49ers GM John Lynch makes his area of focus very clear while scouting draft prospects on day one of Senior Bowl practices

The 2025 NFL Draft is one of the most important in recent years for the San Francisco 49ers.  Coming off a disappointing 6-11 season, the Niners hold the 11th overall pick, their highest selection since 2011, and are under pressure to nail a draft in which they are set to hold 10 selections and build […]

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San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium.
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The 2025 NFL Draft is one of the most important in recent years for the San Francisco 49ers. 

Coming off a disappointing 6-11 season, the Niners hold the 11th overall pick, their highest selection since 2011, and are under pressure to nail a draft in which they are set to hold 10 selections and build on a 2024 class that impressed amid the team's overall struggles.

This week will be a big one for the 49ers in terms of deciding what to do with those picks, as some of the best prospects in the class go through practices at the Senior Bowl.

The 49ers are extremely well represented in Mobile, AL, and general manager John Lynch was an extremely interested spectator on day one of practice on Tuesday.

Joined on the sideline by directors of player personnel Tariq Ahmad and RJ Gillen, Lynch made his area of focus very clear during the first practice for the National Team.

Indeed, Lynch watched the offensive and defensive line 1-on-1s at very close quarters.

While that is obviously no indicator of which positions the 49ers are considering targeting early in the draft, Lynch being a very interested spectator in those particular drills is reflective of the 49ers' biggest needs in the draft.

San Francisco has a huge need at the defensive tackle position, which was a clear area of weakness in 2024 and is a spot where the 49ers are set to get thinner with the planned post-June 1 designation release of Javon Hargrave.

On top of that, the 49ers could use more depth and a potential long-term starter across from Nick Bosa at defensive end, while offensive tackle and interior offensive line are also positions where San Francisco would benefit from adding some premium prospects. A tackle who could potentially succeed Trent Williams at left tackle in the coming years and compete to start at right tackle in the meantime could be a consideration with the 49ers' top pick, and starting left guard Aaron Banks could depart in free agency and leave a void.

Lynch will, therefore, likely have a close eye on the trenches throughout the week of practices.

The 49ers know they need to get better in the trenches, particularly on the defensive side, the only question is how they choose to make those improvements. There's enough talent in that area on show at the Senior Bowl to suggest that a prospect on display in Mobile could provide an answer.