The 49ers have a lot of flexibility in the draft. The club has nine draft picks, with the first two coming at Nos. 10 and 43 overall. There really is not a position that the 49ers can be ruled out from selection, other than punter and kicker.

The 49ers could use draft picks at quarterback, running back, receiver, tight end, offensive line, defensive line, inside and outside linebackers and any spot in the defensive backfield.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

The 49ers were close to reaching a contract agreement with free-agent tackle Marvel Smith, who has played his first nine NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The sides were working on a deal that would be fair to both sides. Smith has missed 15 games the past two seasons with a back injury.

The club still has a need to select a tackle in the draft, but now the urgency is not there to select a tackle with the No. 10 overall pick.

TEAM NEEDS

1. Outside linebacker: The 49ers have not had a player with 10 or more sacks since 2002. The club needs somebody on the other side to complement Parys Haralson, who led the 49ers with 8.5 sacks. This year's draft is deep with hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker types who are well-suited for a 3-4 defense. The lack of a consistent pass rush is the team's top weakness on defense.

2. Offensive tackle: Right tackle was a weakness for the 49ers last season. The 49ers had three different starts at that spot. Adam Snyder finished the season as the starter, but his versatility makes him better-suited as a backup. The 49ers have told veteran Jonas Jennings he does not fit into their future plans. The 49ers surrendered 55 sacks last season.

3. Running back: The 49ers want to implement more of a two-back system to take some of the load off Frank Gore's shoulders. The club would like to add a big running back through the draft, as they showed no desire to re-sign veteran DeShaun Foster after his only season with the 49ers. A big back can be found in the mid-rounds.

MEDICAL WATCH: Defensive end Ray McDonald, who underwent offseason surgery on his right knee, is expected to be on a limited schedule through most of the offseason. The club expects him to be ready for training camp, but he will probably be worked back slowly.

Safety Michael Lewis (sports hernia), cornerback Shawntae Spencer, who sustained a torn ACL early last season, tight end Delanie Walker (right shoulder) and receiver Arnaz Battle (foot) were held out of practices during minicamp.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--TE Billy Bajema, at the $927,000 salary he made last season, might be getting a little too expensive to retain as a blocking specialist.

--RB DeShaun Foster languished on the sideline for most of the season as Frank Gore's backup. Showed his worth when pressed into action, but the 49ers might be looking to get younger at the backup spot.

--DE Roderick Green had a disappointing season as the third-down pass rusher. Team will be looking to upgrade.

--QB Jamie Martin is 39 and will not be back.

--TE Sean Ryan signed late in season as an H-back/fullback type. He is a low-priority re-signing.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--FB Zak Keasey: ERFA; terms unknown.

--KR
Allen Rossum: UFA; terms unknown.

--LB Takeo Spikes: UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--DE Demetric Evans: UFA Redskins; $3.8M/2 yrs, guarantees.

--QB Damon Huard: FA Chiefs; 1 yr, terms unknown.

--WR Brandon Jones: UFA Titans; $16.6M/5 yrs, $5.4M guaranteed.

--FB Moran Norris: UFA Lions; $5M/3 yrs, $1.5M SB.

--DB Jimmy Williams: FA; terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

--LB Tully Banta-Cain (released).

--OT Damane Duckett: UFA Patriots; terms unknown.

--DT Ronald Fields: UFA Broncos; $5M/2 yrs, SB unknown.

--WR Bryant Johnson: UFA Lions; $9M/3 yrs, SB unknown.

--S Keith Lewis (released).

--QB J.T. O'Sullivan: UFA Bengals; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

--CB Donald Strickland: UFA Jets; 3 yrs, terms unknown.