Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Day 3 primer for the 2018 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 14: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo #31 of the Oklahoma Sooners forces a fumble by Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter at Cotton Bowl on October 14, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 14: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo #31 of the Oklahoma Sooners forces a fumble by Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter at Cotton Bowl on October 14, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

Remaining 49ers’ Draft Picks and Team Needs

San Francisco has five more picks remaining in the draft, barring any further trades or movement.

Here’s the list:

  • 4th round, 128th overall (from Pittsburgh)
  • 6th round, 184th overall
  • 5th round, 142nd overall (from Washington)
  • 7th round, 227th overall
  • 7th round, 240th overall (from Kansas City)

It’s a bit weird to see the Niners avoid a pure pass-rusher thus far through the draft. Top names, such as NC State’s Bradley Chubb, UTSA’s Marcus Davenport and Boston College’s Harold Landry, were all gone by the time the 49ers made their first selection in Round 2.

And yet San Francisco is taking a gamble passing on second- and third-tier EDGE prospects by electing to address other positions.

This is still a worry, especially considering the defense tied for 26th last year in sack production (30).

Remaining NFL Draft Needs

Here’s Niner Noise’s basic assessment in order:

  1. Edge rusher
  2. Offensive guard
  3. Cornerback
  4. Running back

Addressing the pass rush remains a top priority on day three. And while the tackle positions and center seem to be all but squared away, finding some additional competition for guard would be smart.

Unless San Francisco is content with the trio of Jonathan Cooper, Joshua Garnett and Laken Tomlinson.

Cornerback depth is still important, although John Lynch suggested (h/t Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee) Tarvarius Moore could see some time at the position this offseason:

Running back isn’t exactly a priority. But it wouldn’t be a shock to see the 49ers take advantage of a very deep draft class at the position.

So, who should San Francisco target between Rounds 4 through 7?