After a thrilling end to Super Bowl LI, the NFL season has come to an end.\u00a0The 2017 NFL off-season is now heating up and free agency is approaching.\u00a0This off-season, Last Word on Pro Football will be analyzing the top three needs for each team, and the topic at hand today is\u00a0the San Francisco 49ers.<\/p>\n
San Francisco will start the 2017 season under a brand new regime.\u00a0Former NFL player John Lynch<\/a><\/strong> has been hired by San Francisco as general manager.\u00a0Also, Chip Kelly<\/strong><\/a> has been shown the door as head coach.\u00a0The 49ers have brought in former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan<\/strong><\/a> to fill that void.\u00a0With the team in turmoil and in a re-building phase, acquiring useful talent through free agency will be key for San Francisco.<\/p>\n The 49ers are in dire straits at their most important position.\u00a0Once Jim Harbaugh<\/a><\/strong> left the team, Colin Kaepernick<\/a><\/strong> regressed.\u00a0Since then he has proven he\u2019s not the team’s answer for the future, and is likely to find a new home this off-season.\u00a0Furthermore, Blaine Gabbert<\/a><\/strong> and Christian Ponder<\/a><\/strong> are both free agents.\u00a0The 49ers and Shanahan have hinted\u00a0at having\u00a0interest in a few free agent quarterbacks.<\/p>\n Shanahan has been complimentary of Kirk Cousins<\/a><\/strong> and Jimmy Garoppolo<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0To acquire Cousins, San Francisco would likely have to give up draft picks. This may make Cousins less desirable.\u00a0Garoppolo has gained experience behind one of the best quarterback-coaching tandems of all time.\u00a0Though he is largely unproven due to lack of playing time, he may be a more reasonable target for San Francisco.<\/p>\n The Dallas Cowboys proved last season that having an outstanding offensive line can help inexperienced players look like veterans.\u00a0Regardless of who plays quarterback this coming season, the 49ers will need to have players to protect him. Though Joe Staley<\/strong><\/a> remains in the mix, the 49ers still could opt to add experience to a young offensive line.\u00a0Russell Okung<\/a><\/strong> is approaching 30-years-old, he is still a dominant tackle, and could provide much needed leadership to the 49ers locker room.\u00a0Okung is looking to earn just over $10 million a season and this will be a deterrent for San Francisco.<\/p>\n Other viable options include Matt Kalil<\/a><\/strong> from the Minnesota Vikings.\u00a0Kalil may present the best option as his market value is $7.1 million.\u00a0At only 25-years-old, Kalil could be a long term option for San Francisco.\u00a0Many of the offensive line free agents this off-season are 30 and older. Finding a player to fill San Francisco\u2019s void at a reasonable price may be\u00a0more adequately accomplished\u00a0through the draft.<\/p>\n San Francisco has had just as many troubles at linebacker as they\u2019ve had at quarterback the last few seasons.\u00a0Between injuries to players like NaVorro Bowman<\/strong><\/a> and Chris Borland<\/a><\/strong> deciding to quit football entirely, the 49ers have been decimated at linebacker,\u00a0outside of Ahmad Brooks<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Fortunately, San Francisco has a better outlook for finding players at value for this position.\u00a0Melvin Ingram<\/a><\/strong> is an unrestricted free agent for the Los Angeles Chargers. Ingram is set to earn about seven million dollars this season and is 28-years-old.\u00a0Over the\u00a0past two seasons for Los Angeles, Ingram has recorded 18.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles.<\/p>\nSan Francisco 49ers 2017 Off-Season:\u00a0Top Three Needs<\/h2>\n
Quarterback<\/h3>\n
Offensive Line<\/h3>\n
Linebacker<\/h3>\n