This is The Gridiron Review’s San Francisco 49ers 2023 Offseason Team Breakdown. We provide you with all things you need to know about the 49ers heading into FA and the draft. We also provide our thoughts on the needs of the team and how we think they can be addressed!
San Francisco 49ers 2022 Record: 13-4
San Francisco 49ers Salary Cap(According to Spotrac): $7,815,851
Notable Free Agents(According to Spotrac):
- Jimmy Garoppolo, QB
- Tyler Kroft, TE
- Ross Dwelley, TE
- Jake Brendel, C
- Mike McGlinchey, OT
- Maurice Hurst, DL
- Samsom Ebukam, DL
- Jordan Willis, DL
- Charles Omenihu, DL
- Azeez Al-Shaair, LB
- Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
- Jason Verrett, CB
- Emmanuel Moseley, CB
- Tashaun Gipson, S
- Jimmie Ward, S
- Tarvarius Moore, S
Team Needs: WR(Depth), OL, DL(Depth), LB(Depth), CB, FS
3 Free Agent Targets(In No Order):
- Garrett Bradbury, C
- Jawaan Taylor, OT
- Jamel Dean, CB
San Francisco 49ers First Round Pick(s): None(Traded to Miami to move up for Lance, and after multiple trades is now the Saints)
3 Draft Prospect Fits/Targets:
- Andrew Vorhees, OG, USC
- Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama
- Jason Taylor II, S, Oklahoma State
Our 49ers Ideal Offseason Plans/Thoughts:
- Kyle Shanahan as of right now will be remembered as the guy who could take anyone to the playoffs, but was never good enough to win it all. Luckily for Shanahan’s offensive system, you could put a HS QB in and he would succeed. Whether it be Lance or Purdy next year(both coming off significant injuries) should have a playoff caliber roster around them. This roster could use depth in certain position groups(see above), but only a few places could use starters… based on who they are set to lose in FA.
- The 49ers need help on the offensive line. The LT(Williams) and LG(Banks) positions should be secure for next year. The RG(Burford) position could be up in the air. The center and right tackle positions are question marks right now because Brendel and McGlinchey are both set to become FAs. The 49ers could bring Brendel back, he didn’t have too bad a season. He only gave up one sack, but committed 12 penalties which was the most amongst either centers or all linemen this past season. If they wanted to go in a different direction they could look at Garrett Bradbury. It’s extremely possible that McGlinchey has priced himself out of SF, unless they move money around. McGlinchey should be a priority re-sign, but if they lose out on him, Jawaan Taylor could be a really nice fit in SF. If the 49ers are somehow sitting in the 3rd round and Andrew Vorhees(Tore ACL at combine) is sliding due to the injury, they have to make a move to go get him. Even with the injury it’s hard to see Vorhees falling that far, but you never know. Plus, there would be no rush for Vorhees as Burford started in 2022. The depth of the line should also be addressed.
- The simplest solution for the LB depth would be to bring back Al-Shaair and Flannigan-Fowles. However, Al-Shaair may be looking for a starting role and playing time and may not have interest in re-signing. If that’s the case they shouldn’t worry too much, they have ridiculous success hitting on mid-late round and UDFA LBs.
- The 49ers need help in the secondary. Arguably their best CB(Moseley) is set to become a FA and is probably priced beyond what SF can pay. He’s expected to get a big pay day. They signed Ward last offseason who played well, Lenoir who took a big second year leap into a starting role, and 2021 3rd rounder Ambry Thomas who seems to have lost his spot despite a pretty good rookie campaign. They are missing another starter in the room though if they lose Moseley. Jamel Dean should fit right into the 49ers defense across from Ward.
- At safety, they are losing Ward, Gipson, and Moore. Hufanga took a massive year two leap and has become one of the best safeties in the NFL. He’s gonna need a new partner in crime though. As stated earlier, the 49ers have a ridiculous history of hitting on mid-late round picks. It doesn’t matter that the 49ers don’t have a 1st or 2nd rounder. Look for the 49ers to target Oklahoma State’s Jason Taylor II on day 3 to compete for the starting spot next to Hufanga. Taylor is coming off a super strong combine and played really well in both the East-West Shrine and Senior Bowls. Taylor is one we consider a late round gem, and one we think would excel in SF.