49ers NFL Draft Needs: Depth At Several Positions

The San Francisco 49ers were within just a few minutes of reaching Super Bowl XLVI so, while they have needs, they're not as dire as others. They're clearly a solid team. SB Nation's 49ers blog, Niners Nation, addressed the needs the 49ers do have entering the 2012 NFL draft.

The 49ers are in a strong position where they are primarily drafting for depth as opposed to immediate need. Through free agency the team returned their entire starting defense, and made some much needed improvements on the offensive side of the ball. Their primary need is an interior lineman. They will give Daniel Kilgore an opportunity to claim the starting right guard job in training camp, but the team will likely add an interior lineman to compete their as well as at backup center, where they lack an option after starter Jonathan Goodwin. Their second need is wide receiver. The team has a fairly full corps of receivers, but Michael Crabtree is the only one signed past 2013. They will look for a receiver that could develop into a long term option. Their third need is the safety position. The team returns its starting safeties, but they only have one backup at this point in C.J. Spillman, and he generally focuses more on special teams.

For more news and notes on the San Francisco 49ers, visit Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area. Check out our 2012 NFL mock draft as selected by SB Nation NFL bloggers. And make sure to visit SB Nation's draft blog, Mocking The Draft, for more on the NFL draft.