Is Offensive Line Really the 49ers' Biggest Need?

The 49ers probably will draft an offensive tackle in Rounds 2 or 3 and develop him for a year before making him a starter. But there is another position which the 49ers could use a starter right now.

The 49ers absolutely need to improve their offensive line.

But any offensive lineman they draft likely won't start right away, because Kyle Shanahan hates playing rookies on offense if he doesn't have to. Plus they just extended starting right tackle Colton McKivitz's contract through 2025, so they don't have an immediate vacancy at the position.

The 49ers probably will draft an offensive tackle in Rounds 2 or 3 and develop him for a year before making him a starter. But there is another position which the 49ers could use a starter right now, and that's cornerback.

As it stands, the 49ers' top four cornerbacks all will be unrestricted free agents in 2025. We're talking Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Ambry Thomas and Isaac Yiadom. And that means the 49ers will need to take multiple cornerbacks in the upcoming draft to replace the cornerbacks who won't come back.

In addition, the 49ers still don't have an entrenched No. 3 cornerback. They have Ambry Thomas, Isaac Yiadom, Samuel Womack and Darrell Luter Jr. -- four guys who will compete for the job. It's unclear if any of them will actually excel for the 49ers.

If the 49ers draft a cornerback in Round 1, he could be the no. 3 corner in the nickel defense as a rookie, and then he could become a starter in 2025 after a free agent or two leaves. Also, if the 49ers draft a linebacker, he could start and play 100 percent of the defensive snaps until Dre Greenlaw returns from an Achilles tear.

Don't be surprised if the 49ers draft a position other than offensive line in Round 1.