Kevin Jones’ First Round Mock
1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett (DL, Texas A&M)
2. Carolina Panthers (projected trade with 49ers, where San Francisco gets a second, third, fourth and a fifth rounder in 2018): Leonard Fournette (RB, LSU)
3. Chicago Bears: Solomon Thomas (DL, Stanford)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Deshaun Watson (QB, Clemson)
5. Cleveland Browns (projected trade with Titans, where Tennessee gets No. 12 and two second round picks): Mitchell Trubisky (QB, North Carolina)
6. New York Jets: Jamal Adams (S, LSU)
7. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Allen (DL, Alabama)
8. San Francisco 49ers: Christian McCaffrey (RB, Stanford)
Kyle Shanahan loves nothing more than being creative. McCaffrey gives him a dynamic chess piece he’s never even dreamt of before and he pairs perfectly as a shifty change of pace with Carlos Hyde. Think Darren Sproles/Wes Welker combination. Shanahan will find a weak spot in a defense and deploy McCaffrey there depending on the weakness. He’ll become an instant star in the Bay Area. Next offseason, all this offense is missing is a quarterback and another dynamic wide receiver. Winning in the NFL is often about outscoring your opponent and McCaffrey will help do that for years at Levi’s Stadium. The Stanford and Denver Bronco connection (McCaffrey’s father Ed is close with Lynch) puts the cherry on top for the 49ers.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Derek Barnett (pass rusher, Tennessee)
10. Buffalo Bills: Marshon Lattimore (CB, Ohio State)
11. New Orleans Saints: Malik Hooker (S, Ohio State)
12. Tennessee Titans: O.J. Howard (TE, Alabama)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Mahomes (QB, Texas Tech)
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Corey Davis (WR, Western Michigan)
15. San Francisco 49ers (projected trade with the Colts for No. 34, Carolina’s second round pick and Arik Armstead): Reuben Foster (LB, Alabama)
With all the ammo the 49ers collected in the Carolina trade, Shanahan and Lynch feel aggressive enough to add who many believe is the second best overall player in this draft. Foster has question marks (combine incident, diluted drug test) but those concerns are coupled with a fiery attitude desperately needed in the locker room. He can stop the run and the pass within a 15-yard radius, and if he develops properly, we could be looking at Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman part II.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Williams (WR, Clemson)
17. Washington Redskins: Haason Reddick (LB, Temple)
18. Tennessee Titans: Marlon Humphrey (CB, Alabama)
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dalvin Cook (RB, Florida State)
20. Denver Broncos: Ryan Ramczyk (OL, Wisconsin)
21. Detroit Lions: Taco Charlton (DL, Michigan)
22. Miami Dolphins: Charles Harris (LB, Missouri)
23. New York Giants: T.J. Watt (pass rusher, Wisconsin)
24. Oakland Raiders: Kevin King (CB, Washington)
25. Houston Texans: Davis Webb (QB, Cal)
26. Seattle Seahawks: Obi Melifonwu (S, Connecticut)
27. Kansas City Chiefs: Forrest Lamp (G, Western Kentucky)
28. Dallas Cowboys: Adoree Jackson (CB, Southern Cal)
29. Green Bay Packers: Joe Mixon (RB, Oklahoma)
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: DeShone Kizer (QB, Notre Dame)
31. Atlanta Falcons: Jarrad Davis (LB, Florida)
32. New Orleans Saints: John Ross (WR, Washington)
Larry Kreuger’s seven-round 49ers mock draft 3.0
There is not one approach to the NFL Draft that has consistently proven to be successful through the years. Some teams attempt to build a championship caliber defense by investing significant draft capital on that side of the ball.
John Lynch’s Tampa Bay Bucs invested in physical defenders like Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, and Lynch himself. Other teams prioritize the players who touch the football, the quarterback, the running back, the fullback, the wide receivers and the tight end when building their dynasty. The Jimmy Johnson constructed Cowboys were built largely arround Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Darryl Johnston, Michael Irvin, Alvin Harper, and Jay Novacek. Recently we have seen teams like Dallas and Oakland start their rebuilds by investing heavily in the offensive line, and then picking their future starting quarterback, Dak Prescott and Derek Carr respectively, after round one.
Lynch and Kyle Shanahan, the new 49ers’ brass, have a massive rebuilding project on their hands, and they won’t be able to rebuild their entire roster in one offseason. The duo is armed with six-year contracts for a reason. This roster didn’t erode in one offseason and it won’t be rebuilt that quickly either. The 49ers have a myriad of personnel issues. They need their future franchise quarterback. They need an explosive running back with receiving skills. They clearly need a #1 wide receiver and a tight end who can stretch the seam. They could use a starting right guard and a starting nose guard. They could benefit greatly from help at both inside and outside linebacker. Another need is a top free safety who can play center field and a #1 cornerback who can defend the numerous elite wide receivers in this league.
If I ran the 49ers’ war room, I would try to use this first draft to address their two biggest roster flaws currently, their total lack of dynamic offensive skill position talent and their incredibly challenged linebacker corps. The 49ers are armed with the second pick overall and they cannot miss with this pick. I’m expecting the Browns to draft Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett to begin the proceedings. Let’s consider the other options at two.
