Following the dismal 2016 season, the San Francisco 49ers chose to shake things up by bringing in a new general manager and head coach in John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan. The hirings were a surprise to many as the team kept things tight-lipped up until the official announcement. The pair turned their sights on upgrading the roster and attempting to build the 49ers back into perennial playoff contenders. Just under five years later, both Lynch and Shanahan are beginning to feel the heat as their 49ers are on pace for the regime’s fourth losing season out of the five years in Santa Clara.
The Rebuild
The coaching staff for Kyle Shanahan is relatively unchanged over the years with the major departures being secondary coach Joe Woods (Cleveland DC) and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh (Jets HC). San Francisco’s roster has received the most attention and rightfully so. The 49ers roster had been decimated by years of neglect by former general manager Trent Baalke. Lynch and his team quickly set out to add talent and depth to the roster. They needed to hit on the 2017 NFL Draft to streamline the process. Hindsight shows they did the opposite as two draft picks remain from that year’s group. During their time running the franchise, Lynch and Shanahan have made a grand total of 40 draft selections, including seven first-round selections. Ignoring anything after the third round, the 49ers have made 15 selections. A third of those, including all from 2017, are no longer on the roster.
Bold: Still on Roster
2017 Draft
- Solomon Thomas, DE (1.3)
- Reuben Foster, LB (1.31)
- Ahkello Witherspoon, CB (3.66)
- C.J. Beathard, QB (3.104)
2018 Draft
- Mike McGlinchey, OT (1.9)
- Dante Pettis, WR (2.44)
- Fred Warner, LB (3.70)
- Tarvarius Moore, S (3.95)
2019 Draft
- Nick Bosa, DE (1.2)
- Deebo Samuel, WR (2.36)
- Jalen Hurd, WR (3.67)
2020 Draft
- Javon Kinlaw, DT (1.14) *
- Brandon Aiyuk, WR (1.25)
Missing on multiple drafts in the early rounds has put the 49ers behind the eight-ball. In 2017, the 49ers traded back a spot to third but chose Solomon Thomas. John Lynch had been a classmate of Thomas while taking classes at Stanford which undoubtedly played a hand in the drafting of the defensive tackle. Thomas was underwhelming for the 49ers who insisted on playing the natural three-technique outside, negating his quickness for an interior lineman.
Injuries
Whether the draft or free agency, the 49ers have taken chances on players with high upside but extensive injury resumes. The latter can be summed up by looking at cornerback Jason Verrett. In total, Verrett has played in 15 games for the 49ers since signing with San Francisco prior to the 2019 season. He is currently on IR following an ACL tear sustained in the season opener. Injuries have been the name of the game since 2017 and have proved to be a continual plague on the franchise. In the team’s lone winning season of 2019, injuries sidelined multiple members of the offensive line, specifically center Weston Richburg. The veteran’s presence was most notable during the Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs as defensive tackle, Chris Jones, essentially took over the game in the fourth quarter.
- Ep. 197: Fields to Pittsburgh, Still Available Free Agentsby Full Press Coverage on March 18, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Around FPC
NFL: The Latest On Odell Beckham Jr.
NFL: Immediate Reaction: Dolphins Snap Losing Streak, But in Ugly Fashion
NFL: Patriots Very Much Alive In AFC East Race
NHL: Andrew Mangiapane World Championship Success Carries Over To Flames Red-Hot Start
Wrestling: Ring of Honor Announces Hiatus, Releases All Talent
PODCAST: The Eye Test For Two – Ep 80: Seth Wickersham Joins To Talk Brady, Patriots, and More
During their attempt at a revenge tour in 2020, the team struggled with injuries to starters Jimmy Garoppolo, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Nick Bosa, Solomon Thomas, Javon Kinlaw, Emmanuel Moseley, Jimmie Ward, and Jaquiski Tartt. For a deeper level of frustration, Kinlaw and Samuel were both highly regarded prospects coming out of college for their talent but had red flags surrounding their injury histories. The woes have continued in 2021 as the team has lost significant time from three of their expected four starting secondary players and two of their three expected starting linebackers.
Will It Improve?
In truth, no one knows for sure if this team can get turned back around in time to salvage the season. Without a first-round pick the next two seasons, the 49ers are in a position where help comes from free agency or through current players developing quickly. Yes, it’s possible the team is underperforming due to injuries and can turn it around. However, this could be the norm for what is on the roster currently. Can this coaching staff develop quarterback Trey Lance into someone worthy of the third overall selection? Will the front office be able to identify free-agent options to fill holes while preparing for contract extensions for the likes of Nick Bosa and a total of 24 current players set to be free agents after this season? Fans are getting restless and the media is beginning to turn on the leadership. The clock is ticking.
– Ryan Adverderada is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage 49ers. Like and follow on Follow @ryanadverderada