R1 | Taliese Fuaga, OT
Niner fans probably could have never seen this coming, but the niners seemed to have really s**t the bed and shot themselves in the foot by prioritizing a kicker and a 5th string tight end over an offensive tackle. Even if McKivitz's performance this year had been enough to justify the teams apparent optimism, you still need to be constantly bolstering the position as evidenced by Trent Williams going down. Maybe McKivitz or Moore will become a serviceable swing tackle, but the need for an upgrade at starting right tackle is immediately evident, and we also need to start planning for Trent Williams's retirement. Here, we get a bully in the run game with the size and fleet of foot to further develop into an upper echelon pass protector.
R2 | Malachi Corley, WR
The question of whether or not Kittle can continue to be a game breaker as he enters the final 3rd of his career appears to be a question that Shanahan is unwilling to find the answer to. As such, whereas Juaun Jennings and Ray Ray McCloud are fine players, it is obvious that our WR corps is too shallow should even one of Deebo or Aiyuk go down. Jennings specifically has value in his specific role, but he is so stiff and lacks any burst; he is a #4. Corley is an explosive tone setter with a game that models Deebo. Whereas it would be nice to get a big guy or another man-beater in the WR room, Corley is a perfect fit, and someone who when backed up against the wall, you can just get the ball into his hands and let his talent and elite contact balance take over.
R3 | Dontay Corleone, IDL
The niners have a major problem in run defense, and all of our top IDL are more of the penetrating type. Corleone is quick enough to be disruptive against the pass, but its his size and strength that will allow him to contribute immediately as a space eater and people mover against the run.
R3 | Kiran Amegadjie, OL
Maybe Burford is a "fine" player, but a team with Superbowl aspirations should want better than that along the OL, and you need to at least create real competition at that spot. Amegadjie's scouting report will sound a bit like Burford's, being a tackle projected to move inside despite his plus length, agility and foot speed. The difference though, is that Amegadjie has that proverbial dawg in him, and he is looking to finish you every time he gets hands on you.
R3 | Adisa Isaac, EDGE
For how good our DL looks on paper, one thing is sorely missing – speed, speed, speed. Isaac is an explosive and bendy edge rusher who shows an ability to win at the college level with power as well. He will need to put on size to continue that into the NFL, but he should be able to step in as a designated pass rusher pretty quickly. If we are unable to turn our 3rd into an edge rusher at the trade deadline, this is the alternative I would take.
R4 | Jaylan Ford, LB
Even though it is widely understood that the 49ers have the best linebacker corps in the NFL, I feel like the importance of the position still doesn't get the respect it deserves with our DL garnering the bulk of the attention when our defense is hitting on all cylinders. Our linebackers allow our DL to be so aggressive, because they know they are athletic enough to fill gaps vs the run and to give DL time to get home vs the pass. Even though we just added two promising linebackers last year, we should never let this well run dry, especially with Greenlaw a constant injury risk and Warner only getting older. Jaylan Ford is a prototypical modern day 3-down linebacker and absolutely flies around the field.
R4 | Jackson Powers-Johnson, OC
By now, you are sensing a theme with this mock draft. Jackson Powers-Johnson explodes out of his stance so quickly after snapping the ball – it just looks different. He is stout in pass protection and can get out there and move in the run game. Should take over as the starting center early in his first contract, and have an opportunity to earn two more.
R5 | Jaylon Carlies, S
Safety room is looking a bit shallow, before even considering the age of our starting free safety. Assuming 3rd rounder Brown takes over that spot next year, Carlies creates depth behind Hufanga who is having a down year.
R5 | Khordae Sydnor, DE
Part of why our defensive line is underproducing this year is because we did not replace the loss of players like Arden Key or Charles Omenihu who found great success moving around, particularly when lining up inside on pass rush downs or utilized on stunts. Khordae is that type of player, with enough length and strength to set the edge in a more traditional role. Going cheap in free agency is nice, but going even cheaper in the draft can be nice as well.
R6 | Dylan Laube, RBWR
Dedicated return specialist to replace Ray Ray McCloud.
R6 | Derrick Canteen, CB
I actually don't think we're as far off at the CB position as the majority of fans do. Sure, Ambry Thomas sucks, Oliver is next to useless in man coverage, and every other CB has taken their turn getting cooked. But with the proper usage and an effective DLine, I don't think a 1-2 punch of Ward and Lenior is bad at all, and we still have potential upside to untap in Womack and Luter Jr. One thing that IS missing from the CB corps is ball skills, and Canteen has a history of plentyyyy of ball production. I would definitely like to upgrade the CB position, but outside of using a 1st rounder which I think is better spent on OL, I think this is a fine way to bolster the existing unit.
R7 | Zach Heins, TE
Well rounded, do-it-all tight end to right the wrong that might have been Cameron Latu.
R7 | Frank Gore Jr, RB
I have no idea how good Frank Gore Jr is. Outside of a few highlights – man, he has good highlights – I haven't watched him at all. I also don't care. He must be a 49er.
Roster Projection (all players aside from Sam Darnold, I believe, should be under contract):
QB: Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold
RB: Christian McCafferey, Jordan Mason, Tyrion Davis-Price, Frank Gore Jr.
FB: Kyle Juszczyk
OL: Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Spencer Burford, Taliese Fuaga, Colton McKivitz, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Kiran Amegadjie, Ilm Manning
WR: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Malachi Corley, Ronnie Bell, Danny Grey, Juaun Jennings
TE: George Kittle, Brayden Willis, Zach Heins
DL: Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Hargrave, Randy Gregory, Adisa Isaac, Kalia Davis, Dontay Corleone, Drake Jackson, Khordae Sydnor, Kevin Givens
LB: Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw. Jaylan Ford, Dee Winters, Jalen Graham
CB: Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenior, Samuel Womack III, Darrell Luter Jr, Derrick Canteen, Isaiah Oliver
S: Ji'ayir Brown, Talanoa Hufanga, Jaylon Carlies
PK: Jake Moody
P: Mitch Wishnowski
LS: Taybor Pepper
RS: Dylan Laube
[ Edited by adrianlesnar on Oct 31, 2023 at 12:54 PM ]