The NFL Draft starts on Thursday and it’s a vital one for John Lynch and the San Francisco 49ers.
Sure, the Niners might be the reigning NFC Champions and the team to beat going into 2024, but this offseason — and this draft — is a time for a re-set in Santa Clara. The future of this team has to be imported this spring.
With 10 picks in this draft and loaded classes at multiple positions of need, Lynch’s team is sitting pretty.
This mock draft represents something of a best-case scenario, blending moves I expect the Niners to make and moves I think the Niners should make, given their values and schemes.
And it all starts with a big trade.
Trade: Picks Nos. 31 and 124 to Washington… Picks Nos. 36 and 78 to San Francisco
Pick No. 36: Kingsley Suamataia – OT – BYU
Suamataia has everything you’re looking for in a future starting left tackle, save for the necessary polish with his feet and hands. He’s 6-foot-6, 325 pounds and moves with grace and power. Teach him how to harness all that natural ability and you have a cornerstone player for the next 10 years. Suamataia also represents a jumping off point in this draft, which is loaded at tackle, but, like the Niners’ roster, top-heavy — he’s the last reasonable “future starting left tackle” pick in this draft.
No. 67: Ruke Orhorhoro – DT – Clemson
A one-gap monster with insane get-off, Orhorhoro represents a perfect scheme fit for the Niners’ defensive line. His athleticism should translate to interior pressures, sacks, and tackles for loss. His functional strength on the field should help the Niners’ run defense be more stout in 2024. He’s a high-floor, high-upside pick.
Trade: Picks Nos. 78 and 211 to Baltimore… Picks Nos. 93, 113, 130 to San Francisco
No. 93: Cooper Beebe – OG – Kansas StateNo. 94: Ben Sinnott – TE – Kansas State
Back-to-back Kansas State Wildcats fill big-time needs for the Niners. The first pick gives San Francisco a trustworthy and attacking guard with a massive punch. Let Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford fight over one spot instead of putting two in jeopardy.
With Sinnott, the Niners get a No. 2 tight end who is solid in the run game and has enough polish and upside potential to fill in as a No. 1 should George Kittle become injured.
And with both Wildcats, you know you’re getting Grade-A toughness.
No. 113: Brennan Jackson – DE – Washington State
The Niners need a 5-technique defensive end who can hold the edge and chip in some sacks, too. San Francisco was at its best up front when Arik Armstead held the role (before the Niners shifted him to 3-tech, and, eventually, 1-tech). This Jackson, unlike his namesake Drake, is capable of doing that. With a big motor and surprising polish, he’s the highest-floor defensive end prospect you can land outside the top-25. (It’s a terrible DE class.)
No. 130: Cedric Gray – LB – North Carolina
The 49ers need a linebacker to replace Dre Greenlaw for at least the beginning of the season. Gray is the best linebacker in this class and should be available after pick 100. Is it the biggest 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 up a bit and take Smith, who of the draft’s “Deebo Samuel types” looks to be the most ready to provide such an impact upon arrival in the league. He won’t beat press coverage or separate much as a route runner, but if you scheme him open (a Kyle Shanahan specialty), he will run for ages with the ball. He also becomes your top punt and kick returner, with the latter job much more valuable this season with the NFL’s new rules.
No. 135: Malik Mustafa – S – Wake Forest
A smart, dependable 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 prevent 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 workhorse. He’s also uber-dependable. He didn’t fumble once in college, despite rushing the ball over 700 times. Christian McCaffrey needs a viable No. 2. Vidal can be the thunder to McCaffrey’s white lightning.
No. 215: Daequan Hardy – DB – Penn State
The Niners need to bring someone in who can play the slot — they’re keen on letting Deommodore Lenoir play outside corner in 2024. Hardy thrived in that role last season for Penn State. Questions about his size will weigh down his draft stock, but the Niners’ best nickelback, K’Waun Williams, was 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds with questions about his deep speed. Playing the slot requires a different kind of temperament. I think Hardy has it.
No. 251: Dylan McMahon – C – NC State
His movement profile is off the charts and when you are looking for a center in an outside zone system, that’s where you need to go first. Given the proliferation of the scheme across the NFL, I’m surprised that McMahon is a Day 3 pick — much less a late one — but questions about his play strength persist. The Niners can afford to build that up, likely sending McMahon to the practice squad for the 2024 season.
