Will the 49ers Draft a Defensive Player in Round 1?

© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Since Kyle Shanahan became the head coach in 2017, the 49ers have spent first-round picks on only two offensive players

After all the changes the 49ers made to their defense during free agency, it would make sense for them to focus on offense during the upcoming draft. But that’s not how the 49ers generally do business.

The 49ers just revamped their defensive line. They got rid of Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Chase Young, Clelin Ferrell and Randy Gregory, and added Maliek Collins, Jordan Elliott, Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos. In addition, they signed linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, which means they added at least three new starters to their front seven. And they added zero starters to their offense, so it would stand to reason that they’d draft an offensive player in Round 1.

But since Kyle Shanahan became the head coach in 2017, the 49ers have spent first-round picks on only two offensive players: Mike McGlinchey and Trey Lance. Every other first-round pick has been a defensive player: Solomon Thomas, Reuben Foster, Nick Bosa and Javon Kinlaw. In addition, their first pick in 2022, which was in Round 2, was defensive end Drake Jackson, and their first pick in 2023, which was in Round 3, was safety Ji’Ayir Brown.

So unless the 49ers have a glaring hole on offense, they always spend their first pick on defense. And the 49ers don’t seem to have a glaring hole on offense, considering they’ve brought back all 11 starters from last season. They like their offense the way it is.

So don’t be surprised if the 49ers add another player to their front seven with their first-round pick. It’s what they do.

Related Posts

Kurtenbach: Five observations from 49ers rookie camp — the Niners found some undrafted free agent gems

It’s far too early to say the Niners aced their 2024 draft, but there was obvious talent on display at rookie mini-camp; and a couple of undrafted players who looked impressive.

The San Francisco 49ers Signed A 23-Year-Old Center As An Undrafted Free Agent. – Gridiron Heroics

Despite allowing the 6th-fewest hurries, the 13th-fewest hits, the 5th-fewest pressures, and the 6th-fewest sacks, the San Francisco 49ers offensive line was

The 49ers are counting on new defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen to get the unit back to dominance

Now they’re counting on the internal promotion of Nick Sorensen into that role — with a dose of outside perspective from former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley — to get the Niners back to performing at a dominant level defensively after taking a little step back last season. “We all know the standard here and we all want to win, we all want to play great defense and that’s the expectation,” Sorensen said Friday in his first public remarks since being hired earlier this offseason. The 49ers didn’t reach that standard last season under Wilks that had been set under previous coordinators Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans, especially in the playoffs when they got gashed on the ground against Green Bay and Detroit and then wilted late in a Super Bowl loss to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Cowing details ‘full circle’ history with new 49ers teammate Pearsall

Jacob Cowing detailed his history with his new 49ers teammate Ricky Pearsall.

49ers officially announce the signings of 8 undrafted free agents

The Niners also signed six of their draft picks

49ers’ Nick Sorensen demands ‘speed, violence, finish’ as new defensive coordinator

Nick Sorensen spoke to reporters at Friday’s rookie minicamp for the first time since his promotion as 49ers defensive coordinator.