2021 NFL Draft: 5 prospects 49ers should watch early on

The 49ers should pay attention to these 2021 NFL Draft prospects.

Is it too early to start thinking about which players the San Francisco 49ers should target in the 2021 NFL Draft?

Of course not. In fact, given the high level of uncertainty the Niners face following their upcoming 2020 season, it might be wise to start some early speculation about the prospects who could potentially be on general manager John Lynch’s radar a little less than a year from now.

As things stand now, San Francisco owns six picks in the 2021 draft after trading away a third-round selection to the Washington Redskins in exchange for veteran left tackle Trent Williams last April. The 49ers are also expected to land one compensatory pick, likely a fifth rounder, after losing wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to the New Orleans Saints in free agency during the offseason.

Yet there are some serious questions facing Lynch and the front office in 2021. Cornerbacks Richard Sherman, K’Waun Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon are pending free agents. So is safety Jaquiski Tartt. Williams is also around for just this upcoming season, and the team is already looking at a record-smashing deal for All-Pro tight end George Kittle.

And with a limited amount of salary-cap resources, the 49ers will have to make some serious good on their NFL Draft efforts in 2021.

Of course, there’s a ton of X-factors to play out between now and the 2021 draft, and you’ll see plenty of risers and fallers on big boards as this upcoming college football season pans out.

For now, though, Niner Noise takes a look at five prospects Lynch and his staff should be eyeing early as potential additions to San Francisco’s roster next year.