Off-Season Primer - San Francisco 49ers

2023 Record- (12-5)

In 2023, the 49ers started the season 5-0, before losing their next 3 going into their bye week. The Niners came out of their bye rejuvenated and ran off 6 straight victories reaching a record of 11-3, becoming the first team to clinch the playoffs. In the following weeks they clinched the NFC West and the #1 overall seed in the NFC. 

After their bye in the playoffs, the 49ers won a hotly contested dog fight against an ever improving Green Bay Packers team. The game went back and forth but the 49ers were able to come out on top 24-21. The victory advanced San Francisco to their 4th NFC Championship game in 5 years.

In the championship game, the 49ers found themselves down 24-7 to the Detroit Lions at halftime. However, San Francisco stormed back to beat the Lions 34-31, setting an NFL record for overcoming the largest halftime deficit in a championship game. 

But their luck ran out in the Superbowl when the 49ers lost in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs 25-22.

San Francisco finished the season with 491 points scored, which was third most in the league and the second most in franchise history. The 49ers set an NFL record, becoming the first team with four players to go over 1,000 scrimmage yards in one season, with Deebo Samuel (1,085), George Kittle (1,022), Christian McCaffrey (2,023), and Brandon Aiyuk (1,317).

Draft Picks

Round 1 - (31)

Round 2- (63)

Round 3- (94)

Round 4- (123)

Round 4- (130)

Round 4- (132)

Round 5- (175)

Round 6- (211)

Round 6- (215)

Round 7- (232)

Round 7- (251)

Free Agents

Projected Cap Space - Approximately negative $3MM

Edge- Chase Young

QB- Sam Darnold

DT- Javon Kinlaw

S- Tashaun Gipson

QB- Brandon Allen

WR- Chris Conley

WR- Jauan Jennings

WR- Ray-Ray McCloud

TE- Ross Dwelley

TE- Charlie Woerner

OT- Matt Pryor

G- Ben Bartch

G- Jon Feliciano

Edge- Clelin Ferrell

Edge- Randy Gregory

DT- Kevin Givens

DT- Sebastian Joseph-Day

LB- Oren Burks

LB- Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

S- Logan Ryan

San Francisco gave up a 3rd round pick to acquire highly-touted edge rusher Chase Young from the Washington Commanders at the trade deadline and is it safe to say they want to sign Young long term when the new league year opens this month. And with all of their blue chip players already signed to multi-year contracts, look for the Niners to make Young a priority in free agency.

Reserve quarterback Sam Darnold has evolved into a reliable backup in the league. The former first round pick will garner a lot of interest in free agency and the 49ers will do what they can to keep him in the fold to back up starter Brock Purdy.

Wide receiver Jauan Jennings has settled in very nicely in the #3 wide receiver role for the 49ers. His 4-catch performance in the Super Bowl may have some teams believing he could be more than just a complimentary piece. San Francisco should do what they can to bring back him back, as he clearly was a valuable component of an offense that scored 491 points in 2023.

Biggest Needs 

OT

CB

WR

DL

San Francisco has one of the best left tackles in football in Trent Williams. However, teams will move their best pass rushers to attack the right side of their line of scrimmage and the 49ers need a right tackle who can handle the pressure. With pick 31 in the first round, expect the 49ers to target a right tackle who can step right in and start.

The Niners' defensive line remains strong on the edges with world class rushers like Nick Bosa and Chase Young, but they are starting to show their age in the middle. Interior defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead are both on the other side of 30 and the team lacks the overall depth up the middle. With 11 draft picks in the upcoming draft, the 49ers are in a position to move up if the right defensive tackle is there for the taking.

San Francisco got some spotty play at times from their cornerbacks in 2023. With such a deep class and all of their draft capital, look for the Niners to find some new talent at the position on days two and three.