The 49ers’ list of needs to fill this offseason is extensive, with varying degrees of urgency at each position. Edge rusher needs to be addressed immediately. Offensive line can probably get pushed down the priority list. The Draft Network released a seven-round mock draft where the 49ers check all the boxes they need to hit in this year’s draft.
It’s important to note that their list of draft needs will shift some in free agency. Their top need on the edge isn’t likely to change, but their peripheral needs could certainly move down the list after the free agency period.
Kyle Crabbs’ mock for the Draft Network does an interesting job of prioritizing needs for San Francisco. They go edge, safety and wide receiver in the first three rounds. They go corner in the fourth, interior defensive line in the sixth and offensive tackle in the seventh. Their fifth-round selection was traded to Detroit for guard Laken Tomlinson prior to the 2017 season.
Safety is an interesting spot for the 49ers. They have Jaquiski Tartt, Adrian Colbert, Marcell Harris and DJ Reed who have all produced at the safety spots, but nobody has proven themselves worthy of a full-time starting job. If they don’t track down a top safety in free agency and a player they think can start on Day 1 falls to the second round, it’s easy to see them going that route in the second round.
Waiting until the third round to get a receiver makes sense given head coach Kyle Shanahan’s ability to maximize talent at that position. The team may want to go with a receiver in Round 2 like they did a year ago with Dante Pettis, but waiting until the third round could still get them the receiver they need to round out their receiving corps.
The 49ers face a similar issue at cornerback that they do at safety. They have some potential, but no proven commodities. A fourth-round pick feels right, but if they can fill the need in free agency, they may wait. Getting the opportunity to take a top-end corner in the draft could motivate them to pick one earlier than Round 4 though.
Going in the trenches late is a good depth play. Even if the player can’t contribute right away, they can stick around to develop and carve our a role moving beyond next season.
Here’s a look at who Crabbs has the 49ers selecting in his seven-round mock.
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