Will the 49ers Draft a Defensive Player in Round 1?

Since Kyle Shanahan became the head coach in 2017, the 49ers have spent first-round picks on only two offensive players

After all the changes the 49ers made to their defense during free agency, it would make sense for them to focus on offense during the upcoming draft. But that's not how the 49ers generally do business.

The 49ers just revamped their defensive line. They got rid of Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Chase Young, Clelin Ferrell and Randy Gregory, and added Maliek Collins, Jordan Elliott, Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos. In addition, they signed linebacker De'Vondre Campbell, which means they added at least three new starters to their front seven. And they added zero starters to their offense, so it would stand to reason that they'd draft an offensive player in Round 1.

But since Kyle Shanahan became the head coach in 2017, the 49ers have spent first-round picks on only two offensive players: Mike McGlinchey and Trey Lance. Every other first-round pick has been a defensive player: Solomon Thomas, Reuben Foster, Nick Bosa and Javon Kinlaw. In addition, their first pick in 2022, which was in Round 2, was defensive end Drake Jackson, and their first pick in 2023, which was in Round 3, was safety Ji'Ayir Brown.

So unless the 49ers have a glaring hole on offense, they always spend their first pick on defense. And the 49ers don't seem to have a glaring hole on offense, considering they've brought back all 11 starters from last season. They like their offense the way it is.

So don't be surprised if the 49ers add another player to their front seven with their first-round pick. It's what they do.