2 moves 49ers must make after 2022 NFL Draft to complete roster

Fresh off a disappointing showing in the NFC Championship Game, the San Francisco 49ers have a lot to be happy about stemming from their surprising 2021-22 NFL season. With Jimmy Garoppolo still entrenched as starting QB, the emergence of Deebo Samuel as their Swiss army knife, and the defense still being quite good, the 49ers had a lot going for them.

But, with the drafting of Trey Lance, the writing is on the wall for Garoppolo to be donning a new uniform for next season. As surprising as it is that he has not yet been traded yet, teams likely are going to get into some of their training camps this summer before deciding if Garoppolo is their next choice at QB.

There are areas that the 49ers must improve, especially with how tough the NFC West division is. With the Seattle Seahawks taking the easy way out and shipping Russell Wilson out of town, it is now down to a three-horse race, as the reigning champion Los Angeles Rams, the unstable-but-dangerous Arizona Cardinals, and the hard-to-read 49ers all figure to fight for the divisional crown.

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2 49ers Moves After The 2022 NFL Draft

2. Rectify their relationship with Deebo Samuel – via an extension or trade

Look, sometimes a change is what both a player and a team need, especially if the player has no desire to play for that team anymore. And if that rectifying a relationship between both parties results in an amicable trade, then so be it.

Teams typically have the most leverage in these situations, as they are content with letting the player decide his future, potentially even convincing them to end their holdout/time away and return to the team, no hurt feelings.

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But with Samuel, signs all point to him seriously wanting out of the Bay, which is the likely outcome that the Niners will need to address sometime soon. Shipping out Samuel during the 2022 NFL Draft would have made the most sense, as they would have been able to see an immediate return on their investment, but if they want to compete, they may prefer a different type of return package for their ‘wide-back’ offensive weapon.

A rectified relationship between both the team and Samuel could result in him wanting to remain with the team and earning a lucrative contract extension, but the likelier outcome is that he remains steadfast in wanting out and, after discussing things with San Francisco, agrees to help the team out by pointing out a few destinations he would prefer to be shipped off to.

1. Finally usher in the Trey Lance era

Garoppolo played admirably last season, much better than most people expected him to. Injuries were not as big of a concern last year as they usually are, and he was able to produce solid numbers (3,810 yards, 20 TDs, 9-6 record) along the way.

But Garoppolo is never going to be that superstar-esque option in this league, and the 49ers do have someone in Trey Lance that could very well earn that label if given the chance to start in his sophomore year. Adding that spark plug into the offense certainly would endure some growing pains, but ultimately this team would be better off, both now and in the future.

If the 49ers want to fight for their spot in the NFC West division, then they need to make these two moves along the way. While their defense remains stout, it is their offense that needs to be improved, which is where these two suggestions come into play.

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