2018 NCommand's Mock Draft

Originally posted by NCommand:
That would be fun. Almost time, my friend.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by NCommand:

That would be fun. Almost time, my friend.

Soooo many options we can go. I'm sure Paraag has an If-Then scenario for every scenario. But trade temptations and big compensation can blow everything up too. I can't wait!

IF landry is gone, do you think JL and kyle would take Davenport or Roquan. My guess would be Roquan. And then add in other passrushing LBs as noted above.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Giedi:
Exellent!

I simply would not be surprised if the 49er draft goes along the same lines (if not *exactly* the same) as what your mock draft displays. I love the double dip in Edge rusher and the WR-hybrid pick. I think Cappa - if they can get him - is another excellent pick. I love defense and so your last 3 picks have me jazzed, but I think they might go a bit more offense in the last 3 picks. But to your point in another post about undrafted offensive free agents kicks in here and says that they might get a bigger short yardage back and Tight End in the undrafted category. This is a defensive heavy mock, but I think it's appropriate given Reuben's issues and our need for an edge rusher. It would be interesting to see who they bring in at QB in the undrafted category too. I seriously doubt they would waste a draft pick on a QB.

That's excellent feedback. I thought about that as well; going more offense later but when you get into the 5th-7th round, you're looking for super athletic players who need development (Trenton Brown, George Kittle, Adrian Colbert), players that fit a specific roll (P/PK) or depth/special teams (Mostert, Bolden Jr.).

I certainly think we can address those in the UDFA pool. Keep in mind that that entire pool I listed are players we were already connected too.

RB - bigger-bodied between-the-tackles inside zone RB
C - need a depth player to compete with Magnuson
TE - need a replacement for Logan Paulsen for a blocking move-TE
LB - competition for LB at SAM/MIKE/WILL and keep in mind, how much we'll end up in nickel/dime. That means we'll be using more DB's than your traditional 3 LB's. We saw that last year with pretty much Brock Coyle and Rueben Foster as the sole LB's. Also, Tartt will be playing in the box, essentially, adding another LB/SS.
Returner - there were several slot WR's we looked at expected to go in the 7th or as UDFA's with excellent return careers. We need one to push Victor Bolden Jr.
QB - we could certainly use a 3rd string-QB to push Mullens.
Interior OL - I think the FO feels better about our interior OL more than we do, hence why both C/G were so far down the pre-draft visits/connections list. With Staley, Richburg and Brown rock solid, we'll have competition between Tomlinson, Cooper, Garnett and Magnuson at G. We added Cappa who also can compete at G and he has a Quenton Nelson-like attitude that will push the others. And the team brought in three late FA's last year for added competition; we might add another this year.

Anyways, that's my rationale. LOL

PS: Picking Ogbonnia Okoronkwo fills two positions. SAM in base run downs and ER off the strong side. That means we don't need two players (Eli Harold + Elvis Dumervil) to fill one role.

I was skeptical of Obo at first, then NY85 and the other draft experts pointed him out and so I took a look at some of the highlights - not quite as explosive as Landry, but that 360 degree spin move along with his hand fighting and explosive arc rushes were eye opening.

I revisited your 5th round picks and later. I just have to say your concentration on defense in the 5th round all the way to the end was brilliant in that you are relying on Kyle's eye for offensive undrafted talent to fill out the offensive depth.

I like Kappa's athleticism. It's interesting that Jaquisi Tart is bigger than Dorian O'donnel! But I like the fact that maybe can play both LB and SS in a pinch and it is a strong special teams player. I love James Loony's ability to penetrate and disrupt. We've been very lucky with DB's recently, and I think that has to do with the strong talent evaluators that John Lynch has assembled to help him, and also his own back ground and experience playing at that position. I'm thinking this is another area, that the 49ers can draft low round prospects, polish them up, and trade them later for draft picks.

For undrafteds, I like your desire for another raw Juszczyk to train for short yardage situations. I agree with your sentiment on the interior line. I don't know if we need to have competition for center with Erik Magnuson and Richburg able, I think, to man that position. But competition is always good anytime in this game. I'm ready for Bolden Jr to get a starting spot and leave the returning duties to, as you said, potential undrafted returners.

