San Francisco 49ers: Realistic Dream Scenario for Opening Day Starters

It's time to dream about the San Francisco 49ers' opportunity to improve their roster in 2012 through free agency and the 2012 NFL draft and predict the team's opening day starters.

So far, things look good for the 49ers, having just locked up outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks until 2017.

The best news about this deal is that Brooks' contract only counts for $2.85 million against the cap in 2012, and the total amount is less than previously reported (previously reported six-year $44.5 million, actually only six-year $37 million).

With the 49ers sitting at approximately $39.3 million under the projected cap for 2012 before they signed Brooks, the team is in fantastic position to make some major moves to improve their roster.

Let's take a peek into the future and see what the team might possibly end up looking like when the season begins in 2012.

Left Defensive End

Ray McDonald

The 49ers need to address the depth behind McDonald, but there is no need to look for an upgrade here. The team rewarded him with a five-year $20 million contract last offseason, and he will keep getting better as he continues working out with Justin Smith.

McDonald wasn't as effective in the latter part of the season and into the playoffs as he had been earlier in the year due to an nagging hamstring injury. When he is healthy, though, McDonald is one of the premier 3-4 defensive ends in the NFL. 

Nose Tackle

Isaac Sopoaga

Sopoaga has one year left on his current five-year deal. He was a behemoth on the front line of the 49ers defense in 2011 and one of the chief contributors to the team's league-leading and record-breaking run defense.

Sopoaga is one of the reasons everyone gets treated from week-to-week by Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman's incredible playmaking abilities. 

While drafting his replacement should be high on the 49ers' priority list, there is no need to replace him just yet. He is an unmovable object in the middle of the 49ers defense, and his incredible strength enables him to take on double teams with ease.

Right Defensive End

Justin Smith

There is not one single 3-4 defensive end in the entire NFL I'd rather have than Smith. He is simply the best.

His ability to shove 330-pound offensive tackles into the grill of their quarterback while they try desperately to stop him from doing so is one of the most beautiful things I've ever witnessed on a football field.

Smith has two years remaining on his contract, and the 49ers should be looking for his replacement in this year's draft.

Right Outside Linebacker

Ahmad Brooks

While I'm happy the 49ers re-signed Brooks, I can't say he's my dream free agent here. I was dreaming about Mario Williams...

Still, Brooks is a solid contributor for the 49ers. His steady play in the running game and surprisingly in the passing game played a major role in the incredible success of the team's defense in 2011.

He is a rock on the edge of the 49ers run defense and a streaky sack-master, and I'm glad to have him back.

Inside Linebackers

NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis

Honestly, who would you rather the 49ers had playing next to P. Willy? 

Both men were named to the All-Pro team in 2011, and the arrow looks to be pointing up for both of them as well. They will be in the second year of Vic Fangio's system next year, and I expect them to be even better in 2012 than they were last year as a result.

Scary for opponents...dreamy for 49ers fans.

Left Outside Linebacker

Aldon Smith

Smith almost broke an NFL rookie record for sacks in 2011, collecting 14 sacks (t-fifth in the NFL) while only playing in about half the snaps for the 49ers defense.

He might be good.

Smith will be starting in 2012, and I'm ecstatic about finally having an elite pass-rusher on the field for the 49ers again. 

Left Cornerback

Carlos Rogers

After remaining largely anonymous for his first six seasons as the starting cornerback for the Washington Redskins, Rogers busted out with a career year playing for Vic Fangio.

He fits in perfectly with what the 49ers do on defense, and his man-to-man coverage abilities were good enough to put a damper on many of the league's best wide receivers (not named Victor Cruz) in 2011. 

Rogers should be back in 2012, but stranger things have happened.

Strong Safety

Donte Whitner

Whitner played with fire and passion for the 49ers in 2011, and he has become one of the vocal leaders on the team's defense and in the locker room.

He is a punishing run defender and was surprisingly good in the passing game last year.

There isn't a single free-agent strong safety I'd trade this year for Whitner, and I can't wait to see what he brings next season.

Free Safety

Dashon Goldson

Things are looking good for the 49ers in their pursuit to retain the services of Goldson. Although Trent Baalke has said he'd rather not have to franchise anyone this year, he has conceded Goldson would likely be the target if he had to use it.

Goldson has recently fired Drew Rosenhaus and hired another agent, CAA, one that has a history of successfully negotiating deals with the 49ers.

One way or another, Goldson will be roaming the secondary for the 49ers in 2012, and I couldn't he happier (unless Troy Polamalu decided he wanted to cross over).

He is a punishing run defender and a rangy ball-hawk, the perfect combination for a free safety. Sure, he can get better at taking proper angles, but he has all the physical tools you could ask for and the desire to lay wood, both in the running game and in the passing game.

Right Cornerback

Brandon Carr

Let's take a look at the current cap situation for a second, shall we?

If we figure $7-8 million for Carlos Rogers and $6 million for Dashon Goldson combined with the $3 million Ahmad Brooks is going to get in 2012 (rough figures for the sake of argument and likely high for Rogers), the 49ers would still have approximately $21 million left in cap space. 

What if they spent about $5-6 million on Carr?

Sure, I know that Chis Culliver promises to be a good player. He sure showed it in 2011. Carr is a proven veteran that can cover with the best of them, though.

Besides, these days, you need three excellent corners to cover all the three-wide sets teams are throwing out on the field. It wouldn't be a bad thing to have Culliver come in on nickel situations.

