Way-too-early San Francisco 49ers 2024 NFL Draft preview

The 2024 NFL Draft is April 25-27 in Detroit. Here is the first-round order, per Tankathon.

The San Francisco 49ers were back in the Super Bowl for the second time in the Kyle Shanahan era and, once again, let it slip just through their fingertips. They remain one of the best teams in the NFL with few weaknesses on their roster, but they do have a few areas they need to consider addressing in the 2024 NFL Draft.

2023 record: 12-5 | First-round pick: No. 31 | Team needs: OL, CB, Edge

Potential first-round picks | Tyler Guyton, OL, Oklahoma; Graham Barton, OL, Duke; Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama; Kingsley Suamataia, OL, BYU; Chop Robinson, edge, Penn State

When you take a surface-level view of the 49ers roster there are not many obvious flaws. They run the ball as well as anybody, their defense is dominant, they have playmakers all over the offense at every skill position and even though he seems to be a polarizing figure, quarterback Brock Purdy is a fantastic fit in their offense. 

What makes the 49ers so scary as a team is that not only do they have one of the best rosters in football, but they also have 11 draft picks in the 2024 class, including the No. 31 overall pick.

So what do you get for the team that has everything? Well, the name of the game for the 49ers should be improving their depth at some key positions, especially along both the offensive and defensive lines.

On the offensive side of the ball they not only need to start thinking about their left tackle situation after Trent Williams is gone, but they could also use some immediate upgrades on the right side of the line and along the interior. That could make players like Tyler Guyton, Kingsley Suamataia or Duke interior lineman Graham Barton as realistic options.

Defensively the 49ers also need to think about adding some depth to their edge rushers to play opposite Nick Bosa. Penn State's Chop Robinson is one of the most athletic edge rushers in the draft and could really be put into a position to succeed lining up opposite of an All-Pro. 

The 49ers also have a pretty good luxury here that needs to be considered. They have a surplus of draft picks, and given how few needs they have and how few roster spots might be up for grabs this could be a prime opportunity for them to consider trading up if there is somebody they really like a little higher in the class. General manager John Lynch has been very aggressive over the years, and he might have a chance to do so again this offseason.