Quarterback, I don't know if I'd waste a 7th rounder for a QB that Kyle can tutor into a credible NFL starter, I think an undrafted QB would be fine. I really am looking for BeatHard to take a quantum leap in pre-season and really do so well that hopefully the undrafted QB (Mullens or Undrafted QB) can be showcased and be shopped later in this season or next season for more draft picks.

I just want *more* draft picks!

Originally posted by Giedi:

I was skeptical of Obo at first, then NY85 and the other draft experts pointed him out and so I took a look at some of the highlights - not quite as explosive as Landry, but that 360 degree spin move along with his hand fighting and explosive arc rushes were eye opening.

I revisited your 5th round picks and later. I just have to say your concentration on defense in the 5th round all the way to the end was brilliant in that you are relying on Kyle's eye for offensive undrafted talent to fill out the offensive depth.

I like Kappa's athleticism. It's interesting that Jaquisi Tart is bigger than Dorian O'donnel! But I like the fact that maybe can play both LB and SS in a pinch and it is a strong special teams player. I love James Loony's ability to penetrate and disrupt. We've been very lucky with DB's recently, and I think that has to do with the strong talent evaluators that John Lynch has assembled to help him, and also his own back ground and experience playing at that position. I'm thinking this is another area, that the 49ers can draft low round prospects, polish them up, and trade them later for draft picks.

For undrafteds, I like your desire for another raw Juszczyk to train for short yardage situations. I agree with your sentiment on the interior line. I don't know if we need to have competition for center with Erik Magnuson and Richburg able, I think, to man that position. But competition is always good anytime in this game. I'm ready for Bolden Jr to get a starting spot and leave the returning duties to, as you said, potential undrafted returners.

Quarterback, I don't know if I'd waste a 7th rounder for a QB that Kyle can tutor into a credible NFL starter, I think an undrafted QB would be fine. I really am looking for BeatHard to take a quantum leap in pre-season and really do so well that hopefully the undrafted QB (Mullens or Undrafted QB) can be showcased and be shopped later in this season or next season for more draft picks.

I just want *more* draft picks!

G, thanks for the review and open mind again. Once we had our T/G and WR in-training, I was good on offense.

Why? Because after that, we need role-players with specific skill sets or push-starters.

Check out the list of UDFA's we nabbed last year. Look how many made the 53.

UDFA's:
UDFA - Contract Information:
1. QB Nick Mullens - 6'1" 187, good productive career but small. $20K ($2K SB, $18K Base)
2. T/G Erik Magnuson (164) - 6'6" 305, versatile, zone, cut-blocks, reach blocks, connects moving targets
3. T Darrell Williams Jr. - 6'5" 315. $10K ($5K SB $5K Base)
4. G/C J.P. Flynn - 6'6" 310, solid size, growth potential but limited in blocking systems
5. G Evan Goodman - 6'3" 288 5.16. $6,500 ($2,500 SB, $4K Base)
6. FB Tyler McCloskey - 6'1" 237 4.87
7. RB Matt Breida - 5'9" 195 4.37 (1st), Vert: 42" (1st), Broad: 11.2 (1st), 225: 23 (3rd), bad 2016 season. $30K ($5K SB, $25K Base)
8. TE Cole Hikutini - 6'4" 247, great hands but poor blocker. $110K ($10K SB, $100K Base)
9. ZWR Kendrick Bourne - 6'1" 203, good size and production but lacks in speed (4.67)
10. ZWR B.J. Johnson - 6'0" 215, 4.59, doesn't have ideal speed/burst; possession target with his NFL body and reliable hands
11. YWR/KR Victor Bolden - 5'8" 178 4.54, slot and kick/punt returner
12. ER/SAM Noble Nwachuckwu - 6'1" 268, NFL Comparison: Pernell McPhee
13. ER/SAM Jimmie Gilbert - 6'5" 230 3rd-team AP (51 tkls, 14 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles). $12K
14. WILL Donavin Newsom - 6'1" 238 4.50, fast, instinctive, aggressive, not big and can get blocked out
15. FS Lorenzo Jerome - 5'10 204, instinctive, ball-hawk, very physical, TO-machine but small & 4.62 speed
16. FS Malik Golden - 6'0" 205, missed 17 tackles and average range. $15K ($3K SB, $12K base)
17. CB Zach Franklin - 6'0" 195 4.58
18. OL Richard Levy
19. SS Chanceller James
Note: C Jon Toth (210) - 6'6" 305, 2nd or 3rd best C in the draft (not official; pending signing d/t injury time/healing)

