Taking a look at the San Francisco 49ers’ biggest needs following the 2025 NFL Draft
Every general manager will claim that they don’t draft for need. Yet, after a mass exodus this offseason, the San Francisco 49ers used their first five picks to replenish the talent on defense — specifically, along the defensive line.
The top needs were covered in the draft. Most of the depth concerns were also addressed thanks to using all double-digit picks. That’s not to say there aren’t needs. Most teams probably feel good about themselves in May. That’s before the inevitable injuries pop up in August.
The 49ers told us that swing tackle, or at least depth at offensive tackle, was a priority post-draft when they signed D.J. Humphries. Are there still needs that need to be met? That’s today’s question of the day.
What is the 49ers’ biggest post-draft need?
The selections from this previous draft suggest the Niners are content with their depth offensively outside of wide receiver. Adding Humphries knocks each player down the totem pole along the offensive line. Matt Hennessy is insurance at left guard or center, so despite faux outrage about the 49ers’ lack of an offensive lineman in the draft until Connor Colby in the 7th round, the offensive line isn’t a group I’d consider a need.
My answer: Working through the process of elimination, adding an edge rusher or a defensive tackle takes much-needed reps away from Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, and CJ West.
This is true for any position on any team in the NFL, but health at linebacker for the 49ers will make or break the position. Dee Winters’s maintenance of his health could go a long way.
The front office addressed safety from a quantity-over-quality perspective this offseason. Someone will fill in for Malik Mustapha while he recovers; it may take multiple bodies.
That brings us to cornerback. And really, it’s finding that third cornerback. Kyle Shanahan said the team wants to leave Upton Stout inside at nickel. He also said the team was confident in Deommodore Lenoir’s abilities as an outside cornerback. However, Lenoir played 20 percent of his snaps last season at outside cornerback.
If we’re judging the 49ers by their actions and not their words, they don’t want Lenoir living on the perimeter. That’s been the case since he’s seen his playing time spike. He earned a hefty contract extension playing nickel.
Perhaps Tre Brown, who lost his job to injury last season, bounces back and has a good stint in his first season with the Niners. Maybe things click for Darrell Luter Jr. in his third year. If the lightbulb goes on for someone else on the roster and, in turn, allows Lenoir to live inside while the team can bring Stout along slowly, everybody wins.
Robert Saleh might be forced to fit a square peg in a round hole if not. Veterans Stephon Gilmore and Michael Davis are free agents, but the free agent pool is slim pickings.
What do you believe the 49ers’ biggest need is now that the draft has passed? Scroll down and let us know in the comments.