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5 Needs the San Francisco 49ers Failed to Address in the 2017 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Trent Brown (77) blocks Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford (98) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Trent Brown (77) blocks Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford (98) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Offensive Line

On the surface, the 49ers offensive line didn’t seem like a pressing priority entering this year’s draft.

Only one major change appears on the table — center Jeremy Zuttah over Daniel Kilgore. And Kilgore could bump out to guard, possibly replacing veteran Zane Beadles.

Still, San Francisco’s O-line is far from perfect. Left tackle Joe Staley is aging, right tackle Trent Brown isn’t the best fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s outside zone and second-year guard Joshua Garnett’s rookie season a year ago was less than desirable.

In all, Football Outsiders ranked the Niners 2016 O-line 30th in pass protection and dead last in run support. Needless to say, it’s a group in need of work.

This year’s draft didn’t provide a lot of options, at least surefire ones. So it makes sense for John Lynch and Co. to take a pass on using a draft pick on someone who likely won’t pan out.

The only moves made were post-draft additions of UDFAs Erik Magnuson (Michigan), Darrell Williams Jr. (Western Kentucky) and J.P. Flynn (Montana).

None of these players appear to be long-term options. They’ll have a shot to earn a depth spot, perhaps, but this need is going to remain a problem this season.