Naturally, I don't expect to have too many make the team but it should easier for Kyle to get those players as UDFA who could be role players or add real depth.

Looking more & more like Lynch will have to implement his plan B WRT Foster...but it's not just RF to replace. I think the final part of his plan should include ILB Josie Jewell, a real tackling machine. Malcolm Smith is coming off an injury and Lloyd's entering the final year of his rookie contract. My guess is he won't be retained. The LB corps needs upgrading...this draft is a great time to do it.

Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:

Looking more & more like Lynch will have to implement his plan B WRT Foster...but it's not just RF to replace. I think the final part of his plan should include ILB Josie Jewell, a real tackling machine. Malcolm Smith is coming off an injury and Lloyd's entering the final year of his rookie contract. My guess is he won't be retained. The LB corps needs upgrading...this draft is a great time to do it.

Agreed...deep draft for LB's...Josie is a great one. Like with Reid, Ray-Ray and Tartt, we could always take a SS to play WILL as well or run more 3-safety looks. Lots of ways around dealing with Foster being gone in this scheme.

I keep stressing how both the LB and SS group comes in prepared for our scheme. They are so used to playing pass defense because of all the spread offenses, it should be a seamless transition of skill sets.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by Giedi:
I was skeptical of Obo at first, then NY85 and the other draft experts pointed him out and so I took a look at some of the highlights - not quite as explosive as Landry, but that 360 degree spin move along with his hand fighting and explosive arc rushes were eye opening.

I revisited your 5th round picks and later. I just have to say your concentration on defense in the 5th round all the way to the end was brilliant in that you are relying on Kyle's eye for offensive undrafted talent to fill out the offensive depth.

I like Kappa's athleticism. It's interesting that Jaquisi Tart is bigger than Dorian O'donnel! But I like the fact that maybe can play both LB and SS in a pinch and it is a strong special teams player. I love James Loony's ability to penetrate and disrupt. We've been very lucky with DB's recently, and I think that has to do with the strong talent evaluators that John Lynch has assembled to help him, and also his own back ground and experience playing at that position. I'm thinking this is another area, that the 49ers can draft low round prospects, polish them up, and trade them later for draft picks.

For undrafteds, I like your desire for another raw Juszczyk to train for short yardage situations. I agree with your sentiment on the interior line. I don't know if we need to have competition for center with Erik Magnuson and Richburg able, I think, to man that position. But competition is always good anytime in this game. I'm ready for Bolden Jr to get a starting spot and leave the returning duties to, as you said, potential undrafted returners.

Quarterback, I don't know if I'd waste a 7th rounder for a QB that Kyle can tutor into a credible NFL starter, I think an undrafted QB would be fine. I really am looking for BeatHard to take a quantum leap in pre-season and really do so well that hopefully the undrafted QB (Mullens or Undrafted QB) can be showcased and be shopped later in this season or next season for more draft picks.

I just want *more* draft picks!

G, thanks for the review and open mind again. Once we had our T/G and WR in-training, I was good on offense.

Why? Because after that, we need role-players with specific skill sets or push-starters.

Check out the list of UDFA's we nabbed last year. Look how many made the 53.

