ESPN's Mel Kiper released his first mock draft, which has the San Francisco 49ers adding defensive back help rather than a rookie quarterback. Of course, the top quarterback prospects, Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, and Trey Lance are already off the board by the No. 12 overall pick in this mock.
The ESPN analyst has the 49ers selecting Patrick Surtain II out of Alabama. San Francisco has several defensive backs scheduled to hit free agency. That includes names like Richard Sherman, Jaquiski Tartt, K'Waun Williams, Jason Verrett, and Ahkello Witherspoon. The team also lost its defensive coordinator from the past three seasons, Robert Saleh, who left to be the New York Jets head coach.
"That's why it makes sense to target a corner early," wrote Kiper. "Surtain, my top-ranked corner, could be a starter on Day 1. He had 27 pass breakups and four interceptions over three seasons at Bama. At 6-foot-2, Surtain has the size and speed to play on an island and lock down wideouts. Depending on whether San Francisco can bring back free-agent left tackle Trent Williams, offensive line could also be a position to target."
Surtain is the son of All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain Sr., a three-time Pro Bowl selection during his 11 seasons between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs.
The younger Surtain added 116 tackles, six tackles for a loss, a touchdown, and four forced fumbles during his collegiate career, adding to the statistics mentioned by Kiper. He was a 2020 Consensus All-American, named the 2020 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and was the defensive MVP of the 2021 Rose Bowl.
The 2021 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 29, and is currently scheduled to occur in Cleveland, Ohio.
