San Francisco 49ers: 7 Key Issues the Team Needs to Address This Offseason

The 2011 season saw the resurrection of one of the NFL's most successful franchises in the San Francisco 49ers.

Yet, going from 6-10 to 13-3, having nine players named to the Pro Bowl, eight named All-Pro, and Jim Harbaugh winning the AP Coach of the Year was not enough to make the Super Bowl.

There are a number of key issues the Niners need to address before attempting a deeper run in 2012.

Here are the top seven.

1. Wide Receiver

If the Niners’ playoff run revealed one chink in the stoic team’s armor, it was at the wideout position.

All wide receivers combined for a diminutive 25.5 yards per game in the playoffs, and those were in games where a resurgent Alex Smith threw for 299 and 196 yards respectively.

With three receivers slated to hit free agency (Morgan, Ginn, and Zeigler) and poor playoff performances from Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams, the 49ers’ receiving core is up in the air at this point.

Re-signing Morgan could be key here, as could striking gold in a free-agency market that projects a deep pool of receivers. The Niners will also look to the rookie draft to fill this void where the likes of Alshon Jeffery or Mohamed Sanu could still be available by the 30th pick.

2. Cornerback

For years now, lackluster play in the secondary has been the Achilles heel to one of the league’s best defenses. Sadly, in a season that saw two of its four starters make the Pro Bowl, this was the case for the 49ers once more. Assuming the Niners and Carlos Rogers can come to terms on a new contract, which by no means is a guarantee, they are still without a strong No. 2 corner.

In an ideal world, Tarell Brown plays in the nickel package and Chris Culliver continues to be groomed for the future while still playing in four receiver sets. The problem with this vision is that Shawntae Spencer goes another year leeching $3.3 million worth of salary to play fifth cornerback.

With the Niners presumably using their first-round pick on a receiver and with a star already in the making in Culliver, the logical solution would be looking to free agency or trading for veteran talent. Big names that could hit free agency include Rashean Mathis, Tracy Porter, Stanford Routt and Cortland Finnegan.

3. Guard/Center

After the wide receiver and cornerback issues, all other problems pale in comparison. A distant third problem, however, would have to be the combination guard and center position. The injury-plagued trio of Jonathan Goodwin, Adam Snyder and Chilo Rachal were mediocre at their best.

Bringing up the Harbowl should serve as a painful reminder of this fact. The solution to this problem is not clear-cut, as a number of options are available. With Snyder more of a jack-of-all-trades, it would be conceivable for the 49ers to seek out a more permanent guard and have Snyder assume the backup roll so poorly filled by Rachal.

Alternatively, they could keep Snyder as the starting right guard and find another backup to fight/push Rachal for the backup role. It’s also possible the Niners have already addressed this and someone like a Daniel Kilgore or Mike Person is ready to step up to the plate.

4. Running Back of the Future

It takes little foresight to anticipate Frank Gore’s decline. His productivity has already been declining for years. He hasn’t played a full season since 2006 and lost more and more carries to Kendall Hunter as the 2011 season went on.

What’s worse, transitioning Hunter into the featured back isn’t the answer. At 5’7” and 199 pounds, he’s a great change-of-pace back to run the ball outside the tackles, but lacks the strength and durability to play all three downs. Anthony Dixon has also proven he doesn't have what it takes to replace Gore. 

Turning 29 before the 2012 season starts, Gore is nearing the end of his career, but still might have a little tread left on his tires, especially with Hunter spelling him on third downs. However, this would be the ideal year to find a new running back, giving him some time to adjust to the system before taking the reins.

5. Re-Sign the Secondary

As it stands, the 49ers are scheduled to lose five defensive backs to free agency (Rogers, Goldson, R.Smith, M.Williams and Spillman), four of which are safeties and two of which are Pro Bowlers. Signing Rogers is more important than signing Goldson, but re-signing both would be beneficial. Williams is expendable, but Spillman and Smith are both excellent special teamers and great backups.

If reasonable deals can be worked out, which is always a concern with Goldson, it would be great to return the core of the secondary. A walking highlight reel, it is important the Niners don’t overpay for Goldson either; they might just end up franchise tagging him. He often goes for the interception or big hit instead of wrapping up and the 49ers need sure tackling. If Goldson isn’t going to perform up to his desired salary, then it’s time to show him the door. Again.

6. Continued Improvement of Aldon Smith

Aldon Smith was robbed of Defensive Rookie of the Year and was one bogus penalty away from setting the rookie record for sacks. With that said, he still needs to improve on his coverage skills. Last season, the Niners used him almost exclusively in their blitz packages and opposing offensive coordinators could see it coming a mile away…not that they could ever do much about it.

This season Smith needs to make himself multidimensional by improving his coverage capabilities and transitioning into a three-down linebacker. If so, he has the talent and physical prowess to be the next DeMarcus Ware. He is going to strike fear into the hearts of opposing quarterbacks for a long, long time.

7. Kick/Punt Returner

What to do with Ted Ginn? That is the question that is almost as difficult as what to do with Kyle Williams. Ginn is a flashy returner who has made about as many bonehead plays as he has spectacular ones. While no one can take anything away from his Week 1 performance against the ‘Hawks, his suspect play at wide receiver leaves some serious question marks.

If the Niners re-sign Ginn, they would be shelling out some serious money for what is essentially a dedicated kick returner.

Unless they sign another receiver this offseason with comparable return abilities, this is likely the route they will take.

Health concerns and a shaky backup in Kyle Williams makes this a real head-scratcher. A promising rookie season for Williams was marred by two costly mistakes in the NFC Championship that cost the Niners a Super Bowl appearance. Who knows if Harbaugh will keep someone he can’t trust.