The San Francisco 49ers will have plenty of options with the 13th overall pick, but which players are the best fit at each position of need?
The San Francisco 49ers are in a pretty good position with the 13th overall selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. Unlike the other teams picking that high, the 49ers have only a handful of pressing needs and a roster that is very close to being complete.
With that being said, it's still extremely important that San Francisco hits on its high draft pick as said player could be a key piece in getting the team back to the Super Bowl.
Now, the questions arise of which players will be available and who are the best fits for the 49ers? Below is a projection as to who the Red and Gold's top option at each position of need could be with the organization's first first-round pick.
Wide Receiver: Jerry Jeudy
San Francisco has been looking for a "number one" wideout since the beginning of last season. A mid-season trade for Emmanuel Sanders was a temporary fix to the situation, but he's now a member of the New Orleans Saints and the 49ers are stuck in the same predicament they were in about six months ago.
This time around, the draft is a viable solution and Jerry Jeudy could be the best pass-catcher available with the 13th pick. He's the best route runner in the draft and has great speed to make plays after the catch, which is something head coach Kyle Shanahan can certainly take advantage of. The Alabama product would fill the team's need for a number one receiver and he, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle would make a dangerous receiving corps for years to come.
Cornerback: Kristian Fulton
As long as Richard Sherman is on the roster, San Francisco doesn't need a number one cornerback. However, the 32-year-old isn't getting any younger and finding someone to serve as a succession plan, who can also lock down the other side of the field next season isn't a bad idea either. Even with the recent re-signing of Jason Verrett, the position is still a need and certainly in play with the team's first selection.
Ohio State's Jeff Okudah is almost universally considered the best defensive back in the draft class, but he should be long gone by the time San Francisco picks as he's destined to be a top-five selection.
That leaves Lynch with LSU's Kristian Fulton. The former Tiger would be a perfect fit in defensive coordinator Robert Saleh's defense because he projects well in both Cover 3 and Man Coverage systems. Fulton would get at least a year to learn under Sherman's tutelage and should be able to take over the reins for the foreseeable future.
Defensive Tackle: Javon Kinlaw
The reason the 49ers have the luxury of a top-15 selection is that they traded away DeForest Buckner. While the compensation for him was about as good it comes, losing Buckner leaves a massive void in the middle of the team's defense. The former Duck is one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL and spending a high pick on his replacement might be the team's best option.
While some may point to Derrick Brown as the top defensive tackle in the draft, Javon Kinlaw might be the best pass rusher at the position group. The latter has posted the highest PFF pass-rushing grade among draft-eligible defensive tackles over the past two seasons, which makes him a more suitable replacement for Buckner. Kinlaw, Nick Bosa, and Arik Armstead could easily form one of the league's most feared defensive lines for San Francisco, once again.
Offensive Tackle: Andrew Thomas
A couple of weeks ago, offensive tackle wasn't considered an immediate need for the Red and Gold. However, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area recently stated that he thinks there is a 50/50 chance Joe Staley doesn't return in 2020. Even if the soon-to-be 36-year-old does come back, he battled a handful of injuries last season and it's time to start thinking about life without the big man.
There is a lot of ambiguity as to how the offensive tackles rank among each other in this draft class, but Andrew Thomas should be available and is a great option for the 49ers. Thomas has good athleticism to block the second level in the running game, which is important in Shanahan's offense, and he can hold his own on the edge in pass protection. The Georgia product could be the perfect replacement for Staley.