QB: The immediate future of this position hinges on the return or departure of Steve Young, but it’s clear the 49ers need to address the quarterback situation this offseason. Walsh still believes in Jeff Garcia’s ability, but the up-and-down performance by Garcia last season was more indicative of a backup-type player. 

CB: The rotating door here was the team’s biggest weakness in ’99. The number of starting combinations at cornerback almost tripled the win total. Mark McMillian and Darnell Walker were too small. R.W. McQuarters and Craig Newsome were too slow. Pierson Prioleau may be better suited for safety. Defensive coordinator Jim Mora Jr. will oversee the position next season, and he desperately could use some size and speed to work with.

DE: No team got as little production at this position as the 49ers did last season. Charles Haley’s retirement and Marvin Washington’s release leaves Junior Bryant, Gabe Wilkins, Jeff Posey and sophomore Chike Okeafor as the holdovers. The team re-signed Bryant, who probably is a better inside player. Wilkins plays the run well, but his impact on passing downs was nonexistent. Okeafor is an intriguing pass-rush specialist but is basically nothing more than a third-down player. The unit needs more impact plays from better impact players.

SS: The release of longtime starter Tim McDonald leaves a huge void. For now, Prioleau is the listed starter. Zack Bronson has good size and can play over the tight end, but the club is not sure if he has the instincts to hold up as a starter. Bronson will have to emerge like FS Lance Schulters did last season in order for the pass defense to turn around.

OLB: The team didn’t think Anthony Peterson was a long-term solution so Joe Wesley, a special teams player last season, will get the chance to replace Lee Woodall (released). Ken Norton Jr., the other outside linebacker, isn’t getting any younger, and there’s not a lot of depth. The defense is one of the slowest in the league and could use some young legs. 

OT: Jeremy Newberry didn’t pan out at right tackle last season, which forced the team to use Derrick Deese, its best interior lineman, outside. That was a waste of talent. LT Dave Fiore is adequate when he’s healthy, but that hasn’t been too often the past couple of years. The roster is loaded with some young, talented linemen, but they are better suited to play guard or center. The 49ers could use help at both tackles. 

RB: This is clearly a position of strength. Charlie Garner, who carried the load when the passing game faltered last season, is more than a capable starter and would resume that role if Garrison Hearst has not recovered from the leg injury that kept him out for the entire ’99 season. Fred Beasley and Terry Jackson are a formidable fullback combination.

WR: If Jerry Rice lands elsewhere, look for Tai Streets to emerge in the three-receiver sets. Terrell Owens’ production slipped last season, and he must rebound. J.J. Stokes is a capable starter, but he should be more effective considering his skills.