Post-Holiday's Mock Draft

Hope y'all had a great holiday!

Since the Niners are sadly out, have been playing around with a mock draft and mock offseason (had a pretty slow work week before and during the holidays), and based on what I've seen in games, both NFL and college, here's what I think currently could happen (please feel free to rip it apart, always great to hear everyone's feedback, especially when I get to learn about players I may haven't checked out yet):

Offseason

Players Extended = Purdy, Kittle, Juice

Purdy pretty obvious, would love a 7-8yr deal that'd allow us to constantly restructure to open cap space (ala Mahomes), but he's clearly the future, enough said

Kittle has played himself into an extension that should help bring down his cap number, and Juice is a trooper and I don't see anyone who can fill into his role right now, so lock him in.

Resign = Greenlaw (4yrs), Givens (1yr), Rock-Ya Sin (1yr), Conley (1yr), Flanigan-Fowles (2yr)

Greenlaw is heart and soul of the defense, even with injury issue we didn't expect him to be at his best until playoffs at earliest, let him heal up and be that nightmare force (will also help keep coaching up Winters in case we need to let Greenlaw go due to those injuries). Rest are for depth and special teams.

Cut/Let Go/Release/Retire = Moody, Ward, Banks, Hufanga 😢, Saurbet, Feliciano, Moore, Graham, Yiadom, Campbell, Hargreaves, B. Willis, Brendel

Unfortunately due to cap, can't afford to bring back Ward, Hargreaves, or Hufanga who will all get big contracts, and Banks hasn't earned the big contract he'll get for being a starting guard next to Trent (ala Laken Tomlinson). Feliciano is retiring, and the rest are just cap casualties, except of course for the quitter Campbell, the never was Willis, and Moody shouldn't expect a locker after this season, probably needs to learn how to sell insurance. Brendel has been a good stop-gap, but we need a real center to run this offense! Okay, venting done, onto good news!

Major FA signings = Drew Dalman (Center), Asante Samuel Jr/Elijah Molden (DB)

I don't expect a big sweep of major signings, probably depth pick ups, but I do expect two big ones to speed up the restocking process. First off, to run a Shannahan offense, need a stud LT and a super smart/athletic Center. Drew Dalman is the best available Center who runs zone blocking offense in ATL. Although a starter, ATL does have a cheaper center option they can keep and revamp their defense, so Dalman becomes available, allowing us to have a real center in his prime since Newberry (Goodwin and Mack were good but we're in later parts of career, Dalman is turning 26 in 2025), 4yr deal. As for the DB, I expect Chargers to only resign one of them, not both, so whoever isn't signed will be a prime target for the Niners to get. If Samuel, expect 2yr deal, and if Molden expect 3-4yr deal. Both will complete outside coverage and allow Lenior to rotate as needed.

Draft (used MockDraftDatabase, ran 50 simulations and got this on most averages):

R1-11 = Will Campbell, OT

Future LT, can start at RT from Day One. I like Conerly Jr and Banks as well, but can't risk Conerly making it to 2nd round. Also had surprise chances at Graham/Carter falling, but don't expect either to make it past pick 10.

R2- 49 = Deone Walker, DT

Due to no stud defensive players available (missed out to Jackson, Harmon, Grant, and Nolan), felt okay trading back twice to get 2 additional 3rd rounders and a 5th rounder this year, and two 3rds in 2026, though ended up passing on Jonah from Arizona and Jarhad from Texas. In return the Niners still get an upgrade at DT in Walker. I saw him play quite a bit this season, and for his size he's VERY athletic and ate up blockers at a high clip to let his teammates get sacks and stops (ala Ole Miss game). Will help stop the run immediately and can help cut down on those double teams Bosa faces.

R2 - 52 = Donovan Jackson, G

Trade up with TB using two late 3rds (one from trade back), 4th rounder, and future 3rd, but with a chance to draft a future pro bowl LG who has also shown ability to play tackle as needed. Need to fix this OL ASAP to keep Brock upright and taking us to playoffs for years to come!

R3 - 75 = Maxwell Hairston, CB

A little smaller than our usual DB model, but Hairston is a damn good cover corner and can make big plays we've been sorely missing. One of the reasons why I was okay not drafting Jarhad from Texas, but will need time to develop into starter, can at least start as dime corner.

