ESPN's Todd McShay released his first mock draft on Wednesday morning and had the San Francisco 49ers going defense with their top pick. The selecting order within the mock is based on ESPN's Football Power Index with trades accounted for, and not the current draft order based on record and strength of schedule.
Based on ESPN's FPI, the 49ers are selecting fourth overall within the mock. McShay has San Francisco picking safety Minkah Fitzpatrick of Alabama, who would re-join former teammate and 49ers rookie linebacker Reuben Foster.
The 49ers not selecting a quarterback is no surprise considering they traded a second-round pick for Jimmy Garoppolo, who figures to be the team's franchise quarterback of the future. The top two quarterbacks in the draft, Sam Darnold out of USC and Josh Rosen out of UCLA, were selected one and two by the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, respectively.
McShay's mock draft has the 49ers passing on Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, who is selected two picks later by the Cleveland Browns – after the Denver Broncos take quarterback Josh Allen out of Wyoming.
On Wednesday, Fitzpatrick was named a unanimous first-team All-American. He is the 17th unanimous All-American of Nick Saban's 11-year tenure with the Crimson Tide.
Here is what McShay has to say about the select of Fitzpatrick by the 49ers:
"Saquon Barkley could make sense here, but the 49ers have Matt Breida and could re-sign pending free agent Carlos Hyde. Just like his dad did throughout his career, Shanahan has always believed in his ability to identify RB talent that fits his system in later rounds; I'm guessing he and John Lynch will employ a similar strategy. The 49ers have invested heavily on the defensive line in recent drafts, but they need an infusion of talent in the secondary. Fitzpatrick is a true shutdown cornerback who has the versatility to play safety as well."
In addition to signing Breida as an undrafted free agent, the 49ers also selected rookie running back Joe Williams out of Utah in the fourth round of this past April's draft. Williams was placed on injured reserve on September 2 due to an ankle injury.