5 Players the San Francisco 49ers Should Build Around for the Future

Which players should the San Francisco 49ers build around for the future?

What is the core of this team? If the Niners become good again after a few seasons of rebuilding, how many players from the current roster still will be around? Who is absolutely irreplaceable?

San Francisco may not have a single irreplaceable player. The future looks bleak. General manager Trent Baalke has not drafted well since 2012, and as a result most of the Niners’ core players either are old, like 31-year-old left tackle Joe Staley, or diminished due to injury, like inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman.

The Niners need to identify the young core of the team. In ascending order, here are the top-five players the 49ers should build around for the future.

5. Dontae Johnson (CB)

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In 2014, the 49ers spent a fourth-round pick on Dontae Johnson, who played safety in college. The Niners made him a cornerback, and he struggled at his new position as a rookie.

He also struggled this year during training camp, getting outplayed by fellow second-year corners Kenneth Acker and Keith Reaser. Johnson was the 49ers’ fourth-string cornerback until those two got hurt Week 8.

In Week 9, Johnson started against the Atlanta Falcons and was fantastic. According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson broke up two passes, including one in the end zone intended for All Pro receiver Julio Jones.

Johnson is by far the most talented cornerback on the roster. He’s tall (6’2”) and fast (4.45-second 40-yard dash), and finally seems comfortable playing a new position. His best days are ahead of him.

4. Jimmie Ward (S)

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Man coverage never will be the strength of Jimmie Ward’s game. This season, he’s allowing a completion percentage of 74.4 and a passer rating of 104.3 as a slot cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus.

Ward’s strengths are tackling in the open field and his instincts while playing zone coverage. He’s a playmaker who reads the quarterback’s eyes, senses where the play is going and flies to the football.

Ward seems ideally suited to play free safety, Eric Reid’s position. Reid is decent but totally replaceable. He is NOT a playmaker. The Niners should let him walk when he hits free agency in 2017 and replace him with Ward.

3. Carlos Hyde (RB)

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Carlos Hyde may never last a full season in the NFL considering his violent, slashing running style.

Hyde is the opposite of his predecessor, Frank Gore, the 49ers’ all-time leading rusher who always seemed to take glancing blows—never direct ones. Gore is 32 and has missed just one game since 2010.

Hyde is 24 and has missed four games since entering the league in 2014. He currently has a stress fracture in his foot and may miss more games this season.

Hyde's body tends to break down because he tries to deliver a shot every time he runs the ball. He seeks out contact. No glancing blows for him. So, he may never be dependable like Gore.

But, Hyde is the more talented runner. Hyde is not easily replaceable. The Niners should hang on to him and find a good backup who can share the load.

2. Jaquiski Tartt (S)

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Rookie second-round pick Jaquiski Tartt struggled early in the season, but he wasn’t playing his natural position—safety. He was playing Dime back—essentially inside linebacker in the Dime package.

Tartt lined up next to inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman and covered tight ends and running backs man to man. This underneath, trail coverage was totally foreign to Tartt—no wonder he struggled.

In Week 7, starting strong safety Antoine Bethea tore his pectoral muscle and Tartt took his place. Finally, he got to play deep zone coverage like he played in college. And finally he seemed comfortable.

Tartt has terrific instincts in deep zone coverage, and also has terrific reaction speed and contact courage. He could be a Pro Bowler next season.

1. Aaron Lynch (OLB)

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Aaron Lynch is the best pass-rusher in the Bay Area—better than Oakland Raiders outside linebackers Khalil Mack and Aldon Smith. Younger than them, too.

Lynch is only 22—Mack is 24, and Smith is 26. Who knows how good Lynch will be when he’s in his mid-20s like those two?

Mack is a great player right now, especially against the run. But when it comes to rushing he quarterback, Lynch is better than him. Lynch has six sacks this season—Mack has four.

The only edge-rushers who have more sacks than Lynch this season are DeMarcus Ware, Cameron Wake, Carlos Dunlap and Chandler Jones. You could argue Lynch has a brighter future than each of those guys. The Niners are going to pay him a lot of money in a few years.

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