National Football League

2017 NFL Draft: Ranking the 49ers 5 Biggest Needs Four Weeks into Season

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The 2017 NFL Draft is a long, long way away, but we can get a pretty good idea what the San Francisco 49ers need to do when their name is called. Niner Noise provides an early rank of San Francisco’s draft needs next season.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Four weeks of NFL action is usually a pretty good gauge of what to expect out of any given team. For the San Francisco 49ers, now sitting at 1-3, it’s safe to assume the 2017 NFL Draft will provide yet another early draft pick.

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Head coach Chip Kelly’s squad has plenty of needs entering this offseason. His defense currently ranks dead last against the run (averaging 140.5 yards against per game), there is zero pass rush and the team lost All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman (Achilles) for the season.

And the offense? Well, outside of an improved offensive line and running back Carlos Hyde, there aren’t too many answers.

We can speculate all day whether or not general manager Trent Baalke will survive the offseason. He’s largely responsible for the state of things in Santa Clara right now.

But this slideshow isn’t about that. Instead, let’s look at the top-five needs San Francisco has in the upcoming NFL Draft. We’ll rank them in reverse order and try to explain why each subsequent need trumps the other.

Keep in mind, the 49ers are going to have a lot of cap space in 2017. So some of these needs may not be addressed entirely in the draft.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) reacts in the game against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers won 28-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Positions Worth Mentioning

It’s impossible to limit the 49ers draft needs to just five positions. They have much more than that.

But there are a few we can “relatively” cross off the list. At least they’re not as pressing.

Running Back

Carlos Hyde is contributing and staying healthy. Let’s hope that remains a consistency moving forward. No. 3 back Mike Davis showed us some things in the preseason, so he’s a solid backup moving forward if the Niners elect not to keep Shaun Draughn next year.

Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) catches a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Tight End

San Francisco could use a tight end if the right guy fell into the team’s lap. Is Vance McDonald finally living up to the second-round draft status for which the 49ers drafted him back in 2013?

Garrett Celek isn’t going anywhere for a while either.

Offensive Line

Left tackle Joe Staley’s age is going to be a question at some point soon. But, at 32 years old, the Niners hope they can get a couple more years of Pro Bowl-caliber production out of him. The rest of the offensive line seems set, and rookie guard Joshua Garnett will take over for Zane Beadles at some point between now and 2017.

Safety

Veteran safety Antoine Bethea has one more year on his current contract. Fellow safety Eric Reid is enjoying a Pro Bowl-caliber season so far. San Francisco is still waiting for second-year pro Jaquiski Tartt to make the big leap. If not, the Niners may want to consider moving Jimmie Ward back to his natural position at some point down the line.

Cornerback

It’s weird to think cornerback won’t be a need this offseason, especially in a Trent Baalke draft class. And it’s hard to agree with FanSided’s early mock, which projects the 49ers taking Florida corner Jalen Tabor in Round 1.

The reason why this isn’t a position of need is because of rookie cornerback Rashard Robinson, who is flashing signs of being a true shutdown corner.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (99) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5: Defensive Line

Wait, so why would the 49ers want to invest yet another pick in their defensive line? They’ve already spent back-to-back first-overall picks on defensive linemen over the last two years (Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner).

Well, that’s a reason why this group ranks No. 5 and not any higher.

Yet it doesn’t mean it isn’t a need at all. Currently, the 49ers are employing Mike Purcell at the nose tackle position. And San Francisco is being gashed by opponents’ running games up the middle.

Purcell is a good backup. As a starter? No.

Aug 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (93) during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco is realizing how much it misses nose tackle Ian Williams (ankle), who is out for the season on injured reserve. He’ll be a free agent in 2017, but health questions could convince the 49ers to look elsewhere.

Stuffing the run at the point of attack, especially in sub packages, will be critical for a Niners defense currently ranking dead last in yards allowed on the ground.

Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Ka’Deem Carey (25) scores a touchdown with San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) defending during the second half at Soldier Field. San Francisco won 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4: Inside Linebacker

See everything on the previous slide about the 49ers run defense, and now tack on the need for another inside linebacker.

All-Pro NaVorro Bowman (Achilles) is out for the rest of 2016, and fans better hope he returns to form next season. Insofar as replacing him? Well, San Francisco doesn’t exactly have a ton of options.

Remember, the 49ers passed on an inside linebacker in last year’s draft. They’re paying for that mistake now.

Bowman, who led the league in tackles last year (116) can’t be asked to do it all again next season. He’ll need some help. Remember retired linebacker Chris Borland constantly being around the ball-carrier and converging quickly to make technique-sound tackles?

Yeah, that’s what’s needed here.

It’s important, even more than the defensive line, because opposing teams are going to continue testing San Francisco’s run defense in sub packages. With larger gaps opening within the first two levels of defense, the 49ers need an interior plug with great side-to-side converging skills.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (17) catches a pass defended by Dallas Cowboys defensive back Anthony Brown (30) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3: Wide Receiver

General manager Trent Baalke has avoided taking a wide receiver early in the draft every year since his 2012 gaffe of A.J. Jenkins.

And it’s hurting. Significantly.

August 26, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 21-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 wideout Torrey Smith is not exactly the right fit in head coach Chip Kelly’s uptempo scheme, which focuses more on quick releases from the quarterback and not so much on deep-play threats in need of time to let routes develop.

Smith is still a decent option, but the 49ers need complementary pieces here.

San Francisco acquired wideout Jeremy Kerley in a trade prior to the regular season, which has been nice. But he’s not exactly the kind of player opposing teams will scheme against.

As for the remaining cast of Niners receivers? Well, no one has truly stepped up and emerged as a legitimate threat.

Kelly’s offense is hurting for playmakers. His receivers are rarely creating separation on a week-to-week basis, and San Francisco’s offensive production is suffering as a result.

December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi’s Stadium. The Chargers defeated the 49ers 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2: Edge Rusher

Where is the 49ers pass rush?

Yes, linebacker Aaron Lynch is returning from a four-game suspension. That will help. And maybe, just maybe, he rises to the occasion and makes this need a little less pressing.

Still, it doesn’t mean the lack of an elite edge rusher just goes away.

Head coach Chip Kelly’s scheme could, on its own, allow the Niners to get away with just a good rushing attack and OK quarterback play. But his uptempo style can put the defense at risk, which increases the need to have superior pass-rushers within the ranks.

Aside from Lynch, San Francisco doesn’t really have anyone.

Veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks is aging and is nowhere close to his 2013 Pro Bowl form. Second-year pro Eli Harold has yet to make the next jump, and Tank Carradine’s strong preseason hasn’t carried over into the regular season at all.

Remember, teams can never have too many pass-rushers. Even if rookie defensive end Ronald Blair manages to increase his prowess during the second half of 2016 — let’s hope so — the 49ers would be wise to add yet another body capable of setting the edge and getting to the quarterback.

Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) talk on the sidelines in the game against the Houston Texans in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Texans won 24-13. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1: Quarterback

Did you really think the No. 1 need would be anything else?

San Francisco’s quarterback situation is a mess. Blaine Gabbert is currently ranked No. 33 out of 34 qualifying QBs, according to Pro Football Focus. And it’s pretty clear he’s not capable of giving the team much more than what’s been seen this season.

OK, so why not make the switch to backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick? Head coach Chip Kelly was supposed to be the guy who resurrected Kap’s career, right?

Not exactly. Kelly’s offenses are predicated on well-timed passes and accuracy — two aspects which aren’t Kaepernick’s strengths. While there’s always the remote possibility of a Kap resurgence, the likelihood of this is more hope than reality.