Graham Barton would be our best bet at first round pick. Can start right away and has played at a high level as center, guard and tackle. He handled Jared Verse, projected top 15 pick, in head to head matchup as left tackle
The right tackle needs another season before you pass judgment. He's a lot better than you give him credit for and has proven that he can play through tough challenges and get better. Everyone needs to realize how young he is, and this was his first season as a starter. But yes, an upgrade is something I will never argue with, but only when that player shows up. Lombardi stated that all the starters are either resigned or replaced already. So I agree with Lombardi that the 49ers could trade up in this draft for the right lineman.
@@josephrapelje4670 Agree. Many people talk about McKivitz like he's some replacement-level scrub, which just isn't true. He's actually played quite well at times. He's also been inconsistent at times. Being surprised he gives up pressures/sacks at times is ridiculous. It takes time for most players to develop. Few teams have lockdown LT and RT, if any. Very few players are like Nick Bosa (which is why he went 2 OV). Colton has a real opportunity to take a big step forward next season.
I enjoy the glass half full attitude David and i like what the eam has done. Superbowl ending aside last year was an incredible year. People need to learn to enjoy the ride and appreciate how fun this team is to watch. Would love a Superbowl but if thats all people care about it's a recipe for disappointment.
And I totally agree with you on the offensive play time and schemes will be more flexible and interchangeable. Using multiple TE's, WR 's & RB's going to the offense he created in Atlanta with the Falcons.
I think you're right that the Niners have probably gotten a bit better on defense with the changes they've made. However, I have a slightly different perspective on the O-line. I don't consider them a unit that "got us to within one play of winning a Super Bowl", I consider them the unit that *cost* us the Super Bowl and nearly kept us from getting there at all. The reality is that our O-line got exposed against the Ravens and in all three of our playoff games. The pass blocking was awful throughout, and the run blocking wasn't good enough to make up the difference. I understand the value of keeping the floor where it was, but I think it's clear that this current O-line group is not good enough to get the job done against playoff-caliber defenses. I'd be interested to see how our O-line's grades compared to the other final 4 or final 8 playoff teams this year, but I'd guess we were the worst by quite a bit. We need to genuinely *upgrade* the O-line to bring it up to the standards of a championship team, not just stand pat with it. The team has decided to put that task entirely on the draft, so they have GOT to prioritize linemen early and get the right guys. Tackle at #31 (or trade up for one), a guard with the 2nd or 3rd, and at least one more later. *NO* getting distracted by the shiny DEs or WRs until the O-line is addressed!
I didn't totally agree with you last off season, but I totally agree with you this off season!!! Totally, my friend. I have looked and studied some of changes on the 49ers rooster and I totally agree...their rooster is 10 times better than last which I believe the 49ers will be BACK in the SuperBowl. If they keep themselves "HEALTHY. "
Dave you have got to be the biggest 49ers media optimist I have ever seen lol. They are going to struggle next year and reap what the sow by not improving their weakness which is the offensive line. Center and RT specifically need a big upgrade. Feliciano will be the RG so not worried about that. Also Safety is a major concern now with Hufunga coming back and not being the same. Im not sold on Brown but I hope he can make a big leap. There is also the Cornerback position and Linebacker with Greenlaw sidelined. This Defense will go backwards.
Mr Lombardi, answer is yes! Hate to see armstead go but he will not play all season due to injuries he has. We added players that play a whole season. Kinlaw may have been a mistake. I think their is still upside to him.
I absolutely believe that the 49ers have gotten significantly better. First like he said his quarterback position. Josh Dobbs is way better and fits this offense way better than Sam Arnold does. The running back position will still be anchored by CMC who now has a year under his belt in this offense. But also, I see them making extra stripes with their second and third backs. I can see us bringing back BA, Debo, Jennings and Connolly, as well as possibly drafting wide receiver. I also agree that we spend draft capital un improving our Offense line. Our defensive line has way more depth, and the talent is spread out more. We have more players who can play all over the line and already keep offices guessing. Our linebackers are going to be extremely talented and way better especially if Dre Greenlaw comes back. I think our secondary has yet to be finished but will significantly have more talent before the start of the season. Now the one place that you left out with special teams I believe we have added a lot of really good special team players and our kicker has a year of experience under his belt, this will be one of the best rosters ever put together.
I don’t know if this team is better. Outside of two players the niners have redone the defensive line. The niners have paid Hargrave did he make the line better or contribute to the defense??? Since past performance doesn’t necessarily predict future , so my answer I don’t know. I hope the players preform as predicated but I think it’s foolish to predict which Hargrave has shown. He maybe better this year as he might have not been put into a position to exceed.
I think that all was Wilks fault to be honest. He didn't like to blitz much and sat back and let everyone get picked apart. Hargrave can be better with a different DC.
I just truly hope they got all these players that haven't missed time because I haven't been injured but as you all know injuries coming football I hope they all don't come at once on these new players😢😢
Great report Dave. Good Breakdown! If they pick up a safety like Simmons, Blackmon, or Quandre Diggs and a shutdown cornerback opposite Ward that will lead to more sacks. . Have a nice Easter!
