The San Francisco 49ers were very busy during free agency, tackling most of their top needs on the open market, with their focus primarily on the defensive side of the ball.

Heading into a draft in which they have 10 picks, the 49ers are now well positioned to go in a variety of different directions with their capital, though a couple of areas still stand out above the rest as obvious areas of need that should be addressed later this month in Detroit.

With free agency, for the most part, in the rear-view mirror, let's look at the biggest remaining needs for the 49ers ahead of a crucial draft for a perennial Super Bowl contender's long-term future.

1. Offensive Tackle

The Niners got solid enough play from Colton McKivitz in his first season as the starting right tackle last year, but the fact remains he was consistently targeted by opponents who correctly identified the right side of the San Francisco offensive line as the weakness of the 49er attack.

His struggles in dealing with the pass rush threat teams sent in his direction became increasingly apparent in the postseason and were part of the reason why the Chiefs were able to frustrate San Francisco’s offense in the Super Bowl. 

In a deep tackle class, the 49ers have the opportunity to find a long-term solution who can serve as a clear upgrade on McKivitz. The 49ers could take a prospect who initially starts at guard to address that concern in the short term before then kicking out to tackle. Regardless of how they do it, this is a draft the Niners should be looking to leave with a rookie alternative to McKivitz on the roster.

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2. Interior Offensive Line

The 49ers re-signed Jon Feliciano to a one-year deal. While he’s a very good placeholder at right guard, the Niners require a player at the position who could lock down the spot for the foreseeable future. 

There are several prospects in the first-round conversation who have guard-tackle versatility, while there is the possibility that Jackson Powers-Johnson, the top center in the class who can also play guard, could slide into their grasp. With several intriguing guard only prospects likely to be available on day two, the 49ers do not lack avenues through which to fortify a long-term problem area.

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3. Cornerback

San Francisco signed Isaac Yiadom to a one-year deal in free agency, giving them an outside corner coming off a career year who can enable Deommodore Lenoir to occupy the slot on nickel downs as he did during the second half of last season and for the first two games of the playoffs.

But Lenoir and the 49ers’ top corner, Charvarius Ward, are both free agents next offseason, so it would benefit the 49ers to draft a year ahead and prepare for the possible departure of either player by adding a rookie to the mix and allowing him to develop without the pressure of having to perform in year one at a notoriously difficult position.

The 49ers have also done a lot of work in the pre-draft process on some of better slot corners in the class, perhaps indicating that, while they are happy for Lenoir to play inside on nickel downs this year, it is not where they envisage him long term. 

Whether they pick an outside-only corner to develop, go with a slot or draft one with the versatility to play inside and out, expect the Niners to add to their options at a position that has become a strength at the top of the depth chart.

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4. Wide Receiver

Yes, the 49ers have arguably the premier skill-position group in the NFL and the likelihood is it will remain intact for 2024, but it may get too expensive for San Francisco to keep together beyond next season. 

The 49ers are hopeful of tying leading receiver Brandon Aiyuk to a lucrative extension this offseason. However, even with a continually rising salary cap, San Francisco may need to move on from Deebo Samuel next offseason. Trading or releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would save $17.5 million against the 2025 cap, albeit with a dead money charge of $6.6 million.

As such, it would be prudent for the 49ers to plan for a future in which they do not have one of their top two receivers. When that issue is put to one side, receiver still stands out as a need for a 49er offense that saw its pass-catchers struggle to beat tight man coverage in the Super Bowl. There’s a need for something different at the position, and the Niners would be very wise to take advantage of a deep receiver class.

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5. Defensive Line

It’s tough to separate edge and interior defensive line as the 49ers are in a similar position at both spots in the immediate future following free agency. They have fortified both areas, with Leonard Floyd providing an experienced and productive option at the defensive end spot opposite Nick Bosa and Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott coming in to replace Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw respectively at defensive tackle.

However, the Niners would benefit from finding longer-term solutions in both areas. Collins is a free agent in 2026 and is already 29, while his fellow starter on the interior, Javon Hargrave, is 31, the same age as edge rusher Floyd.

With the largely unproven Yetur Gross-Matos the primary option behind Bosa and Floyd and the 49ers lacking a succession plan on the interior, it would be no surprise to see the 49ers continue a Shanahan and Lynch draft tradition by investing premium capital in the defensive side of the trenches.

San Francisco 49ers’ position on Brandon Aiyuk strengthened by latest blockbuster NFL news

It will only increase their resolve.