Golden Nuggets: Currently occupying the top spot

The bye week was a good week for the 49ers draft position. The Oakland Raiders beat the Arizona Cardinals, so now the 49ers are occupying the #1 pick in next year’s draft. Obviously this was not where the 49ers thought they would be at, but they are and they need to make sure to be ready to pick a player in the top of the draft that can have an immediate impact.

The 49ers have a few positions that need to be improved during the draft, but a pass rusher has to be the most needed. This past weekend, two of the best pass rushers in the league, Khalil Mack and Aaron Donald, were huge contributors in their teams’ victories. Khalil had a sack and a fumble recovery. Aaron Donald had 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in his team’s Monday night victory. While DeForest Buckner is a good player for the defense to build on, the 49ers need a guy that can consistently get to the quarterback. They do not have that guy on the current roster. GM John Lynch tried to get Mack, but the Raiders did not seem interested in trading him to their area rival. Now Lynch needs to find a player close to that caliber in next year’s draft.

Coming off their bye, the 49ers travel to Tampa Bay to face off with the Bucs on Sunday. The Bucs have switched between Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jameis Winston this season. In Sunday’s loss against the Giants, the Bucs started Fitzpatrick, but he was replaced by Jameis in the 3rd quarter. Jameis led 4 touchdown drives, so he will likely be the starter against the 49ers. Nick Mullens and the 49ers will be underdogs in Tampa, but the instability with the Bucs’ quarterback will give the 49ers a chance to come out with a win.

49ers links

Joshua Garnett’s 49ers future (Inman)

Up to the top spot | Good weekend for 49ers draft position (Wagoner)

Currently holding on to the top draft spot (Gantt)

Pass rusher is the top priority | What do the 49ers need in the draft? (Renner)

#1 pick (Cohn)

James Onwualu on the 49ers practice squad (Madson)

Nick Mullens has John Lynch rethinking things (Maiocco)

He would have been an awesome addition | John Lynch on Khalil Mack (Madson)

Can’t stay healthy | Garnett dealing with broken thumb (Madson)

Joshua Garnett’s injury (Biderman)

Meeting the 49ers’ barber (Almquist)

John Lynch up for Hall of Fame (Williams)

Up one spot in power rankings (Madson)

He needs to play on the inside | John Lynch on Solomon Thomas (Maiocco)

Everyone needs to play for their jobs next season | Richard Sherman on players’ mentalities (Chan)

Needs (Madson)

Underdogs against the Bucs (Madson)