San Francisco 49ers: Ranking positional needs for 2019 NFL Draft

Entering Week 6 of the season, the 2019 NFL Draft will be the focus of many San Francisco 49ers fans, so let’s rank the needs that they should look to address.

Nobody expected to be looking towards the draft in Week 6 when the San Francisco 49ers began their season last month.

However, the devastating blow of losing starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 3 — along with a 1-4 record — has already pushed the draft into focus for Niners fans, last week’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals meaning San Francisco would possess the top overall pick if the season ended today.

Free agency will obviously have an impact on San Francisco’s draft plans but, in a season where there appears to be little left for the Niners to look forward to, we look ahead to the draft and rank their needs with the roster in its current shape.

5. Tight End

The 49ers already have a tight end in the midst of a breakout season in George Kittle, and rarely use multiple tight end sets. Only the Los Angeles Rams have used 12 personnel (one running back and two tight ends) less frequently than the Niners, according to Sharp Football, yet there is a definite need to bring in a new player at the position to back up and complement Kittle, who has regularly battled injury in his brief career.

Incumbent backup Garrett Celek had a key red zone drop that turned into an interception against the Los Angeles Chargers and has struggled as a blocker. The 49ers would save $2.1million and lose just $625,000 in dead cap by cutting Celek next year, per Over The Cap, and could definitely upgrade on the veteran through the draft.

With Kittle among the best tight ends in the NFL, this is not a spot that figures to be on the 49ers radar in the early rounds, but with Kittle’s injury history, they would be wise to take advantage of a deep class at the position to upgrade their depth and give them the flexibility of using more multiple tight end sets.

Names to know:

Noah Fant from Iowa and Ole Miss’ Dawson Knox are seen by many as the top two tight ends in the class and are both blessed with a blend of size and athleticism. Alabama’s Irv Smith has established himself as a big-play threat while there could also be a gem in the 49ers back yard, The Draft Network’s Trevor Sikkema touting San Jose State’s Josh Oliver as the top sleeper at the position.