Draft preview of us from ESPN writers:

Personnel needs

DL, TE, OLB, FS, QB

Major need: This roster does not have a lot of glaring holes, but the defensive line could use an upgrade on the interior. Age and injuries are becoming a concern with the defensive end duo of Justin Smith and Ray McDonald, and NT Ian Williams has yet to prove himself. They have been good versus the run, but don't have much of a pass rush and need to get a couple of young guys ready.

Quiet need: This coaching staff loves to use a variety of offensive packages, including multi-TE sets, but with Delanie Walker now in Tennessee, that only leaves Vernon Davis as a guy the team can count on in the passing game. Backup TE Garret Celek is more of a blocker than a receiver, and this passing game functions best with two TEs, where it can flex and move to dictate good matchups.

Not a need: This offensive line featured two Pro Bowl players, and it was the only group in the NFL that featured the same five starters for every game in the 2012 season. Because the 49ers use a lot of "heavy" packages, their backups have a chance to contribute even when the starters play every snap. As long as they stay healthy, this is a rock-solid unit.

Jobs in jeopardy: Even though backup QB Scott Tolzien knows this offense, he does not have a similar skill set to starter Colin Kaepernick; if Tolzien were forced to play, it could be a huge drop off in production. Also, even though San Francisco signed free safety Craig Dahl (St. Louis) to replace departed safety Dashon Goldson (Tampa Bay), he may not be the long-term answer in this terrific secondary. Early help could be addressed in the draft.

Don't mess with it: This may be the most underrated RB unit in the NFL, and the variety of skill sets among the 49ers' backs gives San Francisco tremendous flexibility. It starts with the versatile Frank Gore, and his backups are productive enough to allow him to cut down on his carries. Plus, fullback and lead blocker Bruce Miller is terrific in his role. When you throw in QB Colin Kaepernick and the read-option, which all of these RBs can run, you have the most versatile run game in the NFL.

What free agency solved

Free agency told us what we already knew -- that this is a deep roster without a lot of glaring needs -- and that means that we haven't seen a lot of splashy moves. The 49ers' biggest acquisition may be at place kicker, where they signed Phil Dawson from Cleveland to replace the inconsistent David Akers. Dawson will be a huge upgrade in terms of accuracy and distance, and he will be a boost to an already good special-teams unit.

-- Gary Horton

How they draft

Where they draft well: They set up the franchise over two drafts. The 2010 and 2011 drafts have stocked the team with talent you can build around. Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati represented a first round double-down in 2010 and has made the power run game a certainty to continue with success. Navorro Bowman at No. 91 overall was a steal. In 2011, Aldon Smith at No. 7 turns into instant impact, and Kaepernick at No. 36 turns into the future at QB (and saves some money in the mean time). Those are two of the most impactful draft classes you can find in recent years.

Where they don't draft well: They need to consider selling. Not that it's a terrible thing, but very good roster depth has limited the immediate value, and possibly the strategy of not only the 2012 draft -- when A.J. Jenkins and LaMichael James were the first two picks only to play meager roles as rookies -- but also in 2013. The 49ers have a pile of picks, but not a lot of needs, meaning they might want to be creative and turn 2013 picks into more 2014 and 2015 picks, or face the reality that they'll be drafting a lot of players that won't help in 2013.

-- Chris Sprow

Best fits

Todd McShay provides three great fits for the 49ers' first-round pick at No. 31.

John Jenkins, DT, Georgia: Jenkins moves well for a player with massive size, and his motor and versatility would add to the problems San Francisco's defensive front can create for opposing offenses.

Johnathan Cyprien, S, Florida International: The 49ers brought in Dahl, but he's not the long-term answer at safety. Cyprien has good size and athleticism and shows good range in coverage.

Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford: Ertz played for 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh at Stanford, and he would add another weapon alongside Davis.

-- Todd McShay

It's a successful draft if …

What they must accomplish: They need to feel better about their depth along the defensive line. We lavish deserved praise on San Francisco's dynamic linebackers, but starting with Justin Smith, this defensive line has been among the most physical in football going back to when Mike Singletary was running the show. Depth at nose tackle is a concern, but more importantly, to maximize Smith -- who turns 34 this season -- the 49ers should draft a 3-4 DE who can become a rotation player immediately. Better up front, better everywhere else.

Additional goals: A draft full of intriguing tight end options can help the 49ers. I think some overstate what the departure of Walker means, but having another reliable pass-catcher at tight end won't hurt. Free safety might be a bigger need on some boards, but I think Goldson looked a lot better with the surrounding talent here than he might look elsewhere. This draft has plenty of safeties. You can't have enough corners when you're playing with the lead, so the 49ers can't overlook depth there. Finally, while I expect the use of Kaepernick as a runner to decline some -- not just because of the risk factor, but because he's a very good passer -- Harbaugh should look for a QB he can develop behind his young starter.

-- Mel Kiper