SANTA CLARA – Glue guys. Support staff. Skilled players outside of the so-called skill positions.
Every NFL team has them, and the 49ers need more.
Their top priorities this offseason may be upgrading their linemen, offensively and defensively, but don’t overlook other positions.
Some of those were exposed in the Super Bowl LVIII loss to Kansas City. Some will come to light before the NFL’s fiscal year begins March 13. Have a look at these five positions:
TIGHT END
Charlie Warner’s input as a blocker and special-teams mainstay are coveted, if not by the 49ers then a free agent suitor. His four-year totals as a rare receiver (11 catches, 120 yards, no touchdowns) are not what you want from a No. 2 tight end. But will that role, as George Kittle’s backup and cohort, now fall on 2023 draft picks Brayden Willis (56 offensive snaps) and Cameron Latu (Injured Reserve as rookie)? Six-year veteran Ross Dwelley is a free agent, for the fifth straight year.
NICKEL BACK
The final play of the season came down to a touchdown reception against a nickel back who, two months earlier, was on a Disney cruise with his family. Logan Ryan shouldn’t shoulder the blame for that Super Bowl finale. The 49ers struggled to find the right mix of cornerbacks throughout the season, and that misstep can be traced to last spring’s splurge on free agent Isaiah Oliver, who didn’t play a defensive snap in the playoffs and got released Friday.
Deommodore Lenoir showed he can play inside against slot receivers but is best suited to man the right flank, with Charvarius Ward on the left side. Ambry Thomas also fell out of favor by season’s end. Hence, Ryan tried to fill a role that, in recent years, went from K’Waun Williams to Jimmie Ward to the 2023 carousel.
LINEBACKER
Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw arguably comprise the NFL’s top linebacker duo. So when Greenlaw’s left Achilles ruptured as he came off the sideline in the second quarter, it definitely rattled Warner and the 49ers defense in the Super Bowl. Whether Greenlaw comes back early in the season or a couple of months into it, the 49ers need contingencies. One obvious option: re-sign Azeez Al-Shaair, who, after playing this past season in Tennessee, attended the 49ers’ playoff opener and even joined the linebackers’ pregame huddle. Dee Winters and Jalen Graham barely played as rookies, with the 49ers instead turning to 2024 free agents Oren Burks and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles.
QUARTERBACK
Brock Purdy’s remarkable recovery from elbow repair saw him set a single-season team record (4,280 yards) and make every start except the meaningless regular-season finale. That didn’t allow Sam Darnold much time to showcase his worth after his sloppy tenures with the Jets and the Panthers. But Darnold did fare well early in that Week 18 start, and in spot duty when Purdy got sidelined by December stingers in Arizona and against Baltimore. Re-signing Darnold would work in the 49ers’ favor, if the price is right. Brandon Allen never saw action in relief, as he, like Darnold, also is unsigned for 2024. The 49ers should also draft a quarterback, even if it’s a flier with their last pick – like in 2022.
RETURN SPECIALIST
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A Super Bowl turning point came late in the third quarter, when a punt surprisingly ricocheted off rookie Darrell Luter, and when return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud failed to pounce on the football, the Chiefs recovered and cashed in with a Mahomes touchdown pass on the next snap. McCloud rushed back twice last season from injuries (broken wrist in August, broken ribs in November). In two years, he had three fumbles, rarely had an electric return, and scored on one of 26 regular-season catches, all due credit to two strong catches in these playoffs. Ronnie Bell didn’t acquit himself well as a rookie returner. Let the auditions resume
SAFETY
Talanoa Hufanga recently spoke optimistically about his comeback, two months after anterior cruciate ligament surgery. Getting him back, ideally in 2022 All-Pro form, would be a major lift to the secondary. Ji’Ayir Brown’s rookie experience will help him. Then what? Does Tashaun Gipson, 33, may want one more shot at a ring? Free agency and the draft will uncover more options.
