San Francisco 49ers: Looking at the Free-Agency Plan so Far (and Tim Tebow)

After an unexpected run in 2011, the San Francisco 49ers have positioned themselves as a team to beat in the NFC, with a defense capable of frustrating most offenses.

Unfortunately, the offense was mostly mediocre. The line’s interior was weak, allowing blitzing defenses to wreak havoc on Alex Smith at times, while the overall passing game struggled in spite of benefits provided by the defense. For example, the 49ers offense started with the best field position in the NFL last season. Despite this significant advantage, the offense averaged less than 27 yards per drive, worse production than the Dolphins, Vikings, Redskins or Titans.

If San Francisco wants to make a run at Super Bowl XLVII, they know changes need to be made, primarily on the offensive side of the ball. And in all the hullaballoo of this offseason, there’s even an outside chance Tebow could be headed for the Bay area. How? Free-agency moves, implications and the potential shakeups are reviewed after the jump.

Defensive Backfield

Major Losses: None

Major Additions: None

The necessity of improving the offense this offseason is even more pronounced when one considers the team’s decision to re-sign 31-year-old cornerback Carlos Rogers secured the 11th starter on 2011’s defense. While it is expected San Francisco will pursue a cornerback in the annual NFL draft, the 49ers entered this offseason with no intention of improving the starting defensive lineup. It will be addressed as a secondary concern, likely via drafting an outside linebacker and cornerback.

Grade: B

Interior Offensive Line

Major Losses: Chilo Rachal, Adam Snyder

Major Additions: None

All reports suggest the 49ers have no intention of pursuing guard Chilo Rachal, who was benched early in the 2011 season. While that may be the best option, it leaves San Francisco without a right guard and a complete lack of center depth. Some low-grade offensive linemen are available in free agency, including Geoff Schwartz, who the team hosted last Thursday. But it seems likely San Francisco will draft an interior lineman in April, potentially Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler or center Peter Konz.

Grade: C-

Wide Receiver

Major Losses: Ted Ginn, Jr., Braylon Edwards

Major Additions: Randy Moss, Mario Manningham

Despite some bright spots and few critical mistakes during the regular season, Smith rarely stepped outside his comfort zone. Tight end Vernon Davis was a crutch, catching 6-of-17 passing touchdowns, yet finishing with relatively mild statistics, considering his importance to the offense.

Davis and wide receiver Michael Crabtree grabbed more than 20 receptions during the regular season, and they directly accounted for 58 percent of San Francisco’s completions. 

Braylon Edwards, who played nine games, had just 15 receptions and left this offseason.

Ted Ginn is likely to follow suit, visiting the Ravens Friday.

Enter Randy Moss and Manningham. The former provides San Francisco a legitimate deep threat, while the latter, signed to a two-season contract, will help the 49ers spread defenses thin. Combine those two with Crabtree and Davis, 2011’s two most productive receiving targets, and it is clear the franchise successfully upgraded the receiving corps.

But those moves mean nothing if San Francisco cannot upgrade the quarterback position. Alex Smith does not throw a great deep ball, rendering Moss’s talents relatively meaningless, and it brings us to the final position San Francisco must address this offseason.

Grade: B+

Quarterback

Major Losses: (potential) Alex Smith

Major Additions: none

Rumors suggested the team would part ways with Alex Smith and sign Peyton Manning, and while it is perhaps unfortunate timing considering Smith is fresh off the best season of his career, it was difficult to find fault in the logic. While Smith posted the lowest interception percentage in the NFL, 58 percent of his completions targeted two players.

Every NFL season, at least one otherwise-mediocre quarterback has a low turnover, above-average season. See Josh Freeman in 2010, Kyle Orton in 2009, Chad Pennington in 2008 or David Garrard in 2007. One good season does not make a quarterback.

Unfortunately, the Broncos reportedly beat the 49ers to the punch, convincing Manning Denver ought to be his new home and leaving San Francisco in a jam. Barring unforeseen negotiation breakdowns, San Francisco must either attempt to re-sign the jilted Alex Smith, hard feelings and all, seek another mediocre talent in free agency or draft a quarterback late in the first round.

None of those options are appealing, and it begs the question: Could the 49ers make a play for Tim Tebow? With a strong running game and phenomenal tight end, Tebow could thrive. He throws a better deep ball than Smith, making Randy Moss a more dangerous threat, and his mobility mitigates some of San Francisco's offensive line issues.

Granted, Tebow doesn’t fit the current 49ers offensive scheme (or any other team's, for that matter), and his accuracy could drive Coach Harbaugh crazy. But is a better option available? If not, don’t be surprised if the Niners make a play for the league’s most polarizing athlete.

Grade: D