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2017 NFL Draft: Breaking Down 49ers’ Biggest Needs after Round 3

By James LeBreton

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Solomon Thomas (Stanford) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he is selected as the number 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Solomon Thomas (Stanford) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he is selected as the number 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Tight End

Every year Vance McDonald does just enough to make the 49ers roster. Last year he did just enough in the preseason to claim the starting job uncontested.

Before seasons end he had a nice healthy extension. One can’t help but wonder if it was his level of play that earnd him that extension, or if it was just another blunder my former general manager Trent Baalke.

He doesn’t have the greatest pair of hands, nor is he the most reliable option on the field. Nor is he being pushed into better play further along on the depth chart.

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Sitting behind him is back up option Garrett Celek, who also signed a pretty healthy extension last preseason. This position on the depth chart could not only used some help, it could use a complete makeover.

Michigan’s Jake Butt, or Virginia Tech’s Bucky Hodges are both reliable receivers that certainly don’t fear going over the middle.

Surely John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan won’t see a problem with looking to upgrade the position on the final day of the draft.

Next: Offensive Line