The 49ers don’t have a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, leaving some question about their chances of selecting a player who can be a high-level starter on Day 1 of their rookie season. While finding a rookie who can improve the team on the field right away would be ideal, the bigger issue for San Francisco in their quest to get back to the Super Bowl will be what their 2021 draft class looks like in its second season.
With a handful of starting jobs coming open, the 49ers could conceivably roll out seven second-year players in full-time starting roles for the first time. After a disappointing Year 1 for the 2021 class, this season will offer them an opportunity to be one of the most impactful draft classes in 49ers history.
Here’s where each player from that group stands going into Year 2: