The San Francisco 49ers draft this spring doesn’t include a selection in either of the first two rounds. However, the defending NFC West champs do have 10 total picks to call their own.
We’ve seen general manager John Lynch and Co. excel outside of the first round in recent drafts. That list includes wide receiver Deebo Samuel, tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner and safety Talanoa Hufanga — all of whom have been named first-team All-Pros in their young careers.
If San Francisco is going to make a Super Bowl appearance after two consecutive NFC Championship Game losses, it will need to add more depth to the mix. It’s in this that we look at five San Francisco 49ers draft targets for 2023.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated 2023 NFL mock draft
San Francisco 49ers draft picks in 2023
- Round 3 – 99th overall
- Round 3 – 101st overall
- Round 3 – 102nd overall
- Round 5 (via MIA) – 157th overall
- Round 5 – 173rd overall
- Round 6 – 216th overall
- Round 7 (via DEN) – 224th overall
- Round 7 – 249th overall
- Round 7 – 243rd overall
- Round 7 – 255th overall
San Francisco 49ers draft targets: Third round
Tyler Steen, offensive tackle, Alabama
San Francisco not getting into a bidding war for right tackle Mike McGlinchey in free agency was the right decision. The 49ers’ former first-round pick ended up landing with the Denver Broncos on an absurd five-year, $87.5 million contract.
Making the right decision and having a major hole because of said decision are not mutually exclusive. Right now, San Francisco will be relying on the unproven Colton McKivitz to start opposite Trent Williams. The 49ers also added Matt Pryor to the mix. He’s not starter-caliber.
The 6-foot-6, 321-pound Steen finished his college career protecting Bryce Young’s blindside at Alabama. His initial fit at right tackle in San Francisco would be anchored by surprising quickness off the snap and an ability to pull. That’s no small thing in Shanahan’s blocking scheme.
Related: 2023 San Francisco 49ers mock draft
Ronnie Hickman, safety, Ohio State
San Francisco lost its longest-tenured player in that of Jimmie Ward to the Houston Texans in free agency. While the 49ers still have young All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga and former Pro Bowler Tashaun Gipson, they will soon want to find a long-term replacement for the latter.
While there’s some issues with Hickman’s coverage ability and athletic makeup, he’s a sure tackler and can actually line up in nickel situations at times. With a good pass rush, he also has an ability to play center field as long as he improves angles. Hickman recorded three interceptions in his final two seasons with the Buckeyes.
Related: San Francisco 49ers standing in Sportsnaut’s NFL power rankings
San Francisco 49ers draft targets: Mid-to-late rounds
K.J. Henry, EDGE, Clemson
The 6-foot-4, 251-pound Henry is an absolutely ideal fit in San Francisco’s 4-3 defense. He has a tremendous burst off the line and has an ability to stop the run. These are two necessities in San Francisco. While Henry needs to improve his pass-rush technique, teaming up with Nick Bosa could help in that regard.
San Francisco needs to find immediate production behind the aforementioned Bosa after losing the likes of Charles Omenihu and Samson Ebukam in free agency. Right now, it would be relying on youngster Drake Jackson or former Raiders draft bust Clelin Ferrell to hold down those duties. That’s not an ideal scenario for a Super Bowl contender.
Garrett Williams, cornerback, Syracuse
Youngster Deommodore Lenoir was pretty solid late in his sophomore season opposite Charvarius Ward. The 49ers also brought in an underrated Isaiah Oliver to play slot. In no way does this mean things are settled from a depth perspective moving forward. San Francisco will have to add at least one cornerback with its bevy of mid-to-late round picks.
Williams absolutely makes sense in new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks’ system. Despite his 5-foot-10 frame, Williams surprises with his physicality at the line. He can throw receivers off their routes early and actually shows support against the run. These are all facets San Francisco has relied on in the past.
Related: 2023 NFL Draft rumors
Josh Whyle, tight end, Cincinnati
We’re not entirely sure why San Francisco didn’t target one of the several underrated free agent tight ends on the market. George Kittle is an awesome all-around player. However, he’s been utilized too much as a blocker in the recent past. There’s also very little behind him from a pass-catching perspective at tight end.
It’s hight time for San Francisco to add a true receiving threat behind Kittle at tight end. Whyle would be exactly that. At 6-foot-6 and just 248 pounds, he is going to struggle as an in-line blocker. However, he provides a big target in the red zone and was solid in Cincinnati when it came to finding windows for the quarterback to throw into. That would obviously serve well in two tight end sets with Kittle.
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