San Francisco 49ers Offseason 2012: Identifying the Top 5 Needs

The San Francisco 49ers of 2011 did little to indicate a glaring deficiency in need of fixing for 2012.

Compiling 13 wins and nearly securing a Super Bowl birth have a tendency of equating to NFL proficiency.

However, the Niners were missing key components that prevented them from vanquishing the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game.

The most readily apparent were the wide receiver position and offensive line. A single reception by the former and the latter allowing three sacks in a game before the Super Bowl simply won’t cut it.

Let’s examine these, as well as other positional needs as the 49ers continue their process of improving during this offseason through free agency and the 2012 NFL Draft.

Wide Receiver

No team lacked playmakers at the wide receiver position as much as the 49ers did in the 2011 postseason, or regular season for that matter.

Former first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree is best suited as a No. 2 wideout. He cannot operate as the team’s go-to option with his inconsistent performances at gaining separation from opposing defensive backs.

Josh Morgan, when healthy, is a legitimate weapon for Alex Smith but by no means is an elite receiver. Kyle Williams is effective out of the slot with his speed and solid route running as the third or fourth option. (Although some might argue that he’s merely a depth-chart filler.)

Ted Ginn Jr. is a prolific return-man, but is ineffective as a wide receiver.

Vernon Davis is an undeniable top-five tight end, but even players at the upper echelon at their position cannot overcome double teams on nearly every play.

With all of this in mind, it should be abundantly clear that the 49ers need to acquire receivers through the NFL Draft and free agency. Both are as stacked with talented players as has been seen in years.

Notable players potentially available in the draft in various rounds include Mohamed Sanu (Rutgers), Rueben Randle (LSU), Stephen Hill (Georgia Tech), Marvin Jones (Cal) and Marvin McNutt (Iowa).

Possible additions through free agency include Mike Wallace (Steelers; restricted), Stevie Johnson (Bills), Vincent Jackson (Chargers), Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs) and Marques Colston and Robert Meachem of the Saints.

Expect GM Trent Baalke and the rest of the 49ers staff to make a strong push towards acquiring multiple playmaking wideouts.

Right Guard

It is safe to say that the 49ers would be wise in making a splash in this area of need.

The offensive line was a quality run-blocking group, but performed inadequately at times in pass protection. Paving the way for a 2,044-yard output by the running backs, but allowing a combined 51 sacks (regular and postseason) says it all.

The abysmal play of Chilo Rachal early on in the season caused significant unease amongst the 49er faithful. Adam Snyder functioned as a relative godsend after being inserted in the lineup at right guard and with his filling in at the center position.

However, Snyder’s value with the team lies with his jack-of-all-trades versatility and not as an every-down starter. He is a free agent and should be resigned, albeit for a backup role.

Rachal will certainly seek employment elsewhere, while Daniel Kilgore should remain behind left guard Mike Iupati on the depth chart.

So, that leaves a gaping hole at the right guard slot.

I can see a few plausible means for assuaging this shortcoming.

The first involves landing one of the most-prized free agents and preeminent right guards in Carl Nicks of the Saints. He helped form one of the best offensive fronts in all of the NFL for quarterback Drew Brees. Ben Grubbs of the Ravens would be a second-tier option as well.

A second possible move would entail drafting a top-rated offensive guard, in this case Cordy Glenn of Georgia.

Both Mel Kiper, Jr. of ESPN and B/R’s own Matt Miller of New Era Scouting rank Glen as the second-best guard and near the 30th overall selection in the draft. Kiper lauded his above-average and exceptional football traits. Whether or not the Niners would have to trade up to grab him remains to be seen.

Another option is selecting an elite offensive tackle prospect in the gigantic Mike Adams of Ohio State. This would require moving current right tackle Anthony Davis over to right guard. Adams is a highly-rated prospect (scout grade of 89 according to Kiper), but may be too raw and injury-prone to adequately fulfill the RT role immediately.

In any case, shoring up at the right side of the offensive line will do wonders for the 49ers in 2012.

Cornerback

One of the few demerits in this otherwise dominant, NFL-elite defense was the play of the cornerbacks against the pass.

Now, I must qualify this as an issue regarding personnel depth; most of any other criticisms would be just plain nitpicking. To wit, while the 49ers defense ranked 16th overall against the pass, they occupied the No. 8 slot in touchdowns allowed (20) and were tied for second in interceptions (23).

