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2017 NFL Draft: Five Biggest Questions for 49ers

By Logan Stanley

Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers chief executive officer Jed York address the media with general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan 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 chief executive officer Jed York address the media with general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan during a press conference at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: What Will Be the 49ers’ Draft Focus?

A roster that went 2-14 obviously needs repairing. Where does a team start with so many holes? The defense was the 32nd-ranked unit last year while the offense finished 27th, per Pro Football Reference. So, not too many bright spots to look at.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Let’s first factor in offseason acquisitions. Out of 23 total moves in the offseason, the 49ers signed or traded for 12 players on the offensive side of the ball. Specifying free agency, it was obvious the 49ers targeted offense first: seven free agents (out of 11) were brought in the first two days of free agency.

San Francisco saw issues on the offense and immediately sought to alleviate those concerns in free agency. And besides the signing of linebacker Malcolm Smith, there were no other significant additions to the defense. Which is why I think the 49ers focus on defense in the draft.

Here are the signings made on defense: nose tackle Mike Purcell, linebackers Carl Bradford, Brock Coyle, Dekoda Watson and Jayson DiManche, defensive backs K’Waun Williams and Don Jones and defensive tackles Earl Mitchell and Chris Jones.

Nothing spectacular. Not that the offensive signings were splashes in the water, but these are all names a majority of football fans do not know or have ever heard of. These signings were made with depth in mind.

With a particularly rich draft in terms of defense, I believe the 49ers will lean heavy on that end. We know what Shanahan is capable of on offense and San Francisco will bank on that as they attempt to build their defense up.