Sims' Mock Draft 2.0

With over $50 million in cap space and roughly 12 draft picks, the 49ers have a lot of ammo to make some major moves this off-season. I believe our top priorities are Offensive Line and impact players on Defense. Therefore, I see us addressing the Oline during Free Agency to significantly open up our draft board to start building a power house again. With the addition of Chip, our offense is immediately improved, immensely. Although I really believe we will not utilize all 12 draft picks, I stayed away from trades during this iteration with the goal of contending in 2017.

Free Agency:

C – Alex Mack (Browns) 6-4/311 opts out of his contract (as expected) and we make a major push for him to come and shore up our Offensive Line for good. Pay him whatever and allow him to be the anchor for the next 6-8 years!

DE – Malik Jackson (Broncos) 6-5/290: Originally had us trading for Wilkerson and the #20 pick but that may be unrealistic and impossible considering his and the Jets situation. Jackson on the other hand has really came on as a player and the Broncos will have a hard time re-signing him and Von Miller as Jackson will more than likely command similar money to what they just re-signed Derek Wolfe for and we have that kind of cash and need for his services.

OG – Ronald Leary (Cowboys) 6-3/320: Had a great year in 2014 but got injured and ultimately lost his job to the rookie, Collins in 2015. Probably wants to start again and could provide competition for that LG spot at a very reasonable contract.

OT/RG – Anthony Davis returns and although I expect him to compete at that RT spot, I think our line would be stout if he moves inside to RG and let's Brown and the talented rookie battle it out.

Re-sign:

NT Ian Williams – Arguably the 2nd best defensive player on our team last year and will look even better with an upgraded bookend in Jackson.

Release/Let Walk:

Boldin, Boone, Bush, Celek, Dawson, Draughn, Brooks, Pears, Devey, Simpson, Lemonier, Jerod-Eddie

Saw an article on Niner Nation after the Vernon Davis trade that showed the following draft picks:

1. First round: Own pick
2. Second round: Own pick
3. Third round: Own pick
4. Fourth round: Own pick
5. Fourth round: Comp pick (Mike Iupati)
6. Fifth round: Own pick
7. Fifth round: San Diego Chargers (2015 draft-day trade)
8. Fifth round: Comp pick (Perrish Cox)
9. Sixth round: Dallas Cowboys (2015 draft-day trade)
10. Sixth round: Denver Broncos (Vernon Davis trade)
11. Sixth round: Comp pick (Dan Skuta)
12. Sixth round: Comp pick (Frank Gore)

I will utilize CBS Sports Prospect Rankings to compile my mock draft:

Mock Draft:

1) OLB – Noah Spence / Eastern Kentucky 6-3/254: I am hooked that he is the best pass rusher in this draft and is exactly what we need on defense since we addressed our Dline already. I had us trading back to #20 for him but with the way he is shooting up the boards, it is best to just stay put and draft him here. He had an issue with ecstasy but that doesn't appear to be the case anymore and he would be exactly what Aldon Smith was his rookie year; a dominant situational pass rusher until he completely takes over the position in 2017.

2) WR – Tyler Boyd / Pittsburgh 6-2/200: Has the size Chip loves and the ability to become a #1 WR. Despite playing with three different QBs in his three years at Pitt, Boyd still put up 1,000 yards twice and over 900 yards this past season. Not a downfield threat but has great hands, attacks the ball, will get open in Chip's scheme, has been a very productive WR regardless of who his QB was and will be solid across from Torrey Smith.

3) ILB Scooby Wright / Arizona 6-0/240 – He could go at the end of the 2nd round to a team like Pittsburgh but I'm obviously hoping he doesn't. And because of his talent and playmaking ability, he is a must snag right here in order to add depth to that ILB unit with hopes that he can unseat Hodges this year.

