Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Re-Ranking NFL Draft Positional Priorities after Free Agency

By Peter Panacy

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Nov 5, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) during the second quarter against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) during the second quarter against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Edge Rusher

Quarterbacks are the linchpin of any offense. Teams rarely win a Super Bowl without a franchise-caliber one.

Similarly, an elite pass-rusher is just as crucial on the defensive side of the ball.

The fortunate thing for the 49ers is this year’s NFL Draft is laden with pass-rushing talent. Sure, Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett is the consensus No. 1 overall prospect in this year’s draft. As such, he’ll probably wind up with the Cleveland Browns.

At No. 2 overall, the Niners could look at a number of other options.

Michigan’s Taco Charlton is likely a first-round target, although probably not second overall. The same goes with Tennessee’s Derek Barnett. Although NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks suggested Barnett could be the best pass-rusher in this year’s draft. Even better than Garrett.

More from Niner Noise

Stanford’s Solomon Thomas might be a solid fit in San Francisco’s 4-3 base defense and would be a realistic target in Round 2 at No. 34 overall.

At any rate, finding an impact pass-rusher is the biggest of priorities for the 49ers in this year’s draft.

The team has a few blue-chip players and stopgap options at other positions, and there’s a small core of players to build around in coming seasons.

Next: Which Prospects Rose and Fell at the NFL Scouting Combine?

So let’s see how the Niners prioritize their own needs as the draft approaches in late April.