March 13th marks the start of the NFL’s new year in which all 32 teams must stay under the salary cap. But with the new year comes a free agency rush, followed closely by the draft, and the San Francisco 49ers will once again try to build a Super Bowl-caliber roster.
But what needs do the 49ers need to meet to return for the final game of the season?
Here are five positions the 49ers need to rethink in the offseason.
right side of attack line
When Mike McGlinchey signed with the Denver Broncos last offseason, the 49ers had plenty of time to plan a suitable replacement tackle.
It was clear early on that Colton Mackiewicz would take his place as the starter in exchange for taking that time away. Mackiewicz repaid that trust by allowing 27.4 percent of the 215 pressures allowed by the 49ers offense.
John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan will have to deal with the loss of Trent Williams this offseason, especially with the lineman-filled draft coming up in April.
A double-digit offensive lineman could be taken off the field in the first round in next month’s draft, meaning there could be a good option to replace Mackiewicz at the top. One of the more popular names these days is Arizona’s Jordan Morgan. He could initially play right tackle, but was later moved to the left side.
With Jon Feliciano leaving in free agency, right guard will also need some focus. Feliciano stepped into Daniel Brunskill’s role, where his versatility was questioned, but he ended up competing with Spencer Burford, San Francisco’s second-highest pressure up front. Feliciano was impressed with his play, but will Shanahan still trust Burford as a starter in 2024?
Pass rusher opposite Nick Bosa
It wouldn’t be an offseason for the 49ers without finding a pass rusher to pair with Nick Bosa. After the Dee Ford experiment failed, San Francisco had varying degrees of success in finding a partner for Bosa, but struggled throughout the 2023 season.
The 49ers improved their pass rush by signing Javon Hargrave, who was second on the team with seven sacks, but there were still needs on the edge. That need was filled with Clelin Ferrell, but after a slow start, Randy Gregory was brought in.
San Francisco felt it was necessary and brought in Chase Young at the deadline, but despite all the play, the pass-rushing trio opposite Bosa combined for two fewer sacks than the former DPOY. .
