CSN Bay Area

Despite all the upheaval inside the 49ers, the nucleus of the 49ers' roster still appears strong. But the organization has a lot of work to do in the coming months.

The team has sole negotiating rights with all of its scheduled free agents until March 10, when full-fledged free agency begins.

The draft will be held April 30-May 2, more than seven weeks after free agency opens.

Here is a look at the 49ers' offseason needs:

Cornerback
Returning: Tramaine Brock, Dontae Johnson, Jimmie Ward, Kenneth Acker, Keith Reaser.
Status unknown: Perrish Cox (free agent), Chris Culliver (free agent), Chris Cook (free agent).
Cox and Culliver were the 49ers’ primarly corners last season with Brock missing most of the season due to injuries. Cox might be easier to re-sign than Culliver, who could get some attention on the open market. (Ward was placed in this category because his main contribution comes as a nickel back.)

Defensive line
Returning: Glenn Dorsey, Ian Williams, Tank Carradine, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Quinton Dial, Mike Purcell.
Status unknown: Justin Smith (retirement?).
Whether Smith returns to play another season or not, this will be a need because the 49ers would like to have another young player to develop – even if it’s for the 2016 season.

Wide receiver
Returning: Anquan Boldin, Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton, Trindon Holliday.
Status unknown: Michael Crabtree (free agent), Stevie Johnson (salary cap), Brandon Lloyd (free agent).
Once Crabtree hits the open market, it’s difficult to envision him returning to a team that has made to secret of their intent to run the football more next season. Johnson would be a starter, but will the 49ers want to pay his scheduled $6.025 million salary?

Outside linebacker
Returning: Aldon Smith, Aaron Lynch, Corey Lemonier.
Status unknown: Ahmad Brooks (salary cap), Dan Skuta (free agent).
It’s difficult to come up with any scenario in which the 49ers decide to pay Brooks his $6.85 million salary, especially after his many missteps toward the end of the season.

Offensive line
Returning: Joe Staley, Alex Boone, Anthony Davis, Marcus Martin, Daniel Kilgore, Brandon Thomas, Joe Looney, Dillon Farrell.
Status unknown: Mike Iupati (free agent), Jonathan Martin (salary cap/performance).
The 49ers appeared to brace themselves for the loss of Iupati with the selection of Thomas in last year’s draft, knowing he would not play as a rookie due to a torn ACL. The 49ers will look to strengthen the backup tackle spot.

Quarterback
Returning: Colin Kaepernick.
Status unknown: Blaine Gabbert (free agent), Josh Johnson (free agent).
With the 49ers’ apparent eagerness to utilize Kaepernick’s running ability, a backup becomes a high priority. They could add a quarterback in free agency and select one in the draft, too.

Tight end
Returning: Vance McDonald, Derek Carrier.
Status unknown: Vernon Davis (salary cap/performance), Garrett Celek (free agent)
The 49ers must decide whether Davis is fully committed to earn his $4.95 million salary for the upcoming season.

Running back
Returning: Carlos Hyde, Kendall Hunter.
Status unknown: Frank Gore (free agent), Alfonso Smith (free agent).
The 49ers drafted Hyde in the second round of last year’s draft for a reason. But one of the big questions of the offseason is whether Gore buys into their plan (financial and role) for his return.