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San Francisco 49ers: 5 NFL Draft Rookies Who Will Start Right Away in 2017

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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Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Solomon Thomas (Stanford) 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) 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 /

The San Francisco 49ers are still in need of a roster overhaul, and that process took a major leap during the 2017 NFL Draft. Niner Noise looks at five rookies who will end up starting right away this season.

The San Francisco 49ers’ rebuild is far from complete.

But that process, under first-year general manager John Lynch, took a major step during the 2017 NFL Draft.

In total, the Niners selected 10 players over all seven rounds and also added a sizable crop of undrafted free agents.

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Back in 2013 and 2014, San Francisco’s roster was stacked so much that most of rookies selected were typically relegated to backup duties and reserve roles.

That’s not the case now. A good chunk of the haul will wind up starting right away for the 49ers this season.

Let’s look at those players — five, to be exact.

To establish who starts, we must consider positions where each player is a notable upgrade over anyone currently on the roster. Or, in some cases, the prospect taken simply has more promise and/or fits a bigger need in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s system.

With all this in mind, here are five new 49ers who wind up getting the starting job when Week 1 of the regular season rolls around.