San Francisco 49ers Offseason Plan for Dream Targets

San Francisco 49er fans can look at a 14-4 season that ended in ugly untypical fashion in the NFC Championship Game and say not much is needed. In light of the team’s surprisingly strong defense, its offensive deficiencies are not that great.

To make this team into a viable, consistent Super Bowl contender for two or three years comes down to the addition of key players such as a big-play wide receiver. Everyone knows that, but there are other areas to improve and the franchise must do so without compromising the team's chemistry or identity.

Here are five key moves general manager Trent Baalke will be looking at in the offseason, with a rundown of the likelihood of it coming to fruition.

Big-Play Receiver

Niner fans look around the league and see a Calvin Johnson or AJ Green and say, “if we had one of those, we’d be unstoppable.”

One of those means a big (6’4” or taller), fast (real fast), agile and talented receiver who is, as the saying goes, open even when he’s covered. (You throw it anyway because he can make the play at any time.)

The only problem is that they are very rare. There is a player in this year’s draft, Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State (pictured), who fits into that category, but various rating sites have him among the league’s elite. CBSSports.com, for example, ranks him the sixth-best player in the draft.

Drafting at No. 30, the Niners appear to have no chance. And it would seem much too far of a reach for Baalke to try to arrange a trade that would bring Blackmon to the team. Remember, in 1985 the Niners got Jerry Rice at the 15^th slot — not in the top seven. There’s little doubt that giving up perhaps two first-round draft picks and more — a player and more drafts — would be the cost for Blackmon.

Chances of Happening: five percent

Should Happen? No. Price is too high.

Free-Agent Receiver

There are two decent free agents in the market. First is Dwayne Bowe of the Chiefs, a five-year player who is rated above the better known, bigger Vincent Jackson of the Chargers.

Bowe, listed as the 12^th best free agent on the market, has made one Pro Bowl. His rough averages are about five catches a game in 75 games for the Chiefs, who have been, for the most part, challenged when it comes to the passing game.

At 6’2” and 221 lbs, he’s strong enough to beat press coverage. But I think he’ll be too expensive. The better choice would be Stevie Johnson (pictured), who is just as big, has one less year in the league and is considered the best route runner in the NFL. (That’s what you develop when you go against Darrell Revis twice a year.)

Johnson, who was born in San Francisco, is a better fit than Jackson (too old), Bowe (too expensive), Marques Colston (Brees-created) and DeSean Jackson (too moody).

Chances of Happening: 70 percent

Should Happen: Yes, for the right contract numbers.

Right Guard

The Niners, even with Alex Smith throwing quick and short, gave up 44 sacks in the regular season, and seven more in the two playoff games.

Perhaps no area separates the Niners from the elite teams like the Packers, Saints and Giants than their lack of converting on 3rd-and-long. Granted, it would help if the Niners had better receivers, but there were many times when Smith would drop back and find himself inundated by rushers. He’d shut down the play and take the sack rather than risk an interception.

A free-agent right guard named Carl Nicks is available. He plays right guard, he's excellent in pass protection and he’s been to a Pro Bowler. And he’ll be expensive.

Nicks is rated the second-best free agent on the market, according to CBSSports.com. He’s second to teammate Drew Brees, who seems assured to re-sign with the Saints. I have a feeling that Baalke would take a long, long look at this proposition.

Chances of Happening: 50 percent

Should Happen: Yes, but won’t. The Saints could give Nicks the “franchise” tag and thus keep him for a year. The Niners have Daniel Kilgore and Alex Boone as backup offensive linemen who might fill this position as well.

Draft Next Best Receiver

Many sites have Michael Floyd of Notre Dame as the second-best receiver in the draft, and he ranks in the 20-something selections in terms of overall ranking. The Niners draft 30^th, and that’s where pre-draft plans come into play.

If the Niners see him at the combine and he wows Baalke and Harbaugh, then there’s the strong possibility that they will have to come up with a package to move up eight or 10 spots to get him.

Here are the teams drafting from 18-27: Chargers (who could lose Vincent Jackson), Bears, Titans, Bengals, Browns (from Falcons), Lions, Steelers, Broncos, Texans and Patriots. Of these teams you could say that only the Bengals, Lions, Steelers and Texans don’t need a player like Floyd in light of other needs.

That said, the asking price for Floyd will likely involve a first, second and another second-round pick in 2013.

Chances of Happening: 20 percent

Should Happen: No.

Secondary Re-Signings

Dashon Goldson’s free agency prior to the 2011 season was not what he wanted, which was something along the lines of $4 million a year for three or four years. He ended up signing for $2 million for one year with the Niners.

Goldson’s play at safety, however, was very good. He totaled six interceptions and established himself as one of the game’s best hitters. That alone should make him very attractive on the market. At the same time he has to consider who he’s playing with.

As the center fielder on what should be the NFL’s premier defense in 2012, he has the inside spot to grow his stature in the game. And the same goes for cornerback Carlos Rogers (No. 22). That the Niners could put pressure on opposition quarterbacks with just their front four gives all deep defenders more help, and that’s good for all.

Getting these two players to sign three or four-year contracts would go a long ways towards stabilizing the defense.

Chances of Happening: 90 percent

Should Happen: Yes, for both players’ benefit.