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2019 NFL Draft: 5 bold predictions for John Lynch and the 49ers

By Peter Panacy

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) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Riley Ridley #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts to a play during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Riley Ridley #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts to a play during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Prediction No. 2: 49ers Wait for Round 3 to Draft a Wide Receiver

There’s a good deal of speculation what John Lynch and the 49ers will do with their first pick.

With their second pick, however, it can get a lot crazier.

Some of the top targets would likely include a cornerback, a free safety and a wide receiver. Assuming Lynch stays put at No. 36 overall, which player does he wind up targeting first?

More from SF 49ers Draft

If predictions are worth anything, it will probably be a safety. Why? Well, the Niners are sticking with two incumbents at free safety: Jimmie Ward and Adrian Colbert. They did add a wide receiver in free agency, Jordan Matthews, who’ll help reinforce a group that didn’t boast a player with 500 receiving yards a year ago.

But the notion the Niners will wait until Round 3, at the earliest, goes beyond just the speculation of a safety being Lynch’s second pick in the NFL Draft.

This, from NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco:

"One thing that’s been proven is that teams do not need a No. 1 wide receiver to win championships. The 49ers have a darn-good tight end. George Kittle is the 49ers’ No. 1 receiver. They just need a good balance on the outside to enable Shanahan to run his offense."

If you’re having a tough time digesting this as a Lynch prediction, ask yourself this: Is wide receiver or safety a bigger need for the 49ers?

If you answered with the latter, you’re right.