The consistently stellar performances of Carlos Rogers (tied for second in the league with six INTs) exemplified the ball-hawking tendencies of this squad.

Unfortunately, Rogers is a free agent, and while there is an encouraging likelihood that he’ll be resigned, the 49ers have a major issue here if he does not.

Tarell Brown was a solid contributor opposite Rogers and ranked in the top 40 according to ProFootballFocus, but is not ready to assume the No. 1 role. Much of this derives from who sits behind him on the depth chart.

That man is Chris Culliver, a young and up-and-coming corner who continues to progress, but who should remain in nickel and dime packages in 2012. He performed poorly at times against both elite quarterbacks (Manning, Brees) and career backups (A.J. Feely, Kellen Clemens).

While this did not occur on a consistent basis, it still merits legitimate concerns about his readiness to ascend into the starting lineup. 

Tramaine Brock, meanwhile, saw limited action. When he did, however, he allowed a TD and quarterback rating of 109.7 against the Cowboys, and a TD and QB rating of 143.8 against the Giants in the NFC Championship Game.

I’ll let you decide if he’s ready to move up the depth chart.

With that said, the 49ers absolutely need to select a corner early in the draft and/or sign a quality free agent to provide necessary depth.

Early-round options capable of immediate NFL action are Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama) and Alonzo Dennard (Nebraska), and perhaps Leonard Johnson (Iowa State) and Chase Minnifield (Virginia).

High-priced, yet qualified free agents include Brandon Carr (Chiefs), Brent Grimes (Falcons) and Cortland Finnegan (Titans).

The hope is that Rogers re-ups with the team. Either way, the 49er brass will be sure to land a corner in their customary calm, methodical and financially sound manner. We witnessed as much last year and heard it again from Baalke this year. 

3-4 Defensive End

With the six-year extension given to Ahmad Brooks yesterday, the 49ers locked up one of their most important free agents. It also satisfied a significant need.

Therefore, I have elevated the need for a 3-4 DE above that of an outside linebacker.

On the surface, this team appears totally set at the defensive line.

The beastly Ray McDonald and indefatigable Justin Smith coming off the edge. Isaac Sopoaga clogging up the middle, preventing lineman from getting to the second level.

However, McDonald and Smith played nearly every down (more so with Smith; McDonald experienced a few setbacks). Both also lack adequate talent behind them. Which begs the question: will these men be able to play at such an invincible pace for a second consecutive year?

While I have full confidence in their durability, the NFL is simply too unpredictable. Failing to produce a competent backup through the draft that could both learn from and spell these veterans would be illogical.

(Trent Baalke and the rest of the 49ers front office are anything but.)

Point being, such a player would be a developmental prospect capable of coming in on occasion to rush the passer. He would not be three-down D-lineman in other words.

Attractive late-round prospects materialize in Trevor Guyton out of Cal and Tyrone Crawford of Boise State. Both are solid in setting the edge against the run as well.

As for the free-agent market, let's just say Mario Williams is a pipe dream in the truest sense.

Center And/or Running Back And/or 3-4 OLB

This may raise the skeptical eyebrow among 49er fans.

C Jonathan Goodwin and RB Frank Gore have at least two more years remaining on their contracts. Kendall Hunter already complements Gore in an explosive two-back system, while Brooks, Aldon Smith and the rest of the Niner linebacker corps are signed long-term.

Goodwin and Gore are well past their primes and may witness the end of their careers at the conclusion of their contracts. I’m cognizant of how blasphemous this sounds regarding Frank, one of the toughest and most honorable in franchise history. He will eventually succumb to injury, though, and Goodwin seems good for retirement in a few years.

Baalke and Harbaugh should set their eyes on quality young centers and backs as the post-combine draft process continues. These should be players poised for on-the-field action sooner rather than later. The center position is a greater need, but drafting a running back to work in concert with Hunter would be wise.

Michael Brewster (Ohio State) and David Molk (Michigan) certainly could blossom into talented centers.

Oregon's LaMichael James in the third round is rather intriguing as a dynamic addition. Late-round prospects are abundant but question marks at this point. 

As for a 3-4 OLB, drafting one in the sixth- or seventh-round would be a sensible pick for a player destined initially for special teams. He would provide depth, while not being pressured to master defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s complex system right away.

Baalke might find his guy in Pittsburgh's Brandon Lindsey or Darius Fleming of Notre Dame.

Readers, how do you feel about the 49ers' most pressing needs?