2018 NFL Draft: Round 1 prospect big board for the 49ers
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers will have a lot of needs and likely a top-five pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Niner Noise explores what the team’s Round 1 big board might look like heading towards April’s draft.
The 2018 NFL Draft is still a ways away, but the San Francisco 49ers are going to pay close attention to a slew of prospects who might be capable of upgrading the team’s roster next season.
San Francisco’s record this year mandates what likely turns into a top-five pick in the draft, meaning general manager John Lynch will have his choice to either land a high-profile prospect or trade down to acquire more draft capital.
Such decisions will play out in reaction to both the Niners’ own needs, as well as the market on other players.
San Francisco 49ers
Like quarterbacks.
After the 49ers picked up Jimmy Garoppolo, via a pre-deadline trade with the New England Patriots, Lynch was essentially able to cross this need off the team’s wish list. Other teams around the NFL aren’t in the same boat, though, which makes draft-day trades more enticing.
Even with Garoppolo, the Niners still have a long list of needs to address this offseason. In no particular order, some of the more pressing needs would include:
- Edge rusher
- Cornerback
- Wide receiver
- Offensive line
- Linebacker
- Running back
In this slideshow, we’ll break down a big board for San Francisco in Round 1 of the draft for each of these needs. The large number of needs means the Niners can, essentially, grab the best player available when their name is called.
And if a trade is in order, it offers the opportunity to look at players later in the draft.
Let’s break each need down, big-board style.