The 49ers are forever in win-now mode, and the Super Bowl remains a realistic goal. All the more if the football powers that be grant them good fortune on the health front.
That was not the case last year, when a devastating slew of injuries nearly sabotaged their season. The fact that they scrambled to win 12 games and secure a playoff berth is a testament to their leadership under general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan.
Ultimately, that attrition battle cost them in the postseason, where they met their demise in a blowout loss to their NFC West rival Seahawks, who eventually won the Super Bowl.
Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. would fit in well with Kyle Shanahan’s offense. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Credit to Lynch and Shanahan for an aggressive offseason that reeled in wide receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, re-added linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and brought in defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa in a trade.
There is still some work to do, though. With the draft looming, here are three remaining needs:
Wide receiver
It wasn’t too long ago that the 49ers’ wide receiver room was as good as any in the NFL. But attrition and the harsh realities of the salary cap have changed all that.
Deebo Samuel is long gone, and Brandon Aiyuk and the club remain in divorce court. What was once a strength is a question mark.
They head into next season with a pair of short-term veteran hired guns in Evans and Kirk, both of whom can stabilize the room and deliver production for at least one season.
But neither represents a long-term solution.
Whether it’s in the first or second round, the 49ers would be wise to add a young prospect they can count on as a future pillar.
What this year’s draft class lacks in superstar potential at wide receiver is made up for with unusual depth. It’s not hard to envision eventual impact starters being available throughout the first three rounds.
With the 49ers holding just six draft picks, albeit all within the first four rounds, they are in a good position to add a premium player.
Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and USC’s Makai Lemon will almost assuredly be off the board when the 49ers execute their first-round pick at No. 27.
Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and Washington’s Denzel Boston could be options at that point in the draft. All three would fit well in Shanahan’s offense.
In the second and third rounds, Alabama’s Germie Bernard, Georgia’s Zachariah Branch, Clemson’s Antonio Williams, Louisville’s Chris Bell, Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields, Oklahoma’s Deion Burks and UConn’s Skyler Bell are all options.
If the 49ers wait until Day 2, Illinois’ Gabe Jacas is an intriguing prospect with upside. Getty Images
Edge rusher
Veteran Nick Bosa and second-year prospect Mykel Williams,