R3 - 99 = Barrett Carter, LB

I really wanted Danny Stutsman from OU, but for a good consolation Barrett Carter is a great pick up. High energy, reads plays well, still needs to improve coverage skills but his style should be great in our scheme.

R4 - 137 = Jared Ivey, DE

One of the steals of the draft here, get someone who was a potential 1st rounder in preseason in the 4th. Yes, injury concerns are there, but potential alone with his size and leverage could be major upgrade.

R5 - 152 = Sebastian Castro, S

5th rounder from trade back locks in a DB from Iowa, who pretty much generate consistent starters every year. Sure tackler and can compete for FS. Mustapha is a double for Hufanga, but still hunting for FS, so can compete against Brown while also playing ST.

R7 - 221, 230, 249, 254 = Antwane Wells Jr. (WR), Raheim Sanders (RB), Eli Stowers (TE), Yahya Black (DT)

Depth roles, add speed for the offense, a TE to help fill the Saurbet role, and DT for rotation.

Finally, we replace ST coach but give Sorensen 1 more season due to injuries slowing down development. Only way I could see changes is if Ulbrich or Saleh express interest, but Saleh probably joining GB staff and Ulbrich will be in demand.

Hopefully didn't bore y'all, please provide feedback!

I like a lot of the picks. I am hoping for one of the top DTs to fall to our pick in round two. Definitely like that you went OT round one. If Will Campbell is not available, however I think I would look for an edge like Scrouton (or Graham if he falls of course).

Originally posted by Leathaface:
I like a lot of the picks. I am hoping for one of the top DTs to fall to our pick in round two. Definitely like that you went OT round one. If Will Campbell is not available, however I think I would look for an edge like Scrouton (or Graham if he falls of course).

Thanks! Yeah, after running the multiple mocks to get to the average, I kept seeing this pattern:

If we snag OT in 1st (Banks, Campbell, Conerly, Ersery), all the top DL are gone by pick 33-34, and if we snagged DL in 1st (Graham, Carter, Scrouton, Grant, Harmon) then all the top OT are gone by pick 28. When I traded up for either/or in late 1st it was great, but then unless we really spend in FA we lose out on many other positions of need.

The two guys I kept wanting to snag (Stutsman and RB Kyle Monangai) kept getting picked up by the damn Dolphins or Rams right before our picks. Is there anyone you think would've been better options at the spots I had?

Originally posted by Crazy49er1313:

Originally posted by Leathaface:
I like a lot of the picks. I am hoping for one of the top DTs to fall to our pick in round two. Definitely like that you went OT round one. If Will Campbell is not available, however I think I would look for an edge like Scrouton (or Graham if he falls of course).

Thanks! Yeah, after running the multiple mocks to get to the average, I kept seeing this pattern:

If we snag OT in 1st (Banks, Campbell, Conerly, Ersery), all the top DL are gone by pick 33-34, and if we snagged DL in 1st (Graham, Carter, Scrouton, Grant, Harmon) then all the top OT are gone by pick 28. When I traded up for either/or in late 1st it was great, but then unless we really spend in FA we lose out on many other positions of need.

The two guys I kept wanting to snag (Stutsman and RB Kyle Monangai) kept getting picked up by the damn Dolphins or Rams right before our picks. Is there anyone you think would've been better options at the spots I had?

One of the guys I really like his Smael Mondon Jr on Georgia. If he has a good combine he may end up as as R2-4 LB. He is a bit undersized at LB and he had an arrest at Georgia for speeding/reckless driving (like a ton of guys) so he is projected R4-6. Despite the arrest, he really is the leader of that defense. I always like George LBs and they've had a lot of success in the NFL the last few years.

Not sure Campbell is a LT at the next level. Overall I just feel like the DL at the top of this draft are better overall prospects than OL.

I mean Campbell might be an early pro-bowler if moved inside. I'm not really down to draft a guard that early.

Originally posted by Leathaface:
One of the guys I really like his Smael Mondon Jr on Georgia. If he has a good combine he may end up as as R2-4 LB. He is a bit undersized at LB and he had an arrest at Georgia for speeding/reckless driving (like a ton of guys) so he is projected R4-6. Despite the arrest, he really is the leader of that defense. I always like George LBs and they've had a lot of success in the NFL the last few years.

