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FanSided

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

By Peter Panacy

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin (77) during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin (77) during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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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
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
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.