SANTA CLARA — Later in the afternoon, the red carpets will be rolled out for Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster. The newest 49ers were part of a splashy first round for GM John Lynch, who executed two pretty brilliant trades with the Bears and Seahawks in his first ever NFL Draft.
There will be more tough decisions on Friday, when rounds two and three go down in Philadelphia. Lynch has shored up major parts of the front seven, but there are still several other needs to address with the team’s nine remaining draft picks. Don’t rule out San Francisco trading back into the second round.
Positions of need
Cornerback: Right now, Dontae Johnson is penciled in as the No. 2 cornerback opposite Rashard Robinson. The fourth-round pick from 2014 is still developing as a role player and asking him to start could really cause some problems in the secondary. In this scheme, the 49ers will covet physical, lengthy corners who can play on a cover-3 island. Despite the fact that Trent Baalke constantly drafted cornerbacks, the 49ers have to replace the recently released Tramaine Brock. It’s not really an option.
Names to watch: Rasul Douglas (West Virginia), Quincy Wilson (Florida), Fabian Moreau (UCLA), Sidney Jones (Washington), Cordrea Tankersly (Clemson)
Pass Rusher: Unless Aaron Lynch stuns us all, there is no young relentless pass rusher on this roster. Ahmad Brooks will eat a ton of snaps, but at this point in his career he isn’t a long term answer. Not having a pass rusher becomes an issue, because players like Solomon Thomas can’t thrive as much as they should without constant pressure being applied on the edge.
Names to watch: Tarell Basham (Ohio State), Tim Williams (Penn State), Carl Lawson (Auburn), DeMarcus Walker (Florida State), Carlos Watkins (Clemson).
Deep Safety: Jimmie Ward could very well thrive at this new position. But the 49ers are asking him to play like Earl Thomas at a position he’s never played in the NFL. That’s a tough task and it would behoove Lynch to give himself a backup plan — he can slide Ward back over to outside corner or nickel if need be. The bottom line: this defensive system will not work without elite coverage skills from the safety up top. This position has to be addressed.
Names to watch: Budda Baker (Washington), Justin Evans (Texas A&M), Obi Melifonwu (Connecticut),
Tight End: Kind of a surprise at voluntary minicamp: Garrett Celek was getting some of the first-team reps over newly extended Vance McDonald. This position group might be the least athletic on the roster. When he was in Washington, Shanahan originally drafted Jordan Reed in the third round back in 2013. This group is in need of a dynamic playmaker. It’ll open up matchups for other people on offense.
Names to watch: Bucky Hodges (Virginia Tech), Gerald Everett (South Alabama), Jake Butt (Michigan), Jeremy Sprinkle (Arkansas)
Quarterback: I would expect this to be a round four or five pick. From everything I can gather, Kyle Shanahan isn’t in love with DeShone Kizer or Davis Webb enough to use a third round pick on a guy. Trading back into the second round for a quarterback would be a stunner.
Names to watch: Nathan Peterman (Pittsburgh), Brad Kaaya (Miami), Josh Dobbs (Tennessee)