And after the deal, the 49ers still have roughly $15 million left to spend on offense, and the defense would be even more fearsome in 2012 than they were last year.

Left Tackle

Joe Staley

Staley had a career year in 2011, earning both Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. He signed a nine-year whopper of a deal with the team in 2009, and he is going to be around for the long haul.

That's not a bad thing, though. Although Staley can lose his mojo every once in a while, he has become one of the top-10 offensive tackles in the NFL.

Staley was asked to handle the best pass-rushers one-on-one most of the year, as the team struggled to contain pressure on the right side of the line. For the most part, he performed admirably, and his athleticism comes in quite handy in the running game, as we all saw in the NFC divisional game against the New Orleans Saints.

Left Guard

Mike Iupati

I must admit I'm a bit disappointed Iupati didn't progress as much in 2011 as I had hoped he would. He struggled in the passing game, showing limited mobility due to below-average lateral movement.

Still, he is an absolute beast in the running game, and his ability to drive massive men backwards is a beautiful thing.

I believe the lockout was the culprit when it comes to Iupati's lack of progression in 2011, and I'm expecting him to live up to expectations and become dominant in 2012.

Center

Chris Myers

Jonathan Goodwin was one of the weak links in the 49ers pass-protecting chain. He's also old, at 33. He is set to earn $2.4 million in 2012, and I believe the 49ers should cut him and go after Myers in free agency.

Myers has been the Houston Texans starting center for the last five years. He has anchored one of the most successful offenses in the NFL, and at 30 years old, he gives the 49ers some stability for at least a few more years barring injury.

He is also going to test the free agency market, according to the latest reports via Pro Football Talk. 

Bringing him in would bolster both the running game and the passing game, and he would instantly make the 49ers offense better. It might also run them close to $5 million per year.

Right Guard

Cordy Glenn

Adam Snyder and Chilo Rachal are both free agents, and I sure as heck don't want to ever see Rachal in a 49ers uniform again.

After watching Glenn work out at the combine, I'm convinced he'd be an excellent replacement for Rachal. He could come right in and start for the 49ers from day one, making Snyder expendable, with Daniel Kilgore still waiting in the wings.

Heck, he could even move over and play tackle if there was a need. 

He would also be cheap. Last year's 30th-overall selection was Muhammad Wilkerson, who signed a four-year, $6.87 million contract with the New York Jets.

Right Tackle

Anthony Davis

Davis made some good strides in 2011. As long as there is good help next to him, he plays well.

Remember, Davis is still only 22 years old.

He is an athletic young man who is a punishing run blocker. He is aggressive and passionate, and he has put in the time in the gym and in the film room to get better. 

I expect to see Davis continue to grow both physically and mentally. At his young age, he's just going to continue getting stronger and bigger as he moves into his late-20s. 

I look forward to watching him develop, and I expect him to become one of the best right tackles in the NFL in the next two years.

No. 1 Wide Receiver

Stevie Johnson

Johnson's agent has recently said he was "very optimistic after a productive meeting" with the Buffalo Bills, via Pro Football Talk.

We all know that his statement really doesn't amount to jack. Talks could just as easily blow up the next time the two sides meet.

If he goes to free agency, the 49ers should do everything in their power to land him. Johnson would finally give the 49ers the missing piece to their offense: a legitimate deep threat and No. 1 receiver.

He is a polished route-runner who would excel within the 49ers West Coast offense, and his presence will alleviate pressure so that the No. 2 receiver will become more successful as well.

I believe the 49ers could land his services for under $6 million per year, leaving them $4 million under the cap at this point in the experiment.

No. 2 Wide Receiver

Michael Crabtree

I'm not a Crabtree hater, I swear. I actually think he will flourish once he doesn't have to handle the opposition's best defender. 

He just isn't good enough to beat the best corners in the game. He is a precise route-runner with excellent hands (when he is paying attention to the ball), and he will be dangerous as a second option within the 49ers offense.

I will be waiting with anticipation to see whether or not he actually puts in a training camp, though. If he does, I believe it will have a tremendously positive impact on his relationship with Alex Smith.

Tight End

Vernon Davis

Davis and Alex Smith started clicking like crazy toward the end of the regular season in 2011, and their chemistry continued to develop into the playoffs. 

I expect this combination to continue gelling, and Davis should reel in double-digit touchdowns in 2012.

Fullback

Bruce Miller

I love this guy. It seems like he just embodies Tom Rathman out there on the field. 

As a rookie who'd never played offense before, Miller showed some awesome potential, both in the running game and as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.

He will continue improving his game, as he understands what's required of him and gets the playbook seared into his subconscious.

Running Back

Frank Gore

As much as I love Kendall Hunter, Gore still has at least one good year left in that tank of his.

Gore remains one of the top-10 running backs in the NFL. He will continue to shoulder the bulk of the load for the 49ers in 2012, though I expect to see Hunter get his fair share of opportunities, especially in the passing game.

Quarterback

Alex Smith

In my dream scenario, Smith signs a team-friendly contract with lots of performance bonuses written in. With approximately $4 million left, the 49ers have enough to keep their own Captain Comeback wearing crimson and gold for at least three more years.

I'm excited about what an entire offseason with Jim Harbaugh is going to do for Smith. We all saw the incredible boost of confidence Harbaugh inspired in Smith.

I can't wait to see what a lifetime's worth of film study from a former quarterback and noted developer of quarterbacks will do for Smith by the time training camp rolls around this summer.

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