NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah has updated his mock draft. While many mocks have the San Francisco 49ers selecting Clemson QB Deshaun Watson with the second overall selection, mostly because they are predicting that the Cleveland Browns will go with Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett, Jeremiah has the 49ers going in a completely different direction. He has the 49ers selecting Ohio State CB Marshon Lattimore.
"The 49ers could address the QB position with this pick but Lattimore carries a much higher grade than any of the signal-callers in this draft class," wrote Jeremiah within his mock draft.
Jeremiah went on NFL Network to further explain why he doesn't believe the 49ers should use the second overall selection on a quarterback. "When you're picking second in the draft, it's because you're up there for a reason," Jeremiah said. " (It's) because you have holes all over your roster and you need sure-thing, impact players and for me, Marshon Lattimore, he's the best cover corner in this draft. He's got outstanding ability to mirror wide receivers on the outside. He can take away a number one receiver on the other side of the ball. So, to me, you get a sure thing with that first pick.
Explaining why 49ers shouldn't take a QB in first round
"I just don't know that there's a quarterback worthy of that selection at number two and with a new head coach and new general manager on six-year contracts, I don't know that there's the urgency to get the quarterback thing done right now."
Jeremiah went on to acknowledge that the biggest need on the team is still a quarterback. "But there are a bunch of other needs on this roster and they just need impact players," he said. "So I think the quarterback can be something maybe they address in a later round. But in all likelihood, I think there's a good chance that is a 2018 decision when maybe the top of the draft looks a little bit different there at the quarterback spot."
As for Lattimore, he was finally healthy in 2016 after being plagued by hamstring injuries that eventually required surgery. He would end up with four interceptions and nine passes defended for the Buckeyes during his 2016 redshirt sophomore campaign. He played a full season just once, but many analysts believe that he could quickly become of the of the top cornerbacks in the NFL.
Pro Football Focus graded Tramaine Brock and Jimmie Ward as the team's top cornerbacks for the 2016 season, but Rashard Robinson showed flashes during his rookie campaign. The 49ers drafted two other cornerbacks in 2016. The first was Will Redmond out of Mississippi State. He missed the entire season. The second was Prince Charles Iworah, who spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster in late December.