Ranking potential 49ers EDGE targets in 2023 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers have tons of roster decisions that need before many of their players end up testing free agency’s waters.

We’ve finally reached the finish line, or we could call it the starting block depending on how you view things. Nearing the end of August means spring is long gone. We will soon place summer in our rear-view mirror, so yes, we’ve reached the end of a long offseason process. Every new San Francisco 49ers regular season is the beginning of a long race though.

We finally get to see if this Trey Lance kid is the answer. He’ll need to be. The NFC West is a gauntlet.

At times, we tend to overthink things when it comes to roster building. The tastiest of recipes begins with two ingredients. Find a franchise quarterback. Find guys who can harass the other team’s quarterback and make his life miserable.

The Niners have key pieces in Lance and one of the best in the business at his position, Nick Bosa, but here’s where things get tricky. Several cogs in San Fran’s defensive machine are scheduled to dip their toe into free agency’s pool at the end of the coming season, including Samson Ebukam, Jordan Willis, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Charles Omenihu.

It’s time to do some scouting, but no worries. You’re covered. Here are eight of the best EDGE stars at the NCAA level. Pay attention to them during the coming college football season.