The NFL Draft begins Thursday and it is a vital draft for John Lynch and the San Francisco 49ers.
Sure, the Niners might be the defending NFC champions and the team to beat through 2024, but this offseason — and this draft — is time for a reset in Santa Clara. The future of this team must be imported this spring.
With 10 picks in this draft and loaded classes at several positions of need, Lynch’s team is in a pretty good spot.
This mock draft represents something of a best-case scenario, mixing the moves I expect the Niners to make with the moves I think the Niners should make, given their values and plans.
And it all starts with a big exchange.
Commerce: choices No. 31 and 124 in Washington… Picks No. 36 and 78 in San Francisco
Pick #36: Kingsley Suamataia – OT – BYU
Suamataia has everything you look for in a future starting left tackle, except for the necessary polish on his feet and hands. He stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 325 pounds and moves with grace and power. Teach him to exploit all these natural abilities and you will have a key player for the next 10 years. Suamataia also represents a starting spot in this draft, who is tackle-heavy, but, like the Niners’ roster, top-heavy – he is the last reasonable “future starting left tackle” pick in this draft.
No. 67: Ruke Orhorhoro – DT – Clemson
A one-gap monster with an insane run, Orhorhoro represents a perfect scheme for the Niners defensive line. His athleticism should translate into interior pressures, sacks and tackles for loss. His functional strength on the field should help the Niners’ run defense be stronger in 2024. He’s a high-end, high-end pick.
Trade: picks No. 78 and 211 to Baltimore… Picks #93, 113, 130 in San Francisco
No. 93: Cooper Beebe – OG – Kansas State
No. 94: Ben Sinnott – TE – Kansas State
Back-to-back Kansas State Wildcats fill important needs for the Niners. The top pick gives San Francisco a trustworthy, offensive guard with a massive punch. Let Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford fight for a spot instead of putting two in danger.
With Sinnott, the Niners get a No. 2 tight end who is solid in the running game and has enough finishing and upside potential to become No. 1 if George Kittle gets injured.
And with both Wildcats, you know you’re getting A-level endurance.
No. 113: Brennan Jackson – DE – Washington State
The Niners need a 5-technique defensive end who can also hold the edge and make some sacks. San Francisco was at its best early on when Arik Armstead was in the role (before the Niners moved him to 3-tech and, ultimately, 1-tech). This Jackson, unlike his namesake Drake, is capable of doing this. With a big motor and surprising polish, he’s the highest-tier defensive hope you can land outside of the top 25. (He’s a terrible DE class.)
No. 130: Cedric Gray – LB – North Carolina
The 49ers need a linebacker to replace Dre Greenlaw at least for the start of the season. Gray is the best linebacker in this class and should be available after pick 100. Is this the most pressing need? No, but the Niners need great (cheap) depth across the board and Gray, a torpedo of a linebacker, would provide just that.
No. 132: Ainias Smith – WR – Texas A&M
It might be a bit of a stretch to take Smith here, but with the Niners doing a lot of work in his area of the draft, they shouldn’t hesitate to reach out and take Smith, who is one of the ” Deebo Samuel” of the draft. guys” seems to be most poised to make such an impact upon arriving in the league. He won’t beat press coverage or separate as much as a route runner, but if you throw him open (a Kyle Shanahan specialty), he’ll run for hours with the ball. He also becomes your best punt and kick returner, the latter job being much more valuable this season with the new NFL rules.
No. 135: Malik Mustafa – S – Wake Forest
A smart, reliable safety who can play in the box or in coverage and brings the boom every time he drives, Mustafa is one of the most underrated prospects in the draft and will keep the Niners from signing a safety (or two) off the street. again this season.
No. 176: Kimani Vidal – RB – Troy
Vidal is a bowling ball and a workaholic. It is also extremely reliable. He didn’t fumble once in college, even though he threw the ball over 700 times. Christian McCaffrey needs a viable number 2. Vidal can be the thunder to McCaffrey’s white lightning.
No. 215: Daequan Hardy – DB – Penn State
The Niners need to bring in someone who can play the role – they want to let Deommodore Lenoir play outside corner in 2024. Hardy thrived in that role last season for Penn State. Questions about his size will weigh on his draft stock, but the Niners’ top nickelback, K’Waun Williams, was 5-foot-9, 185 pounds with questions about his deep speed. Playing the slot machine requires a different type of temperament. I think Hardy has it.
No. 251: Dylan McMahon – C – NC State
His movement profile is off the charts and when you’re looking for a center in an outside zone system, that’s where you need to go first. Given the program’s proliferation in the NFL, I’m surprised McMahon is a Day 3 pick — let alone a late pick — but questions about his playing strength persist. The Niners can afford to expand on this, likely sending McMahon to the practice squad for the 2024 season.
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