Despite winning the NFC this past season, there are several needs for the San Francisco 49ers leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft.
General manager John Lynch and Co. have to seriously consider investing on the offensive line with Trent Williams’ career coming to an end soon and right tackle seen as a major issue.
The 49ers also lost depth during NFL free agency earlier in the offseason. For a team that fancies itself as a title contender, that must be addressed.
There’s good news here. San Francisco boasts 10 picks in the draft. They have also largely hit on mid-to-late round selections. Here, we look at five 49ers needs for the coming NFL Draft.
Related: 2024 NFL mock draft
5. Tight end
George Kittle’s tremendous performance aside, other 49ers tight ends did nothing in the passing game last season. In fact, they caught a combined four passes. Meanwhile, block-first tight end Charlie Woerner signed with the Atlanta Falcons in NFL free agency.
This is obviously an area of concern for general manager John Lynch and Co. They had signed Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright to an offer sheet in restricted free agency, only to see the reigning NFC runner-ups match said offer. San Francisco has shown its hand here.
- Possible San Francisco 49ers draft targets: Cade Stover (Ohio State), Theo Johnson (Penn State), Jaheim Bell (Florida State)
4. Guard
An argument can be made that San Francisco must look at both tackle positions, guard and center at some point in the 2024 NFL Draft. Trent Williams is not getting any younger at left tackle. Colton McKivitz struggled big time at right tackle. Despite Aaron Banks’ solid play at one guard position, this also remains an issue.
It’s been noted that the 49ers expect Brock Purdy to reset the quarterback market when first eligible for an extension next offseason. If that is indeed the case, investing in the trenches in front of him must be in the cards right now.
- Possible San Francisco 49ers draft targets: Graham Barton (Duke), Jordan Morgan (Arizona), Christian Mahogany (Boston College)
Related: San Francisco 49ers mock draft 2024
3. EDGE
San Francisco thinks it did well in adding veteran Leonard Floyd to play opposite Nick Bosa out on the edge. Given that Floyd has recorded 40 sacks over the past four seasons, this is probably the right conclusion. In no way does this mean that there isn’t a lack of depth.
The last 49ers EDGE rusher outside of Bosa to record double-digit sacks was Aldon Smith back in 2012. That says a lot. A third-round pick back in 2022, Drake Jackson has not amounted to much. He’s firmly on the roster bubble. Getting another youngster out on the edge just makes too much sense.
- Possible San Francisco 49ers draft targets: Jared Verse (Florida State), Dallas Turner (Alabama), Chop Robinson (Penn State), Darius Robinson (Missouri)
2. Cornerback
Charvarius Ward proved himself to be one of the better cover corners in the NFL last season. Deommodore Lenoir has stepped into a prominent role. It’s one of the reasons San Francisco boasted one of the best pass defenses en route to a Super Bowl run.
At issue here is depth. Ambry Thomas proved unplayable late in the season and in the playoffs. San Francisco also did very little to address this position in NFL free agency. The team needs a true slot guy. It could also go after a boundary corner if the powers that be in Santa Clara believe Lenoir is better suited inside.
- Possible San Francisco 49ers draft targets: Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama), Kamari Lassiter (Georgia), Mike Sainristil (Michigan)
Related: Find out where the San Francisco 49ers stand in our latest NFL power rankings
1. Offensive tackle
As noted above, both tackle positions should be a priority at some point in the 2024 NFL Draft. The aforementioned McKivitz yielded nine sacks and 47 QB pressures of Purdy a season ago. Meanwhile, Williams is set to enter his Age-36 season. He’s not a long-term solution after contemplating retirement.
Signing former Raiders draft bust Brandon Parker certainly doesn’t change the dynamics in this regard. It would not be an absolute surprise if San Francisco used multiple draft picks on the offensive tackle position.
- Possible San Francisco 49ers draft targets: JC Latham (Alabama), Amarius Mims (Georgia), Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma)