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
4 of 5
Next
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 30: Cesar Ruiz #51 prepares to snap the ball during the second half of a college football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Ann Arbor, MI. The Ohio State Buckeyes won the game 56-27 over the Michigan Wolverines. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 30: Cesar Ruiz #51 prepares to snap the ball during the second half of a college football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Ann Arbor, MI. The Ohio State Buckeyes won the game 56-27 over the Michigan Wolverines. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

2. Interior Offensive Line

The 49ers created a need for themselves at right guard when they made the decision to release veteran Mike Person, who had proven a largely dependable starter over the past two seasons.

Person’s release came after a disappointing performance for the former Atlanta Falcon in the 49ers’ Super Bowl defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Niners signed Tom Compton to a one-year deal but, after a mediocre stint with the New York Jets, he is by no means guaranteed the starting job.

This is not considered to be a draft deep in interior offensive line talent, and the Niners will likely need to use an early pick on the position if they are to land a prospect capable of stepping in and starting right off the bat.

Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz was the top-ranked SPARQ athlete among interior offensive linemen in this year’s class and brings the positional flexibility to play both center and guard.

Ruiz would provide the 49ers with extra protection against injury to center Weston Richburg, who missed the postseason with a torn patellar tendon.

The Niners were able to survive and reach the Super Bowl last season despite numerous injuries on the O-Line. They cannot bank on being able to do the same again in 2020 and adding further depth to the interior of the trenches with a rookie who can legitimately compete to start straight away is a must.