Prediction No. 1: 49ers will take a linebacker in Round 1 unless Derwin James is still on the board
Taking Roquan Smith of Georgia or Virginia Tech's Tremaine Edmunds would make plenty of sense. Both fit the scheme and satiate the need for a long-term solution to the Reuben Foster dilemma.
Lynch said this week the team has to operate as though Foster won't be around for the long haul after being charged with domestic violence earlier this month. Finding his replacement – or potential running mate if he somehow comes back – is prudent if the defense is going to continue developing.
Tony Pauline of Draftanalyst.com, who's generally plugged in to all things draft, said the 49ers are coveting Edmunds. That could be because Smith might be off the board to the Colts picking sixth with needs on defense. James has been a popular name linked to Tampa Bay at No. 7.
But I have to think James would be the top player on San Francisco's board if available. He checks every box from a scheme fit standpoint, his leadership qualities, physical traits and potential star power. Jaquiski Tartt is entering the final year of his contract. Free agent Eric Reid is unlikely to return after leading the secondary in snaps played last season. James could address one of the team's biggest needs a year in advance. He might have more All-Pro potential than any other defender slated to go inside the top 10.
So if he's on the board, it seems highly unlikely the 49ers would pass on that kind of talent. If he's gone, say to Tampa Bay, then San Francisco appears likely to take a linebacker. The other name to keep an eye on is Alabama's versatile defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, who could play all five positions in the secondary.
Prediction No. 2: If the 49ers trade down, they will target Harold Landry or Marcus Davenport
We've made our feelings pretty clear about Landry in this space. I wrote on Easter why I think he would be the best pick for San Francisco. But there's little buzz about Landry to the 49ers, which makes me think he's a more likely possibility if the team trades back from No. 9 – perhaps with a team needing a quarterback if one happens to slide.
Say Miami, picking 11th, or Buffalo, selecting 12th, wants to give San Francisco a second-round pick to move back a few spots. It's something the 49ers might consider because there could be starting-caliber linebackers in Rounds 2 and 3. If that's the case, moving down for Landry or Davenport would make sense, if the 49ers believe either player would still be on the board to help solve their pass rusher woes along the edge. And it would give them a shot at finding another starter to build around with the extra pick.
Prediction No. 3: The 49ers will draft one of: Isaiah Oliver, Carlton Davis or Quenton Meeks
Lynch said this week the team has a profile it looks for in cornerbacks: The Richard Sherman profile. That means corners likely taller than 6-0 with arms in the neighborhood of 32 inches long. Three cornerbacks slated to go late in Round 1 to early in Round 3 fit the bill and could develop into potential starters. The 49ers need depth at cornerback arguably more than any other position. They lack viable backups behind Sherman and Ahkello Witherspoon.
Oliver is considered a fringe first-round prospect. He was a teammate of Witherspoon's in 2016 and is considered a better prospect coming out of school. The Eagles are picking 32nd and don't have any picks in the second or third round. They could be a trade candidate if the 49ers want Oliver.
Davis might be around when the team picks at No. 59 in Round 2. He's often compared to Sherman given his physicality and length, but he lacks ball skills. The 49ers prioritize corners that can turn the ball over. Meeks, of course, went to Stanford and already has a relationship with Sherman. He would be a possibility with one of San Francisco's two picks early in Round 3.
Prediction No. 4: The 49ers won't take an offensive skill player before Round 3
Dating back to 2008, when Kyle Shanahan
first became a coordinator with the Texans, his teams have never drafted a skill position player (running back, receiver or tight end) before the third round. It's clear he's confident in his ability to get the most out of mid-level talent through his scheming and player development.
The obvious examples from last year's draft are George Kittle and Trent Taylor, fifth-round picks who held important roles while San Francisco finished with the league's third-ranked offense during the final five games of 2017 with Jimmy Garoppolo under center.
The 49ers have clear needs on defense. Mainly at pass rusher, linebacker and cornerback (and safety, looking beyond 2018). That's why it seems likely their first two picks of this draft will be made on defense.
