Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
49ers drafting for need -- next season and beyond
Share This Post
Comments
Friday, March 21, 2014 - 11:00am
Follow @maioccocsn

The time to draft for need is a year or two before there’s a need. With that in mind, here’s where the 49ers should look in this year’s draft:

Wide receiver: Certainly, there’s a need for an injection of speed right now. But it’s difficult to envision a rookie supplanting Anquan Boldin or Michael Crabtree in the starting lineup this season. But with Crabtree entering the final year of his contract, the 49ers have to plan for a scenario in which Crabtree is not around in 2015.

[RELATED: 49ers, Raiders on hand to evaluate SJSU's Fales]

Cornerback: Again, the 49ers can definitely use a cornerback who can make an immediate contribution – most likely as a nickel back. Chris Culliver enters the final year of his deal. And while the 49ers have plans to begin negotiating an extension, they must add a youngster. The 49ers have penciled in Culliver and Tramaine Brock as the starters. They currently have no reliable No. 3 corner.

Guard: Of course, the 49ers want to keep Mike Iupati around for a long time. But with his likelihood to land a blockbuster contract, there’s no guarantee he’ll be back in 2015. If a replacement is required, Joe Looney and Jonathan Martin are among the options. But the 49ers will be in the market for a potential starter who can add to the competition and depth.

Defensive line: Justin Smith isn’t getting any younger. And Ray McDonald will have a base salary of $4.1 million next year. The 49ers did some planning ahead last year with the selections of Tank Carradine and Quinton Dial. The great defensive mind of George Seifert always said his teams could never have too many defensive linemen.

Pass rusher: And teams can’t have too many pass-rushers, either. Aldon Smith is virtually assured to be with the team for at least two more seasons. Still, it can’t hurt to bring in more outside pass-rushers.

Running back: The end is near for Frank Gore. Kendall Hunter enters the final year of his contract. There’s no evidence that LaMichael James can be much of a contributor. And while Marcus Lattimore is under contract for four more years, nobody knows if he can rebound fully to featured-back form.

Quarterback: The 49ers have three quarterbacks under contract. Backup Blaine Gabbert is on a one-year deal. The 49ers can take a late-round flier on a quarterback who has the potential to develop into Colin Kaepernick’s long-term backup.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Inside the Paint: Slow start dooms Warriors vs. Spurs
Niemi puts loss to Capitals behind him
McLellan: Capitals' goals were 'puck-luck'
O'Neal: 'To beat Spurs, you've gotta play full 48 minutes'

Giants

Sandoval turns down Giants' three-year, $40 million offer
Giants place Tony Abreu on release waivers
Padres' Johnson out 4-5 weeks with forearm strain
Giants notes: Bochy finds new threat for his bench
Read More

Athletics

A's option Freiman, Lindblom, Leon to Triple-A
Gray to start opener; Cook, Gentry to open season on DL
Vogt homers twice to power A's past Mariners
With three openings, A's bullpen competition heats up
Read More

Sharks

Sharks try to squeeze some rest into hectic schedule
Sharks suffer hard-luck shootout loss to Capitals
Instant Replay: Sharks stumble vs. Capitals, lose in SO
Sharks hope to avoid emotional letdown vs. Caps
Read More

49ers

Baalke: 'Jim and I work very well together'
Baalke: 49ers have not contacted Eagles about Jackson
49ers Mailbag: Can't keep 'em all
Report: Eagles willing to release DeSean Jackson
Read More

Raiders

Davis: LA something I've thought about, haven't pursued
Allen: Raiders didn't sign 'mascots and hood ornaments'
Allen: Schaub gives Raiders options in NFL draft
Jets cut Mark Sanchez, sign Michael Vick
Read More

Warriors

Rewind: Restlessness returns after W's loss to Spurs
Instant Replay: Warriors fall to shorthanded Spurs
Western Watch: Grizzlies' D stifles Pacers
Western Watch: Blazers lose by 30 to Bobcats
Read More

NCAA

Saint Mary's bounced from NIT with 63-55 loss to Minnesota
Stanford hangs on to upset Kansas
Report: Kansas center Joel Embiid out against Stanford
Stanford beats New Mexico to advance to Round of 32
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

Sandoval turns down Giants' three-year, $40 million offer
(5)
Andrew Baggarly

More Stories

Giants place Tony Abreu on release waivers
(2)
Padres' Johnson out 4-5 weeks with forearm strain
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Giants Confidential: 1-on-1 with Sergio Romo
Giants Confidential: 1-on-1 with Sergio Romo
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Giants notes: Bochy finds new threat for his bench
Hudson hopes to end playoff heartbreak with Giants

