4 late-round pass-rush prospects 49ers can target in 2022 NFL Draft

The 49ers are likely to need more pass-rushing help in 2022, yet they’ll likely have to wait until day three of the NFL Draft to grab some talent.

Considering all the investments the San Francisco 49ers have made along their defensive line in recent years, it’s almost a shame finding yet another edge rusher to bolster the defense is going to be another high priority for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Yet here we are.

The Niners are likely to bid farewell to EDGE Dee Ford this offseason, his reworked contract giving the team another out in the wake of him missing almost all of 2020 with a serious injury and subsequently landing on injured reserve again with the same injury in 2021. And while it’s admirable he was able to come back and play at all this season, it’s also safe to assume San Francisco will want to find someone else to pair with Pro Bowl EDGE Nick Bosa from this point onward.

Two problems, though.

The 49ers have received scant production from another pass-rusher they signed during the offseason, Samson Ebukam, who has just one sack and two quarterback hits halfway through the year. On top of that, the Niners are without a first- and a third-round pick in 2022 because of last spring’s trade-up to land quarterback Trey Lance.

With other pressing needs on the table, such as cornerback and wide receiver, it’s likely San Francisco has to wait until day three of the draft to find some pass-rushing help.

If that’s the case, these five pass-rushing prospects likely to go in Rounds 4 through 7 could make a lot of sense.