The first round of the NFL draft has been uneventful for the San Francisco 49ers over the past two years. This was due to a trade made in 2021 where the Niners gave up first-round picks for 2021, 2022, and 2023, along with a third-round pick in 2021 to move up to the third overall pick. The lack of a top pick in the last two drafts has made the 49ers’ drafts rather uninteresting in real time. However, this year, the 49ers will be back in the first round with the 31st overall pick. This return to the first round has significant implications for extending the team’s Super Bowl window beyond 2024. When coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch took over in 2017, they emphasized rebuilding through the draft. Despite notable misses, they have found All-Pro talent throughout the draft, forming the core of a team that has been highly competitive over the past five seasons. However, the lack of top picks has led to an increasingly top-heavy roster, making it essential for the 49ers to replenish the roster through the draft. This year’s draft marks a return to San Francisco’s roster-building roots, where the team will need to find starters and key contributors, particularly in the opening round. It is crucial for the 49ers to avoid another first-round miss, as only one of their seven first-round picks has signed a second contract with the team.