4) QB – Dak Prescott / Mississippi State 6-2/226: Very athletic, strong enough arm and a playmaker; but more importantly, he has shown great improvement as a passer and could fit very well in Chip's offense. I would expect for him to sit his entire first year while we see what we have in Kap and Gabbert but Prescott could certainly challenge for that starting spot next year or at worst, become a quality back-up. He is projected as a 3rd to 4th rounder so he could be gone at this point but not much further than here so I feel comfortable projecting a realistic chance at drafting him early in the 4th.

4) OT – Le-Raven Clark / Texas Tech 6-6/312: CBS Sports has him slotted to go in the 4th round and believes he has what it takes to start in the NFL citing his quick set up, wide base, terrific knee bend and weight transfer. I was impressed with Brown at RT but competition is always a good thing. With Anthony Davis coming back and us signing Ronald Leary, I think we will have a solid competition across the board and ultimately slide AD to RG to have Tiller, Kilgore and Thomas compete for that LG slot with Leary.

5) SS – Jayron Kearse / Clemson 6-4/220: Kearse is projected to go late 4th-early 5th and with the Chargers early pick in the 5th and Baalke's love for drafting Safeties, Kearse makes a lot of sense. He has tremendous size at 6-4, bloodlines to former NFL players, Phillip Buchanon and Jevon Kearse, and great range. Will need to develop so he can make a name for himself on STs and play a larger role in a year or two when Bethea is done.

5) CB – Cyrus Jones / Alabama 5-10/196: Fiery competitor that has started on the one of the best defenses in the nation over the past couple of years. He also has great punt return value as he led the nation in yards while posting an impressive average. Adds a winning pedigree in an elite conference, depth to that nickel back position and competition (and at the least a solid back-up) to the return game.

5) OLB – Alex McCalister / Florida 6-5/240: Absolute stud rushing the passer. A little undersized and a reach at this point according to his 7th round projection but he has the frame to add a little more bulk and the talent to cause havoc so might as well grab our guy here. Drops because of character concerns.

6) RB – Tyler Ervin / San Jose St. 5-10/192: Small school prospect but very explosive. He can serve as the "Darren Sproles" type of back in Chip's offense. Elusive and quick out in space and can challenge Ellington as the kick and punt returner as he has 5 TD returns between the two. Despite his size, he was very successful running between the tackles in college. Competition is somewhat of an issue but he will not be an every down back for us, just a change of pace and third down back once he picks up the intricacies of pass protection from a RB.

6) DT – D.J. Reader / Clemson 6-3/340: Big boy to help man the middle in our 3-4 defense. Played on an elite defensive line unit with Clemson and can be a solid back-up in the run game for Williams. I expect a lot of Dline rotation this year so depth here is big.

6) TE – Jake McGee / Florida 6-5/252: Being a Gator fan and seeing Jake projected to go in this round, might as well grab him. We opt not to re-sign Celek and get Busta Anderson back but McGee is a natural TE that could put up solid numbers in Chip's offense when the opportunity comes. He has started in a run-heavy system so blocking is not too much of an issue.

6) K – Ka'imi Fairbairn / UCLA 6-0/183: Originally had us taking Roberto Aguayo in the 5th round but felt adding to our defense and special teams with Cyrus Jones gave us better value. However, Fairbairn is the 2nd best kicker in this draft and well worth taking at this point.

Depth Chart:

Offense:

QB – Kap/Gabbert/Prescott

RB - Hyde/Harris/Ervin/Davis/Hayne
FB – Miller

LT – Staley/Clark
LG – Leary/Kilgore/Tiller/Thomas
C – Mack/Kilgore
RG – Davis/Tiller
RT – Brown/Clark

TE – McDonald/Bell/McGee/Anderson
WR – Smith/Boyd/Smelter/Patton/Ellington/Dres Anderson

Defense:

RDE – Jackson/Tank/Purcell
NT – Williams/Reader
LDE – Armstead/Dial

ROLB – Spence/Harold/McCalister
ILB – Wright/Hodges
ILB – Bowman/Hodges
LOLB – Lynch/McCalister

CB: Brock/Reaser
CB: Johnson/Acker
Slot: Ward/Jones

FS: Reid/Ward/McCray
SS: Bethea/Tartt/Kearse

Special Teams:

K – Fairbairn
P – Pinion
KR: Ellington/Ervin
PR: Ellington/Jones/Hayne

This is a strong mock offseason. The 49ers would be very fortunate if things played out this way.

