49ers’ 4 biggest remaining holes ahead of 2022 NFL Draft

49ers hole No. 2: Outside pass-rusher

Niners fans may groan a bit if the team uses yet another top pick on a defensive lineman after having set that trend for many a season and even before both Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch arrived in 2017.

However, it’s still a need.

While San Francisco’s depth and the free-agent pickup of defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway hope to cover up the free-agent loss of nose tackle D.J. Jones, the more pressing need is to identify an outside pass-rusher to pair with Pro Bowl EDGE Nick Bosa.

Bosa can’t be tasked with shouldering the bulk of the 49ers’ sack efforts like he did in 2021 with 15.5. And while the Niners reunited with their leading sack artist from 2020, defensive end Kerry Hyder, the desire to land another speed rusher off the edge should be high atop San Francisco’s wish list.

Especially with fellow EDGE Dee Ford likely not playing another snap with the 49ers ever again.

It’s a good thing this year’s NFL Draft has plenty of outside pass-rushing options, and there will be quality pass-rushers available to the 49ers as early as Round 2, even some mixed in in the later rounds as well.

Expect the Niners to take advantage of this.