Tackling the Draft: My Predictions

This is not a mock draft. Repeat: This is not a mock draft.

I’ve long learned how futile doing a mock draft is IF the intent is to nail it and actually guess what players are going to go to what teams. But I do think it’s fun to try and figure out what areas of the team will be addressed, and maybe float a few possible names as potential draftees. If even one name below ends up as a 49er, I’ll take this as a win.

Having gone through free agency, I think it’s fairly clear where the holes are on the squad and a measured perspective will show this actually aligns fairly well with the strengths of this draft. What’s nice - and also, sad - is that the team needs players at enough positions that I have a hard time believing I’m going to be disappointed by at least the positions they are trying to fill here.

Just for fun, I’ll try and guess what rounds they’ll tackle what positions. The odds are strong the team will trade a bit, so these pick numbers won’t even add up.

First Round (#11)

My biggest guess here is that the team won’t be able to resist a Defensive Tackle or Edge Rusher here. While offensive line is as much of a need, the 49ers have been resistant to use a top pick on an offensive lineman, ever since doing so with Mike McGlinchey in 2018, a player they started for five years but did not extend a new contract to. There are few true blue-chip tackles in this draft, so my guess is that the team will grab one of the following:

• Kenneth Grant, Michigan

• Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

• Derrick Harmon, Oregon

• Jalon Walker, Georgia

• Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

Kenneth Grant is a LARGE human who can move. More and more, I could see this being the pick.

The first three there are defensive tackles, the second two more traditional edge rushers. The edge guys are more projected to go around 11, but drafting a guy they like “early” has never stopped this team before. It’s worth noting that if Mason Graham is somehow there, he’d be at the top of this list and a virtual certain pick.

Second Round (#43)

I do believe that the 49ers would happily double down on defensive line here, but I also think there will be ENOUGH talent at offensive line that they may try to plug some real holes. They love taking guys who MIGHT project out to tackle and starting them at guard, and I could see that happening again. They can make Colton McKivitz work for another year at RT, but they really have problems at LG and C. Let’s see if and how they can fix it.

• Josh Simmons, Ohio State

• Josh Conerly, Oregon

• Marcus Mbow, Purdue

• Grey Zabel, North Dakota St

• Tyler Booker, Alabama

My guess is that a) Zabel is drafted before the 49ers can and b) they are a bit scared of NDSU players after Trey Lance. But for reference, THIS is Grey Zabel.

The top three guys here are slated to play tackle and the second two guard or even center. They could all go in the first, or all slide into the second round. (I hadn’t even heard of Zabel until a week ago when I heard Daniel Jeremiah project him to the Seahawks at the end of the first round.)

Third Round (#75, 100)

In the third, the team has two picks and a decision to make. Do they feel okay offensively? If not, a RB or a WR are real choices. They do need a starting LB but I’m personally going to expect that to slide to round 4, where the team has another two picks. Instead, I think they’re going to try and get ANOTHER guy on the defensive line and a skill position player.

• Alfred Collins, DL, Texas

• Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

• Josaiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan

• Savion Williams, WR, TCU

• Cameron Skattebo, RB, Arizona State

• Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

• DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State

Savion Williams has been compared as the next Deebo Samuel so much that this seems TOO on the nose. But … maybe not?

Fourth Round (#113, 138)

Now the team looks back at defense, but I will throw some more offensive linemen in here just in case. Note that the team ALSO has two fifth round picks, having swapped out their 6th round for one this year in the Jordan Mason trade. This team loves the fifth round, so hopefully we can find some gems there. For now, let’s deal in the fourth.

• Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss

• Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson

• Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia

• Hollin Pierce, OT, Rutgers

• Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia

• Jackson Slater, G, Sacramento State

THIS Chris Paul, not the basketball player

Fifth Round (#147, 160)

Let’s find some gems. The team really needs to probably add a defensive back - either CB or S - and maybe some other help literally anywhere. We’re assuming in the third they took a DT and a RB/WR, and in the last round took a LB and an OL. But we’re mixing some of those slots in either to double up or cover things in case they don’t follow this post to the letter of the law. (Doubtful, but still.)

• Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State

• Mello Dotson, CB, Kansas

• Malachi Moore, S, Alabama

• Tommi Hill, CB, Nebraska

• Jonah Monheim, OC, USC

• Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary

• Miles Frazier, G, LSU

• Nohl Williams, CB, California

• Jaylin Smith, CB, USC

Nohl Williams is local. Will that matter?

The team doesn’t have a sixth round pick and even I’m not so brazen to suggest I know who they’d take in the 7th. But in addition to the positions already covered, it wouldn’t be crazy to find a backup/developmental QB as well as another TE because, despite my wishes, George Kittle will not start forever.

All of this is reckless posturing and I’m HERE for it. Let’s see what happens.