San Francisco finished 12-5, but the pass defense ranked 25th and the team tied for 32nd in sacks (20). With division rivals boasting precise offenses, adding playmakers on the defensive side has become a clear priority.
At cornerback, Deommodore Lenoir is the top starter, but upgrades are sought behind him, with No. 2 Renardo Green and nickelback Upton Stout cited as areas of need. La Canfora notes the current depth chart lacks enough immediate contributors in the secondary.
Historically, teams tend to select defensive backs in the back end of the first round, and San Francisco’s need for a reliable nickel and overall secondary upgrade supports a cornerback addition at No. 27, even as the team considers other defensive options.
The 49ers are also weighing the defensive line and edge—especially with Nick Bosa returning from surgery and expectations for Mykel Williams, their 2025 top pick. Yet the depth of the current D-line draft pool is a concern, so the board could steer the pick toward a defensive back to bolster pass rush pressure by improving coverage.
