Five weeks ago the 49ers were 0-9, without a quarterback, and looking in need of a top to bottom rebuild next offseason. Now they’re 4-10, have what appears to be a franchise QB, and after Sunday’s win over Tennessee, look like they could at least compete for a playoff spot as currently constructed.
Of course none of this is to imply that the roster doesn’t still need some work, and thanks to a projected $115 million in salary cap space next season, the 49ers should be able to make significant improvements via free agency in a number of areas. 49ers beat writer Matt Barrows joined Patrick Connor this afternoon, and detalied the four spots on the roster that San Francisco should address this offseason.
“The beauty of Jimmy G is that it doesn’t seem like a full teardown rebuild now,” Barrows said. “You can sort of pick and choose what you need to make this team competitive. To me it comes down to a few positions.
“A pass catcher needs to be added. Now whether that’s a tight end or a wide receiver, you do have Pierre Garcon coming back from an injury, and I’m just salivating at the Garoppolo-Garcon connection that seems like something that’s going to be very fruitful for this team. You have to bulk up the interior of the offensive line, I think that may be job one, and then on defense, we were just talking about how important cornerbacks are for this team. I think the 49ers have one in Ahkello Witherspoon that they like going forward. They need to find somebody else, whether that’s in free agency or the draft, there needs to be a twin over there for Witherspoon.
“The last one really stood out to me on Sunday when they were trying in vain to stop a very middling Tennessee Titans passing attack, and that’s a pass rusher. Somebody that delivers that sack that turns 2nd and 5 into 2nd and 15 at key points in the game. They just don’t have that guy. That’s a white whale, that’s always hard to find in both free agency and the draft, but it’s something they need to look very intently about getting in the offseason.”
Listen to the full interview below. To hear Barrows’ comments on the 49ers’ needs, skip to 7:50.
