It's pretty easy to point out the San Francisco 49ers have several concerns and holes they need to address this offseason, specifically through the NFL Draft.
However, that's a case nearly every team has to say every year. And the ones that don't will probably face that problem in a year or two's time.
At any rate, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan face crucial needs at wide receiver, the defensive line, an aging running back in Christian McCaffrey, an unclear future at tight end with George Kittle, as well as several areas that could stand for upgrades.
One, the offensive line, is what NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks tabbed in his latest mock draft as the Niners' top choice to address this April.
With the No. 27 overall pick, Brooks has San Francisco selecting Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, providing the following justification:
"At 37 years old, left tackle Trent Williams is nearing the end of a Hall of Fame career -- which makes finding an eventual successor a top priority. Freeling is far from a polished product, but his physical tools and upside make him an intriguing developmental prospect. "
True, Williams is entering the final twilight of his career and will be 38 years old when the 2026 regular season rolls around. And there's no doubt he'll need to be replaced sooner than later. But Williams also indicated he's not mulling retirement just yet, meaning the 49ers could lessen this priority when the draft rolls around.
That said, Brooks' draft creates some unforeseen problems that would smack the Niners in the face, if they were to come true.
Bucky Brooks' mock draft slaps 49ers with 2 key problems
The Niners may have finished with 12 regular-season wins, but they remain third in the NFC West behind the Los Angeles Rams and conference-winning Seattle Seahawks, and it's not exactly a close race.
LA, boasting two first-round picks, thanks to last year's trade with the Atlanta Falcons, grabs a quarterback in Alabama's Ty Simpson two selections after San Francisco's top pick. And while there's no guarantee Simpson will be a true heir apparent to quarterback Matthew Stafford, the fact Los Angeles get a shot at the up-and-coming Simpson as someone to potentially face off against the 49ers twice a year is no less threatening.
Scary, too, should head coach Sean McVay develop Simpson properly.
But, aguably the biggest concern for the Niners is this: selecting Freeling, a lesser need, Lynch and Shanahan would pass up on Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston, whom the Hawks grab at No. 32 overall.
Boston would be a luxury pick for Seattle, whereas San Francisco needs receiver help badly after acknowledging Brandon Aiyuk won't be back and in light of Ricky Pearsall's growing injury concerns.
Bypassing Boston, a prospect already linked as a strong possibility for the 49ers, and gifting him to a Seahawks team that already boasts an elite WR1 in Jaxson Smith-Njigba, would be disastrous.
Thankfully, this is just a mock.