"No team has a draft board yet, and we still have to get through postseason all-star games, combine testing, medicals, pro days and individual workouts," Kiper writes to remind us. "There's a long time until the draft, and we have to get through free agency before we truly know each team's needs. That's why several of these picks are based on who I think is the best player available."
There is no doubt that one of the San Francisco 49ers' biggest needs – and they have many – is quarterback. On Wednesday, Pro Football Focus had the 49ers selecting quarterback Deshaun Watson of Clemson with the second overall pick. On Thursday, Kiper also had the 49ers selecting a signal caller, but this time it was Mitch Trubisky of North Carolina.
"This isn't a strong draft for quarterbacks," writes Kiper. "Trubisky is the best QB in the draft, but he's only No. 16 on my Big Board. He has only one season of collegiate starting experience, completing 68.2 percent of his passes with 30 touchdown passes and six interceptions. The 49ers still don't have a general manager or coach, and Colin Kaepernick could be on his way out."
Kiper has the Cleveland Browns selecting Texas A&M defender Myles Garrett with the first overall pick and the Chicago Bears selecting Alabama defender Jonathan Allen.
The first round of the 2017 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 27.
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