2020 Offseason

[CrimsonCrew]

I expected McKinnon to be gone, but they could try to keep him one more year if they let Armstead walk. If he's healthy, I'd much rather see what McKinnon can do in this offense and cut Coleman. For all Sick's talk about how we need Bell, McKinnon's receiving ability might be at least in the same ballpark, and head and shoulders above any of our current RBs.

[49er4life1979]

I think we have to reassess what Buckner will be worth when he's due for a new deal.

He for sure doesn't deserve anything near a JJ Watt or Aason Donald deal.

Maybe 5 years with about $30-35 million guaranteed, because the KC OL dominated the 49ers OL most of the game.


BTW, go back through the season. 49ers had some blowouts but they also had close games, like both Rams games. Early in the season the DL won games, not just with pass rush but on key 3rd and 4th downs they stoned teams trying to pick up short yardage.

The odds are against sustaining that the whole season. One or two of those being converted could have added 1 or 2 more losses.

Saints are going to be dangerous and Dallas has the talent to be a #1 seed. I don't think Rams are going to go away and the Seahawks have a ton of cap space and picks.

So don't take it for granted that the 49ers will contend again next season.

I think you are absolutely right. The main thing will be the roster turnover as it plagues every team each year. The 3 biggest UFAs are Sanders, Armstead, and Ward. I can see them keeping Sanders on a 2 year deal. I think Armstead walks as does Ward. Only 21 million in cap space right now. Possibly more if they restructure Jimmy G and cut Goodwin and McKinnon. Kittle needs an extension, Buckner is entering his 5th year option year and needs extended as well. After this season, Fred Warner is in line for one and deservedly so. So the funds will be scarce here I am afraid. Ronald Blair is also a UFA and I would love to have him back especially if Armstead walks. Another guy in line for an extension is DJ Jones. I can see them doing a 3 year deal with him. Very nice player and run stopper. Our team had a great season and I am optimistic they will continue to be a good team and compete for championships. They aren't going to make it every year, but the goal is long term success and being a playoff team. Bring on the offseason!

[CrimsonCrew]

I think we have to reassess what Buckner will be worth when he's due for a new deal.

He for sure doesn't deserve anything near a JJ Watt or Aason Donald deal.

Maybe 5 years with about $30-35 million guaranteed, because the KC OL dominated the 49ers OL most of the game.


BTW, go back through the season. 49ers had some blowouts but they also had close games, like both Rams games. Early in the season the DL won games, not just with pass rush but on key 3rd and 4th downs they stoned teams trying to pick up short yardage.

The odds are against sustaining that the whole season. One or two of those being converted could have added 1 or 2 more losses.

Saints are going to be dangerous and Dallas has the talent to be a #1 seed. I don't think Rams are going to go away and the Seahawks have a ton of cap space and picks.

So don't take it for granted that the 49ers will contend again next season.

I think you are absolutely right. The main thing will be the roster turnover as it plagues every team each year. The 3 biggest UFAs are Sanders, Armstead, and Ward. I can see them keeping Sanders on a 2 year deal. I think Armstead walks as does Ward. Only 21 million in cap space right now. Possibly more if they restructure Jimmy G and cut Goodwin and McKinnon. Kittle needs an extension, Buckner is entering his 5th year option year and needs extended as well. After this season, Fred Warner is in line for one and deservedly so. So the funds will be scarce here I am afraid. Ronald Blair is also a UFA and I would love to have him back especially if Armstead walks. Another guy in line for an extension is DJ Jones. I can see them doing a 3 year deal with him. Very nice player and run stopper. Our team had a great season and I am optimistic they will continue to be a good team and compete for championships. They aren't going to make it every year, but the goal is long term success and being a playoff team. Bring on the offseason!

Yeah, we're going to need to be shopping at the bargain bin for a while. Unfortunately, we have almost no draft capital to capitalize on cheap replacement talent this year. I think there's something to be said for letting all three of our FA starters walk and trying to stock up on comp picks in 2021.

It's hard to complain too much about what Lynch and Shanahan have done from a team-building standpoint, but their profligate use of draft picks is going to bite us in the ass this year. They did a nice job to pick the Bears' pocket at the start of their first draft, but since then they've just hemorrhaged picks on questionable trades. To wit:

The 34th and 111th pick in 2017 to move up for Foster (even though I loved the move at the time).

143 and 161 in 2017 to move up for Joe Williams.

43 in 2018 for Garoppolo. Tough to harp on this one much.

59 and 74 in 2018 to move up for Pettis. You want a real kick in the balls, though? I had forgotten about this. I know people like to harp on passing on Goedert, but we traded pick 67 in 2017 for 59 in 2018. The Saints used pick 67 on Alvin Kamara. Can you imagine that dude in this offense? And we gave up him AND a high third-rounder to get Dante Pettis. But at least we got Joe Williams in that draft. OMFG.

109 in 2018 for Bibbs and 177 in 2017. Hated this at the time and hate it now. We used 177 on Trent Taylor, and I'm still holding out hope that that may pan out, but it ain't looking so good right now.