I thought about him too in the 5th, but his size was my big issue. You are right that UGA defenders seem to transition great into pros, but felt Carter might fit better in system. If we snagged Mondon though I wouldn't be mad at all 👍

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Not sure Campbell is a LT at the next level. Overall I just feel like the DL at the top of this draft are better overall prospects than OL.

I mean Campbell might be an early pro-bowler if moved inside. I'm not really down to draft a guard that early.

Thanks for the feedback!

I was thinking of Campbell or Banks potentially at LG to start as rookies to learn from Trent and then transition to LT when he retires, but based on Campbell's overall play I think he could at least start at RT. If we did decide Campbell for LG first, then I'd be fine putting Jackson at RT (watch his play past few games at OSU, he's done pretty good at LT).

With signing of Dalman I felt it was important to invest in OL early, and the depth of DL allowed for later picks. If we did pick DL at 11 who'd you choose @NYniner85?

If Graham or Carter were there I'd probably choose them based on overall level of talent, but as I mentioned before I don't expect either to fall past 9.

Love the emphasis on solidifying both sides of the line of scrimmage. Like you, I think Will Campbell can be a tackle in pros. I too would start him at RT and see how he performs. I could be wrong, but he is a 3 year starter in the SEC and has performed quite well.

Originally posted by YayArea:
Love the emphasis on solidifying both sides of the line of scrimmage. Like you, I think Will Campbell can be a tackle in pros. I too would start him at RT and see how he performs. I could be wrong, but he is a 3 year starter in the SEC and has performed quite well.

Thanks! I just saw your mock draft and thought it was great too (only one knock was on TE, but understand where it was going, I just feel there's enough TE depth for later picks and strong DL/DE picks in 2nd), and when I saw the Ole Miss and Texas A&M games I was lower on Campbell/Jones as the top OTs, and could see the NFL guard comps.

After watching again and more games against future NFL players, he showed improvements and growth towards NFL Tackle. Sure his best year was with Daniels at QB, but I think under Trent's wing he could be a great pick.

Only issue i have is resigning Juice. Time to let him go and spend that money elsewhere. he really doesn't do much. All his targets should be for Pearsall Campbell will be a tackle in the NFL. He's been balling too much to move to guard unless he just doesn't pan out. I don't think the niners would draft him that high though.

Originally posted by Crazy49er1313:
Thanks for the feedback!

I was thinking of Campbell or Banks potentially at LG to start as rookies to learn from Trent and then transition to LT when he retires, but based on Campbell's overall play I think he could at least start at RT. If we did decide Campbell for LG first, then I'd be fine putting Jackson at RT (watch his play past few games at OSU, he's done pretty good at LT).

With signing of Dalman I felt it was important to invest in OL early, and the depth of DL allowed for later picks. If we did pick DL at 11 who'd you choose @NYniner85?

If Graham or Carter were there I'd probably choose them based on overall level of talent, but as I mentioned before I don't expect either to fall past 9.

If you want some good draft analysis on lineman go checkout Brandon Thorne. Best in the business imo. He doesn't have Campbell graded out as a OT. I think he grades out similar to Peter Skoronski.

I like banks/ Membou/simmons and I don't think you need to use the 11th overall pick there.

Im all for Dalman, I feel like I had us drafting him a couple yrs ago. DL seems to be where we should be going. Feel like there should be good talent available there.

I love it. Our DB room would be the biggest problem in the world if we got who I wanted to get in the 1st Pl., Asante Samuel Junior and if we got the falcon center too, and any of those three tackles will be shut off to a pretty damn nice start.

Originally posted by NYniner85:
If you want some good draft analysis on lineman go checkout Brandon Thorne. Best in the business imo. He doesn't have Campbell graded out as a OT. I think he grades out similar to Peter Skoronski.

I like banks/ Membou/simmons and I don't think you need to use the 11th overall pick there.

Im all for Dalman, I feel like I had us drafting him a couple yrs ago. DL seems to be where we should be going. Feel like there should be good talent available there.

Thanks for the great insight! I've been checking out a few more OL options, and I really like Simmons more than I should…especially with his injury

I'd be happy snagging Membou in the 2nd/3rd, his tape has been really strong, especially for the Zone blocking scheme