Roster Holes 49ers Must Fill Before Training Camp

The San Francisco 49ers should feel comfortable about their depth at most positions.

After all, this is a roster that went to the Super Bowl last season and has proved to be a perennial contender in the NFC.

The 49ers do not have to tweak much going into the 2024 regular season, but there are a few spots of concern.

A few defensive reinforcements could be added just to solidify spots on the field.

There will also be an intense focus on right tackle to see if the 49ers have the right starter in place, and if not, a free-agent move might have to be made.

Cornerback

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Deommodore Lenoir #2 of the San Francisco 49ers defends in coverage during Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

The 49ers are going into training camp with Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir and Ambry Thomas as their cornerbacks.

There is not a ton of depth behind the trio. Rock Ya-Sin and Issac Yiadom are decent backups, but the 49ers could feel more comfortable with better players behind the starters.

San Francisco could look into signing a veteran corner, of which there are some available.

Xavien Howard, Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson are among the top corners still on the free-agent market.

All of them could be intrigued by joining a Super Bowl contender, but the fit has to be perfect on both ends.

The 49ers may be comfortable with adding a depth piece instead of a star so that Ward, Lenoir and Thomas can have a bulk of the snaps.

However, adding a top-tier corner could be the difference between winning and losing the Super Bowl, especially if the 49ers go up against Patrick Mahomes again.

Defensive Tackle

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs is sacked by Randy Gregory #5 and Javon Hargrave #98 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Javon Hargrave was an excellent addition in free agency last offseason.

The run stopper will partner Maliek Collins on the interior to begin the 2024 campaign.

The 49ers could use a bit of extra depth behind Hargrave and Collins just to keep them fresh until the important parts of the season.

Adding a free agent at defensive tackle would be more of a luxury signing for the 49ers than a cornerback because they have two established starters with some depth behind them.

San Francisco should not have any concerns about the pass-rushing unit around Nick Bosa on the edge, so it could look to improve some of its interior depth to be more well-rounded.

Right Tackle

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 20: Colton McKivitz #68 of the San Francisco 49ers lines up during an NFL divisional round playoff football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

San Francisco's biggest offensive question comes at right tackle.

Colton McKivitz will be given the opportunity to win the job again, but his play will be under a microscope.

McKivitz just needs to improve on his level from 2023 to prove that he can be a good complement to Trent Williams as the anchors of the offensive line.

The 49ers should have eyes on the free-agent market in case McKivitz does not take a step up in performance.

Donovan Smith, David Bakhtiari, Charles Leno and Jason Peters are among the free-agent options the 49ers could explore over the next few weeks.

There are not many options, but one of the could step in if McKivitz is viewed to not be the guy at right tackle.