UDFA's:
UDFA - Contract Information:
1. QB Nick Mullens - 6'1" 187, good productive career but small. $20K ($2K SB, $18K Base)
2. T/G Erik Magnuson (164) - 6'6" 305, versatile, zone, cut-blocks, reach blocks, connects moving targets
3. T Darrell Williams Jr. - 6'5" 315. $10K ($5K SB $5K Base)
4. G/C J.P. Flynn - 6'6" 310, solid size, growth potential but limited in blocking systems
5. G Evan Goodman - 6'3" 288 5.16. $6,500 ($2,500 SB, $4K Base)
6. FB Tyler McCloskey - 6'1" 237 4.87
7. RB Matt Breida - 5'9" 195 4.37 (1st), Vert: 42" (1st), Broad: 11.2 (1st), 225: 23 (3rd), bad 2016 season. $30K ($5K SB, $25K Base)
8. TE Cole Hikutini - 6'4" 247, great hands but poor blocker. $110K ($10K SB, $100K Base)
9. ZWR Kendrick Bourne - 6'1" 203, good size and production but lacks in speed (4.67)
10. ZWR B.J. Johnson - 6'0" 215, 4.59, doesn't have ideal speed/burst; possession target with his NFL body and reliable hands
11. YWR/KR Victor Bolden - 5'8" 178 4.54, slot and kick/punt returner
12. ER/SAM Noble Nwachuckwu - 6'1" 268, NFL Comparison: Pernell McPhee
13. ER/SAM Jimmie Gilbert - 6'5" 230 3rd-team AP (51 tkls, 14 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles). $12K
14. WILL Donavin Newsom - 6'1" 238 4.50, fast, instinctive, aggressive, not big and can get blocked out
15. FS Lorenzo Jerome - 5'10 204, instinctive, ball-hawk, very physical, TO-machine but small & 4.62 speed
16. FS Malik Golden - 6'0" 205, missed 17 tackles and average range. $15K ($3K SB, $12K base)
17. CB Zach Franklin - 6'0" 195 4.58
18. OL Richard Levy
19. SS Chanceller James
Note: C Jon Toth (210) - 6'6" 305, 2nd or 3rd best C in the draft (not official; pending signing d/t injury time/healing)

Naturally, I don't expect to have too many make the team but it should easier for Kyle to get those players as UDFA who could be role players or add real depth.

Great stuff NC. Thank you for that Undrafted rundown. I took a look at the Seadderall SeaChickens undrafteds of last year (2017) and of the 15 undrafteds that they brought into their team, only 1 made it. That's an indication of how bad *we were* as a talent deficient team, or how bad *they were* in getting talent onto their team. I rather think that we were a bit more talent deficient than the fact that ShanaLynch did a good job of getting good players from the undrafted corps. I think Seadderall was more talented hence, less undrafteds made it onto their team last year. Still, that's a bad sign when your team isn't getting any younger. On top of that Seadderall jetzoned a lot of their veterans last year and I think they will be relying on undrafteds to fill the void, so to speak, this year. The rams did a little better in the undrafteds with 4 making the team in 2017. Cardinals has - in my estimation - 2 undrafteds make the team last year. (used Wikipedia to figure this out)

I think one of the reasons we were so strong defensively during the Harbaugh years was the ability of Tomsula to get undrafteds to perform like starters. Ian Willaims was an example. He'd be a decent round draft pick if he was drafted. The fact that we are getting undrafteds on offense bodes well for the continued strength of this offense. I think getting undrafteds on the DB side with Lorenzo Jerome and Chancellor James bodes well for the defense also. I think Lynch will contribute to his side of the equation with his undrafted DB's. I think a real key to maintaining offensive and defensive dominanace is to be able to get undrafted talent.

Dwight Clark, Dana McLemore, Jesse Sapoulu, Derrick Harmon, Chet Brooks, and Antonio Goss were all drafted after the 7th round during Walsh's time, and I think they made a big difference in our super bowl wins. They would be considered undrafted by today's rules.

