The San Francisco 49ers fell to the Baltimore Ravens in last year's Super Bowl and while many players that were part of that great run will return, the 49ers are in fantastic position to be even better this season.
With a total of 13 picks heading into Thursday night's first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers have a bevy of options at their disposal.
San Francisco has the 31st-overall selection in the draft and a total of 8 picks from rounds 2 through 5. One NFL General Manager tells Yahoo Sports reporter Jason Cole that he believes the 49ers will attempt to move into the earlier part of the first round, possibly as high as picks 13 or 14.
Coming off an 11-win season and a trip to the Super Bowl, San Fran does have a few areas of need. While defensive end Justin Smith is coming off a season with 66 combined tackles and 3 sacks, San Francisco would not be against selecting his heir apparent in the first round.
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah reports that Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei may be a fit if San Francisco is interested and if the former college star falls out of the top 10.
It is entirely possible that San Francisco elects to provide quarterback Colin Kaepernick with a great array of playmakers around him as well.
Star tight end Vernon Davis is coming off a 41-catch season that included 548 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Speedy wide out Michael Crabtree enters 2013 off his best season as a pro, hauling in 85 passes for 1,105 yards and 9 touchdowns.
With explosive players split outside and versatile running back Frank Gore able to shoulder the bulk of the carries, San Francisco has its fair share of weapons. A recent trade to acquire former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin instantly provides the 49ers with a physical body on the outside who has an ability to make catches downfield and in traffic.
Even with these fantastic pieces, the organization would have to take a look at incoming players such as former West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin and former Tennessee wide out Cordarrelle Patterson, if they're able to move up in the first round to select these talents.
Austin and Patterson would provide speed on the outside, an important skill to possess in a division with cornerbacks like Richard Sherman. Selecting a wide receiver shouldn't come as a shock to 49ers fans if it happens because, as Marc Sessler of NFL.com reports, San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh has been to multiple wide receiver workouts.
No matter what the 49ers decide to do this Thursday and beyond, they're in a good position. With multiple draft picks, they will not be afraid to part with them if a sweet deal on draft night comes along.
A team that was already loaded can potentially get even stronger come Thursday if they choose to make significant moves in order to get some of the top players in the draft.
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