The niners enter into this year's period of free agency with some serious team needs. As many other posts and articles have been done on what they are (e.g. o-line, kr/pr returner, safety etc) this fanpost will not go back into those specifics.

Instead, I'm wondering what you feel about the current team's apparent philosophy/strategy of buidling through the draft..

Some fans on NN are quite content with the front office, others ummm not so much..

After the jump, I'll link you to an espn article which chronicles an NFC West opponent and their apparent philosophy as the draft approaches.  

Surprising to some, the SL Rams have been a major player in this year's free agency. What might be more interesting is the strategy that they seem to be taking, along with their #1 overall draft pick. This article by ESPN's Mike Sando explains: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/15189/rams-moves-could-provide-flexibility

This would seem to be a prudent measure, not only for the Rams but for the Niners who hold not one but two first round draft picks. If they were to pick up a tendered free agent starter from another team to fill a need, that would seem to allow them to truly pick the Best Player Available and build through the draft.

The insurance policy/mentoring approach would seem to benefit the niners much more than reactive signings such as Tony Pashos last year (after the failed M. Smith experiment). He was signed later, of course missed camp by virtue of that, but played sparingly before injuring himself never really making much of an impact.

What do you think about their strategy now and in the past year? Is it effective? Where do you want them to go this year?