Mock drafts from the national media are always fun, especially when they come from those with loads of insider information. Mock drafts from local reporters who cover the team daily and are plugged into the thinking of an organization are sometimes more informative.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic released his first mock draft. He didn't use an online simulator while compiling the list, either. Although, he does admit to using something called the Barrowsnogginator2000, which may not necessarily be his brain. I am envisioning a contraption consisting of his laptop, parts from an old television in his attic, and his mop stuck together via duct tape. Still, when it comes to reporters being locked in on the mindset of the San Francisco 49ers, it's difficult to beat Barrows.
"For this 49ers seven-round mock, I used my telephone (both the cell phone and the landline) to make calls about whom the 49ers have been sniffing around and relied heavily on draft guru Dane Brugler's list of prospects at each spot," wrote Barrows.
So what did the Barrowsnogginator2000 come up with for the 49ers? The 49ers beat writer has John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan, and company selecting Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb with the No. 13 overall pick, which was acquired from the trade that sent DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts.
Barrows has reason to believe that the rare physical gifts that grace Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy probably have Shanahan salivating about what he could do with the young player in his offense. Barrows, however, has Jeudy going to the Oakland Raiders one pick ahead of the 49ers. That leaves San Francisco with Lamb.
Barrows wrote the following about the projected selection.
In this scenario, however, those blasted Raiders take Jeudy at pick No. 12. Shanahan is not all that distraught. In Lamb, he gets a tough-nosed receiver who wrestles away 50-50 balls and who is hard to bring to the ground. That would give the 49ers a tackle-breaking arsenal that includes George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Lamb and — if he's healthy — Jalen Hurd. What's the single-season record for YAC yards?
And what about the 49ers' second first-round pick at No. 31? Barrows has San Francisco trading it away, along with the No. 156 overall pick, to the Houston Texans in return for No. 40 and No. 90. That gets the 49ers, who lack a Day 2 pick, into the second and third rounds.
Barrows has the 49ers addressing several other defensive positions, adding a tight end, a running back, and helping the interior of the offensive line with the remainder of their picks.
Click here to read how Barrows envisions the 49ers draft going. He didn't get his mock draft up in time to make our weekly roundup, but it will be there next week.