The 49ers’ active free agency period caused a shift in their list of needs heading into the 2019 NFL draft. San Francisco’s roster isn’t deep enough to pass on good players at any position, but the priorities have certainly changed after they touched on several areas of need through the first week of free agency.
Here is an updated look at the 49ers’ needs as we approach April’s draft:
Edge rusher
The trade for defensive end Dee Ford didn’t change the fact the 49ers should aim for an edge player with the No. 2 overall pick. Depth at this position is important, and the release of defensive lineman Cassius Marsh provides further proof that San Francisco will need to add more bodies at this spot. Elite talent on the edge can be a game-changer on defense, and having a pair of players to get after the quarterback opens a ton of doors that were previously closed for the 49ers on that side of the ball.
Safety
Re-signing Jimmie Ward and Antone Exum Jr. isn’t an inspiring move if San Francisco is trying to improve the back end of their secondary. Ward is a fine player, but he’s played 16 games just once in his career. Exum is probably better served as a versatile backup. The 49ers need to add a top-end talent to compete for a roster spot here, and a rookie early in the draft makes a lot of sense. The case can be made for receiver to be the second position on this list, but defense has to be the priority at this point.
Wide receiver
This got bumped down following a free agency period where the 49ers added Jordan Matthews, but didn’t sign any new safeties. It’s conceivable San Francisco still grabs a pass catcher with their second selection, but their numbers at the position aren’t bad with players like Dante Pettis and Marquise Goodwin flashing home run ability when they’re healthy. Kendrick Bourne had a strong finish to last season, Matthews is a proven red-zone playmaker, Trent Taylor is looking for a bounce-back year and Richie James is an explosive athlete with still untapped potential. They can certainly use another player in this mix, but the necessity got pushed down a bit.
Cornerback
Jason Verrett was the only cornerback addition for San Francisco in free agency. His injury history leaves plenty of question marks that would justify the 49ers bringing in another rookie to battle for a starting job. A Day 1 or Day 2 pick is probably steep considering the investments they’ve made at the position. On the other hand, the lack of proven starters on the roster means the door is open for another player to steal a job in their rookie season. An early Day 3 pick would make sense unless they find a steal on Day 2.
Offensive tackle
This may be a position the 49ers wait to address until early in next year’s draft with Joe Staley in the twilight of his career. However, grabbing a player late in the draft who can potentially fill in as a swing tackle in Year 1 while working toward a starting job next season makes a lot of sense. Investing a later-round pick gives some room for error if the prospect doesn’t work out, then San Francisco can address the position in earnest next year.
Linebacker
The addition of 24-year-old linebacker Kwon Alexander drops the position way down the list for San Francisco. Alexander is coming off a torn ACL, and figures to be back at full strength by the start of the season. There’s a chance he’s unable to regain his form athletically and his play falters because of it. That would catapult linebacker up the list of needs next year, but for now it’ll get pushed down until late in the draft. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the 49ers forewent the position altogether. If Alexander gets healthy and plays well, San Francisco will have a foundational player in their front seven and that spot won’t require a draft pick any time soon.
