The San Francisco 49ers didn't exactly address a primary need in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Instead, they stacked the deck at a position of strength with the selection of Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.
There's a chance that pick could be them preparing for the departure of Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk via trade, but for now at least it looks like a move made to give quarterback Brock Purdy even more ammunition with which to lead an already loaded offense. More pressing needs may be attacked on day two, so let's look at the three biggest ones going into rounds two and three.
1. Offensive Tackle
The 49ers did a lot of work on the tackle class in the pre-draft process, but John Lynch's comments in his press conference on Monday did not point to them being overly enthusiastic about taking one in the first round.
But right tackle is still a position where they need an answer that isn't 2020 fifth-round pick Colton McKivitz, who had a solid season starting there in 2023 but was continually and correctly identified as a weak link up front.
With several players with whom the 49ers held top-30 visits still on the board, San Francisco trading up for a tackle in round two would not be a surprise.
Potential options: BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia, Notre Dame OT Blake Fisher, Washington OT Roger Rosengarten.
2. Interior Offensive Line
While McKivitz wasn't exactly a top-end right tackle last season, it was the right guard spot that was ultimately the Niners' downfall in their Super Bowl 58 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs as Spencer Burford committed a key error in protection with starter Jon Feliciano on the sideline with an injury.
The 49ers likely can't rely on Feliciano beyond the 2024 season, so it would behoove San Francisco to find a guard who can be a mainstay at that spot for several years.
With two of the top three centers still on the board, that is also a position they could look to address.
Potential options: UConn OG Christian Haynes, Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson
3. Cornerback
There is an extremely compelling case to be made that depth at both defensive tackle and on the edge are more pressing issues than a position that has quietly become a strength for the Niners.
But in terms of drafting a year ahead, there is more reason to pursue some of the top corners still on the board, with starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir each bound for free agency next offseason. Backups Isaac Yiadom and Rock Ya-Sin are only on one-year deals.
Potential options: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Iowa CB Cooper DeJean, Kentucky CB Andru Phillips
These positions could use some help, too
- EDGE: Leonard Floyd is only a two-year deal, adding a young player who can eventually start across from Nick Bosa would make sense.
- Defensive Tackle: Javon Hargrave is 31 and fellow starter Maliek Collins will turn 30 this year.
More must-reads: