In 2022, the 49ers will look to add talent via the NFL Draft to five key positions to an already star-studded roster which will help propel another playoff run.
After nearly making it to the big game, the San Francisco 49ers came just short of besting the rival Los Angeles Rams in the 2022 NFC Championship game, missing out on a second Super Bowl appearance in a three-year span.
That is to say, the Niners possess one of the more complete NFL rosters heading into the offseason. Still, the team has areas that are a clear weakness and other positions lacking in depth.
While San Francisco boasts stars on both sides of the ball, there is always room for improvement. There will be talented players available either through free agency or the 2022 NFL Draft who are worthy of consideration as an upgrade over current starters, and the 49ers would be wise to grab those talents to help maintain roster continuity.
It is the reality of the NFL.
So, what positions should the Niners look to improve in 2022?
Let’s start with a sneaky position that, while not an obvious weakness, could be improved.
49ers NFL Draft Need No. 5: Running Back
Before anyone reading this gets heartburn, no one is talking about upgrading from current starting running back Elijah Mitchell.
Mitchell is an excellent tailback who has excelled in San Francisco’s run-heavy offense and is a bona fide star who deserves a ton of respect for taking the starting position as a sixth-round draft selection a year ago. Simply stated, the future is bright for the 2021 rookie.
Unfortunately, Mitchell has a history of missing games, and when he missed time this past season, the team’s running game stalled. There is the likelihood the 49ers’ former starter, Raheem Mostert, may return to the team despite being a free agent this offseason. If so, the Niners will have a dynamic running back tandem.
But, Mostert has a tendency to miss games due to injury as well. There is also no guarantee Mostert will return via free agency, though.
San Francisco must add depth to the running back room and should look to do so on day three of the NFL Draft. And there are some interesting players that the team should keep an eye on.
49ers NFL Draft Need No. 4: Backup Quarterback
In 2022, the 49ers face a major transition at the quarterback position going from Jimmy Garoppolo to Trey Lance. While no one yet knows if Lance will be everything they hope he will develop into, one thing is for sure: he will need a backup.
While Lance served as the backup in 2021, with Garoppolo playing elsewhere, the Niners should look to bring in a quality, experienced, athletic quarterback who can help further develop Lance while also being able to win some games if Lance goes down.
There are some free-agent quarterbacks who would fit that need this offseason. San Francisco should look to bring players like Marcus Mariota, Tyler Huntley, or Tyrod Taylor.
Taylor, in particular, would be an excellent choice as he has been both a starting quarterback and served as a backup and is a good athlete who could fill in for Lance without the need to change the game plan.
However, using a day-three pick on a quarterback in the draft could also spice up the competition, and finding another young rookie to push Lance might also be a wise choice.
49ers NFL Draft Need No. 3: Offensive Guard
The 49ers play with brutal physicality, especially on the offensive line, dominating opposing defensive lines. The running game is the foundation of any Niners game script, requiring offensive linemen to be athletic, skilled, and tough as nails.
If you need an example, look no further than all-universe left tackle Trent Williams.
Heading into 2022, San Francisco will need to focus on upgrading at the right guard position, though. The team has invested in the position through both the draft and free agency before and neither route has been able to shore up that spot. And with the potential of the 49ers losing left guard Laken Tomlinson via free agency this offseason, they must invest in a guard. Perhaps even two of them.
The Niners should look at taking a guard on day two of the draft, and perhaps another one later, as there will be several players available who would be a plus addition to the roster.
49ers NFL Draft Need No. 2: Cornerback
An argument could be made that the most glaring need on the roster is the cornerback position.
Heading into 2021, San Francisco had a quality starting pair in Jason Verrett and Emmanuel Moseley. But, unfortunately, Verrett was lost early in the season to an ACL tear while Moseley missed a sizable chunk of the regular season, too, with an ankle injury. This put a massive strain on the 49ers secondary throughout the year.
While the Niners drafted two cornerbacks in last year’s draft, Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir, they still lack a clear-cut No.1 cornerback on the roster. With Verrett unlikely to return, the team might look to add via free agency, and there will be several great options to choose from such as J.C. Jackson or Stephon Gilmore, both of whom would immediately improve the defensive backfield.
However, it might be just as beneficial to identify, draft and develop some additional talent instead, thereby trying to land one of those lockdown-type cornerbacks on a cheap rookie contract.
49ers NFL Draft Need No. 1: Defensive End
Yes, the team’s deepest, most talented group is the defensive line. The D-line is a clear strength led by EDGE Nick Bosa, who in a few short years has sky-rocketed to one of the best edge rushers in the game. And the rest of the line is littered with excellent depth and great developmental prospects.
So, why list this position group as the most pressing draft need heading in 2022?
That’s because San Francisco has been looking to upgrade the position so that it would have two monster bookends. The 49ers brought in EDGE Samson Ebukam last season hoping he would develop into a star. And while he started to produce more towards the end of the season, he still disappeared for long stretches and tends to stick to one pass-rushing move. The Niners then went on to bring more depth and a potential developmental starter in Charles Omenihu.
Like Samson, Omenihu has shown flashes and played better down the stretch. San Francisco could still choose to be patient and gamble on Samson and Omenihu developing into sack beasts, however, the team can’t wait for that development. Instead, the 49ers need a starter who can consistently complement Bosa so that opposing teams can’t just double- and triple-team him.
If the Niners are able to find that perfect pairing with Bosa, opposing quarterbacks will spend more time running for their lives or getting the grass out of their facemask.
In other words, San Francisco will be able to stonewall the running game while fielding an improved defensive backfield and unleashing a dangerous pash-rush attack. If the 49ers manage to upgrade these positions, then fans can certainly expect the team to once again be a Super Bowl contender.