63 in 2020 for Ford. Jury is still a bit out on this one, as he wasn't himself this past season (or was he? his contract year is the only time he's managed to stay healthy...), but he, Bosa, and Buckner should anchor our DL for at least three more years.

3rd and 4th round picks in 2020 for Sanders. I thought we overpaid at the time. I still don't LOVE the move, but I don't know that we make the SB without Sanders, so I'll take it. Just wish he was a half-step faster....

Anyway, we've done a lot of trading under Lynch, and we've recouped a lot of picks through trades, too, but the trades up for Foster, Williams, and Pettis in particular used high value picks for guys that all had significant red flags prior to the draft and all were non-factors (two not on the team, one inactive) in our SB run.

[CrimsonCrew]

Another thing to think about when considering our own FAs: it's highly unusual for the Super Bowl loser to make another SB run, much less win one (8 and 3 of 53, respectively, I believe). We're in pretty good shape as we aren't losing crucial pieces, and are set up decently to replace the pieces we may lose in the short term (Moore for Ward; Thomas, Street, and possibly Blair for Armstead; Hurd and Taylor for Sanders, though we're very thin on outside guys). But we also won't be able to be aggressive adding players in FA or the draft this year. So maybe another reason just to take the hit, let those guys walk, and try to make 8-9 draft picks in 2021.

[nismolos]

I have a feeling Jerrick Mckinnon is going to be our starter next season...basing that on Shanahan’s decision to bring him (and only a select few other IR guys) to the super bowl festivities. Goodwin was left off and he actually played this season. If they can bring him back on a discount for year 3 i think ill take that gamble. I read somewhere that he felt like he had a new knee after a procedure to shave down a bone spur recently. Id prefer a healthy Mckinnon over breaking the bank for Leveon Bell

They brought literally everyone to the Super Bowl. MCKinnion is as good as gone. They brought guys who haven’t played a snap all season

This is what I was referring to. Everyone did go eventually but only a select few IR guys (DJ Jones and Mckinnon) came out with the original group on monday. Everyone else was left off till Thursday.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/marquise-goodwin-disappointed-isn-t-144124968.html

[nismolos]

I don't see McKinnon as part of the 49ers future. It would be hard to get more production from your RBs than the 49ers got this year. That salary could be applied elsewhere with far more effect.

If its the RIGHT salary then it could be well
worth it. Im not a capologist or contract expert but i wouldnt be surprised if Mckinnon could be negotiated with to restructure his 3rd year and possibly extend him on a heavy discount. I think he would go for it...hes been paid for 2 years without taking one snap for us. Its a win-win for both sides because he likely wouldnt get a big contract with another team either and he could potentially bring us a Leveon Bell-esque type pass catcher.

[CrimsonCrew]

I think there's a good chance that Armstead will be classified as a DE for the purposes of the franchise tag. That would put him above $19 million instead of $15.5 million for a DT. I just don't know if we can afford it, though maybe we tag him and try to shop him.

[a8bil]

I think there's a good chance that Armstead will be classified as a DE for the purposes of the franchise tag. That would put him above $19 million instead of $15.5 million for a DT. I just don't know if we can afford it, though maybe we tag him and try to shop him.

Why would we want to? The guy was pretty average for his entire contract, until the last year. Strike one. Because he is tall and light, he tires and gets blown off the ball in the run game. Strike two. In the name of getting sacks, he often ignores his gap assignment and loses containment (did it several times with Mahomes), allowing plays to extend and wasting the efforts of the rest of the line. Strike three. He just isn't that good. For that kind of money I would much rather look for other players in free agency. Sacks are a high profile stat, but they aren't necessarily indicative of the impact a player has throughout the game.

[Yoshi]

I think there's a good chance that Armstead will be classified as a DE for the purposes of the franchise tag. That would put him above $19 million instead of $15.5 million for a DT. I just don't know if we can afford it, though maybe we tag him and try to shop him.

Why would we want to? The guy was pretty average for his entire contract, until the last year. Strike one. Because he is tall and light, he tires and gets blown off the ball in the run game. Strike two. In the name of getting sacks, he often ignores his gap assignment and loses containment (did it several times with Mahomes), allowing plays to extend and wasting the efforts of the rest of the line. Strike three. He just isn't that good. For that kind of money I would much rather look for other players in free agency. Sacks are a high profile stat, but they aren't necessarily indicative of the impact a player has throughout the game.

I don't know, I actually thought AA showed signs of improvement since last year, and this year was when he turned it on. If Thomas was a viable replacement, I'd be okay with letting AA walk, but ST is not, so letting AA walk would leave a hole there. I'm okay with franchising him and letting him prove it a 3rd year and see where they're at - letting Coleman, McKinnon, Sanders, and perhaps Ward go would help cover for the contract, which would probably be around 16 million next year. The Niners have the depth at DL to build their defense around, and if the injury bug actually favors the Niners along with Jimmy G actually improving next year, then there's a chance the Niners can come back to the SB next season.

