The San Francisco 49ers missed the playoffs for the first time in four years this past season, and will be looking to make it back under new head coach Jim Tomsula. In order to do that, they have several needs they need to address in the draft:
WIDE RECEIVER
Michael Crabtree is a free agent and is expected to sign somewhere else, and veterans Stevie Johnson and Brandon Lloyd were disappointing last year. San Francisco needs someone they can rely on to line up with Anquan Boldin and help out quarterback Colin Kaepernick. West Virginia's Kevin White and Louisville's DeVante Parker could be options in the first round.
DEFENSIVE LINE
San Francisco cut ties with Ray McDonald at the end of the season, Justin Smith is nearing the end of his career, and Aldon Smith is starting to become a headache. Tomsula was the defensive line coach for the 49ers before being named head coach, so this will certainly be an area he wants to sure up. Kentucky's Alvin Dupree, Florida State's Eddie Goldman, and Washington's Danny Shelton would likely be the three first-round options.
SECONDARY
Chris Culliver and Parrish Cox both stepped up in the 49ers' injury-riddled secondary this past season, but both are free agents and could end up elsewhere. Last year's first-round pick Jimmie Ward struggled, and he might be switching to safety, creating a bigger need at corner. Michigan State's Trae Waynes and Oregon's Ifo Ekpre-Olamu would be the first-round options, but San Francisco will probably address this in the middle rounds.
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