The draft is fast approaching!
Not really, though. It seemingly takes an eternity to get to the end of the April, which leaves just thousands of hours to draw up endless combinations of mock drafts. They’re often impractical. Nobody ever looks back on them. There’s no accountability for continuity. But the in-the-moment entertainment they provide is second to none. It’s like watching all eight (or 10) Fast and Furious movies in a row each offseason.
But hey, for the sake of convention, here’s a two-rounder for ya. Getcha popcorn ready.
1st Round, Pick No. 2
Mock board of top players available:
Deshaun Watson | QB | Clemson
Mitch Trubisky | QB | North Carolina
Mike Williams | WR | Clemson
Leonard Fournette | RB | LSU
Dalvin Cook | RB | FSU
Jonathan Allen | DL | Alabama
Solomon Thomas | DL | Stanford
Reuben Foster | LB | Alabama
Marshon Lattimore | CB | Ohio State
Malik Hooker | FS | Ohio State
Jamal Adams | S | LSU
The pick is in:
—Mike Williams, WR, Clemson—
You were probably expecting to see Stanford edge Solomon Thomas, or even rangy Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker, who I’ve advocated as an exceptional fit for a 49ers defense in transition. But I’m going to go against the grain.
General manager John Lynch appears sharp and tactical. He is going to reflect on what he has, and think logistically. He’ll see the talent on defense outweighs the talent on offense. He’ll take into consideration that the 49ers haven’t used their first pick on an offensive player since 2012, Illinois receiver A.J. Jenkins.
And that may lead to a conclusion; and one offensively-wired head coach Kyle Shanahan is going to be okay with.
And while they’ve upgraded at receiver, the 49ers still don’t have a WR1 – it’s soon-to-be 31-year-old Pierre Garcon and a phone booth jam packed with slot receivers. The new staff needs to find a young, dominant starter that isn’t in the Kerley-Goodwin-Ellington mold. And it’s also doubtful the new regime sees past draftees Bruce Ellington and DeAndre Smelter as reliable, at best.
Considering all that, and with Williams being a top-10 caliber player, this isn’t bad value.
Another alpha skill player in a long line of Clemson alums, Williams can be the franchise receiver the 49ers have been without for almost 15 years now. In his fourth and final year for the Tigers, the 6-4 pass-catcher recorded 98 grabs, and finished with 1,361 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was also integral in his team’s upset of Alabama in the National Championship.
2nd Round, Pick No. 34
Mock board of top players available:
Patrick Mahomes | QB | Texas Tech
DeShone Kizer | QB | Notre Dame
Dan Feeney | OG | Indiana
Evan Engram | TE | Ole Miss
Jarrad Davis | LB | Florida
Cordrea Tankersley| CB | Clemson
Kevin King | CB | Washington
Charles Harris |EDGE | Missouri
Tim Williams | EDGE | Alabama
Obi Melifonwu | S | Connecticut
The pick is in:
—Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech—
Unfortunately, unless the 49ers trade up from No. 34, they aren’t getting either one of my favorite potential second picks in 2017: Stanford weapon Christian McCaffrey and Temple linebacker Haason Reddick.
In theory, it would also be difficult for the 49ers to continue to put off addressing the LEO spot in their new 4-3 scheme, but this is exceptional value at indisputably the most important position.
Perceivably, with Mahomes’ imperfections and being classed as more of a developmental type, plus a draft loaded with elite defensive talent and offensive firepower, there is a very decent chance he’ll be at the top of the big board heading into Day 2.
In this pick, Shanahan not only gets legitimate first-year competition for Brian Hoyer, who’s going to compete hard, but a young, high-ceiling passer to mold that can grow into the face of the the franchise. And as an added bonus, the team won’t be overpaying in draft picks and/or salary.
Mahomes as a player brings great intelligence, ability to extend plays and create after breakdowns, guts, competitiveness and a big arm. And while a bit erratic at times, his ball placement among this crop is probably understated.
Mahomes, for what it’s worth, also fits the physical profile of quarterbacks Shanahan immediately brought to San Francisco, except he’d be the one with actual upside. Like Hoyer and Matt Barkley, the Texas Tech prospect is 6-2 and in the 225-pound range. And none of them are tentative when it comes to pushing the ball down the field.
This pick makes a ton of sense.
Media courtesy Niners Nation, DraftBreakdown