49ers' Kyle Shanahan moves up and grabs a rookie QB while keeping Jimmy Garoppolo.
The Set-Up
The main topic of conversation surrounding the 49ers, continues to be the rampant speculation around the quarterback position. I head into this mock under the assumption that Jimmy Garoppolo will be the 49ers starting QB heading into the 2021 season based on the comments from 49ers GM John Lynch.
Since the 49ers are keeping Jimmy in this mock, I look at how I would build out this roster through the draft under this set of circumstances.
These mocks will soon reflect free agent implications.
Whether the 49ers go into the 2021 season with Jimmy Garoppolo or not, there is a real need for quality QB play in the form of a backup and/or eventual starter.
Currently the team rosters: Jimmy Garoppolo - Josh Rosen - Josh Johnson
MOCK DRAFT 3.0
Trade Alert!
Dolphins Receive: 12th Overall - '22 1st/2nd/3rd - 21' 4th + Tarvarius Moore
49ers Receive: #3 Overall
John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan knows this is a "what have you done for me lately" league and lately Jimmy Garoppolo has been injured more than he's been available.
They understand the need to continue to build for the future and even if Jimmy plays in 2021 for the 49ers -- his cap hit in '21 ($26.1M) and '22 ($27M) could force the team to make other plans based on upcoming free agents like Fred Warner, Nick Bosa.
Pick 3 - QB Ohio State - Justin Fields
John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan finally slam the door on all the talk surrounding them and every QB under the sun by moving up and selecting Justin Fields at pick #3.
Justin Fields brings his ability to operate pro-style concepts including complex play-action philosophies which is a staple in the Kyle Shanahan offense. He also brings his ability as one of the most dynamic runners of the football from the QB position in this draft class.
The combination of being a prototypical pro-style pocket passer while having elite running ability behind an amazing arm is a combination that we have not seen very often in the NFL.
When I look at Fields, I see a Russell Wilson-esque type QB. These types of QB are high-functioning cerebral guys who also bring the great athletic ability behind it.
Arguably the most accurate passer in this class, Fields would thrive in Kyle Shanahan's scheme and would be a great compliment to the style of defense that I envision the 49ers having.
TRADE ALERT!
49ers trade back and receive: Pick #50 & #81 from the Dolphins for pick #44 & #182
If the 49ers keep Jimmy Garoppolo like they have stated they are going to do, this means the need to acquire and hit on cost-controlled rookies due to future cap concerns.
Luckily for the 49ers, this draft is loaded with really good players and gems in the middle rounds so I added another top 100 pick to drop back 6 spots.
(Traded) Pick 50 - Northwestern CB - Greg Newsome II
Newsome has been one of the biggest risers in buzz this past week after Daniel Jeremiah ranked the Big 10 DB in the top 40.
Admittedly, I had yet to look into Newsome and DJ's ranking caused me to do my research on him. Glad I did because he looks like the real deal.
One of my takeaways from the tape was how fluid of an athlete his is. There are many large, rangy CB’s in this class. Newsome on the other hand, has the ability to track WR1’s all over the field due to his top-notch athleticism. He has the ability to play both press-man and off-zone due to these traits.
I see Newsome as a day 1 starter in the NFL and could fill in right away for the 49ers as an outside corner and play multiple different roles including nickel CB in certain situations.
As you can see, Newsome is a very versatile DB and his athletic ability makes this possible. Also, everything I have gathered from the character perspective seems to have Newsome as a high quality guy that any team would welcome.
Wouldn't be surprised to see him enter firm 1st round consideration come draft time.
(Traded) Pick 81 - Minnesota CB - Benjamin St. Juste
Because the 49ers keep Jimmy in this mock, that likely translates to Jason Verrett leaving via Free Agency. Dropping back 6 spots in the second round, the 49ers get their (hopefully) 2nd starting CB in this class from the pick acquired from the Dolphins.
Although St. Juste is a raw prospect, he shows a lot of promise from a physicality standpoint. I grab a 6'3" CB to pair with the athletic Greg Newsome on the outside. Due to the 49ers facing some of the best big-bodied WR's in the NFL twice a year (DK Metcalf - DeAndre Hopkins - Cooper Kupp) St. Juste comes in to provide reinforcements. He will match up really well against big bodied WRs and TE's.
A guy who can work great out of off-coverage, I see him as a great fit for the 49ers presumed zone-scheme.
St. Juste showed well at the Senior Bowl and definitely looked the part of an NFL corner throughout the week of practice and during the game.
I would use St. Juste in more off-ball situations and let him read and react. He has the tools to be successful in in press-man but feel he needs to keep polishing his technique. He has plenty of room for growth and could turn into a legitimate starting corner in the NFL.
Pick 97 - USC WR - Amon-Ra St. Brown
St. Brown may hold the title for most 'under the radar' prospect thus far in the draft partly due to him only playing in 6 games and turning 41 catches into 478 yards this past season.
