With The First Pick
Fansided

49ers: Top 5 team needs to address in 2020 NFL Draft

By Nicholas McGee

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 19: Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers fires the team up on the field prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Packers 37-20. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 19: Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers fires the team up on the field prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Packers 37-20. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 02: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after sacking Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 02: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after sacking Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

4. Defensive Line

The defensive line was the last area of the team that could have been considered a need prior to the Buckner trade.

However, with Buckner now a Colt, the Niners must consider adding more depth to that side of the trenches to help them find a way of replacing the disruption he created up front.

San Francisco could also use some extra options off the edge to take the strain off Nick Bosa and Dee Ford.

The 49ers have held meetings, both virtually and in-person, with several defensive line prospects ahead of the draft.

Auburn’s Marlon Davidson and Jabari Zuniga offer inside-out versatility while Notre Dame’s Khalid Kareem and Kenny Willekes of Michigan State are high-floor options who should be able to come in and contribute right away.

TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock has been connected with the Niners in mock drafts and he could hardly ask to land on a better defense on which to improve on the disappointing sack total of 5.5 he posted in his two years with the Horned Frogs.

The likes of Ronald Blair, D.J. Jones, Jullian Taylor and Kentavius Street will be expected to help fill the void left by Buckner. However, whether it is on the edge or on the interior, adding more players who can rush the passer is never a bad thing and the signs are the 49ers will try to do that in 2020.