However, San Francisco could address the offensive line before Round 3. A number of guards, like Ohio State's Billy Price, Iowa's James Daniels, Arkansas' Frank Ragnow and tackles like Oregon's Tyrell Crosby, UCLA's Colton Miller could all be possibilities in Round 2, fortifying the top weakness of offense. But the odds are strongly against those early picks being used on skill position players.
Prediction No. 5: The 49ers will draft two cornerbacks, the second will be Christian Campbell on Day 3
Campbell (6-1, 195, 33 1/2-inch arms) is expected to be a Day 3 pick and looks like a real possibility to continue adding depth at cornerback. He was one of the team's known official pre-draft visits. He broke up 13 passes last season in a talented Nittany Lions secondary. His background at safety should help him in the Cover 3 scheme.
But Campbell isn't the only tall, long-armed corner that could be a possibility on Day 3. There's Isaac Yiadom (Boston College), Holton Hill (Texas), Tarvarus McFadden (Florida State) and Levi Wallace (Alabama). All would make sense on the back end of the depth chart to help contribute on special teams before developing into more prominent roles going forward – perhaps after Sherman's time is done.
Prediction No. 6: The 49ers will find a hybrid linebacker / strong safety
Versatility is becoming more and more important in the NFL while offenses get more diverse. Tight ends and running backs are getting increasingly difficult to cover in the passing game which forces defense to focus on athleticism in the draft. That's why players like BYU's Fred Warner, Clemson's Dorian O'Daniel or Ohio State's Jerome Baker could make sense for San Francisco.
Warner could be one of the team's selections in Round 3 if they don't end up with a linebacker in Round 1. Or the team could double up at the position, particularly if they want to add a contrasting player to Tremaine Edmunds.
Perhaps Edmunds brother and Virginia Tech teammate, Terrell, would be a possibility. Or Penn State's Marcus Allen. Both are bigger strong safeties that could play linebacker in sub packages.
Prediction No. 7: The 49ers will draft a "big" defensive end on Day 3
The 49ers began last season with Tank Carradine as their top "big" end to set the edge in base packages. He signed with the Raiders in March. This week, Lynch said former first-round pick Arik Armstead will take over that role. Armstead is likely entering his contract year and won't have his fifth-year option for 2019 picked up next month. Ronald Blair played sparingly last season due to injury and was initially drafted to play in a 3-4 by the previous regime.
Suffice to say, the 49ers might consider adding a defensive end for running downs for the next four seasons while Armstead's future remains uncertain.
This is where a player like Ohio State's Tyquan Lewis would fit after logging 36.5 tackles for loss in four seasons along the Buckeye's imposing front seven. Other candidates could include USC's Rasheem Green, Lewis' college teammate Jalyn Holmes or NC State's Kentavius Street.
Prediction No. 8: The 49ers will draft a running back, but not a big, short-yardage type
Shanahan's teams have drafted running backs in six of the last seven drafts. This is a deep class at the position, making it likely he drafts another to throw into the mix with Matt Breida, Joe Williams and Raheem Mostert behind free agent addition Jerick McKinnon.
But it doesn't sound like Shanahan is going to prioritize size at the position. He said at the owners meetings, according NBC Sports Bay Area: ""We'll continue to look in the draft, and we'll always look to add running backs. … When it comes to a big bruiser for the goal line, no one is just running over guys unblocked, either. You need to find open holes and be a good running back."
So don't be surprised if Shanahan drafts someone like shifty running back Mark Walton (Miami), Akrum Wadley from Iowa or Notre Dame's Josh Adams in the later rounds.
Prediction No. 9: The 49ers will make at least four trades after making six last year
San Francisco moved up and down the board last spring with six trades throughout the draft, including two in Round 1 (moving back for Solomon Thomas and up for Reuben Foster). Here, we'll guess they're just as active, setting the bar at four trades during the draft's three days.
Prediction No. 10: The 49ers will bring in a player from Stanford during or after the draft
Lynch's affinity for Stanford players is no secret. And the Cardinal are putting out a few players that could fit for San Francisco. The most likely appears to be cornerback Quenton Meeks, while tight end Dalton Shultz and defensive back Justin Reid (Eric's brother) are also possibilities. In undrafted free agency, guard David Bright and pass rusher Peter Kalambayi could also make sense.
[ Edited by NCommand on Apr 25, 2018 at 5:28 PM ]