Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking top 3 defensive needs ahead of NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Wide receiver Brandin Cooks #12 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a touchdown over cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of the game at Levi's Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Wide receiver Brandin Cooks #12 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a touchdown over cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of the game at Levi's Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Dee Ford #55 and Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers pressure Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
Dee Ford #55 and Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers pressure Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers made some major moves at the start of free agency, yet the defensive side of the ball could use some help in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch played his cards carefully at the start of free agency this offseason, electing to trade away defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

That was preceded by the Niners re-signing defensive end Arik Armstead, and the money made available by the Buckner trade allowed this to happen as well as San Francisco being able to re-sign safety Jimmie Ward.

Retaining Ward eliminates what would have been a huge need for Lynch and the 49ers defense in the upcoming draft. While there are plenty of cornerbacks capable of going in the first few rounds of the draft this April, the same can’t exactly be said of safety. Yes, there are some top options out there. But with the Niners currently short on day-two picks after their two first-round selections, one can see why Lynch put a priority on bringing Ward back after his career-best 2019 campaign.

While it’s highly expected San Francisco will go with a wide receiver with the pick acquired in the Buckner deal, one could make a strong argument San Francisco should focus its efforts in the 2020 draft on the defensive side of the ball.

So, what would those defensive needs be?

Niner Noise takes a look and ranks out what the 49ers’ top three defensive needs would be in the 2020 NFL Draft, breaking down why Lynch and Co. should pay particular attention to making some rookie additions this offseason.