ESPN analyst Todd McShay posted a three-round mock draft with the idea that he is the general manager for each team, makes the selections based on what he feels is best, and not what he hears from around the league. It's a format that would land each NFL team a grade of "A" from McShay.
No trades are allowed in this mock, so teams need to stay put with their current selections. Below is how the San Francisco 49ers ended up with McShay as the one calling the shots.
Round 1, Pick 9: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Round 2, Pick 59: Jessie Bates III, S, Wake Forest
Round 3, Pick 70: Josh Sweat, DE, FSU
Round 3, Pick 74: Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama
"San Francisco was staring at a top-five pick with a 1-10 record, but the 49ers will gladly take their current position with Jimmy Garoppolo now set at QB after riding a five-game winning streak to end the season," wrote McShay. "This is a little high for Ridley, who isn't a true NFL No. 1 wideout, but he's the clear top wide receiver in this class and a smooth route runner. He gives Garoppolo another young receiver to grow with. Bates had a terrific combine and could help replace Eric Reid on the back end. Sweat has a ton of talent but is raw. He'll help add depth to a strong defensive line. Averett is an underrated cover corner."
Ridley isn't a popular pick for the 49ers in mock drafts. In fact, of the 67 that we surveyed last week, none had San Francisco landing Ridley with their top pick. There have been no reports of the 49ers showing interest in Ridley, but representatives from the team were at Alabama's pro day on March 7. Of course, the 49ers were represented in some fashion at nearly every pro day.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot and 189-pound Ridley had a 40-time of 4.43 seconds, a vertical jump of 31 inches, a broad jump of 110 inches, completed the three-cone drill in 6.88 seconds, had 15 reps in the bench press, and a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.41 seconds.
Ridley doesn't put much stock into combine numbers and is confident he can help an NFL team.
"I don't get into a receiver stance and broad jump before I run a route," Ridley told NFL.com at his pro day. "Whoever gets me is getting a great player."
While there have been no reports of any meetings between 49ers representatives and Bates or Averett, the team interviewed Sweat at the combine and held a private workout with him in March.
Below is where some of the more popular 49ers selections among mock drafts ended up within McShay's latest mock.
| CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State | Round 1, Pick 5 | Denver Broncos |
| DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama | Round 1, Pick 7 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| LB Roquan Smith, Georgia | Round 1, Pick 8 | Chicago Bears |
| LB Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech | Round 1, Pick 10 | Oakland Raiders |
| S Derwin James, Florida State | Round 1, Pick 14 | Green Bay Packers |
