With wide receiver no longer a glaring need after inking both Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in free agency, the San Francisco 49ers could go one of several different directions when their number is on the board at No. 27 overall in the NFL Draft on April 23.
True, a wideout is still possible. But the growing consensus among draft experts and pundits is for general manager John Lynch and Co. to use the Niners' top pick on an offensive tackle.
And that seems to stand out regardless of how San Francisco's current situation with aging left tackle Trent Williams pans out.
Indeed, an heir apparent for the soon-to-be 38-year-old Williams should be a priority. But, would the 49ers burn a first-round pick on a player who likely wouldn't start anytime soon, particularly when the NFC West arms race has never been hotter?
There's the counterpoint.
Either way, CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson doesn't feel as if the Niners would wholly abandon the idea of grabbing an offensive tackle in Round 1, particularly if a player they like ends up falling to them.
WIlson's idea would probably check off a lot of boxes for San Francisco fans, too.
49ers go with Caleb Lomu, then a CB in CBS Sports' 3-round mock draft
Utah tackle Caleb Lomu has been growing in attention for the 49ers in many a mock as of late. And while much of that likely results from the Williams situation, the 6-foot-6 and 308-pound prospect would be a solid get toward the end of Round 1.
Here's what Wilson had to say about this being the Niners' selection at No. 27 overall:
"We might look back in a few years and Lomu is the best tackle in the class. In San Francisco, he'll be ready to step in for Trent Williams when he eventually moves on."
Now, San Francisco doesn't have a clear-cut answer at left guard, so it's feasible Lomu kicks off his NFL career inside before an eventual transition to left tackle when Williams is no longer in the picture.
That makes a bit more sense.
In Round 2, Wilson's pick for the 49ers is Florida cornerback Devin Moore, a big-bodied corner who snagged five interceptions and broke up nine more during his four-year collegiate tenure. While cornerback is a massive need, having additional options within the secondary is never a bad thing, so it's hard to fault the pick there.
However, Wilson avoided arguably the Niners' biggest need: a pass-rusher.
Having traded their Round 3 pick to the Dallas Cowboys for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, perhaps San Francisco feels its pass rush isn't as big a weakness as it was last season.