Originally posted by Giedi:

Great stuff NC. Thank you for that Undrafted rundown. I took a look at the Seadderall SeaChickens undrafteds of last year (2017) and of the 15 undrafteds that they brought into their team, only 1 made it. That's an indication of how bad *we were* as a talent deficient team, or how bad *they were* in getting talent onto their team. I rather think that we were a bit more talent deficient than the fact that ShanaLynch did a good job of getting good players from the undrafted corps. I think Seadderall was more talented hence, less undrafteds made it onto their team last year. Still, that's a bad sign when your team isn't getting any younger. On top of that Seadderall jetzoned a lot of their veterans last year and I think they will be relying on undrafteds to fill the void, so to speak, this year. The rams did a little better in the undrafteds with 4 making the team in 2017. Cardinals has - in my estimation - 2 undrafteds make the team last year. (used Wikipedia to figure this out)

I think one of the reasons we were so strong defensively during the Harbaugh years was the ability of Tomsula to get undrafteds to perform like starters. Ian Willaims was an example. He'd be a decent round draft pick if he was drafted. The fact that we are getting undrafteds on offense bodes well for the continued strength of this offense. I think getting undrafteds on the DB side with Lorenzo Jerome and Chancellor James bodes well for the defense also. I think Lynch will contribute to his side of the equation with his undrafted DB's. I think a real key to maintaining offensive and defensive dominanace is to be able to get undrafted talent.

Dwight Clark, Dana McLemore, Jesse Sapoulu, Derrick Harmon, Chet Brooks, and Antonio Goss were all drafted after the 7th round during Walsh's time, and I think they made a big difference in our super bowl wins. They would be considered undrafted by today's rules.

That sounds accurate regarding Seattle vs. us and where we're at in the rebuild. As a result, I'd be surprised if more than 3 UDFA's make it this year.

The best part is Kyle has outlined exactly the prototypes for each position and each role within them. In the NFL, you need a lot of parts and players that can do specific things to help make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

Wow. Breida's numbers were off the charts. Lucky to nab him as UDFA.

Originally posted by Rathof44:

Wow. Breida's numbers were off the charts. Lucky to nab him as UDFA.

Totally!

My guys rated high!

The perfect Elephant & SAM.

2. Harold Landry, Boston College – Early-Mid Round 1

The vast majority of elite pass rushers in the NFL have to be able to win around the outside of the tackle, and nobody in this class does that better than Landry. He's got all the traits, production and tape you want at the position. How he isn't getting top ten hype I just do not understand.

Ideal Scheme Fit: 4-3 defensive end, to maximize his explosiveness. Hypothetically he can play either.

9. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma – Late Day 2

I'm a fan of Okoronkwo's intensity and hustle, as few have worked harder to develop into a dangerous pass rusher. There isn't really a power element to Okoronkwo's game, and he struggles to incorporate a counter move when his initial rush is stopped. If he fixes his stance and gets off the ball quicker, I do think Okoronkwo has the ability to win with speed and bend at the top of the arc. He's very inconsistent right now, but I'd love to work with a guy like him as a coach.

Ideal Scheme Fit: 3-4 outside linebacker who can drop and cover as needed. Plenty of experience in that role at Oklahoma. He can even play off the ball some as a SAM linebacker.

Outstanding final draft NC. The fact that you throw in JG at 43, which I think everyone should be doing in their mocks, really puts it all in perspective as that 1 2nd round choice has afforded us such freedom in a draft that we haven't had in years.

The double dip on my 2 favorite Edge rushers is pretty much my draft wet dream.

Originally posted by KezarLivin:

Outstanding final draft NC. The fact that you throw in JG at 43, which I think everyone should be doing in their mocks, really puts it all in perspective as that 1 2nd round choice has afforded us such freedom in a draft that we haven't had in years.

The double dip on my 2 favorite Edge rushers is pretty much my draft wet dream.

Thank you for that. I was trying to be as responsible as possible. Yeah, Landry at LEO, OO as SAM, would certainly be a wet dream!

I thought, to be fair to the FO, I'd assess my own value as it turned out in real life --- which was an odd draft all around in several ways. Both RT Alex Cappa and WILL Dorian O'Daniel went earlier than my original projections. I was looking for a RT and WILL in those two spots so my replacements would have been RT WIll Richardson (Jags) & WILL Micah Kiser (Rams). All my other picks were available when we were on the clock.

And that's where it gets weird. Harold Landry makes it to the 2nd round, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo made it to the 5th and Equanimeous St. Brown made it to the 6th. Nobody saw that coming!

