Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Early look at team needs in 2019 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

"THE PICK IS IN" for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2018 NFL Draft (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
"THE PICK IS IN" for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2018 NFL Draft (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

While the 2019 NFL Draft is a long, long ways away, the San Francisco 49ers are showing why a few key positions will need some rookie reinforcement next year. Let’s look at some early needs, shall we?

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and his scouting department have shown they can get a good deal of value out of their last two NFL Draft classes, particularly in the later rounds, where they’ve hit on such players like safety Adrian Colbert (Round 7), tight end George Kittle (Round 5) and, hopefully from this year’s class, rookies Richie James and Jullian Taylor.

Earlier picks, such as linebacker Reuben Foster (Round 1) and wide receiver Dante Pettis (Round 2), seem to be the right moves as well.

Despite the relative success Lynch has had in comparison to his predecessor, former 49ers GM Trent Baalke, the Niners are still a number of pieces away from being a true Super Bowl contender.

Unfortunately for all you draft fanatics, the 2019 NFL Draft is a ways away too.

That said, the 2018 49ers are revealing a number of areas in which the team could stand for some upgrades and reinforcements next season. As of now, Lynch will have six picks at his disposal — his own in Rounds 1 through 4, Round 6 and a conditional swap with the Kansas City Chiefs in Round 7.

This number will assuredly change between now and draft day, so let’s instead focus more on some of the needs Lynch would like to address with some of those selections when the Niners’ number is called this upcoming spring.

Starting off with key concerns in the secondary.