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My family knows that once the season ends, I start looking toward the NFL draft.<\/p>\n
Correction: If the San Francisco 49ers are in the playoff hunt and beyond, I think of the season first, but even in October, I am also thinking about the draft.<\/p>\n
I am not a former player or draft expert, but I read those opinions, watch a lot of college football, study the measurables at the NFL Combine (take them with a grain of salt), pay attention to the all-star games, and of the players I’ve identified over the years, I have a pretty good record of who will do well and who won’t.<\/p>\n
I don’t have the encyclopedic knowledge that Mel Kiper, Matt Miller, Daniel Jeremiah, and others have, but I sometimes know the late picks.<\/p>\n
To give you an idea of my skills, I identified Mac Jones<\/a> as better than Trey Lance<\/a> and loved the Brock Purdy<\/a> pick. I didn’t think Purdy would be the star he is, but when the 49ers took him, I said, “Great pick. He’s someone we can develop.”<\/p>\n I thought Javon Kinlaw<\/a> was a horrible pick, and I loved the Dominick Puni<\/a> selection. This past year, Upton Stout<\/a> was one of my favorites. (I also loved CJ West<\/a>. We’ll see how he does.)<\/p>\n On other teams, I identified Russell Wilson<\/a> as a star. I saw Bradley Bozeman<\/a>, Landon Dickerson<\/a>, and Tanor Bortolini<\/a> as good offensive linemen. N’Keal Harry was a waste. Keenan Allen<\/a> was a steal. (That one’s not really impressive. Half the Faithful were upset about the Niners passing on him.)<\/p>\n If they had asked me, I would have told Lions fans Jahmyr Gibbs<\/a> was not a reach at 12, and the Niners that Brian Robinson<\/a> would be better than Tyrion Davis-Price. (As an Alabama grad, I watch a lot of SEC football.)<\/p>\n But I can’t say I haven’t missed, too. I thought Bo Nix<\/a> was a second- or third-round pick. I thought Trae Waynes would light it up, Barrett Jones would be a 10-year starter, and boy, oh, boy, was I wrong about Trent Richardson.<\/p>\n In this article, I will first identify the 49ers’ needs going into this year’s draft. I am not going to look at all positions. For instance, there is no reason to do a deep dive on running backs. We know that Christian McCaffrey<\/a> is their starter, and we know Kyle Shanahan will probably draft a running back at some point. (Please, football gods, don’t let it be before the fifth round. He’s terrible at getting good ones early.)<\/p>\n Wide receiver<\/p>\n The 49ers currently have the following receivers (list alphabetically):<\/p>\n I am not including Brandon Aiyuk<\/a>. Everyone knows he’ll be gone.<\/p>\n Of these, Jennings, Moore, and Bourne are free agents, and Demarcus Robinson is a free agent after this coming season. I am all for signing Jennings if his demands are reasonable, which to me puts him in the $20 million range \u2014 what good #2 receivers are getting. San Francisco must re-sign Moore because he is an outstanding return man.<\/p>\n I don’t see a true No. 1 receiver on the list, and injuries are a constant with this group.<\/p>\n Verdict: Strong need<\/p>\n Tight end<\/p>\n Tonges is a restricted free agent. As the primary receiving backup to Kittle, he must\u2014and will\u2014be re-signed. Farrell was signed to be a blocking tight end and was average in that role. Willis has been on the team for several years and has kept that spot due to special teams play.<\/p>\n While many might feel there is a significant need at the position. However, Tonges has been so good. Additionally, Kittle is expected to return at full health.<\/p>\n Verdict: Slight need<\/p>\n That said, I have seen mock drafts that have the 49ers taking tight end Kenyon Sadiq in the first round, and I would understand such a move.<\/p>\n Offensive tackle<\/p>\n