LA Rams Wednesday Walkabout NFC West 2.1

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers rifled through free agents as their roster was depleted by injuries. Even so, they will be hard-pressed to rise from the ashes this year. Their defense is in shambles, and DC Robert Saleh is the head coach of the NY Jets. Will the 49ers focus on offense this offseason or defense? Or will it try to sit on the fence by addressing both equally?

Jay:

The news just broke on Tuesday that the 49ers have retained QB John Rosen who was slated to become a free agent. I think that was a wise move on their part. Now, the Niners have their backup signal-callers in place behind Jimmy Garoppolo with Rosen and Josh Johnson.

I certainly expect Garoppolo to be the starter under center, He’s not going anywhere, despite the speculation that head coach Shanahan has a hankering for the interception machine named Sam Darnold of the NY Jets. (IMO, Darnold is hot garbage and hasn’t impressed me at all – frankly, I just don’t see what others see in the guy.)

I guess this means they will not be offering Nick Mullens a second or original-round tender, and allow him to test the open market – another good move. His QB rating was even worse than Carson Wentz, well below the QB Maginot Line and veering into the QB Abysmal Line, anyway.

He threw 10 interceptions in part-time duty last year and probably should have had many more, based on the wounded duck throws and desperate heaves to players in the wrong jersey color.

They also gave us a clue into their thinking when they re-signed RB Austin Walter this week. Walter filled in admirably in spot-duty in the backfield last year and also as a kick returner. He should compete for a spot in the backfield rotation of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, Jr.

There is one absolute must-re-sign player for the Niners if they have any hopes of keeping Jimmy G healthy and upright next season and that’s left tackle Trent Williams. He’s in the Top tier of o-linemen in the league, and after missing an entire season the year before, played well for the team.

If they can’t re-sign Williams, they would do well to take a flyer on OT Orlando Brown, Jr. of the Baltimore Ravens, who has expressed his desire to play at left tackle. Brown filled in admirably for injured All-Pro Ronnie Stanley last year and Brown wants not only to play that position but get paid commensurately for that position. The Ravens are likely not going to pay him that kind of money and he would provide a nice addition to any team that needs to protect their QB better. (Seattle, are you listening?)

I like DE Solomon Thomas, but much depends on how he rebounds from his torn ACL surgery last season. I’m uncertain if the Niners should re-sign him, just as I’m on the fence about CB Richard Sherman. It might be an opportune time for the Niners to go younger at that position, and at this time in his career, Sherman might be better suited as a veteran leader and mentor to a young secondary – say, the Buffalo Bills?