San Francisco 49ers

Record: 8-8 | Offense: 27th | Defense: 15th

2009 Wrap-Up:

The San Francisco 49ers have improved in each of the last 3 seasons, including last year when they ended the season with an 8-8 record in HC Mike Singletary’s first year as head coach. Shaun Hill started the season as the team’s QB, but eventually gave way to Alex Smith in attempts to jumpstart his career. RB Frank Gore missed a couple games due to injury, but preseason sensation Glen Coffee wasn’t nearly as effective when the games counted. The highlight of the year was Michael Crabtree, who missed the first 6 weeks of the season due to a holdout, yet came in and produced right from the get-go. With the breakout of TE Vernon Davis, the 49ers have to be excited about the progress of their offense.

Positions of Need:

1. Offensive Tackle – The 49ers were below average in the sacks allowed department last year, so the team could use a big tackle to anchor the right side of the line. Alex Smith needs as much time as possible to go through his progressions and make the proper throws. With two first round picks, the Niners will have a great opportunity to solve their O-Line issues.

2. Corner Back – Nate Clements has lost a step and the team has even considered moving him to safety, which is usually never a good thing for a corner back’s prospects. The only legitimate corner they have right now is Shawntae Spencer, so there is an absolute need at this position. The Niners should take one of the top corners in the draft if they drop to them at #13 overall since they were in the bottom third tier of passing yards allowed last season.

3. Kick Returner – Seriously, a TE is returning kicks? There has to be other options on the roster. That fact alone should demonstrate that the Niners need a game-changing threat to return kicks and punts. Michael Robinson only averaged 23 yards per kick return while Arnaz Battle managed a whopping 2.9 yards per punt return. Some mock drafts have reflected this by slotting RB C.J. Spiller with their #13 pick, but quality KRs can be found later in the draft.

4. Safety – Correlated to the pass defense issue in #2, the Niners have a need at the safety position. Dashon Goldson had a fantastic rookie season, but veteran Michael Lewis struggled with concussion issues and with one more hit his career would be in jeopardy. Another young safety to pair with Goldson would be a great start to rebuilding the pass defense.

5. Outside Linebacker – The team registered 44 sacks last season, but you can never have enough pass-rushing depth. Justin Smith made a smooth transition to the 3-4 defense, while Manny Lawson and Ahmad Brooks provided some excellent pass rush off the edge. More pressure from various positions along the front seven would confuse opposing offenses and make it easier on the defensive backs in coverage.

6. Quarterback – Is Alex Smith the answer? He was efficient last season, but hasn’t lived up to his #1 overall draft pick expectations. The team just signed another former #1 overall pick, David Carr, to be his back-up. They still have developmental project QB Nate Davis, who flashed potential in the preseason in his rookie year last August and was madly productive in college. If the team views him as the future of the position, there’s no need here. I’m not convinced they believe that, so we could see the 49ers draft a QB.

7. Inside Linebacker – Takeo Spikes re-signed with San Francisco and they already have super-stud Patrick Willis, but they will need to prepare for the future when Spikes leaves. Scott McKillop is a bruiser and fantastic special teams player, but he may not be an above-average starting talent at the ILB position.

2010 Outlook:

The Arizona Cardinals, 2008 and 2009 divisional champs, lost lots of talent in the offseason, most notably future Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner. The 49ers have some holes to fill, but likely vault to the top of the division with the Cardinals’ recent losses. A mere one game improvement over last season would likely give them the NFC West division title.

San Francisco 49ers 2009 Draft
Draft Order		Player Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Round	Pick
1	10	Michael Crabtree	Wide Receiver	6′1″	215	Texas Tech
3	74	Glen Coffee	Running Back	6′0″	205	Alabama
5	146	Scott McKillop	Linebacker	6′1″	245	Pittsburgh
5	171	Nate Davis	Quarterback	6′1″	225	Ball State
6	184	Bear Pascoe	Tight End	6′5″	250	Fresno State
7	219	Curtis Taylor	Safety	6′2″	210	Louisiana State
7	244	Ricky Jean-Francois	Defensive Tackle	6′2″	295	Louisiana State

Tags: 2010 NFL Draft, NFL, NFL draft, NFL Rookie Draft, San Francisco 49ers