The 2022 NFL Draft begins on April 28, which means that The Game Haus will be debuting draft profiles for every team. Each NFL team will be evaluated heading into this year’s draft, as our staff recaps their last season, highlights their needs and pinpoints their potential 2022 NFL Draft targets. The San Francisco 49ers are the subject of today’s 2022 NFL Draft profile.
Despite finishing third in the NFC West, the 49ers made the playoffs with a record of 10-7. They went on to beat the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card Round. San Francisco then shocked the number one overall seeded Packers due to their special teams miscues. Finally, they had the NFC Championship Game against the Rams won, if a cornerback had not dropped a game-sealing pick that would have returned them to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years.
While the Niners brass has made it clear they intend to go with last year’s third overall selection, Trey Lance, at quarterback in 2022, they still have not moved Jimmy Garappolo. That may change their draft picks, but as of now, here is a look at their current picks and how they can use them to continue their success.
San Francisco will have three picks to use in the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Second Round (one pick): No. 61
Third Round (two pick): No. 93, 105
Depth/health- Despite their success in recent years, the 49ers are virtually unable to keep key starters healthy. If they expect that trend to continue, they need lots of depth and to draft historically healthy players to mitigate damage caused by injury.
Defensive backs- Jaquisky Tartt dropped a pick that would have sent San Francisco back to the Super Bowl, and that was not even the beginning of the disappointing play from their defensive backs. Corners and safeties should be at a premium for this team.
Interior offensive line- Given the Niners’ propensity to run the ball and the idea that they will feature a running quarterback this season, they need all the help they can get with run-blocking at the interior.
Second Round:
Pick No. 61: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
Grabbing a bona fide starter this late in the second round is a tall order, but Brisker may be the closest that the 49ers will get at number 61. His combine numbers were impressive enough to earn him a decent draft grade, and his numbers were all solid, if not eye-popping.
Brisker had 63 total tackles last season to go along with two interceptions. He also recovered a fumbled and defended five passes. Teams probably with that pass-defense number was higher, but this is a relatively safe pick at the bottom of the second round.
Third Round:
Pick No. 93: Cole Strange, IOL, Chattanooga
Strange is one of those small school offensive linemen that is eager to make a name for themselves in the league. Despite not being highly-touted, he has won the Southern Conference’s blocking award twice, and been a First Team SoCon selection. This kind of physical lineman is exactly the kind San Francisco covets.
Pick No. 105: Alex Wright, EDGE, UAB
With 45 tackles (23 solo), six sacks and a forced fumble in 2021, Wright could be the depth at the edge rusher position that the 49ers are searching for. Will he replace Dee Ford right off the bat? Likely not, but if he gets enough chances he could earn a starting spot.
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