The 49ers need to get better at what they’re doing and pick wisely in the 2020 Draft.
The San Francisco 49ers took everyone by surprise last season, starting the year undefeated at 8-0 as a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo continued to improve. The Niners gameplan was straightforward: run the ball, play ball-control offense, win possession time, create opportunities on defense, and limit turnovers.
It worked! The 49ers had an excellent season going at 13-3 as they brought Old School-Smash-mouth style back to the football field. The Gold Rush ran the ball down the opposition’s throat, while the defense busily sacked QBs and caused turnovers.
Courtesy: SF 49’ers
Midway through the season, the Niners traded for Emmanuel Sanders. That move enabled the team to open up the playbook. Sanders brought experience, professionalism, and talent, and he gave Garoppolo another great downfield option.
But now comes the tough part! When a team loses a Super Bowl–as the 49ers did to the Chiefs–a slump often follows. Many don’t even reach the playoffs. Can the Niners break that trend?
They’re trying. For starters, GM John Lynch was able to keep the team’s leading sacker, Arik Armstead, by paying him handsomely with a 5-year, $85 million deal. RB Matt Breida and WR Kendrick Bourne will also stay by the Bay in Scarlet and Gold. But the team lost a key piece when ferocious defensive lineman, DeForrest Buckner, was traded to the Colts for the 13th overall pick in this year’s Draft. It wasn’t a bad move monetarily, but his presence will be missed, no doubt.
The big question is what the 49ers do with that 13th selection?
They could use help in the secondary. Another stud to rotate in on the D-Line would be nice, too. A wide receiver who can take Sanders place (and at a much lower price) would help as well. I also could see Lynch taking the best available edge rusher or D-lineman. Another option would be to complement rookie sensation Deebo Samuel and ‘The People’s TE,’ George Kittle.
GM John Lynch (photo, NBCSports)
And while San Francisco needs help in the secondary, I believe the team can wait until their second 1st round pick (at #31) and perhaps get Clemson’s A.J. Terrell. Yes, they re-signed CB Jimmy Ward, but Ward has also had his ups and downs. I’d also be happy if SF used that 13th pick to nab a top receiver like Jeudy, Lamb, or Ruggs III. I’d also welcome DL Derrick Brown or Javon Kinlaw.
I like the fact that the Niners have two 1st round picks, which they can use as a bargaining chip to either move up in the Draft or back and acquire more picks. The problem is that San Fran doesn’t pick again until the 5th round. So it may be tough to get a deal done to move up in the first round from their 31st pick. If that happens, then it means the team had better hit a couple of home runs with the 13th and 31st picks in the Draft!
But you never know. A team might call while the Niners are on the clock, approaching Lynch with an offer he can’t refuse. If that happens, then San Fran could acquire more draft picks in Rounds 2 and 3. That would make it worthwhile to trade out of that spot.
That’s the rundown in a nutshell–at least as I see it. I don’t think that the 49ers need to change a thing on the playing field. They just need to get better at what they’re doing, and that includes player upgrades to do it.
I hope that losing the Super Bowl will be the jolt this team needs to fight on–rather than becoming a defeat that translates into a hangover.
If I’m right, then being close, but losing will fuel the fire to defend the division, win the conference title, and get that the ultimate prize–standing in NFL’s winner’s circle come 2021.
