In preparation for the 2024 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers have a few needs despite winning the NFC this past season.
Given that right tackle is viewed as a huge problem and Trent Williams’ career is about to expire, general manager John Lynch and company need to seriously consider investing in the offensive line.
Earlier in the offseason, during NFL free agency, the 49ers also lost depth. That needs to be addressed for a squad that wants to fight for the championship.
Here’s some excellent news. San Francisco has ten draft selections. Additionally, they have mostly succeeded with mid-to-late round picks. Here, we examine five needs for the 49ers in the upcoming NFL Draft.
1. Offensive tackle
As previously mentioned, at some point in the 2024 NFL Draft, both tackle positions ought to be given top emphasis. A season ago, the previously mentioned McKivitz let up nine sacks and 47 quarterback pressures on Purdy. Williams will begin his 36-year-old season in the meantime. He is not a sustainable option if you are thinking about retiring.
In this sense, signing former Raiders selection pick Brandon Parker does not really alter the situation. If San Francisco selected an offensive tackle with numerous draft picks, it would not be shocking.
Potential draft picks for the San Francisco 49ers include Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma), Amarius Mims (Georgia), and JC Latham (Alabama).
2. The cornerback
Last season, Charvarius Ward demonstrated his superiority as a cover corner in the NFL. A key role has been assumed by Deommodore Lenoir. One of the reasons San Francisco had one of the strongest pass defences on their way to winning a Super Bowl was because of this.
Here, depth is the problem. Late in the season and during the playoffs, Ambry Thomas showed himself to be unplayable. San Francisco took very little action in NFL free agency to address this issue either. A true slot guy is needed for the team. It might also target a boundary corner if Santa Clara’s ruling class feels Lenoir is more appropriate inside.
Potential draft picks for the San Francisco 49ers include Mike Sainristil (Michigan), Kamari Lassiter (Georgia), and Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama).
3.The Edge
Francisco believes it made a smart move by bringing in seasoned player Leonard Floyd to complement Nick Bosa in a peripheral role. This is undoubtedly the correct conclusion, considering Floyd’s 40-sack total over the last four seasons. This does not, in any way, negate the lack of depth.
Aldon Smith was the last 49ers EDGE rusher, outside of Bosa, to achieve double-digit sacks in 2012. That makes a big statement. Drake Jackson, a third-round selection in 2022, has not accomplished much. His place on the roster bubble is solid. It just makes too much sense to put another child in danger.
Jared Verse (Florida State), Dallas Turner (Alabama), Chop Robinson (Penn State), and Darius Robinson (Missouri) are potential draft picks for the San Francisco 49ers.
4. Guard
One may argue that at some point during the 2024 NFL Draft, San Francisco needs to consider guard and centre as tackle positions. At left tackle, Trent Williams is not getting any younger. Colton McKivitz had severe difficulty playing right tackle. Even though Aaron Banks has been playing well at guard, this problem still exists.
When he becomes available for an extension for the first time next offseason, Brock Purdy is expected by the 49ers to reset the quarterback market, as has been observed. If that is the case, this would be a good time to invest in the trenches in front of him.
Potential draft picks for the San Francisco 49ers include Christian Mahogany (Boston College), Jordan Morgan (Arizona), and Graham Barton (Duke).
5. Tight end
Aside from George Kittle’s outstanding performance, the 49ers tight ends were ineffective in the passing game during the previous campaign. They actually caught a total of four passes. In the meantime, NFL free agent Charlie Woerner, a block-first tight end, signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
It is clear that general manager John Lynch and Co. are concerned about this. After signing Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright to a restricted free agency offer sheet, they were surprised to learn that the offer was matched by the NFC runner-up team. Here, San Francisco has made a contribution.