Contra Costa Times
49ers Needs

By Cam Inman 
Apr.16, 2000

Priority scale: 10 for highest, 1 for lowest

Quarterback
  • WHO'S HERE: Jeff Garcia, Tim Rattay, Gio Carmazzi 
  • DRAFT OUTLOOK: After drafting Rattay and Carmazzi last year, the 49ers are stocked with backups to Garcia, who earned his first Pro Bowl berth last year. Rattay likely will be the No. 2 QB even if the 49ers re-sign free agent Rick Mirer. Carmazzi is getting experience in NFL Europe. FYI: New quarterbacks coach Greg Olson came from Purdue, where he mentored Drew Brees. 
  • DRAFT PRIORITY: 1
    Running back
  • WHO'S HERE: Garrison Hearst, Jonas Lewis, Paul Smith 
  • DRAFT OUTLOOK: With Charlie Garner now with the Raiders, there's an urgent need to find a starting running back. Lewis and Smith saw limited action last year as rookies, and Hearst remains unlikely to return from a 1999 ankle injury. The last time the 49ers used their top pick on a running back was 1990 (Dexter Carter). 
    • DRAFT PRIORITY: 10
    Fullback
  • WHO'S HERE: Fred Beasley, Terry Jackson 
  • DRAFT OUTLOOK: Beasley will enter his fourth season as one of the league's better fullbacks. Although Jackson has been used primarily on special teams, he's a sturdy backup to Beasley. 
  • DRAFT PRIORITY: 2
    Wide receiver
  • WHO'S HERE: Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, J.J. Stokes, Tai Streets 
  • DRAFT OUTLOOK: Although Owens and Stokes are locks to start, the 49ers should add depth at this position. Rice likely will be released June 1, and Streets' future fell into question after he broke his leg in December. The 49ers would love to find a receiver who could double as a vaunted kick returner. 
  • DRAFT PRIORITY: 8
    Tight end
  • WHO'S HERE: Greg Clark, Justin Swift, Brian Jennings, Terrence Dupree 
  • DRAFT OUTLOOK: Clark, one of the league's top blocking tight ends, had a career-high 38 receptions last year. Swift and Jennings are waiting in the wings. 
  • DRAFT PRIORITY: 3
    Guard/center
  • WHO'S HERE: Ray Brown (G), Jeremy Newberry ©, Dave Fiore (G), Ben Lynch ©, Tyrone Hopson (G), Chris Dalman © 
  • DRAFT OUTLOOK: Brown is winding down his 15-year career -- albeit in strong fashion -- so finding a replacement would be a smart idea. Hopson (fifth round, 1999) is the only offensive lineman the 49ers have drafted in the past two years. Dalman is expected to retire June 1 after missing last season because of a neck injury. 
  • DRAFT PRIORITY: 5
    Offensive tackle
  • WHO'S HERE: Derrick Deese, Scott Gragg, Matt Willig 
  • DRAFT OUTLOOK: By recently locking up Deese and Gragg to long-term deals, it's not necessary to use a high pick on a tackle any more, 49ers coach Steve Mariucci admitted last week. It could be difficult, however, to pass on a beefy tackle if he's available. 
  • DRAFT PRIORITY: 6
    Defensive tackle
  • WHO'S HERE: Bryant Young, Cedric Killings, Junior Bryant, Reggie McGrew 
  • DRAFT OUTLOOK: If the 49ers don't sign free agents Dana Stubblefield or Brentson Buckner this week, this position could be a higher priority come draft day. Bryant's career is in doubt -- he still hasn't been cleared to play after suffering an acute bulging disc in his neck early last season. Killings was a pleasant surprise last year, but McGrew still hasn't proven worthy of his 1999 first-round selection. 
  • DRAFT PRIORITY: 8
    Defensive end
  • WHO'S HERE: John Engelberger, Chike Okeafor, John Milem 
  • DRAFT OUTLOOK: The 49ers desperately need a pass rusher. Engelberger became a starter in his rookie season last year, but he needs more experience, as do Milem and Okeafor. Engelberger and Okeafor each had three sacks last year. 
  • DRAFT PRIORITY: 10
    Linebacker
  • WHO'S HERE: Derek Smith, Julian Peterson, Jeff Ulbrich 
  • DRAFT OUTLOOK: Signing Smith last month filled one of the inside linebacker spots, but the 49ers still need another inside backer in case Ulbrich's tender right shoulder hampers him. Peterson, last year's top pick, could become a legitimate star with his quickness and athleticism. 
  • DRAFT PRIORITY: 8
    Cornerback
  • WHO'S HERE: Ahmed Plummer, Jason Webster, Anthony Parker 
  • DRAFT OUTLOOK: Plummer and Webster started as rookies last year, but the 49ers need more depth here. Parker, a fourth-round pick in 1999, has been slow to develop. 
  • DRAFT PRIORITY: 5
    Safety
  • WHO'S HERE: John Keith, Ronnie Heard, Pierson Prioleau, Lance Schulters 
  • DRAFT OUTLOOK: Schulters, the secondary's catalyst, is coming off knee surgery, so his status is tenuous. Keith and Heard impressed last year as rookies. Prioleau may have to finally step up if the 49ers don't re-sign free agent Zack Bronson. 
  • DRAFT PRIORITY: 4
    Place-kicker
  • WHO'S HERE: Wade Richey 
  • DRAFT OUTLOOK: Richey, a restricted free agent, signed a five-year, $6 million offer sheet from the San Diego Chargers on Friday. The 49ers have a week to match it, but likely won't because of their cap constraints and Richey's erratic 2000 season. It's also doubtful they'd waste one of their seven precious draft picks on this position. 
  • DRAFT PRIORITY: 3
    Punter
  • WHO'S HERE: Chad Stanley 
  • DRAFT OUTLOOK: Stanley struggled last season, producing the sixth-worst gross average among NFL punters (39.5 yards per punt). 
    • DRAFT PRIORITY: 7

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