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49ers: Ranking Positional Priorities for the 2017 NFL Draft

By Nicholas McGee

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan and chief executive officer Jed York pose for a photo during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan and chief executive officer Jed York pose for a photo during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) celebrates after the 49ers recovered an onside kick during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) celebrates after the 49ers recovered an onside kick during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Linebacker 

Perhaps the most-criticized signing of the 49ers offseason has been that of linebacker Malcolm Smith, who was given a contract despite an underwhelming spell with Raiders.

NaVorro Bowman will be back from his Achilles injury but a linebacking trio of Bowman, Smith and Ray-Ray Armstrong looks quite uninspiring.

Bowman is an exceptional player but will have two long injury recoveries under his belt by the time the season starts and could greatly benefit by having an athletic rookie next to him.

The 49ers have invested heavily in the trenches in recent years, but the other section of the front seven definitely needs some retooling.