However, St. Brown brought in 7 touchdowns (1st in Pac-12) in 6 total games while bringing in just 6 touchdowns the year prior with 13 total games played. St. Brown was headed for double-digit touchdown production if the season wasn't abbreviated due to playing in the Pac-12 who started late due to Covid.
From a traits perspective:
St. Brown is a 6'1" 200 LBS wide-out who can play outside or play from the slot. I see a guy who would fit the 49ers scheme by being able to be implored in multiple facets and positions. He has the speed to take the top off of defenses, split defenders and be used as a deep threat.
He is a stud when coming across the middle and is also fearless. He would be a great asset with the 49ers shallow-mid passing game and the trend of using our WRs in multiple situations.
Pick 117 - UNI EDGE - Elerson Smith
As you likely know, I have been hunting for quality EDGE players since the beginning of #DraftSZN. With Dee Ford's time likely done in SF due to a back injury, Nick Bosa recovering from ACL injury and Hyder being a Free Agent who could demand a large salary, EDGE is a massive need for the 49ers.
This is how I currently see it. If you can't get your hands on one of the top-5 pass rushers in the first round, teams should be able to get a solid tier 2/3 EDGE player in the middle rounds i.e. Elerson Smith.
Smith may have been the largest players at the Senior Bowl, showing up at 6'6" 250 LBS. His size instantly stood out to me on a field full of NFL prospects. He passed the size test, but continued to flash all week at practice.
Smith's 2019 Stats: 15 GM - 21.5 TFL - 14 sacks - 5 FF - 4 PD
As you can see from just a few clips, his massive size does not hinder his movement skills in the slightest.
Typically when looking at large DL prospects, that is the main thing I look for -- I actually want my large DE's to play "smaller" than their size would indicated because large DL typically don't move the best.
Elerson shows me everything I want to see from an EDGE with his size: Active hands, power, quick feet, awareness, open space tackler, decent bag of pass rush moves, keeps good leverage, shows promise with run fits.
Pick 173 - Kentucky C - Drake Jackson
Some of you may be scratching your head as I take the 49ers first OL super late in the draft.
We know Laken Tomlinson & Mike McGlinchey will be returning for sure and there are a lot of questions with this group. Ben Garland is a FA who I would prefer to have back in 2021. But even if he is to return, we will need a suitable backup. (OL will be properly addressed in Mocks once Free Agency is over)
Jackson is a fringe-starter as a rookie depending on where he lands. If he were to land with the 49ers, I could see him starting in 2021 if Garland didn't return.
He's an averaged sized center around 6'2" sub 300 LBS but has solid technique in pass protection. He understands how to anchor his hips, however larger DL will still be able to move him. He is definitely a zone center (smaller build - quicker) which fits what the 49ers do. He was the last starting-caliber IOL available in the mock simulation.
Pick 198 - UAB WR - Austin Watkins
Watkins is one of my favorite players in the entire class and balled out at the Senior Bowl. There is no chance in hell that he falls this far but he's here so I took him.
From a roster construction standpoint, 49ers need to bring in at least two new WR's to compete with the current players on the roster. Watkins is a guy who would absolutely make the roster.
He is a legitimate complete WR who can do everything extremely well. He has the desired measurable and speed combined with a 'dawg' mentality. One of the best prospects during the week of the Senior Bowl, I see Watkins being a legit WR in the NFL.
I
know scouts in attendance saw his ability as well so I would be shocked to see him fall this far.
Pick 228 - Michigan RB - Chris Evans
Another Senior Bowl standout, Chris Evans was someone I noticed almost right away when I first showed up to Mobile.
I believe Evans is just another casualty of the Jim Harbaugh offense. Not only that, Evans was academically suspended during his career and I feel that really affected his ability to return to form from a usage standpoint.
Evans is a great athlete who could serve multiple roles as a rookie. I feel he can be a key special teammer and would use him how Raheem Mostert was used on special teams prior to winning the starting job. Based on what I saw from Evans in Mobile, I feel he can be a legit NFL RB.
He really is the full package from a traits perspective and is a product of off-field politics as he only was given 16 carries as a senior.
Pick 238 - Colorado DL - Mustafa Johnson
Think DJ Jones when you look at Mustafa Johnson which is exactly what I am drafting him to be. Jones is a free agent and will likely leave so I bring in a guy with a similar mold.
Mustafa will be considered undersized but feel he can be used as a rotational pass rushing NT or a 3T in base downs. I would say his game is more geared toward getting after the passer, as he brings a few solid pass rush moves with him to the NFL. He is more of a "twitched' DL with a good initial quickness that allows him to get into OL quickly.
His best season came as a freshman where he recorded 7.5 sacks and 15.5 TFL. Every year since then was a decline so that will be something teams will need to understand why that occurred. Not bad for the last pick in the 7th round for the 49ers.
Let us know what you think of Mock draft 3.0!
