The San Francisco 49ers could go in a few different directions with the No. 31 overall pick.

Kyle Shanahan's team needs help on the offensive line and it could use some defensive line depth as well.

The 49ers do not have any glaring needs, so that may lead to the best player available strategy at the end of the first round.

NFL draft experts are divided on the direction the 49ers will take at No. 31. One expert even has a wide receiver going to the NFC West side next Thursday.

Wide receiver could be a position the 49ers target, but most experts believe that happens in the later rounds.

Mixed Opinions on No. 31 Pick

Every NFL draft expert has a different opinion on how the 49ers should approach the No. 31 pick.

Bleacher Report's NFL scouting department predicted Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson would be the pick.

The Athletic's Dane Brugler predicted Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton would land with the NFC West side.

"Newton doesn't have ideal size for what San Francisco wants (similar to how he fits in most schemes), but his disruptive nature and relentless play personality are qualities that help him overcome average measurements," Brugler wrote.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. landed Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan with the 49ers.

NFL.com's Peter Schrager had the most out-of-the-box prediction with Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey at No. 31.

"I've spoken to a lot of people over the past few months, and I'm not sure there is a single prospect who's as universally liked and respected as Ladd. Tough, smart, selfless. San Francisco seems like a perfect home," Schrager wrote.

Drafting a wide receiver at No. 31 may seem like a stretch with the other prospects who could be available, but the 49ers do have to plan for life without Brandon Aiyuk if he leaves in the next 12 months.

Pass Catching Help on Day 2

There is a larger consensus in mock drafts that the 49ers will upgrade their pass-catching positions on Day 2.

ESPN's Field Yates, who did the mock draft with Kiper, and Brugler both have TCU tight end Jared Wiley landing with the 49ers in the third round.

Wiley only had 520 receiving yards last season at TCU, but he caught eight touchdown passes. The scoring threat could catch the 49ers' eyes if they can't find the wide receiver they want.

B/R's NFL scouting department believes Western Kentucky's Malachi Corley will be the pass-catching upgrade at No. 62.

Corley produced 11 touchdowns in consecutive seasons and he was 16 yards away from back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023.

Corley would be the player the 49ers look to potentially replace Aiyuk if he departs in a trade or free agency.

Secondary Help Added at Some Point

The first-round prediction from B/R's NFL scouting department of Jackson at No. 31 is not far-fetched because the 49ers need some help in the secondary.

"If the San Francisco 49ers are ever going to overcome Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to become the best team in professional football, Kyle Shanahan's squad must find a way to slow the game's best passing offense," the B/R mock draft noted.

Kiper believes the 49ers need to beef up their secondary at some point as well, which is why Kentucky's Dru Phillips is his pick at No. 63.

"This is about beefing up a secondary that struggled at times at the end of last season," Kiper wrote.

There is not expected to be a massive run on corners in the first round, like there is with offensive linemen, so the 49ers might be able to land an upgrade at No. 31.

If not, the 49ers should be on the hunt for defensive back help at some point on Day 2.