49ers NFL Draft: 5 prospects by position to target with No. 12 pick

49ers NFL Draft Target No. 4: EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan

The 49ers wouldn’t use yet another first-round pick on a defensive lineman, would they?

Well, yes. They would.

The pass-rush department still needs help despite so many additions here over the past few years. EDGE Nick Bosa is expected back after tearing his ACL in Week 2 last season. But with fellow edge rusher Dee Ford still nursing a serious back injury and having a status where his availability for Week 1 of the 2021 season remains in doubt, getting more pass-rushers suddenly jumps atop the list of needs.

Particularly with regards to this year’s draft being relatively thin with quality outside EDGEs.

Unlike 2019, where Bosa led a deep cast of quality pass-rushers, most of the EDGEs in 2021 have a number of notable concerns. Michigan EDGE Kwity Paye is a perfect example of this, as his 11.5 sacks over four collegiate seasons don’t exactly jump off the production table.

That said, the 6-foot-4, 272-pound lineman has all the physical tools to dominate at the NFL level. He merely just needs to put together some polish and round out his raw skill set.

Considering the Niners have long since emphasized being strong in the trenches, it’s not hard to see them going after another D-lineman with their first pick yet again.