Restoring the Fountain of Youth in San Francisco
With Robert Saleh back commanding the defense and the first-round selection of Mykel Williams, it seems the 49ers are beginning to follow the path toward restoring their fountain of youth within the defensive trenches. San Francisco has three selections at 43, 75, and 100 later today on Day Two. We will see what they begin to prioritize with these three selections, but I expect more of the same. The Williams pick was made to get more athletic off the edge across from Nick Bosa. The priorities I would expect the team to focus on now are prospects who can neutralize the run on the defensive side and benefit the run in the offensive game plan.
The interior of the defensive line has similar holes to the outside edge position. Prospects like South Carolina’s TJ Sanders or Toledo’s Darius Alexander at defensive tackle are potential fits in the 49ers’ wide-nine attacking scheme. Sanders, particularly, played a crucial role in one of the most star-studded defensive lines in college football. Transitioning from Dylan Stewart and Kyle Kennard off the edge, freeing up pass rush lanes to Nick Bosa and Williams doing the same, could benefit his development into a more complete player.
San Francisco can select a variety of players as they would be considered good picks at positions of need. Some positions are bigger needs for the team, and if I had to predict the positional need ladder on the whiteboard in the San Francisco 49ers’ war room, it would be a defensive tackle, an offensive lineman, and a linebacker. The 49ers could prioritize those positions heavily in the third round. Chris Paul Jr. and Demetrius Knight II are linebacker prospects they could eye to attempt and fill the void that Dre Greenlaw left. There is no guarantee Dee Winters is the right player to replace Greenlaw, and bringing in a talented rookie to compete could be their best bet. On the offensive line, the strategy would remain similar as they lost Aaron Banks in free agency, while Trent Williams has been reserved when it comes to a return for next season. NC State’s Anthony Belton and Georgia’s Tate Ratledge are some offensive line prospects I would think about drafting if available with picks 75 and 100.
This draft class has to be the revitalization of a new young core for the 49ers. They need to find immediate starters who can come in and have a huge impact on a team still trying to compete in the NFC. The NFC West division is improving year after year, and it's time for San Francisco to respond with a draft that could set the team up for the future in a huge way. The 49ers have a very busy next couple of months before the beginning of next season, and it has to start with drafting well in the next two days.
