The 49ers’ 2020 season has been defined by its dramatic mood swings.
The 49ers win back-to-back games against the New York teams, and they’re back as NFC favorites. Overreaction.
Home losses to Philadelphia and Miami, and they’re looking at a top-five pick in the draft. Overreaction.
Victories six weeks apart over the Los Angeles Rams each came with promises of the postseason. Overreaction.
Then, they get their backsides handed to them against the Buffalo Bills, and they are finished, yet again.
Overreaction? Who knows, but it does seem like a reasonable conclusion as the 49ers fall to 5-7 with four games remaining in the season.
Here’s what others are saying after the team appeared thoroughly overmatched in a 34-24 loss to the playoff-bound Bills and their superstar third-year quarterback Josh Allen.
Overreaction? No.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk must be a top priority to re-sign as a free agent. But we know you’re talking about the halfbacks, so let’s take a look at those players.
Raheem Mostert has one year remaining on his contract. He will be back as the team’s first option. He is a dynamic playmaker. But he has appeared in only six games, and left two of them midway through, due to injuries.
Jeff Wilson is a restricted free agent, who has played well enough to earn a spot back next season with a slight pay raise.
Undrafted rookie JaMycal Hasty, who is out for the season with a fractured collarbone, will be back. He would appear to be an ideal fit as a third-down back.
The 49ers can save nearly $3 million when they release Tevin Coleman. We say when because that seems like an obvious move. And Jerick McKinnon has not shown the same burst this season after missing two years with knee issues. It is time to move on.
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This is one area where the 49ers have found a lot of players to fit what they’re doing in the four seasons with Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner.
They do not need to invest a first- or second-day draft pick to re-build their depth, but they certainly will add two new faces to compete for spots on next year’s team.
Overreaction? No.
Actually, the 49ers need to improve everywhere, including wide receiver and linebacker.
Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk need to be better, and so do the Nos. 3 and 4 receivers. Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw are still on the rise, so their best play is ahead of them, too.
This team needs to stay healthy — or healthier. That is how the improvements can happen with just about every position group on the roster.
Overreaction? No.
The secondary certainly will see some shakeup in the offseason. The only player we can be sure will be back as a starter is free safety Jimmie Ward.
Other than Ward, it’s anybody’s guess.
Tarvarius Moore is being given every opportunity to solidify his role at the safety spot opposite of Ward. But that is not going all that well. Moore needs to elevate his understanding of the defense and reduce the number of negative plays for which he is responsible.
The 49ers need to re-sign nickel back K’Waun Williams.
Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley will be a restricted free agent. He should be back.
It seems veteran cornerback Jason Verrett is more likely to return than Richard Sherman. Verrett is younger and probably less expensive. Verrett and Ward are regarded as the team’s best pure cover guys.
As Sherman said in an interview over the weekend with NBC Sports Bay Area, all signs are pointing toward him signing elsewhere next season.
Cornerback has to be a position where the 49ers look to add a top-flight talent — a player who has the size, feet, smarts and tenacity to be able to compete four times a year against DeAndre Hopkins and DK Metcalf.
Overreaction? No.
It might only qualify as an overreaction because Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch likely already drew that conclusion after experiencing the difficulties of defending such quarterbacks as Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray and, yes, Patrick Mahomes.
But watching Josh Allen obliterate the 49ers’ pass defense — until Monday night, an area that was considered a strength — had to be a cold, hard slap in the face.
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Allen has the athleticism to make plays with his feet. It’s not just running for yards. It was his ability to sidestep the blitz or break out of the pocket and throw the ball down the field while on the move.
It is more difficult than ever to put together a strong offensive line because of the way the game is played in college. And NFL teams need a quarterback who can buy time with their legs when their pass protection breaks down.
The quarterback position has changed a lot, and the 49ers must look hard this offseason at finding a way to keep up with the growing number of NFL teams that are turning their offenses over to young, dynamic quarterbacks.
