The 49ers are facing perhaps their most vital offseason since 2011 when they hired Jim Harbaugh to be their head coach. They have nine wins in two years under general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan. A drastic turnaround is a necessity in 2019.

Even if they don’t make the playoffs next season, they have to at least be in the conversation. However, a strong offseason can launch them firmly into postseason contention.

With close to $70 million in available salary cap space and a top-two pick, San Francisco has the resources to put together a sensational couple months between free agency and the draft.

Here is a realistic offseason the 49ers can have that would take them from the NFL’s basement to a very serious playoff contender:

Step 1 — Sign FS Earl Thomas

(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

San Francisco desperately needs help in the back end of their secondary. Thomas immediately provides stability at a position the 49ers have struggled with for several seasons. He’s also an elite, All-Pro talent who would elevate San Francisco’s pass defense to a level it hasn’t been since the team was a perennial playoff contender in the early part of this decade. The market for the 29-year-old will be vast, but San Francisco has the funds, the defense, and the personnel to lure the Pro Bowler to the Bay Area.