Matt Barrows of The Athletic released his full San Francisco 49ers mock draft today, predicting which players the organization might select later this month through all seven rounds. His mock, however, only focused on the 49ers' potential selections. Respected draft analyst Matt Miller of Bleacher Report took it a huge step further.
Miller, a longtime 49ers fan, also created a seven-round mock draft. His was a complete seven-round mock, though. That's right, all 255 picks.
This year's draft is difficult to predict because of the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the world. With NFL teams working remotely from their homes, the flow of information to the media, and analysts like Miller, doesn't seem as significant as in past years. There is no way to gauge a team's interests based on pro day visits and observations because most pro days were canceled. Even pre-draft visits have been limited to video conference calls no longer than an hour each. That means no team physicals beyond what was done at the NFL Scouting Combine.
We know some of the names of the draft prospects the 49ers have spoken with in recent weeks, but nothing like what we would have known in past years as we sit just three weeks from the draft. While seven-round mock drafts aren't uncommon, for someone like Miller to do one despite the obvious limitations is impressive.
But you're here for the picks, aren't you? Here are each of the players who Miller has the 49ers selecting in his seven-round mock draft.
- Round 1, Pick 13: WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
- Round 1, Pick 31: OL Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
- Round 5. Pick 156: DL Davon Hamilton, Ohio State
- Round 5, Pick 176: CB Michael Ojemudia, Iowa
- Round 6, Pick 210: S K'Von Wallace, Clemson
- Round 7, Pick 217: CB Javelin Guidry, Utah
- Round 7, Pick 245: OT Justin Herron, Wake Forest
Miller only explains the reasoning behind each first-round selection. He believes that the pick of Jeudy by the 49ers would be a "no-brainer" for the team, given head coach Kyle Shanahan's well-known fondness for Odell Beckham Jr.
"Jeudy isn't big (6'1", 193 lbs) and isn't blazing fast (4.45 40-yard dash)," writes Miller, "but he's a fantastic route-runner and a stellar playmaker in space. Despite sharing targets with three other first-round-caliber receivers at Alabama, Jeudy won the Biletnikoff Award (best receiver in college) as a sophomore and only saw his game improve in his final season in Tuscaloosa."
Miller says the 49ers would probably prefer to go with a cornerback at No. 31, but a run on the position may force the team to look at a different need. The analyst's mock, by the way, does not include trades, for those wondering if Miller might have San Francisco going that route.
"With the injury to Weston Richburg potentially costing him the 2020 season and center so vital in Shanahan's offense, Cesar Ruiz becomes a need and a value," writes Miller. "He's a mean but agile centerpiece in the middle of the offensive line, and he has the moves to get upfield and lock out in the zone-blocking scheme."
Click here to scour through Miller's entire mock draft.
