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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GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Offensive guard Joshua Garnett #65 (center) of the San Francisco 49ers lines up during the second half of the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals beat the 49ers 23-20. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Offensive guard Joshua Garnett #65 (center) of the San Francisco 49ers lines up during the second half of the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals beat the 49ers 23-20. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

Offensive Guard

Pressing Needs: Starting Right Guard, Depth

Like cornerback, the 49ers also spent considerable effort revamping their offensive line heading into 2018, namely by bringing aboard center Weston Richburg in free agency and selecting offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey with their first pick in the NFL Draft.

And after inking left guard Laken Tomlinson to an extension this offseason, the only glaring hole remains on the right side of the O-line, where Mike Person and Joshua Garnett figure to be the competitive tandem to start for the remainder of 2018.

Garnett’s fit with the team and Shanahan’s outside-zone scheme has been in question since 2017, and the former Stanford standout’s future wasn’t helped by a season-long knee injury a year ago. If the 2016 first-round draft pick ends up living up to his expectation level, that would help negate the need to a large extent.

If he doesn’t, however, look for a quality guard to be atop Shanahan’s 2019 wish list.

Even if Garnett and/or Person wind up being the answer, it shouldn’t prevent San Francisco from exploring key interior depth pieces to back up either player in 2019 and beyond. This need was revealed right off the bat in Week 1, as both Niners right guards suffered foot injuries to kick off the regular season.