We’ll argue and debate the 49ers’ 2022 NFL Draft class for some time, but it’s safe to assume they didn’t quite address these four needs adequately enough.
It’s hard, perhaps impossible for any team to completely ace any particular NFL Draft. As far as the 2022 draft was concerned, perhaps the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets came close to doing so.
But even they had some questionable moves here and there.
As far as the San Francisco 49ers’ 2022 NFL Draft class, well, there were some quality picks mixed in with some notable surprises, particularly the selection of LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price in Round 3, which wasn’t exactly seen as a pressing need.
In a bit of a shocker, at least comparing previous drafts under general manager John Lynch, the Niners didn’t execute any draft-day trades, ultimately coming away with nine selections and a total of zero on day one.
Hopefully, the bulk of those picks wind up panning out. But, while San Francisco didn’t have an overwhelming array of needs, there are still some shortcomings that weren’t exactly addressed enough over the three-day period from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Let’s take a look at four needs Lynch and Co. didn’t manage to get to.
No. 4: 49ers failed to address long-term replacement for Mike McGlinchey
Yes, the 49ers used two draft picks to reinforce the offensive line, UTSA’s Spencer Burford and Fordham’s Nick Zakelj.
Both have the ability to play guard and tackle, which should help with insurance for the depth. But it’s hard to wholly peg either to be a surefire starter at the NFL level.
Perhaps the Niners feel more comfortable with right tackle Mike McGlinchey’s recovery from a torn quad suffered in 2021 than most, but the more looming question mark is the fact McGlinchey is signed only through 2022 and will be a free agent a year from now. It doesn’t seem likely San Francisco will offer him a big-time extension, and this year’s draft could have been the perfect chance to find his replacement.
A prospect like Kentucky’s Darrian Kinnard, a day-two prospect who fell all the way to the Kansas City Chiefs in Round 5, would have been a safe grab with one of the 49ers’ two third-round selectioins.
Alas, however, the Niners passed up the opportunity to grab a swing tackle right away with the long-term shot of replacing McGlinchey in 2023.
No. 3: 49ers have a minimal insurance policy against Alex Mack possibly retiring
As is the case with Mike McGlinchey’s recovery, perhaps San Francisco feels much more comfortable with the notion veteran center Alex Mack will actually come back in 2022 and not retire, despite plenty of speculation about him doing so this offseason.
The 49ers didn’t actually draft a pure center, as both Spencer Burford and Nick Zakelj aren’t projected to handle this kind of role.
Now, the Niners grabbed two possible replacements via undrafted free agency, Arizona State’s Dohnovan West and Mercer’s Jason Poe, both of whom could eventually transition into full-time starters and had plenty of NFL Draft cred leading up to April 28, the former even being viewed as a possible third-round pick who ultimately slipped out of the draft entirely.
That’s good. But being undrafted free agents, both West and Mercer’s road to the 53-man roster will be a lot tougher than if either player was selected in, let’s say, Round 4.
Perhaps this winds up panning out OK enough, especially if Mack returns and alleviates any worries about retirement.
At the same time, though, this year’s draft would have been the perfect opportunity to find a long-term replacement anyway.
Maybe West or Poe wind up filling this void.
No. 2: 49ers didn’t find a complementary tight end for George Kittle
For years now, head coach Kyle Shanahan has sought a good No. 2 tight end to pair with George Kittle, yet the fruits of those efforts haven’t exactly revealed much.
In fairness to Shanahan and Co., this year’s NFL Draft wasn’t exactly deep at the position, and there surely weren’t any clear-cut studs in the 2022 class, unlike last year’s draft with now-Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts.
So, there has to be some credit given to San Francisco for not reaching here. At the same time, however, the 49ers could have stood for an upgrade over depth tight ends like Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner.
Read More: 49ers score good grades for their efforts in 2022 NFL Draft
The Niners didn’t use any of their nine picks on a tight end, meaning both Dwelley and Woerner are likely safe in their respective roles this upcoming season. Dwelley, who saw his use diminish last season after a career-best 19 catches for 245 yards the year prior, is probably guaranteed that No. 2 job once again.
As far as Shanahan’s hopes to have two dynamic tight ends on the field at any given time, it looks as if that’ll have to wait until 2023 at the soonest.
No. 1: 49ers still have a noticeable void at safety
One could have accurately assumed San Francisco would use one of its first three picks on a safety, a player who could make up for the free-agent loss of strong safety Jaquiski Tartt, who could still feasibly return, as he remains unsigned.
That said, the 49ers were literally gifted the opportunity to land either one of two promising safeties, Kerby Joseph out of Illinois and Nick Cross out of Maryland, both of whom were still on the board when the Niners’ number was called for the first time in Round 3.
Instead, San Francisco elected to draft Tyrion Davis-Price at No. 93 overall, meaning both Joseph and Cross would be grabbed by the Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts, respectively, a few picks later and before the 49ers were back on the clock at No. 105 overall.
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Oops, perhaps?
As things stand now, the Niners are poised to enter 2022 with three candidates for the starting strong safety role: Talanoa Hufanga, George Odum and Tarvarius Moore. However, all three are pegged more as special teams contributors and not full-time starters, meaning San Francisco’s defense could soon feel that glaring shortcoming on the roster.
Unless Tartt re-signs, of course.