Not sure it is better, it is different and more expensive. Need to move up in the draft and take a top OT or RG or someone that can move around the O line. They need to get younger. and bigger. They need the Dallas O line of the 80s and 90s
Center, RG is a must and if Lutter don't play good they need another CB and a hard hitting safety is a must...The Jets cut Tomlinson NINERS should have signed him on the low end..The O-line will not win a big game and Purdy will get hurt if they don't fix it...Shanahan knows it and don't want to fix it..
Oline - better RB - slightly worse (older) but elite QB - better WR - better (if Aiyuk stays) TE - better if detroit doesnt match DL - better on edge, likely better play on interior LB - worse DB - jury out but healthy Huf + signing and better ST - same (better because Jake is going to be even better) The weakness was OL and corner. Thats still the weakness. Theyll draft there, LB and safety.
In my opiniin DL was bad against the because of the Armsted injury and because of the DC. But in the post seasilon, when Armsted was playing, the problem was the OC. The ofense was not good agains the Rams, the Liins and in the SB. Purdys improvisations saved the game in the second half of the game against the Lions. Agains the Lions in the first half both defense and ofense were bad despite of the amount of talent that this ream had. So, for me the 49ers main problem is coaching sraff in the post season
Why not trade some or all of the draft picks for some experienced players like tackle and defensive back?? KC OL was pummeled by TB in SB loss. So, KC upgraded its OL and won the next two SBs. Purdy will be in surgery-sideline mode unless protection improves. Protect your asset SF!!!
@@Kekoa-Ace Maybe not currently on the market, but if a team is contacted with an offer of many pics, they might part with a good tackle or guard or db.
Possibly but they’ve definitely have gotten older. Teams like the Packers, Lions and the Rams are young teams and have also improved their rosters. Brock Purdy is the key to this teams success and keeping him upright. They have NOT gotten better on the offensive line so until that’s addressed the rest of the roster needs is just smoke and mirrors.
yes we are better and foundation is stronger we can better for crying out loud we won the NFC and We made it SB. If cant see the positive need to get into the light it will get that SN win just has few clouds that has remedies. Better than others
While improving the offensive line is #1 priority, the 49ers can also improve the WR depth. Let’s hope the other teams are prioritizing QB’s in the upcoming draft so that good WR talent is available to the 49ers.
The only guys which can be considered as a lost were Armsted and Young. 49ers had bring eniugh talent to cover that yet. 49ers changed the DC, but n9bady knows what will happen this year. They are going to keep Jennings and Aiyuk, at least one good news. JL was not capable to bring a better DC. Also the QB lockroom is a little bit worse than last season. Considering that the main problem of the ream is the OL, and JL and KS bet all in the Draft, I would say that theses guys are always gambling like they did with Trey Lance. Purdy was their salvation.
#1 Offense WAS broke. DO fix it. The Offensive Line cost the Super Bowl and added additional risk for injury to Purdy all year. THIS IS JOB ONE. Fix it!!!!
Imagine if we didn't make the fateful decision to trade DeForest Buckner & keep Armstead...hopefully they've learned & will resign Brandon Aiyuk long term.
@johnnguyen7418 mckivits didn't cost the team any game, especially the Super Bowl. Thomas is garbage, but everyone expects every player to be perfect their first time up. The entire line was a fresh group at the star of the season. Meaning just as is, as a group. After the season started, the true problem was taken out and replaced by Feliciano. That means more time needed to get the entire group to learn each other, their weakness, and strength. Name one game that mckivits had a penalty called on him. I don't think 1 flag was thrown against him all season long. Yes, he got beat. The right side is definitely the weak spot. What right side wouldn't be weak with trent on the other side? Honestly? Every single player that had their way with mckivits would have had their way with any offensive lineman. If you pay attention, when mckivits is getting beat, he does not commit a penalty while maintaining his hand placement and footwork. In doing so, most of the time, he creates an escape route if Purdy needs to bail.
@johnnguyen7418 and my main point to the main comment is simple and direct. Provide some kind of actual knowledge when you say anything. What is so bad? The individual who wrote the original comment is just saying what he or she sees or hears from everyone else. And if that's not the case, prove that you actually have something to back up your statement... I mean, she or he has yet to respond.
IMO, the 49ers would be better off trading Aiyuk for draft picks. Then trade up and draft JC Latham OT from Alabama. Get a guard in the 2nd round, THEN address CB, TE, LB, DE, etc.
Don't count your chickens. The Vikings are fools. Darnold is mediocre. Dobbs is better. Niners are going to regret keeping McKivitz. He stinks. Draft an o lineman in first round.
wonder if Garoppolo reached the super bowl (many considered him very limited, "not me"), with Purdy he reached another super bowl (being a rookie and also highly criticized, "not me"), then to continue having a good roster, The formula is simple (they hire a rookie in this 2024 draft, in the next year of competition with the players that the 49ers have and with Shanahan they can once again have a QB with a low cost and not worry that for the next one they have to pay Purdy and dismantle the team.
