San Francisco had eight picks in the draft and added X UDFA signings.
The San Francisco 49ers added several prospects to their roster during the weekend of the 2021 NFL Draft and will have to eventually make some moves to get the 90-man limit.
General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have been very active over the past two months. The Niners re-signed several of their own free agents, including Trent Williams, Jason Verrett, Kyle Juszczyk, K’Waun Williams and Emmanuel Moseley.
Lynch and Shahanhan felt good about their early free agency moves and decided the 49ers were in a position to try and secure their quarterback of the future. They got their opportunity and pounced, sending three first-round picks (No. 12 this year, 2022 and 2023) plus a 2022 third-rounder to the Miami Dolphins to acquire the No. 3 overall pick.
San Francisco used the selection on North Dakota State QB Trey Lance, who has all of the physical and mental tools to develop into a high-end NFL QB. Shanahan got his guy and will try and groom Lance to be the franchise’s signal-caller for the foreseeable future.
Here is a complete list of the 49ers’ draft picks:
- Round 1, Pick 3: North Dakota State QB Trey Lance
- Round 2, Pick 48: Notre Dame guard Aaron Banks
- Round 3, Pick 88 (via Rams): Ohio State RB Trey Sermon
- Round 3, Pick 102 (Comp pick): Michigan CB Ambry Thomas
- Round 5, Pick 155: Western Michigan OL Jaylon Moore
- Round 5, Pick 172: Oregon CB Deommodore Lenoir
- Round 5, Pick 180: USC S Talanoa Hufanga
- Round 6, Pick 193 Louisiana RB Elijah Mitchell
The Niners still have a little more than $18 million in cap space (before signing their picks), per Over the Cap, so we could see them have some wiggle room to sign some cheap veteran free agents.
Here is a look at the 49ers’ roster following all of the new editions.
OFFENSE
QB (5): Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance, Josh Rosen, Nate Sudfeld, Josh Johnson
We will see how the QB depth chart looks after training camp, but Lynch and Shanahan said the plan was always to keep Garoppolo during their post-draft Zoom call with media members.
John Lynch on the Garoppolo $:
“That was our preference to draft a QB and keep Jimmy, provided somebody didn’t come and blow us away (with a trade offer). They (the York ownership) gave us that commitment. We’re happy to have that situation because it’s a very strong one.”— Cam Inman (@CamInman) May 1, 2021
Running back (8): Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., Wayne Gallman Jr., JaMycal Hasty, Trey Sermon, Elijah Mitchell Austin Walter.
Fullback (2): Kyle Juszczyk, Josh Hokit.
Wide receiver (14): Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Richie James, Travis Benjamin, Jalen Hurd, Trent Sherfield, Mohamed Sanu, Jordan Matthews, River Cracraft, Jauan Jennings, Kevin White, Austin Proehl, Matt Cole, Austin Watkins Jr. (UDFA).
Tight end (5): George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner, Daniel Helm, Josh Pederson (UDFA)
Offensive line (15) *projected starters:
Left tackle – Trent Williams
Left guard – Laken Tomlinson
Center – Alex Mack
Right guard – Daniel Brunskill
Right tackle – Mike McGlinchey
Backups: Shon Coleman, Aaron Banks, Justin Skule, Tom Compton, Colton McKivitz, Aaron Banks, Jaylon Moore, Isiah Williams, Corbin Kaufusi, Dakoda Shepley, Jake Brendel.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (15):
Edge: Nick Bosa, Samson Ebukam, Jordan Willis, Alex Barrett.
Defensive end: Arik Armstead, Dee Ford, Arden KeyDaeshon Hall.
Defensive tackle: Javon Kinlaw, D.J. Jones, Zach Kerr, Kevin Givens, Kentavius Street, Darrion Daniels, Maurice Hurst Jr.
Linebacker (8): Fred Warner (Mike), Dre Greenlaw (Will), Azeez Al-Shaair (Sam), Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Nathan Gerry, Jonas Griffith, Justin Hilliard (UDFA), Elijah Sullivan (UDFA).
Cornerback (11): Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley, K’Waun Williams, Dontae Johnson, Tim Harris, Ken Webster, Ambry Thomas, Demmondore Lenoir, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Mark Fields, Adonis Alexander.
Safety (9): Jimmie Ward (free safety), Jaquiski Tartt (strong safety), Tavarius Moore, Marcell Harris, Talanoa Hufanga, Tavon Wilson, Jared Mayden, Chris Edwards, Kai Nacua.
Special teams (3): Robbie Gould (kicker), Mitchell Wishnowky (punter), Taybor Pepper (long-snapper).
Even after signing their 2021 draft class, the Niners will still have some wiggle room to sign veteran free agents. Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Bay Area reported on Friday that the team is open to a reunion with All-Pro corner Richard Sherman. Lynch and Shanahan said they would consider bringing back if the price is right.
How do you feel about the roster after the completion of free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft? Which of the younger, unproven players do you think has the best shot of cracking the roster next season?
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