Mock Draft SZN is upon us!
If our first mock draft of the year even closely resembles the actual draft, the 49ers will be set up for a quick turnaround in 2021.
But we expect these rankings to change dramatically over the next few months so this will be our starting point for the beginning of DraftSZN.
Setting the stage:
No trades being projected yet. We head into this mock draft with Jimmy Garoppolo as the only 49ers starting QB at this time. No QB trades accounted for.
The 49ers need to add depth at
WR - DB - OL - EDGE with all the teams impending free agents in 2021.
Here is how we would build through the draft:
Pick 12 - QB NDSU Trey Lance
A large portion of the fanbase explodes with excitement as this would be the highest the 49ers have drafted a QB since Colin Kaepernick in 2011 NFL Draft.
Trey has been tagged as a "project" by some but that is only because he played in the FCS and opted out of the 2020 season.
Don't get it twisted, Trey Lance is one of the most talented QB prospects in this class but he needs to answer a few more questions. Arm talent and athletic ability won't be one of those questions - I'll want to know how he mentally grasps the pro game and handle the pressure of being in the spotlight - opposed to being on the snowy plains in North Dakota.
Pick 44 - Center Alabama Landon Dickenson
The 49ers OL had to do a lot of shuffling last season due to injury. With starting center Weston Richburg unavailable for the entire year, the team turned to Ben Garland who did a fantastic job at center but was unfortunately injured early in the year. Brunskill had to shift down to play center for the remainder of the year as a result.
The hope is that Trent Williams re-signs; Laken Tomlinson - Dan Brunskill - Mike McGlinchey - Ben Garland - Justin Skule - Colton McKivitz should all be returning.
Adding a physical beast like Dickerson could suit the 49ers well. I can tell you that
Landon will become one of the best OL in the
NFL so getting him in the 2nd is a steal. If you need proof, go ahead and turn on the Alabama vs South Carolina tape and watch him stonewall Javon Kinlaw over and over again from the RG position. He can play all 5 positions across the line so he would be an extremely valuable selection for the 49ers here.
Pick 102 - EDGE Penn State Shaka Toney
*DRAFT CRUSH DROP*
Draft Crush SZN is officially upon us and Shaka is at the top of my list. He has to be the most under the radar prospect I have come across in this years class, getting out-shadowed by his teammates Parsons - Oweh.
My instagram followers may recall a "Draft Crush Alert" over a month ago, well this is my guy.
Shaka checks every single box for me in regards to speed/bend/technique/awareness/heart/leadership - Whatever it is, he has it and is special. He should not be this low but I take advantage of his perceived value and run to the podium to select him.
Shaka is my favorite prospect ever from an EQ evaluation.
“He’s an amazing leader,” Wade said (teammate). “He’s great at controlling a group of men, getting guys under his wing, getting guys to go to a certain standard. There’s something about him, that gravitational pull, whatever it is, that he’s phenomenal with. He’s a 100% stand-up guy.”
Shaka is currently my favorite prospect in the entire draft.
Pick 116 - WR Florida Gators Trevon Grimes
Trevon Grimes has quietly been one of my favorite prospects over the course of the 2020 season. Grimes represents this new breed of basketball shooting forwards who have opted to play WR instead.
The size and athletic ability is apparent and jumps right off the screen. He is a high-point magician who will challenge for any ball thrown his way.
With the 49ers seemingly need to retool the WR room, with many players likely to be on new teams in 2021 and with the news of Deebo Samuel headed for surgery, you best believe the 49ers will be looking for additional WR help in the draft/FA.
Grimes fits more of your Jauan Jennings profile but feel Grimes is a more fluid athlete - same kind of dawg.
Pick 155 - S Virginia Tech Divine Deablo
Arguably the best name in the draft and rumors of tartt's time in SF being officially closed, we focus on bringing in a Safety who can play beside Jimmie Ward.
Deablo is a raw prospect but someone I can definitely see starting on Sundays. The 6'3" stud Safety can come downhill with the best of them. He proves to be a great asset when helping in the run game or playing from within the box. He also hold up well in coverage and has solid movement skills for a DB of that size.
Definitely a more rigid athletic profile but I think he can slot into Tartt's role and challenge for day 1 snaps. This kid has real potential.
Pick 171 - RB Virginia Tech Khalil Herbert
Some of you could be noticing a trend, I like a lot of Virginia Tech players this year. Herbert became the first Hokie since 2015 to rush for 1,000 yards with his tally of 1,204 in 2020 - Earned Second Team All-ACC as an all-purpose performer and Third Team as a RB.
One of my favorite things about Herbert is his blocking ability and willingness to block. This will go a long way for scouts as certain coaches won't even put a talented RB on the field if they can't execute their protection responsibilities. That won't be a problem with Herbert.
Herbert has skills that will translate to the zone-sheme perfectly. He's not burner but he is an extremely patient runner who knows how to pick and choose his lane, then explode through. I think Shanahan will like him a lot.
Pick 179 - CB Florida Gators Marco Wilson
Yes, the same Marco Wilson who cost his team a shot at the National Championship game because he threw a shoe. Arguably one of the biggest bone-headed plays I have ever seen in my lifetime.
So why take him? The value is amazing here. Marco Wilson is a good CB with all the traits you want and appears to be scheme diverse. A very active player, has a nose for the football and is not afraid of tackling like the former #3 Gator who came before him. The talent and skill is there.
The questions come about the person and this will be his biggest hurdle. You are taught to protect your team at all costs and his selfishness and lack of situational awareness led to his team missing the Natty. He will have a lot of growing before a team can trust him by taking him with a high draft selection. High-risk/High-reward Prospect.
Pick 193 - WR BYU Dax Milne
I think Zach Wilson's WR1 needs to be a little higher than this but he was not so I swooped.
I think Dax definitely has the tools to be a solid possession WR in the NFL and does a lot of things very well. He reminds me of former Cal WR and Jared Goff's former WR1 - Chad Hansen. Chad Hansen finally got an oppertunity to see snaps this season with the Texans and played extremely well. If Dax lands in the right spot, he can be a contributor for years in the NFL.
Pick 226 - DB Syracuse Trill Williams
Trill's name fits him well because these guy is really trill on the field. He is an absolute dawg. He loves to body people and make plays.
He passes the eye test from a measurable stand-point. I think he may project best to safety in the NFL but could play CB or Nickel CB as well. I think he's best suited for zone scheme's which the 49ers currently implement. Would love to see him on the squad at this value.
Pick 236 - WR North Texas Jaelon Darden
If you have been following along on Instagram, you already know that Jaelon is a "my guy".
He will be knocked for his size the entire process being 5'9" and if you have followed us for awhile, you know what we think of measurable - they are nice but not the end all be all for any prospect. You either can play or you can't and Jaelon is a baller.
Not only does he have great speed but his a legit WR with great routes and hands. He is a guy who will make you team day 1 as returner but can be a deadly slot for any team that uses him that way. He was sitting there so I had to take him.
Recap:
As you can see I prioritized building DB/WR depth through the draft.
Day 1 starters:
Lance -
Dickerson - Toney
Year 1 Contributors:
Grimes - Darden - Milne - Herbert - Wilson - Trill - Deablo
Let us know what you think of the Mock Draft on Social Media!!
