San Francisco 49ers: Early look at 5 targets in 2022 NFL Draft

49ers Target No. 3: EDGE George Karlaftis, Purdue

Like wide receiver and tight end, San Francisco elected to pass on an outside pass-rusher in this year’s NFL Draft despite having some concerns about whether or not EDGE Nick Bosa will be fully recovered from a 2020 ACL tear, while fellow EDGE Dee Ford’s status (back) is anything but known heading towards the regular season.

It might not be as pressing a need. But considering having at least one promising outside pass-rusher on a cheap rookie contract is always a good idea, don’t be shocked if the 49ers look to find someone who’d fit the bill early.

Perhaps in Round 2 with their first pick in 2022.

It’s hard to say whether or not Purdue EDGE George Karlaftis will make it out of the first round. He is, after all, coming off an impressive 7.5-sack campaign his freshman year in 2019 before tacking on two more sacks in two games for the Boilermakers last year.

A similar sack-per-game campaign for the 6-foot-4, 270-pound Karlaftis will certainly push him towards the fringes of being a first-round pick, if not a bona fide Round 1 target, thereby keeping him out of the Niners’ target range.

So, at least in that regard, they may hope he only modestly finds his stride and somehow dips into Round 2.