Now that the coaching drama has dwindled for the San Francisco 49ers, it’s time to start thinking about the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft and patching up the team that has many significant needs to improve from an 8-8 season. What are the major positions to be focusing on?
Despite the anticipation of the 49ers coming in with a solid receiving corps, wide receiver is unanimously the top position to be focusing on. Both Vernon Davis (who is a tight end but important in the passing game) and Michael Crabtree significantly dropped off in production this year.
Davis had just half of the receptions he had in 2013. His totals for the season finished at 26 catches for 245 yards and two touchdowns. He actually played in 14 games in 2014, but 49ers fans would really have to rewatch the games to believe it. Davis’ receiving and TD total is the lowest he’s had in his nine-year career.
Crabtree played in just five games in 2013 and had a 14.9 yards per catch average with a touchdown. He played in all 16 games in 2014, but just recorded 698 total yards and four touchdowns. That’s a significant dropoff from the 1,105 total yards he had back in 2012 and that receiving total he had in 2014 is the lowest he’s recorded when playing in 15 or more games in a season.
Looking back at last season, it became a glowing observation that the receivers were not a good match with quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Anquan Boldin had a decent season, but his age is an issue. Crabtree could bounce back, but he’ll be entering free agency and his future with the 49ers is up in the air after a dismal season.
On a 49ers draft analysis back on January 13th featuring Bleacher Report’s NFL Draft Scout, Matt Miller, he believed West Virginia’s Kevin White was a top five receiver in the draft and a perfect fit for the 49ers. White would mesh with the speed the team needs for Kaepernick’s powerful arm.
"I think (West Virginia’s) Kevin White is a better fit for what the 49ers do. I have ([Louisville’s DeVante] Parker and White) ranked No. 9 and 10 overall. They basically have the same grade from me. I don’t think either one is the wrong pick, but in terms of a team that needs to add some speed, I think White is a better fit."
According to the fans in a poll on Niners Nation back in December, they also agree that a wide receiver would be the biggest need. Here were the top five needs in their mind:
- Wide receiver: 33% (1,106 votes)
- Quarterback: 20% (683 votes)
- Cornerback: 15% (521 votes)
- Offensive guard: 10% (351 votes)
- Offensive tackle: 8% (275 votes)
A quarterback certainly is in need, but not to replace Kaepernick at the moment. Some fans would debate a change needs to be made at the starting position, but ultimately they need a backup. The team can’t be confident with Blaine Gabbert and Josh Johnson as the men behind Kaepernick.
That being said, the top quarterbacks are not strong in this draft class. Maybe they’ll have better luck in free agency, but ultimately it may be more important to focus on a cornerback in the second round.
What do you believe the 49ers’ biggest draft needs are?