49ers' ideal draft plan involves two upgrades to complete defensive reload

Edge rusher is a massive need, and there are bound to be some interesting options that are available at their first-round pick.

A few players who, if they fall, could make it to the 49ers' pick are Auburn's Keldric Faulk or Miami's Akheem Mesidor. More realistic options include Texas A&M's Cashius Howell, Clemson's T.J. Parker, and Missouri's Zion Young.

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Malachi Lawrence from UCF and Oklahoma's R Mason Thomas are also players to watch with their first-round pick. While they could wait until later in the draft to find a new edge rusher, the first-round is likely their best bet to get a "splashy" edge.

Then, at safety, there's a very, very small chance Oregon's Dillon Thieneman falls to them, while Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren isn't likely to be on the board when the 49ers pick.

But, down the board a bit, the 49ers could target Penn State's Zakee Wheatley or Arizona's Treydan Stukes. Other options include Genesis Smith, A.J. Haulcy, Kamari Ramsey, Bud Clark, and Michael Taaffe.

Solak believes the 49ers should come out of the NFL Draft with a new starting safety and a "splashy" edge rusher. Those are two big needs for the 49ers, and could be their first and second round picks in this year's draft.

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