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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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Oct 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) gets sacked by Detroit Lions defensive end Kerry Hyder (61) in the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) gets sacked by Detroit Lions defensive end Kerry Hyder (61) in the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Franchise Quarterback

Unless the Niners are banking on third-round pickup, quarterback C.J. Beathard, to emerge as a cornerstone of the passing game, general manager John Lynch tabled the team’s need for a franchise quarterback until a later date.

This might not be a bad move. The 2017 NFL Draft wasn’t exactly laden with top-tier quarterbacking prospects. And even those selected in Round 1 are probably viewed as a reach.

Still, few NFL teams can win championships — or sustain continued success — without an elite guy under center.

As of now, San Francisco will roll with perennial journeyman QB Brian Hoyer as its signal-caller. And both Beathard and Matt Barkley will compete for the backup duties.

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All that is fine for a stopgap option. But the long-term solution has yet to be found.

Fortunately, Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan both have six-year deals with which to work. Neither was pressed into reaching for a quarterback, at least in the first two rounds. They can afford to wait a little longer.

But the 49ers probably aren’t going to get electric quarterbacking play from Hoyer, or anyone else, this season.

Next: Recapping the 49ers' Actions in the 2017 NFL Draft

So it’s going to take a while before San Francisco’s offense resembles anything dynamic or potent.