I don’t want to draft Solomon Thomas because I believe he’s an undersized interior rusher with a limited upside/ceiling. Marshon Lattimore is intriguing as the No. 1 cornerback on the board with size and speed, but he has had multiple hamstring injuries and he’s only a 1-year starter. Safeties Malik Hooker and Jamal Adams are both exciting prospects. Hooker is a free safety who plays a great center field with his incredible Ed Reed-like ball skills, but he also is a 1-year-starter who has had some issues staying healthy. Adams is a strong safety who excels versus the run but he plays pass coverage like a player who runs a 4.6 40-yard-dash and I can’t draft a box safety with man-to-man coverage questions second overall. Alabama defensive end Johnathan Allen was productive, but he is only a marginal athlete who benefited from the talent surrounding him and he’s already had surgeries on both shoulders.
I don’t believe their is a quarterback, an offensive tackle, or a wide receiver that is worthy of the second pick overall. So it’s time to trade back.
No. 12: (trade back with Cleveland for two second round picks and two fourth round picks) Corey Davis (WR, Western Michigan) — Davis is a special kid. He was one of seven kids and he grew up with modest means. He’s mature, focused and driven. He was incredibly productive playing for PJ Fleck. Davis is the total package,A big,physical wide receiver who is a top route runner and has the explosiveness to separate from opposing cornerbacks. Greg Cosell says a league source who he respects compared Davis to Jerry Rice. I won’t go that far, because their is only one Jerry Rice, but I’m convinced that Corey would be a great 49er.
Second round (from Cleveland): Davis Webb (QB, Cal) — Webb is the son of a coach. He has great size at 6-foot-5 230 pounds. He has an excellent arm (59 mph at the combine) and a smooth clean release. Webb is a film junkie who will work to improve and he’s also an underrated athlete who finished in the top five of all the drills at the combine. If Shanahan can be patient, Webb will begin to emerge in year two. Webb is not a perfect prospect but he will work to maximize his ability. He’s passionate, driven and humble and the 49ers will regret passing on Webb.
Second round: Budda Baker (S, Washington) — Baker is a first round talent who will fall to round two because he lacks size. A three-time state champion in high school, Baker started 14 games as a true freshman with the Huskies and posted 80 tackles. He’s likely a nickel safety/slot cornerback in the NFL, but with NFL defenses featuring the sub-packages on 70% of the snaps in 2016, he could be an invaluable addition to any defense. Baker is simply a playmaker and reminds me of Earl Thomas and Tyrann Mathieu.
Third round: Derek Rivers (pass rusher, Youngstown State) Rivers has terrific strength (35 reps of 225-pounds), burst (2.53 20 yard shuttle), and production. He would be a first round pick if he had greater length. This guy can really rush the passer.
Fourth round (from Cleveland): Blair Brown (LB, Ohio) — Brown is a terrific talent who is on the board in round four simply because he lacks height. Brown measures 5-foot-11 and weighs 238-pounds. Brown shows great short area burst and led all inside linebackers with a 37″ vertical jump at the combine.He piled up 128 tackles this year and he’s a steal in round four. If you watch this video you can see Brown’s athleticism on full display.
Fourth round: Tanoh Kpassagnon (DE, Villanova) — Pronounced “tawn-o pass-N-yo,” he was the DPOY in the Colonial League last year and stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 289 pounds. He has 35′ arms and has freakish physical talent. He must be watched to be fully appreciated. Check out this video.
Fourth round: Samson Ebukam (pass rusher, Eastern Washington) — Ebukam is a super athletic and dominated the Big Sky conference this year. He is relentless with his pass rush and ran sub 4.5s at 240 pounds. He opened my eyes in the all-star games and he’ll be an excellent LEO in Robert Saleh’s 49ers’ defense.
Fourth round (from Cleveland): Jamaal Williams (RB, BYU) — Williams is a 6-foot 215-pound runner who was BYU’s team captain and that program’s alltime leading rusher. Williams is a tough, hard nosed runner.
Fifth round: Howard Wilson (CB, Houston) — Wilson is a 6-foot cornerback who needs to get stronger, but his athleticism is intriguing.
Fifth round: Tanzel Smart (DL, Tulane) — Smart is a poor man’s Warren Sapp. Smart is 6-foot and 298-pounds and recorded the fastest 3-cone drill at the combine, demonstrating his lateral agility. He’s a productive,, durable, three year starter, and a gap penetrator at the next level.
Sixth round: Jimmy Gilbert (pass rusher, Colorado) — Gilbert is a rangy 6-foot-5 230-pound backer who just has a knack to rush the passer. Gilbert had 6 forced fumbles this year and flies off the edge. He needs to get stronger, but his pass rush ability will translate to the next level.
Sixth round: Derrick Griffin (TE, Texas Southern) — Griffin was a 2-sport-star at Texas Southern. He stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 245-pounds. He is uber athletic and may fit in as a WR or a TE. He is a boom or bust prospect, but his upside is too enticing to pass up in round six.
Seventh round: Roderick Henderson (DL, Alabama State) — Henderson is 6-foot-1 and 360-pounds and is dominant strength wise at the point of attack. He’s a freaky strong lineman who overpowers centers with relative ease. His film is incredible.