The San Francisco 49ers are entering a pivotal year. Jim Tomsula replaces Jim Harbaugh as head coach after a four year stretch that saw three NFC Championship Game appearances and one trip to the Super Bowl. Although the Niners finished just 8-8 last season, a quick bounce back is expected in San Fran. Tomsula and quarterback Colin Kaepernick will not have the luxury of patience. As a result, the upcoming NFL draft looms even larger for the 49ers. San Francisco needs to add impact players in the first round.
So which players should they target? Two names jump out in the first-round.
Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
Yes, the 49ers signed Darnell Dockett in free agency. But Dockett is about to turn 34 and is still recovering from a torn ACL. Tank Carradine, a 2013 second-rounder, has shown promise but has his own injury history as well. Adding another edge rusher would go a long way in maintaining the ferocity of San Fran's defense.
"Armstead is a potential top-10 pick, but if he lasts until No. 15 the Niners would be wise to take him," ESPN NFL Insider Steve Muench wrote. "At 6-foot-7 and 292 pounds, Armstead has an elite blend of bulk, power and length. He's a tough run-stopper who controls blockers one-on-one and has the violent hands to quickly disengage once he's located the ball. He doesn't project as a high-volume sack producer, but he's a powerful pass-rusher with the ability to occupy blockers and help free up San Francisco's talented edge rushers."
Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
After losing Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox in free agency, San Francisco suddenly has a big hole at cornerback. Sure, the team signed Shareece Wright and brought back Chris Cook. But investing in a young and talented option, even if it's a bit of a reach at No. 15, is not a bad idea.
"At 6 feet, 188 pounds, Johnson is a quick learner with the football acumen to digest defensive coordinator Eric Mangini's game plans and the cover skills to make a push for immediate playing time on the outside," Muench wrote. "He's also got the ball skills and aggressive nature to develop into a playmaker, which is worth mentioning because Cox and Culliver combined to pick off nine passes last year."