Yea very impressive but I'd much rather have Kilgore at guard with AD at RT.

I like this one.

very nice..i wouldn't be mad at all if it ended up like this..but if I can change a couple things I think I would try to sign a veteran OLB for a year bc im unsure Harold is ready (I hope im wrong) considering Spence will play a roll like Aldon did his rookie year..i like Boyd but personally if Doctson is there id rather him..and as for Kearse..id love the pick but will he really fall that much..? Love the Scooby and Prescott picks...but regardless my opinion..great work..

I like this draft , but I'd bet Spence would start from day one

Love this draft don't know if Kearse falls that far but if he did then bye bye Reid.

Originally posted by NeeJ49er:
I like this draft , but I'd bet Spence would start from day one

yeah he is that talented..would be excellent for us if so..

Originally posted by Hysterikal:
Love this draft don't know if Kearse falls that far but if he did then bye bye Reid.

He could develop into a solid SS, that we can sic on opposing TE's and shut their asses down

Originally posted by Sims19849ers:
Mock Draft:

1) OLB – Noah Spence / Eastern Kentucky 6-3/254: I am hooked that he is the best pass rusher in this draft and is exactly what we need on defense since we addressed our Dline already. I had us trading back to #20 for him but with the way he is shooting up the boards, it is best to just stay put and draft him here. He had an issue with ecstasy but that doesn't appear to be the case anymore and he would be exactly what Aldon Smith was his rookie year; a dominant situational pass rusher until he completely takes over the position in 2017.

2) WR – Tyler Boyd / Pittsburgh 6-2/200: Has the size Chip loves and the ability to become a #1 WR. Despite playing with three different QBs in his three years at Pitt, Boyd still put up 1,000 yards twice and over 900 yards this past season. Not a downfield threat but has great hands, attacks the ball, will get open in Chip's scheme, has been a very productive WR regardless of who his QB was and will be solid across from Torrey Smith.

3) ILB Scooby Wright / Arizona 6-0/240 – He could go at the end of the 2nd round to a team like Pittsburgh but I'm obviously hoping he doesn't. And because of his talent and playmaking ability, he is a must snag right here in order to add depth to that ILB unit with hopes that he can unseat Hodges this year.

4) QB – Dak Prescott / Mississippi State 6-2/226: Very athletic, strong enough arm and a playmaker; but more importantly, he has shown great improvement as a passer and could fit very well in Chip's offense. I would expect for him to sit his entire first year while we see what we have in Kap and Gabbert but Prescott could certainly challenge for that starting spot next year or at worst, become a quality back-up. He is projected as a 3rd to 4th rounder so he could be gone at this point but not much further than here so I feel comfortable projecting a realistic chance at drafting him here.

4) OT – Le-Raven Clark / Texas Tech 6-6/312: CBS Sports has him slotted to go in the 4th round and believes he has what it takes to start in the NFL citing his quick set up, wide base, terrific knee bend and weight transfer. I was impressed with Brown at RT but competition is always a good thing. With Anthony Davis coming back and us signing Ronald Leary, I think we will have a solid competition across the board and ultimately slide AD to RG to have Tiller, Kilgore and Thomas compete for that LG slot with Leary.

5) SS – Jayron Kearse / Clemson 6-4/220: Kearse is projected to go late 4th-early 5th and with the Chargers early pick in the 5th and Baalke's love for drafting Safeties, Kearse makes a lot of sense. He has tremendous size at 6-4, bloodlines to former NFL players, Phillip Buchanon and Jevon Kearse, and great range. Will need to develop so he can make a name for himself on STs and play a larger role in a year or two when Bethea is done.

