Could a team reaching on a quarterback in the NFL Draft mean the 49ers have to choose between need and talent?
With the 2025 NFL Draft fast approaching and the San Francisco 49ers picking in an interesting spot at No. 11 overall, one of the more interesting draft tidbits has come out of a rival with the New Orleans Saints (who pick No. 9 overall).
Read More: 49ers have a Hall of Fame history of drafting players at No. 11 overall
Saints quarterback Derek Carr has been hurt for a long time with his shoulder, and it's been reported by Niner Noise's Peter Panacy that his injury may actually force their hand at quarterback as he may be gone for next season, and subsequently force a big talent down to the 49ers.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the news last week:
The #Saints suddenly have a major QB question: Starter Derek Carr is now dealing with a shoulder injury that threatens his availability for this season, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 11, 2025
Carr is weighing options, including the possibility of surgery. pic.twitter.com/QNdc9ipE8P
The reason why this is especially interesting is this could push a weapon commonly mocked to the Saints down to the Niners, that being Penn State tight end Tyler Warren.
49ers are drafting in an interesting spot already
Now this will automatically be met by derision by some fans, I know. Why should the 49ers ignore more immediate needs such as both sides of the defensive line and cornerback? Well, the answer lies in taking talent over need, and by acknowledging that tight end is also a need for San Francisco, albeit not as pressing a need as the aforementioned positions.
The truth is the offensive line is not a strong positional group this year. Will Campbell from LSU and Armand Membou from Missouri are the two top-10 candidates who almost definitely won't be available, and it falls off after that. Texas tackle Kelvin Banks is there, but his short arm length might see him move inside to guard. The 49ers need a guard, too, but you can find good guards relatively easily outside the first round.
It's a similar story on the defensive line and cornerback. Penn State's Abdul Carter is a generational EDGE, but then teams are split on who the next best EDGE is between Georgia's Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams, and Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. Walker, who is more of a tweener at his size, and Pearce has some character issues that could see him slide in this draft.
Williams might be the best bet, but the fact teams are still split despite the drawbacks of the other two shows the drop-off (albeit with the cavaet Williams would be a good pick for San Francisco at No. 11, and he's likely gone before then anyway).
The only other name may be Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart, but he's very raw and is one of those reaches that might not be the play.
For defensive tackle, Michigan's duo of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant look likely top-10 picks. For cornerback, Colorado's Travis Hunter will see his name called in the top five, and Michigan's Will Johnson is seeing a lot of fans in the top 10. Beyond that, there seems to be no favorite for the third best corner.
So why tight end?
Tyler Warren secretly makes sense for 49ers if he slips in NFL Draft
Well, the truth is the 49ers offense needs more young weapons with quarterback Brock Purdy about to be paid. George Kittle will end up in Canton and might be the most popular 49ers player of all time, but he's also 32 years old during the next season and needs a true successor. He's still playing at a high level, but soon he will regress.
It's not like Warren is just a backup anyway if he became a Niner. Head coach Kyle Shanahan loves to play multiple tight ends, and Warren is a monster mismatch. He measures in at 6-foot-6 and 261 pounds and is the perfect triple threat of incredible athlete, excellent receiver and willing mauler in the run game.
In short, the perfect weapon for the type of offense Shanahan loves and an heir apparent. Not the most pressing need, but teams that reach for talent usually end up regretting it. If the Saints have to go quarterback and leave Warren to the 49ers, maybe that's the play at No. 11.
And if you think this is too early for such a player, I don't think the Las Vegas Raiders are regretting taking Brock Bowers one year ago.
Just something to keep in mind.