How 49ers can succeed in NFL draft without first-round pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
As the 2022 NFL Draft approaches, the 49ers will face a difficult task of adding impact players to a Super Bowl-ready roster without a pick inside the top 60.
By virtue of last March’s blockbuster trade to move up and select Trey Lance with the third overall pick, the 49ers will be without a first-round selection until 2024 barring a trade. San Francisco also has yet to find a team willing to surrender a second-round pick for incumbent starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, so they are set to enter the draft with nine selections, starting with the No. 61 overall pick in the backend of the second round.
The 49ers signed cornerback Charvarius Ward in free agency, but still have a depth need at cornerback. San Francisco also has needs at safety, offensive and defensive line depth and wide receiver. In order to maximize, the year in which Lance is on his rookie contract, general manager…