Hurtin' for: a receiver
'No, Matt, they addressed that need with Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson.' Yeah, I saw that, and I'm marking those as incorrect answers to the questions at wideout. Bruce would have been a tremendous pickup in 2001, but he'll turn 36 in November and hasn't completed any of the past three seasons. His greatest value will be as a mentor, specifically one who is quite familiar with new coordinator Mike Martz's offense. As for Johnson, the talent must be there somewhere to have once made him a first-round pick, but he sure didn't display it in five seasons with the Cardinals. His next 50-catch season will be his first. Get Alex Smith some actual help.

Should be lookin' for: a receiver
OK, enough emphasis on that. The Niners could also use another starter at defensive end. The team lost Bryant Young to retirement and let Marques Douglas walk as a free agent, bringing back only Justin Smith to take over one of the spots. Backup nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga has been mentioned as a potential candidate to move outside, even at 325 pounds. Second-year man Ray McDonald was an intriguing talent through an injury-plagued college career, but he might not be big and strong enough to hold up as an every-down 3-4 end. Melvin Oliver and Atiyyah Ellison are among the unexciting other options. At the very least, another competitor at end would be a good thing.

Will likely settle for: offensive linemen

I might be underplaying this need, but the advantage it has on the previous two is that the Niners at least have starters up front on offense. Of course, LT Jonas Jennings has played an extremely useful 21 out of 48 games in three seasons since getting a big free-agent deal, and guards David Baas and Adam Snyder appear set to become full-time starters for the first time in the wake of Larry Allen's retirement and Justin Smiley's free-agent defection. A starting-caliber tackle wouldn't be a bad first-round target, and coming out of draft weekend with at least two O-lineman would be a good idea. The forfeiture of the team's fifth-round pick because of tampering will make that a bit more challenging.

Matt Schauf is a contributing writer for Draft Stock and an associate editor and senior fantasy football writer for SportsBuff.com