[Yoshi]

Well, to put some perspective on what's happening to the team right now:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28641918/49ers-review-super-bowl-loss-hope-learn-lessons

I know the chances of returning to the SB are slimmer than I'd like it to be, but I'm encouraged in what I'm hearing from this...

[CrimsonCrew]

If Armstead leaves, there will be a dropoff, but I don't know that it will be huge. When Ford is healthy, Armstead is arguably our fourth-best DL. We would likely use two players to replace him, with maybe Blair outside on early downs and Street or Thomas inside on passing downs. That's not quite as dynamic, but I would hope our other players, if healthy, could generate enough pressure to give that fourth guy - whoever it is - some real opportunities.

[thesack12]

If Armstead leaves, there will be a dropoff, but I don't know that it will be huge. When Ford is healthy, Armstead is arguably our fourth-best DL. We would likely use two players to replace him, with maybe Blair outside on early downs and Street or Thomas inside on passing downs. That's not quite as dynamic, but I would hope our other players, if healthy, could generate enough pressure to give that fourth guy - whoever it is - some real opportunities.

Yeah, considering what his price is going to be and the consequences of paying him will be, I think its fairly clear that the best course of action would be to tag & trade him. Considering the severe lack of draft capital this year, any mid round pick will be a good enough return. A late pick + a semi useful DB or WR or OL or TE will do also.

[thesack12]

Read on Twitter

As long as "whatever" includes coming back on a 1 year minimum contract, sure sign me up.

[Yoshi]

I hear you guys, but given Dee Fords injury history, I have no confidence in him being healthy for the majority of next season. The line is much better when Ford is there, but to expect him to play nearly an entire season without some vacation in there is stretching it, IMHO.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JERICK MCKINNON
RB, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

49ers RB Jerick McKinnon said he's "willing to do whatever" to stay with the organization.

"I’m willing to do whatever," McKinnon stated. "The organization knows I want to be a part of this team, so when that time comes there will be a talk between both parties." McKinnon has long been a post-June cut candidate after suffering a season-ending setback stemming from his torn ACL in 2018. With no guarantees remaining on his contract, the team can save $4.55 million in cap space by moving on. It's truly a wonder whether the 27-year-old has any juice left following multiple knee surgeries.
SOURCE: Nick Wagoner on Twitter

Feb 5, 2020, 2:44 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

TRENT TAYLOR
WR, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

49ers WR Trent Taylor (foot) is expected to shed his walking boot soon.

Projected to open the year as San Francisco's starting slot wideout, Taylor's third year in the league eventually ended with multiple setbacks and five different procedures on the same foot. He'll keep to the Bay Area for rehab and continue to work towards being available for OTAs. Emmanuel Sanders' and Kendrick Bourne's impending markets could vault Taylor atop San Francisco's depth chart out of sheer necessity in 2020.
SOURCE: Nick Wagoner on Twitter

Feb 5, 2020, 5:56 PM ET

[thesack12]

It might not be the biggest of concerns for this team moving forward, but they definitely need a new KR/PR. Richie James is just incredibly underwhelming. Its obvious Kyle doesn't think much of him as a WR either.

Bring back McKinnon on a minimum contract and put him on return duty, and if healthy he will contribute out of the backfield as well.

[thesack12]

If they don't bring Sanders back, WR is going to be a huge concern. The free agent WR crop is very poor also.

That being the case, any interest in bringing in Eric Ebron as an oversized slot receiver?

[Samurai]

If they don't bring Sanders back, WR is going to be a huge concern. The free agent WR crop is very poor also.

That being the case, any interest in bringing in Eric Ebron as an oversized slot receiver?

I'm all for bringing Sanders back on a team-friendly deal. Sounds like he really enjoyed the team culture here so he may be willing to take a slight discount to return.

But our challenge is that we don't have a speed receiver who can stretch the defense and allow guys like Kittle, Sanders, Deebo, Hurd and Bourne work their crossing routes underneath. Hurd is supposed to be our over-sized slot receiver. Deebo can play either outside or the slot but he is probably better in slot to take advantage of his strength and physicality. At Sanders' age, he is also probably better suited for the slot than outside and Taylor, if he returns, is strictly a slot guy. Goodwin was supposed to be that speed merchant on the outside but we saw how that worked out. Among our current receivers, Deebo is probably our fastest guy with a 4.48 40 at his combine (Sanders ran a 4.41 but that was 10 years ago!). We saw the kind of pressure the Chiefs can put on a defense with a bunch of guys who can run a 4.3 (or 4.2 in Hill's case).

Without a speed guy on the outside, Jimmy will find the short and intermediate routes that he is comfortable with congested with safeties. So how long do we keep Pettis to just waste one of our receiver spots on instead of getting the speed guy we are lacking?

[Dodub]

I don’t necessarily want Sanders back if it means that we can’t keep our defense together. I want us to spend our money on that and continue to beef our WR’s through the draft.

One guy that I like is Jalen Reagor from TCU. He’s a speedster who could come in immediately and become our home run threat In KR/PR. He also has potential to develop into a very nice receiver and can take the top off the defense which we desperately need. We lack that homer in threat at WR.