San Francisco 49ers Biggest Needs Heading Into the 2020 NFL Draft

There was little optimism for the 49ers in 2019, a team that had not produced a winning season since 2013 when Jim Harbaugh was at the helm. However, that quickly changed, as the Niners won the NFC and made it to the Super Bowl. To get back to the big game, there are a few draft needs for the 49ers to address.

The 49ers are in a unique position in the draft, since they traded their second and third-round picks to rent Emmanuel Sanders, but acquired an additional first-round pick in exchange for DeForest Buckner. They already look like a team set to contend, so any additional top-end talent could put them over the top.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the San Francisco 49ers’ biggest needs, heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

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49ers Draft Picks

Round 1, Pick 13 (from Colts)
Round 1, Pick 31
Round 5, Pick 156
Round 5, Pick 176
Round 6, Pick 210
Round 7, Pick 217 (from Lions)
Round 7, Pick 245

49ers Biggest Draft Needs

Defensive Line

Losing DeForest Buckner was a massive blow, as the team’s defensive success was predicated on generating pressure using the front four without blitzing. This is a franchise that has a history of spending high draft capital on the defensive line, and with some very solid prospects available, expect to see Lynch fill this void early.

Dream Pick: Derrick Brown, Auburn (13^th Overall)

Cornerback

Emmanuel Moseley stepped up in a big way last year, but with Richard Sherman only getting older, Akhello Witherspoon seemingly falling out of favor and multiple DB contracts expiring at the end of the 2020 season, it could be time to invest in a lock-down prospect. Look for the 49ers to try to find value in the later rounds or parlay a first-round pick into multiple Day 2 picks to invest more heavily at defensive back.

Dream Pick: A.J. Terrell, Clemson (31^st Overall)

Wide Receiver

Dante Pettis has been a disappointment, Emmanuel Sanders is gone and there is immense talent in this year’s wide receiver draft class. However, the 49ers have spent a high amount of draft equity at the receiver position over the past two years (2019 2^nd Deebo Samuel/3^rd Jalen Hurd, 2018 2^nd Dante Pettis). Hurd suffered an injury in the preseason and should be expected to play a key role in the offense this year.

Finally, the 49ers have not drafted a wide receiver in the first-round since 2012. The player? AJ Jenkins at 30^th overall. He spent just one year with the team and had no catches on one target.

Dream Pick: CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma (13^th Overall)