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Who do the 49ers have and who do they need?
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With the free agency signing period almost three weeks old, I want to take a look at which players the 49ers acquired and what kind of outlook the team has in store for them in the next coming weeks leading up to the NFL Draft.
First, the 49ers took care of two important players from the past season by re-signing them.
- LB Takeo Spikes; 2 years, terms unknown
- KR Allen Rossum; terms unknown
Spikes was clearly a fan favorite and a major impact to the 49ers defense last season. He finished second on the team in total tackles and provided great veteran leadership for the young linebacker group. There was interest for Spikes to remain with the team and the 49ers made the right choice in retaining him. He will still provide help at the "ted" linebacker position for the team.
His signing gives the 49ers security in the linebacker position. The emergence of Parys Haralson as the outside linebacker, along with the strength of Patrick Willis, already gives the 49ers a very young, talented group. The problem with the team now is Manny Lawson, the other outside linebacker. The 49ers are in desperate need of a pass rusher and Lawson has not lived up to that potential just yet.
Through the Draft, it looks like the 49ers could find a pass rusher in the first round. Lawson has been hampered by injuries throughout his young career, which has slowed his development. If the 49ers to draft a linebacker, there might be a battle during training camps. However, the signing of Spikes does at least give the team a lot of stability in the linebacker position and can give the 49ers enough strength to try out a new linebacker if needed.
Rossum's re-signing made a lot of sense for the team. Special teams has been the best weapon for the team the past few seasons (or only weapon since past offenses were pretty bad). Rossum still has some gas left in his tank and proved it last year. The 49ers' other potential kick returner is tight end Delanie Walker and I don't think that would be that great of an option for the team. Rossum provides a great veteran presence and as the second best kick returner in the game (in terms of yards gained), it's very smart to keep him around.
I'm very pleased with the return of these two players. The 49ers didn't add any big name players like they have in the past couple seasons (Nate Clements, Justin Smith), but they did add players that are going to be solid in cementing the foundation of the team.
- DB Jimmy Williams; terms unknown
- FB Moran Norris; $5M/3 yrs, $1.5M SB
- WR Brandon Jones: UFA Titans; $16.6M/5 yrs, $5.4M guaranteed
- DE Demetric Evans: UFA Redskins; $3.8M/2 yrs
- QB Damon Huard: FA Chiefs; 1 yr, terms unknown
Williams is an experiment for the 49ers. He didn't play at all last year and the 49ers are looking to put him in the safety position. I am not too sure what to expect, but at least the 49ers are not throwing him right into the mix. The 49ers are looking for safety help and Williams could be the answer. If not, that's OK. He still has untapped talent that might surface this year.
Norris' signing was a no-brainer. The 49ers bring back the fullback that helped Frank Gore in his two best seasons in the league. Good move right here.
Jones is a hit or miss signing. He isn't a #1 receiver, yet there is a lot of room for him to jump on the depth chart. I won't think too much on this signing just yet. But I am interested to see how Jones is a supposed upgrade over the departed Bryant Johnson.
Evans may be the best signing the team has made so far. In securing stability in the 3-4 defense, finding a solid player to work opposite Justin Smith would be awesome. The Kentwan Balmer experiment has not developed and if Evans does earn the starting job, he should help bring pressure to the opposing quarterback.
Huard comes in as the third string quarterback for the team. But if it's an open battle for the quarterback position and Huard is the most experienced, I won't rule him out of anything. His veteran presence is what the team signed him for, but he might just be more than that.
The 49ers addressed some needs on the team with these signings, but they haven't given themselves a chance to really take that next step forward.
All off-season long, it was obvious the team needed a new pass rusher, right tackle and running back. They also need safety help, but at least for now, they look like they have all their starters in tact. The Draft looks like the next destination for the 49ers to find help in these three areas.
I would assume that even if the 49ers do end up with the choice of drafting a quarterback at #10, they would opt not to and draft a player like LB Everette Brown to take care of their pass rushing woes. They could find a good handful of tackles in the draft as well. And for the running back, they can find their idea "215-pounder" in any round to back up Frank Gore.
There are a few other free agents the team can look into before they go into the Draft, but it doesn't look like the team will pursue any major free agents. They have been hosting visits from cornerbacks Eric Green and Karl Paymah. If they do sign a cornerback, the team will be stacked at that position. Aside from these visits, it looks like the 49ers will focus on the Draft.
**Eric Green has signed with the Dolphins
There is always that possibility that the 49ers can trade up or down in the Draft, or even trade picks away for players. And given the situation of the NFC West, the 49ers are so close to being contenders for the division title. The team could use that one big move, trade that sets them apart from the pack. Recent history has shown us that the 49ers usually aren't very active in making trades during the Draft. Yet with the team so close, maybe it's time they pull the trigger.
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