CLEVELAND -– A quarter of the 49ers’ season remains to be played, but this is the time of the year when the focus starts to shift to the future.

At 4-8, the 49ers aren’t going anywhere this season. So, now, the questions are asked about who are going and who are staying when the season concludes.

We answer some of those questions in today’s edition of 49ers Mailbag -- with an assist to the folks who submitted their inquiries on Facebook:

--Does Draughn fit in the Niners long term plans? (Justin Nunes)

Yes, the 49ers plan is to re-sign Shaun Draughn and give him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in 2016. Draughn has done a very good job as the 49ers’ every-down running back since he was signed after injuries sidelined Carlos Hyde, Reggie Bush and Mike Davis.

Draughn will certainly be worth watching on Sunday, as he faces his former team. Draughn appeared in nine games the past two seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He saw most of his action on special teams.

“When Shaun Draughn was here, we knew he was a good football player,” Browns coach Mike Pettine said this week. “He got caught up in the numbers game a little bit. We had some other backs we wanted to get out there. It doesn’t surprise us he’s having the success that he’s had. Anybody who knows Shaun and been around him knows he’s a great kid, high character, works hard, will do everything you ask and more. All he does is go out and play hard.”

Draughn is a good special-teams player. And he serves a number of roles on offense. He can run between the tackles; he can catch the ball out of the backfield; and, most important, he is very good in blitz pickup. So, yes, there could be a spot for him on next year’s team.

--Why are people so enamored with Gabbert when he has yet to score more than 2TDs? What else is he doing inside the building? (Kaylin Andrew Tabb)

--Why are people so critical of Gabbert? (Chris Andrews)

Blaine Gabbert has generally played well and exceeded outside expectations in his four starts. The 49ers’ net passing yards have risen nearly 45 yards per game. The average yards-per-attempt has improved by 1 yard.

The offensive players seem to like Gabbert a lot. The line has given up fewer sacks, and the wide receivers feel as if the ball is coming out on time. You can see it and hear it in the body language and the words of wide receivers Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin.

Let’s also remember that Gabbert is 26 years old. He’s still a young man. He believes he is a better leader now than when he was starting out in Jacksonville. I’m certainly not saying Gabbert has been spectacular, but he has been very solid. The 49ers believe he is capable of continuing to trend upward to be the starting quarterback to open next season.

But, of course, we shall see. He's played four games. He could play four more. So, obviously, everyone's thoughts on Gabbert could change before the end of the season.

--Do you think the coaching staff will be gone next season (George Waddington)

--Is Tomsula gone after this season? (Jerrold Travis)

Reading the tea leaves and talking to people inside the building, I get the strong impression –- as things stand right now -- Jim Tomsula will be back for Year Two as 49ers head coach. (I stated that opinion Monday after the 49ers' first road victory over the season.)

Tomsula was ownership and management’s top choice for the head-coaching job in January to replace Jim Harbaugh, so they are not eager to dump him after just one season. As long as the locker room holds together and the team shows improvement, CEO Jed York will bring back Tomsula for another season.

Plus, I don’t believe the 49ers are sold that there are any superstar head coaches who might be available if they decide to go shopping for a new coach for the second consecutive offseason.

So, anyway, that’s my opinion of what I believe will happen as the 49ers enter the final four weeks of the regular season. (This opinion is subject to change, of course.)

But I’m not so certain about the entire staff. Offensive coordinator Geep Chryst is on trial in the final four weeks of the season to see if he can devise ways to get more points on the scoreboard.