3 problems still facing 49ers after 2020 NFL Draft

While the San Francisco 49ers’ 2020 NFL Draft efforts were quite the success, it’s important to recognize the issues the team could potentially face this upcoming season.

We’re not trying to rain on the San Francisco 49ers‘ 2020 NFL Draft parade here. Seriously, we’re not.

By most accounts, the Niners’ efforts in the first-ever all-online draft were wholly successful. Not only did the team have to manage losing two key impact players earlier this offseason, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, but they had to navigate the stunning news left tackle Joe Staley was retiring. While there were rumors about Staley hanging up his cleats for some time now, the reality didn’t set in until day three of the NFL Draft.

And to do so, San Francisco managed to grab the second-best defensive tackle in the draft, South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw, a talented wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk out of Arizona State and then managed to engineer a steal of a trade for perennial Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Williams from the Washington Redskins.

To acquire Williams, all the Niners had to do was send off this year’s fifth-round pick and a 2021 third-round selection. That’s a steal and makes Staley’s departure a bit more bearable.

At the same time, though, the 49ers passed up on some would-be excellent additions in the draft, particularly at some glaring positions of need. And while it’s always great to feel good about a team’s latest NFL Draft class, it’s just as wise to take a look at the omissions and positions still needing to be questioned heading towards offseason workouts.

That’s what we’ll do here, breaking down some of the remaining problems general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. could face this season.