ers Team Needs

By: Greg Davis

Defensive Line
Adding defensive end Justin Smith in free agency helped add talent to a position that needed it, but it may still be of use to acquire more help there. Where the 49ers can really improve, though, is at the tackle position. The current nose tackles haven’t played well enough to secure their jobs, so the team could look to find a defensive tackle early in the draft that can come in and help out from day one. Smith and the rest of the defensive line would be aided by a tackle who can slow the running game and also draw attention from offensive linemen.

Offensive Line
On the offensive line, both the guard and tackle positions require additional depth as the team heads forward. San Francisco has to prepare under the assumption that guard Larry Allen will not be back next season, and they have also lost two contributing linemen to free agency. The overall depth is almost non-existent and the team has to try and improve as much as possible in the draft by finding high value at each pick they use on an offensive lineman.

Linebacker
As for the linebacker position, it’s really more a matter of the team finding players who can make their way to the opposing team’s quarterback. Defensive end Bryant Young led the team in sacks last season with just 6.5, and he won’t be returning this season as he has hung up his cleats. The end position or the linebacker position could really use another player who can get after a quarterback and make teams think a little harder in passing situations. Justin Smith should provide some help in this area, but he can’t be the only piece to the puzzle when it comes to getting into the offensive backfield and making things more difficult on the passer.