I was planning on drafting a developmental RT to train for a year behind Trenton Brown and address the T situation next off season depending on 1) how Brown played, 2) how much he'd cost and, 3) how far along my drafted RT was coming around. Our FO saw it as an immediate need and addressed it first. Since I didn't trade back or up, I didn't gain or lose value either way. One could argue I lost value on the three who went later, much later on two of them, but I got my guys for my schemes nonetheless. Therefore, we can review just the picks themselves and how they'd contribute.

9 - Harold Landry, 9th pick, 2nd round (41)
59 - Carlton Davis, 31st pick, 2nd round (63)
70 - Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, 23rd pick, 5th round (160)
74 - Equanimeous St. Brown, 33rd pick, 6th round (207)
128 - Alex Cappa, 30th pick, 3rd round (94) / Will Richardson (Jags)
143 - Dorian O'Daniel, 36th pick, 3rd round (100) / Micah Kiser (Rams)
184 - James Looney, 14th pick, 7th round (232)
223 - Trayvon Henderson, UDFA
240 - Kameron Kelly, UDFA

How'd I do? Looking at what our FO actually did, I projected getting roughly 1,700 snaps out of the group next year (1K for McGlinchey, 500 for Pettis and 200 for James). The rest are backups and most would get special teams snaps (big add in returners).

ShanaLynch: Snaps
1 (9/9): Mike McGlinchey, RT, 1K snaps
2 (12/44): Dante Pettis, WR, 500 snaps
3 (6/70): Fred Warner, MIKE, 0 snaps
3 (31/95): Tarvarious Moore, CB, 0 snaps
4 (28/128): Kentavius Street, BE, 0 snaps
5 (5/142): D.J. Reed, SCB, 0 snaps
6 (10/184): Marcell Harris, S, 0 snaps
7 (9/223): Jullian Taylor, 3T, 0 snaps
7 (22/240): Richie James, YWR, 200 snaps

With my group, I get 3,200 snaps out of them, nearly twice as much as I project with our actual draft class. I expect 1K snaps from Landry. With Landry, I expect him to be an every-down ER. Reuben Foster plays behind him which affords security in run defense and allows Landry to pin his ears back and do Landry-things. He'd be spelled here and there by either Marsh or Attaochu but not much (100-200 snaps). This also allows us to move Solomon Thomas to Big End. Carlton Davis would work in as a DIME-only DB and give you 300 snaps while training for the future under Sherman like what the FO plans for Moore/McFadden. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is a SAM/ER who plays on the strong side and doesn't come off the field, giving your 1K and saving a roster space (Eli Harold+Elvis Dumervil). On early downs, his Hulk frame helps in run defense and on 3rd downs, his freaky long arms help him rush the edge from that same side opposite Landry. Perfect fit. Like Dante Pettis is the heir to Trent Taylor, Equanimeous St. Brown is a bigger-bodied ZWR who will groom under Garcon for a year, work in as a RZ target and be moved around. With his height, he's a big target for Jimmy G but it's his deceptive 4.5 speed and crisp route running and separation that gets him up to 500 snaps. With Thomas moving over to Big End, James Looney adds 400 versatile snaps relieving him and even sliding inside a bit to the NT on passing downs (like what Thomas does now). Trayvon Henderson, Micah Kiser and Kameron Kelly add ST snaps. Will Richardson will be inactive while he learns behind Staley, Brown and Gilliam. Micah Kiser is quality depth behind veterans Foster, Toomer and M.Smith.

NCommand: Snaps
9 - Harold Landry, 1K snaps
59 - Carlton Davis, 300
70 - Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, 1K
74 - Equanimeous St. Brown, 500
128 - Will Richardson, 0
143 - Micah Kiser, 0
184 - James Looney, 400
223 - Trayvon Henderson, 0
240 - Kameron Kelly, 0

Overall, I feel like I got two FT starters, three PT players and several others in-training and I punted the T situation to next year, adding up to 3,200 starting snaps from this draft class. ShanaLynch made the T situation a priority and traded up losing draft capital, got players in-training, and made ST a big priority, adding up to 1,700 starting snaps from this draft class. They clearly had their sights set on 2019.

Now we get to see how things unfold and reevaluate on a future date.