5) CB – Cyrus Jones / Alabama 5-10/196: Fiery competitor that has started on the one of the best defenses in the nation over the past couple of years. He also has great punt return value as he led the nation in yards while posting an impressive average. Adds a winning pedigree in an elite conference, depth to that nickel back position and competition (and at the least a solid back-up) to the return game.

5) OLB – Alex McCalister / Florida 6-5/240: Absolute stud rushing the passer. A little undersized and a reach at this point according to his 7th round projection but he has the frame to add a little more and the talent to cause havoc so might as well grab our guy here. Drops because of character concerns.

6) RB – Tyler Ervin / San Jose St. 5-10/192: Small school prospect but very explosive. He can serve as the "Darren Sproles" type of back in Chip's offense. Elusive and quick out in space and can challenge Ellington as the kick returner. Despite his size, he was very successful running between the tackles in college. Competition is somewhat of an issue but he will not be an every down back for us, just a change of pace and third down back once he picks up the intricacies of pass protection from a RB.

6) DT – D.J. Reader / Clemson 6-3/340: Big boy to help man the middle in our 3-4 defense. Played on an elite defensive line unit with Clemson and can be a solid back-up in the run game for Williams. I expect a lot of Dline rotation this year so depth here is big.

6) TE – Jake McGee / Florida 6-5/252: Being a Gator fan and seeing Jake projected to go in this round, might as well grab him. We opt not to re-sign Celek and get Busta Anderson back but McGee is a natural TE that could put up solid numbers in Chip's offense when the opportunity comes. He has started in a run-heavy system so blocking is not too much of an issue.

6) K – Ka'imi Fairbairn / UCLA 6-0/183: Originally had us taking Roberto Aguayo in the 5th round but felt adding to our defense and special teams with Cyrus Jones gave us better value. However, Fairbairn is the 2nd best kicker in this draft and well worth taking at this point.

Depth Chart:

Depth Chart:
Offense:

QB – Kap/Gabbert/Prescott

RB - Hyde/Harris/Ervin/Hayne
FB – Miller

LT – Staley/Clark
LG – Leary/Kilgore/Tiller/Thomas
C – Mack/Kilgore
RG – Davis/Tiller
RT – Brown/Clark

TE – McDonald/Bell/McGee/Anderson
WR – Smith/Boyd/Smelter/Patton/Ellington/Dres Anderson

Defense:

RDE – Jackson/Tank/Purcell
NT – Williams/Reader
LDE – Armstead/Dial

ROLB – Harold/Spence/McCalister
ILB – Wright/Hodges
ILB – Bowman/Hodges
LOLB – Lynch/McCalister

CB: Brock/Reaser
CB: Johnson/Acker
Slot: Ward/Jones

FS: Reid/Ward/McCray
SS: Bethea/Tartt/Kearse

Special Teams:

K – Fairbairn
P – Pinion
KR: Ellington/Ervin
PR: Ellington/Jones/Hayne

pretty nice mock; but what about Mike Davis - RB? do you think they will just let him go, even though they drafted him in the 4th last year?

Originally posted by kingkong916:
pretty nice mock; but what about Mike Davis - RB? do you think they will just let him go, even though they drafted him in the 4th last year?

no, Davis isn't going anywhere. I edited it to put him back on there and Hayne will just have to battle it out again. Good catch!

Originally posted by lamontb:
Yea very impressive but I'd much rather have Kilgore at guard with AD at RT.

I am honestly unsure who would be where but I do know that the competition would be fierce and our Oline would be significantly upgraded from last year

Originally posted by NeeJ49er:
I like this draft , but I'd bet Spence would start from day one

I think he would too and just switched it up. I originally envisioned a Aldon type role in his first season but you're right, he is extremely talented and Harold would serve better in that pass rush specialist role.

I really like it! Would be perfect of you throw in some CB help and a veteran pass rusher