On one hand, it might be general manager John Lynch's preference to simply take the best player available when the San Francisco 49ers are officially on the clock in the 2026 NFL Draft this upcoming April.
Considering the Niners are in the thick of the playoff race and have no clue where they'll be drafting, that's not a bad strategy.
However, in light of their bigger-than-anticipated roster needs heading into the offseason, Lynch and Co. may need to hone in on a select few positions that need just a little more attention than others.
And one position finds itself rising toward the top throughout the course of 2025.
It'd be safe to argue San Francisco is in desperate need of pass-rushing help, particularly with the season-ending losses of 2025 rookie Mykel Williams and All-Pro Nick Bosa to ACL tears. With a league-fewest 16 sacks through 14 weeks, that'd make sense. And it'd equally make sense to consider an heir apparent to future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams, too.
Round 1 is generally the spot to acquire household-name kind of players.
But another need has now shone to the top of Lynch's list of needs.
49ers may be in desperate need of WR help in 2026 NFL Draft
The 49ers' wide receiver room of 2025 already looks substantially different than it did to kick off 2024, thanks to both last offseason's trade of Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders and Brandon Aiyuk's brutal ACL and MCL injuries, which have kept him out for the balance of this season.
Aiyuk's future with the franchise looks grim, at best, and it'd be a shock to see him back in the Bay Area after the relationship between the two parties has gotten acrimonious, at best.
In tandem, fellow wide receiver Jauan Jennings is a free agent this offseason, and retaining him might not be in the Niners' future plans either, especially if his asking price far exceeds Lynch's comfort level.
That'd effectively leave 2024 rookie Ricky Pearsall and Demarcus Robinson as the lone plausible options atop the depth chart, especially in light of fringe receivers like Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing failing to provide much of an impact so far.
Not particularly inspiring.
Robinson, unfortunately, hasn't provided the kind of expected thump many hoped for when he signed as free agent last offseason, further clouding any hopes of him being a potent weapon. To date, he has a mere 13 receptions for 163 yards and no scores, putting him into more of the Watkins-Cowing fringe category than into the ranks of would-be starters.
As such, it wouldn't be a shock whatsoever to see Lynch prioritize receiving help in Round 1 of the draft, perhaps eyeing someone like USC's Makai Lemon or Washington's Denzel Boston.
Getting that help could easily be more important than helping other spots this upcoming April.