Three biggest concerns for San Francisco 49ers before the draft
With just one healthy quarterback, the Niners may have made the Super Bowl last season. The position remains an issue, but it's not the only concern before the 2023 NFL Draft (April 27-29).
1. Who will be kicker?
After six seasons with the Niners, Robbie Gould announced he won’t return for 2023. He’s not retiring. He simply doesn't plan on re-signing with the team. As a Niner, Gould made 87.5 percent of his field goal attempts and is the eighth-most accurate kicker in NFL history. A franchise tag for Gould would cost the team more than $5 million, and San Francisco can’t afford to spend that much on a 40-year-old kicker.
Old or not, Gould accounted for 131 points last season and replacing him could be tricky. A rookie kicker might be risky for a team with championship aspirations, so a mid-level free agent is probably in order. Most have been signed already, but veterans Ryan Succop and Mason Crosby remain available.
2. What will team do with the O-line?
More specifically, the right side of the line needs help. Mike McGlinchy and Daniel Brunskill left for other teams, which leaves Jaylen Moore as the team's lone right tackle.
Some believe Colton McKivitz will take over. He signed a two-year extension but is still listed as a third-string left tackle. McKivitz and Moore were both fifth-round picks, and each has only five starts in their careers.
The Niners can find help in the draft, but they won’t pick until the 99th spot. San Francisco has 11 picks overall thanks to seven compensatory picks. Fortunately, the middle rounds offer plenty of options. BYU’s Blake Freeland and Oklahoma's Wanya Morris have been linked to San Francisco in various mock drafts.
3. Who will be QB?
George Kittle said it best after the 49ers’ NFC Championship loss:
"I've had a six-year career and I've had one year with one quarterback," Kittle said. "Other than that, I've had two or more. Four out of six (years), I've had three or more.
Things don’t look much better for 2023. Brock Purdy was a revelation to end 2022, but a UCL injury should keep him out until September. Trey Lance was supposed to be the guy, but he’s still recovering from a broken ankle.
Lance should be ready to go by training camp, but he hasn’t looked good since 2019, his last full season at North Dakota State. The team added Sam Darnold as insurance, and if history is any indication, he’ll be in the mix for 2023.
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