The depth of the San Francisco 49ers’ class from 2017 NFL Draft was important in building for the future. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch brought in players that were able to contribute in their rookie seasons from the first round to the seventh. Seven draftees wound up making starts.

Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, the third overall pick, looks like a long-term starter – as did linebacker did Reuben Foster, although his troubling offseason put his status in jeopardy. George Kittle and Trent Taylor became key cogs on offense after getting drafted in Round 5. Seventh-round pick Adrian Colbert will compete with former first-rounder Jimmie Ward to start at free safety. Third-round selection Ahkello Witherspoon is penciled in to start opposite Richard Sherman at cornerback.

In next week’s draft, San Francisco needs to nail its picks deep in the process again, adding depth to the margins of the roster, if the team is going to take another step toward becoming a regular playoff contender.

Let’s look at five potential targets in the middle-to-late rounds of the draft that could provide depth, special teams value and perhaps develop into starters down the road.

Dorian O’Daniel, LB, Clemson

The 49ers were likely to draft a linebacker before Roster’s two arrests. Now it’s all but guaranteed. O’Daniel could be a useful pick even if the team uses its first selection on a player like Roquan Smith or Tremaine Edmunds. O’Daniel is a touch undersized (6-2, 226), but his game is defined by his speed in the middle of the field, making him an ideal fit at “Will” linebacker or a strong safety hybrid role in today’s NFL.

(Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

The passing game is the league’s most valuable commodity on offense. Athletic, rangy defenders that can cover ground and defend multiple positions are growing in value, making Dorian an intriguing option to add to the back end of the depth chart. As a bonus, O’Daniel is good blitzer, logging five sacks and forcing three fumbles for the Tigers last season while leading the team with 103 tackles. He could start out as core special teamer before eventually carving out a role on defense, perhaps in obvious passing downs.

Projection: Round 4-5