Ranking the 49ers' top five needs in the 2021 NFL Draft

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The 49ers' snoozer of a loss to the Washington Football Team dropped them to 5-8 on the season. While there still is a small chance the reigning NFC champions make the playoffs, focus on the 2021 NFL Draft is ramping up and the 49ers now own the No. 12 pick in draft.Now the real question is: What's the 49ers' biggest need in next year's draft? Jimmy Garoppolo led the 49ers to the Super Bowl last season, but the quarterback has been hobbled and inefficient this season. Do the 49ers need to move on from Garoppolo in the first round next year?Dalton Johnson tackles that and more while ranking San Francisco's biggest needs in the 2021 draft.

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1/5

The 49ers have just 23 sacks this season, which is tied for 22nd in the NFL. They averaged 3.2 sacks per game last season, and that number is down to 1.8 this year. 

Nick Bosa tearing his ACL of course has a big part in the 49ers' sack totals dropping. Bosa is one of the best pass rushers in football and was primed for another big season.

A big disappointment has been Arik Armstead, who went from leading the 49ers in sacks with 10 last season, to having just 1.5 so far in 2020. With DeForest Buckner gone, plus Bosa and Dee Ford out, Armstead hasn't been the same. 

The 49ers very well could look to part ways with Ford, who hasn't been able to stay healthy ever since they signed him to a five-year, $85 million contract before last season. This isn't a first-round need, but the 49ers do need more depth here.

2/5

The 49ers have a long, long list of players set to hit free agency after the 2020 season. Strong safety Jaquiski Tartt is on that list, and it's likely San Francisco lets him walk. 

Tartt has had a tough time staying on the field throughout his 49ers career. The front office could look to bring him back on the cheap, but if they do lose him there aren't any great in-house replacements. Perhaps the 49ers turn to backups Marcell Harris or Tarvarius Moore, but it would make sense to target a safety in the later rounds of next year's draft. 

3/5

Does this feel too soon? Should QB be the 49ers' top need? Let me explain. 

The 49ers will miss out on the top two quarterbacks -- Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields -- in next year's draft. But if, and this is a big if, Zach Wilson and/or Trey Lance are available when the 49ers are on the clock, general manager John Lynch will have a big decision to make. And he probably should select one of the two signal-callers. Mac Jones and Kyle Trask, who are considered next in line after the top four, aren't worth where the 49ers likely will pick in the draft. 

When looking at pure roster needs, however, quarterback comes in third for the 49ers. 

Garoppolo still is under contract, albeit an expensive one, and the 49ers could believe a full offseason with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and the rest of the 49ers' offensive weapons is exactly what Jimmy G needs. This team also is in win-now mode and could explore outside options like trading for Matthew Stafford or another veteran, or even signing Dak Prescott.

If the top four QBs are off the board, the 49ers should address their bigger holes and consider adding Jones or Trask in the second round.

4/5

The 49ers have taken a huge step back on the offensive line this season. Outside of Trent Williams, who is slated to be a free agent, there are a whole lot of question marks here. Between Garoppolo, Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard, 49ers quarterbacks have been sacked 31 times this year.

Re-signing Williams and getting Mike McGlinchey right seems like the most likely situation for San Francisco. That still leaves a big hole on the 49ers' interior offensive line. Injuries have forced the 49ers to shuffle through centers, and their guards are far from a sure thing.

Lynch could look to add a versatile lineman like Oklahoma's Creed Humphrey, who can play center or guard. Ohio State guard Wyatt Davis makes sense, too. 

Frankly, the 49ers could be looking at upgrades in each spot across the offensive line.  

5/5

Richard Sherman already told NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco that it's highly unlikely he's back with the 49ers next season due to salary-cap issues. Sherman is one of seven (!) 49ers cornerbacks -- including nickel back K'Waun Williams -- who are set to hit free agency. Emmanuel Moseley will be a restricted free agent. 

The 49ers likely will look to bring back Moseley, along with Jason Verrett and Williams, but that's not a guarantee. This is a passing league and the 49ers need a No. 1 shutdown cornerback. 

Patrick Surtain II, Caleb Farley and Jaycee Horn are seen as the top three corners in the draft, with a handful of prospects behind them. 

San Francisco still has one of the best passing defenses in the league. But nearly all of the 49ers' top defensive backs could be gone after this season. This is easily the biggest hole on the roster.

Cornerback, offensive line or quarterback can all be seen as the 49ers' biggest need next season. It's a coin flip. One thing is clear, though: There will be a gaping hole at corner once this season ends.

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