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ESPN analyst Todd McShay posted a three-round mock draft with the idea that he is the general manager for each team, makes the selections based on what he feels is best, and not what he hears from around the league. It's a format that would land each NFL team a grade of "A" from McShay.
No trades are allowed in this mock, so teams need to stay put with their current selections. Below is how the San Francisco 49ers ended up with McShay as the one calling the shots.
Round 1, Pick 9: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama Round 2, Pick 59: Jessie Bates III, S, Wake Forest Round 3, Pick 70: Josh Sweat, DE, FSU Round 3, Pick 74: Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama
"San Francisco was staring at a top-five pick with a 1-10 record, but the 49ers will gladly take their current position with Jimmy Garoppolo now set at QB after riding a five-game winning streak to end the season," wrote McShay. "This is a little high for Ridley, who isn't a true NFL No. 1 wideout, but he's the clear top wide receiver in this class and a smooth route runner. He gives Garoppolo another young receiver to grow with. Bates had a terrific combine and could help replace Eric Reid on the back end. Sweat has a ton of talent but is raw. He'll help add depth to a strong defensive line. Averett is an underrated cover corner."
Ridley isn't a popular pick for the 49ers in mock drafts. In fact, of the 67 that we surveyed last week, none had San Francisco landing Ridley with their top pick. There have been no reports of the 49ers showing interest in Ridley, but representatives from the team were at Alabama's pro day on March 7. Of course, the 49ers were represented in some fashion at nearly every pro day.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot and 189-pound Ridley had a 40-time of 4.43 seconds, a vertical jump of 31 inches, a broad jump of 110 inches, completed the three-cone drill in 6.88 seconds, had 15 reps in the bench press, and a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.41 seconds.
Ridley doesn't put much stock into combine numbers and is confident he can help an NFL team.
"I don't get into a receiver stance and broad jump before I run a route," Ridley told NFL.com at his pro day. "Whoever gets me is getting a great player."
While there have been no reports of any meetings between 49ers representatives and Bates or Averett, the team interviewed Sweat at the combine and held a private workout with him in March.
Below is where some of the more popular 49ers selections among mock drafts ended up within McShay's latest mock.
7-round mock draft from The Athletic sees 49ers fortifying defense early
By David Bonilla
Apr 17
Analyst Dane Brugler recently revealed his seven-round mock draft for The Athletic, forecasting all 257 selections in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, set to kick off next week.
"Piecing together a mock like this is time consuming, but I enjoy the exercise, because it allows me to focus on each team's needs, organizational trends and prospect-team pairings that make sense based on '30' visits, league buzz and overall interest," Brugler wrote.
Most expect the 49ers to address the trenches early in the draft, and Brugler has the team doing that. It's just not on the offensive side of the football. In fact, Brugler doesn't have San Francisco
7-round mock draft: 49ers trade up to fortify secondary
By David Bonilla
6 hrs
The San Francisco 49ers first selection in next week's draft comes at No. 31 overall. However, NFL Media analyst Chad Reuter doesn't have the Bay Area team remaining at that spot in the first round. In his seven-round mock draft, he envisions the 49ers striking a deal with the Green Bay Packers to move up six spots to No. 25 overall, where they select former Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Reuter notes, "Whether it's for a cornerback like McKinstry, an offensive lineman or a receiver, the 49ers could very well give up a mid-round pick to acquire one of the few missing pieces on an otherwise potent roster."
The rest of the mock draft reveals at least part of the
49ers trade up for offensive lineman in mock draft
By David Bonilla
5 hrs
The San Francisco 49ers hold the No. 31 overall pick, but speculation abounds that they may seek to move before or during the first round of next week's NFL Draft. With the offensive line as a prime target for improvement and the position going mostly ignored in free agency, a strategic trade-up to acquire an impact player could be in the cards.
Alyssa Barbieri proposes such a scenario in her latest mock draft for USA Today's Touchdown Wire. Barbieri envisions the 49ers trading with the Miami Dolphins to move up 10 spots, selecting former Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham.
Latham started 27 games
49ers address both sides of the ball in latest Kiper 2-round mock draft
By David Bonilla
Apr 10
The San Francisco 49ers have overhauled their defensive line in free agency, bidding farewell to defensive tackle Arik Armstead and defensive end Chase Young while bolstering their ranks with the signings of defensive ends Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos. Additionally, they acquired defensive tackle Maliek Collins via trade.
Having focused primarily on the defensive side of the ball in free agency, the 49ers are widely anticipated to turn their attention to the offensive side in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Long-standing ESPN analyst Mel Kiper unveiled his latest mock draft, this
