Which Position Should the 49ers Target Heavily in the NFL Draft?

For a second consecutive season, the San Francisco 49ers will be absent from the first round of the NFL draft.

Of course, they can always try to trade into the round, but that scenario is unlikely. It would cost too much to get back in it. Besides, the 49ers fared okay last year when they were not a part of Day 1 of the draft. And it's not like they don't have a substantial amount of draft capital.

The 49ers enter the 2023 NFL draft with a whopping 11 picks. The vast majority reside on Day 3 in the late rounds, but that hasn't stopped the 49ers from finding gems and role players there. 11 draft picks is a great haul for the 49ers to improve their team instantly and for the future. Some positions will need to be prioritized more than others.

Which position should the 49ers target heavily in the NFL draft?

It has to be the defensive line. Defensive line depth is something that Kyle Shanahan hangs his hat on. He wants his defense to be oversaturated there because a strong defensive line does wonders for the rest of the defense. Drafting defensive linemen multiple times will increase the likelihood of that motto that Shanahan has. They have to keep that position refreshed and restocked, so repeatedly dipping into that well will aid them. Relying on flier free agents like a Clelin Ferrell this year or an Arden Key of the past can't be their main source of restocking. What better way to do so than in a draft where they have 11 picks?

Another aspect is to build for the future, and it starts with Javon Kinlaw. He is bound to end up finishing as a whiff for the 49ers and that is going to catch up with them. Yes, they added a phenomenal defensive tackle in Javon Hargrave, but he is 30-years old. His arrow is not pointing up. Eventually, he is going to decline with his performance and/or health. The four-year contract the 49ers signed him to is perfect because that is more or less the range of him sustaining his high-level form.

Aside from that, there is also Arik Armstead whose body is clearly showing early signs of breaking down. The performance is there, it's his body that is a concern. He'll be entering the season at 29-years old, so he is still relatively young. But again, it's the injuries that keep occurring that is something to watch for. So many players on the defensive line of the 49ers are skewed toward the short-term, which is fine for now since the 49ers will be dominant this year at that position.

However, the longevity of it matters as well. There aren't too many players who the 49ers have that are projected anchors after the next two years. Kalia Davis, who they drafted last year, is one player they are hoping can spring into an adequate rotational player. Drake Jackson is, of course, leading the charge in terms of big expectations entering 2023. He needs to show a huge jump as a pass rusher. They need him to be impactful. Ferrell is there as well, but I'd imagine he is more for the early downs since he's a solid run defender and mediocre pass rusher.

Plus, it is to act as a failsafe in case Davis and Jackson do not pan out. So not only is drafting the defensive line important because of some of the older players aboard, but it is to help act as a contingency in case some of the other young talent fails to live up to their potential. It's never a bad idea to have a loaded up defensive line, and that has been a large part in the 49ers having success all of these years.