3 questions 49ers have to answer before 2020 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers have a loaded roster, yes, but they still need some major questions answered before the 2020 NFL Draft kicks off on April 23.

In many ways, the 2020 NFL Draft will be the San Francisco 49ers’ most important draft since general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan took over front-office duties in 2017.

From that year through the 2019 draft, the focus was largely on the rebuild; upgrading wherever and however from a roster which, back in 2016, won a mere two games. And while there were mistakes, a complete overhaul could essentially afford Lynch and Shanahan to take one of any different routes to get back to relevance.

Now, coming off a Super Bowl appearance earlier this year, the Niners’ No. 1 task is retaining their newfound level of contention. It’s much easier, in many ways, for a team to build towards a playoff-caliber roster than trying to maintain it.

San Francisco found that out by losing defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to a trade, then watching wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders depart in free agency.

The Niners are limited on picks in this year’s NFL Draft, boasting two in Round 1, but then not selecting again until Round 5. There are always trade options, yet those aren’t likely to take place until the draft actually kicks off.

But that doesn’t mean Lynch will avoid the preparatory work.

Lynch and the Niners also need to find some answers to key questions in order to properly gameplan for the draft. That’s just as crucial to ensuring yet another successful draft class, but it’s also inherently necessary in ensuring the team holds onto its long-term goal of sustained success.

Here are three questions Lynch and Co. need to answer before the NFL Draft begins.