Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano analyzes the San Francisco 49ers' biggest roster needs following the NFL Draft.
The 49ers' first-round selection was a luxury pick, considering they took a wide receiver when they didn't need one just yet.
Ricky Pearsall could help the 49ers tremendously down the line, but they still have major needs at defensive end, defensive tackle and interior offensive line,"The 49ers are banking on veterans to replace edge rusher Chase Young and defensive tackle Arik Armstead," Manzano writes."Time will tell if the rotation of Leonard Floyd, Drake Jackson and Yetur Gross-Matos is enough to assist Nick Bosa.
Most analysts wouldn't consider defensive end a position of need for the 49ers, but it is. Because if Leonard Floyd doesn't produce for the 49ers, they're in trouble. And he'll be 32 in September, so it's certainly possible that he'll fall off. And if even if he maintains his pass-rush production, he can't set an edge against the run, which was the 49ers' biggest issue on defense last season.
Defensive tackle also is another sneaky need for the 49ers, considering Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins both are older players on the down side of their careers, and their backups are Kevin Givens and Jordan Elliott, who are nothing special. Interior offensive line seems like less of a need after the 49ers drafted two guards -- Dominick Puni and Jarrett Kingston. I'd argue that offensive tackle is a much bigger need, because Trent Williams will be 36 next season, and if he misses more than a few games, the 49ers might miss the playoffs.
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