Ranking San Francisco 49ers' Top Positional Units for 2015
Despite all the ruckus and commotion coming from Santa Clara, California, earlier in the offseason, OTAs have run smoothly for the San Francisco 49ers. When your head coach and general manager aren't busy hating each other, it can tend to have that effect.
Of course, it doesn't mean everything is going right. There are still some off-the-field issues that have been addressed or need to be addressed. Whether it was Colin Kaepernick's flood tweet or Bruce Miller recently pleading no-contest to a disturbing-the-peace charge, it's never an uneventful day for the 49ers.
However, most fans just want to return to football conversations rather than having to hear about the personal lives of NFL players.
No worries, I have the elixir that fans are looking for. Well, not really but any football-related content puts a smile on my face during this part of the offseason.
Here are the 49ers' top five positional units heading into the 2015 season.
Note: Undrafted selections are not listed.
5. Wide Receiver
1 of 5
Projected Starters: Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith
New additions: Torrey Smith, Jerome Simpson, DeAndre Smelter (R)
The 49ers finally addressed the speed issue at wide receiver with the addition of Torrey Smith. It was unusual to see GM Trent Baalke spend big bucks in free agency, but ultimately the need was too great.
Of course, the 49ers could have addressed this need in the draft, but Baalke has been hesitant to pull the trigger on an early-round receiver since the failed A.J. Jenkins experiment in 2012.
Regardless, the position group did improve from last season. The team did lose Michael Crabtree, but the addition of Smith more than makes up for this lost.
Jerome Simpson was an interesting addition. He has a bit of a history with off-the-field issues, but he has performed at an above-average level thus far in his career. He has a career average of 13.8 yards per reception.
DeAndre Smelter is the designated redshirt player for the 49ers this season. As fans know all too well, Baalke has a history of selecting players coming off major injuries. San Francisco tends to redshirt these players in the hopes they'll be ready in a year or two.
This strategy hasn't proved successful, but I still like the Smelter pick. He's a younger version of Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin. With one year remaining on his deal, Boldin could well depart via free agency next season.
If Smelter can stay healthy, he has a good chance to be the first successful redshirt player under the Baalke regime.
4. Offensive Line
2 of 5
Projected Starters: Joe Staley (LT), Brandon Thomas (LG), Daniel Kilgore (C), Alex Boone (RG), Anthony Davis (RT)
New additions: Erik Pears, Ian Silberman (R), Trent Brown (R)
Most blame the offensive scheme or Colin Kaepernick for the disappointing season in 2014, and deservedly so. However, this 49ers offensive line deserves some of that blame.
This offensive line was awful. Outside of Joe Staley, who was high up on Matt Miller's list of the top left tackles in 2014, and Daniel Kilgore, who didn't finish the season healthy, the offensive line underperformed big time.
It wasn't just the starters who struggled, but the backups as well. One in particular—Jonathan Martin—is no longer with the team.
With that said, how can we rank this unit highly? Well, the line still has a ton of talent despite a disappointing 2014 season.
Staley should continue to anchor Kaepernick's blind side. Kilgore should improve upon his first successful season as a full-time starter at center. The loss of Mike Iupati hurts the running game, but the presence of Brandon Thomas at guard instantly upgrades the lackluster pass protection at guard.
Don't forget Alex Boone, who played at Pro Bowl level the last few seasons outside of 2014. Anthony Davis was probably the biggest disappointment, though injuries were a factor. A return to a more power running scheme on offense should help him return to form in 2015.
The addition of Erik Pears in free agency should be an upgrade over Martin. Ian Silberman and Trent Brown can provide depth at guard, though Brown has worked at right tackle with the first unit in OTAs.
3. Running Back
3 of 5
Projected Starter: Carlos Hyde
New additions: Reggie Bush, Mike Davis (R), Jarryd Hayne (R)
The Carlos Hyde era starts now in San Francisco.
He has a long way to go before surpassing his predecessor, Frank Gore. With the veteran departing to the Indianapolis Colts, Hyde should receive the bulk of the carries.
With Reggie Bush, Kendall Hunter and promising rookie Mike Davis on the roster, the 49ers obviously had a plan in replacing their bell cow in Gore. It also has a lot to do with Hyde. From the fans to the organization, everyone believes he is ready to take a big leap in his second season.
Bush will likely be a heavy contributor on passing downs, and Davis should spell Hyde on early downs. However, Davis has shown he is more than capable in the receiving department.
Hunter will be the question mark. Jarryd Hayne will likely play most of his snaps on special teams, but I'm not sure where Hunter fits in this rotation.
I love me some Hunter, but I'm not sure how the 49ers will divvy up the carries after Hyde. Honestly, I'm sure fans just want to see Hunter get out of OTAs and training camp in one piece.
Regardless, the 49ers are loaded at running back. If the offensive line can improve after a disappointing 2014 season, we could see the run game take off with Hyde as the feature back.
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2. Safety
4 of 5
Projected Starters: Eric Reid (FS), Antoine Bethea (SS)
New addition: Jaquiski Tartt (R)
The 49ers are spoiled at the safety position.
The Eric Reid and Antoine Bethea pairing easily cracks the top five safety tandems in the league right now. The only knock against this tandem is Bethea's age (30), but Baalke was sure to find his replacement in the draft in Jaquiski Tartt.
Tartt was a surprising selection in the second round of the 2015 draft. The 49ers had other major needs, but Baalke fell in love with the small-school safety.
Don't expect him to play a major role this season, but when Tartt is ready, he could end up being the best safety coming out of this draft class. The comparisons to Kam Chancellor are evident, but his playing style is reminiscent of a younger Dashon Goldson.
The 49ers should still get another two years out of Bethea before Tartt takes over alongside Reid.
1. Outside Linebacker
5 of 5
Projected Starters: Aldon Smith (ROLB), Aaron Lynch (LOLB)
New addition: Eli Harold (R)
We have a winner!
If we were making this ranking a few years ago, the inside linebacker position group would unquestionably rank first on this list.
However, we all know the ILB position for the 49ers has been decimated by injuries and/or retirements of key players. Now, the OLB positional group takes the mantle.
We all know about Aldon Smith, but it's the emergence of Aaron Lynch that has fans excited. He was outstanding in limited snaps last year and should have a breakout sophomore season in 2015.
The 49ers have two legitimate Pro Bowl edge-rushers, but it's the depth at the position that puts this unit above the rest. The team still has All-Pro linebacker Ahmad Brooks on the roster. He may not reclaim his starting spot, but he is still a stellar player.
Behind Brooks, the 49ers also have two developmental prospects in Corey Lemonier and Eli Harold. Lemonier has already proved he can play in this league, though he had a disappointing sophomore season after a standout rookie season.
Harold, on the other hand, could be one of the biggest steals in this draft. Many pegged him as a late first-rounder or early second-round selection in the 2015 draft. Instead, he ended up going in the third round of this year’s draft.
The 49ers are head and shoulders above every other team in the NFL in this positional group.
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