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

A's option Freiman, Lindblom, Leon to Triple-A
Joe Stiglich

More Stories

Gray to start opener; Cook, Gentry to open season on DL
(3)
Vogt homers twice to power A's past Mariners
(2)
See more >

A's VIDEO

A's Confidential: 1-on-1 with Josh Reddick
A's Confidential: 1-on-1 with Josh Reddick
See more >

A's TALK

With three openings, A's bullpen competition heats up
MLB 2014: Athletics look to three-peat in AL West

A's INSIDER JOE STIGLICH

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Sharks try to squeeze some rest into hectic schedule
(1)
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Sharks suffer hard-luck shootout loss to Capitals
(3)
Instant Replay: Sharks stumble vs. Capitals, lose in SO
(1)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

Niemi puts loss to Capitals behind him
Niemi puts loss to Capitals behind him
See more >

Features

Sharks hope to avoid emotional letdown vs. Caps
Sharks proud of playoff streak, but want more

SHARKS INSIDER

  • 49ers Notes: Goodwin not worried about fumbles
  • Harbaugh sticking with Akers
  • Boone, 49ers have hands full with Wilfork
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Restlessness returns after W's loss to Spurs
(55)
Monte Poole

More Stories

Instant Replay: Warriors fall to shorthanded Spurs
(12)
Western Watch: Grizzlies' D stifles Pacers
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Inside the Paint: Slow start dooms Warriors vs. Spurs
Inside the Paint: Slow start dooms Warriors vs. Spurs
See more >

Features

Western Watch: Blazers lose by 30 to Bobcats
O'Neal active, Iguodala remains out vs. Spurs

WARRIORS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

LIVE: Bucks vs. Kings
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Royce White 'in a different place' with Kings
(3)
Kings outclassed by first place Spurs in 99-79 loss
(2)
See more >

Watch

Highlights: Kings no match for league-best Spurs
Highlights: Kings no match for league-best Spurs
See more >

Features

Report: White could make Kings debut on Friday
Kings look to end Spurs' 11-game winning streak

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

Baalke: 'Jim and I work very well together'
(19)
Matt Maiocco

More Stories

Baalke: 49ers have not contacted Eagles about Jackson
(80)
49ers Mailbag: Can't keep 'em all
(86)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Miller: 'I really wanted to be a part of the 49ers moving forward'
Miller: 'I really wanted to be a part of the 49ers moving forward'
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Rewind: 49ers just 'an inch or two' away from Super Bowl
(67)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

  • Baalke: 'Jim and I work very well together'
  • Baalke: 49ers have not contacted Eagles about Jackson
  • 49ers Mailbag: Can't keep 'em all
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Davis: LA something I've thought about, haven't pursued
(1)
Scott Bair

More Stories

Allen: Raiders didn't sign 'mascots and hood ornaments'
(7)
Jets cut Mark Sanchez, sign Michael Vick
(1)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

YSTL: Why is Matt Schaub the right fit for Raiders?
YSTL: Why is Matt Schaub the right fit for Raiders?
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Raiders Rewind: Overmatched vs. Broncos
(29)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Kaepernick doesn't need headphones to tune out distraction
  • 49ers injury report: Rogers questionable, but insists he'll play
  • Seahawks' Harvin ruled out for NFC Championship
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Dwyer's PK in 57th lifts Sporting KC over Quakes 1-0
Associated Press

More Stories

Quakes face reigning MLS champs seeking first win
Lockout of MLS referees ends with five-year deal
(1)
See more >

Watch

Homegrown Tommy Thompson ready for 'next level' with Quakes
Homegrown Tommy Thompson ready for 'next level' with Quakes
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Sandoval turns down Giants' three-year, $40 million offer
(5)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Rewind: Restlessness returns after W's loss to Spurs
(55)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Baalke: 'Jim and I work very well together'
(19)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Davis: LA something I've thought about, haven't pursued
(1)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks try to squeeze some rest into hectic schedule
(1)
See more >

CASEY PRATT

RAY RATTO

Schaub investment one half of Raiders' culture-changing plans

TOP STORIES

  • Baalke: 'Jim and I work very well together'
  • 49ers Mailbag: Can't keep 'em all
  • Report: Eagles willing to release DeSean Jackson

AFF

Enter here for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Authentic Fan Friday!

AFT

Click here to buy your Sharks tickets in the Authentic Fan Thursday section!



Authentic Opening Day

Authentic Opening Day

Join us at AT&T on March 31st to watch the Giants @ Diamondbacks on the big screen!

Click here for more information.

NCAA

Stanford beats New Mexico to advance to Round of 32
UCLA lands 2015 top QB recruit

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Inside the Paint: Slow start dooms Warriors vs. Spurs
Inside the Paint: Slow start dooms Warriors vs. Spurs
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live
  • CSN Talent

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California