John Lynch Discusses the 49ers' Biggest Needs Heading into the Draft

It sounds like the 49ers feel they have no immediate, pressing needs, and so they'll draft with 2025 in mind.

SANTA CLARA -- I asked John Lynch to name the 49ers' biggest needs on Monday. Here's what he said, courtesy of the 49ers P.R. department.

“We've identified where we think we want to add some people in this Draft. But needs is an interesting, there's not a lot of needs on this team, but there's things a couple years out, there's things a year out and then there's opportunities where guys can come in. And so, I think while the glaring spot that a guy can come in and be the starter right away may not be there, there's a number of spots that we see, probably more than people might think, where there is opportunity. And we're very thoughtful of that. But then you also have to be flexible and nimble to see how the draft breaks. And then, who do you have and not being beholden like we are drafting this position at 31 now, we'll draft, okay, we got three or four needs that we see, which way are we going to go with it? And that is when we've done our best work. And I think when most teams do.”

GRANT'S TAKE: It sounds like the 49ers feel they have no immediate, pressing needs, and so they'll draft with 2025 in mind. Which means they could draft an offensive lineman in Round 1, play him at guard for a year or two and then move him to tackle when Trent Williams retires. Or they could draft a wide receiver to replace Jauan Jennings if/when he leaves as a free agent next year.

Don't be surprised if the 49ers draft another class of mostly redshirt rookies.