Mock drafts are abundant right now, and most project the San Francisco 49ers to target an offensive or defensive lineman with their first-round pick. After a disappointing 6-11 season, the team holds the 11th overall selection and could prioritize strengthening the trenches.
However, NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks sees general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan taking a different approach. In his first mock draft, Brooks has the 49ers selecting Michigan cornerback Will Johnson as their top pick.
"The return of Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator could prompt the 49ers to invest in a top cover corner to match up with the talented receivers within the division," Brooks noted.
At 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, Johnson possesses the ideal physical traits of a top-tier cornerback prospect. He appeared in just six games this past season, missing time due to a shoulder contusion and a turf toe injury. Despite the limited action, he recorded 14 tackles (one for a loss) and two interceptions—both returned for touchdowns.
Over three seasons with the Wolverines, Johnson amassed 68 tackles (four for a loss), nine interceptions, three touchdowns, and 10 passes defensed.
Brooks projects Johnson as the second cornerback off the board, with Colorado's Travis Hunter going to the New England Patriots at No. 4 overall.
Cornerback Charvarius Ward is expected to leave the 49ers in free agency, but the team still has Deommodore Lenoir, a rising star, and Renardo Green, a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. While bolstering the offensive and defensive lines may be a priority, San Francisco exploring other options with its top pick wouldn't be surprising.