McShay, a draft analyst for the site, now has San Francisco selecting Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward with the ninth overall pick in April's draft. The 49ers' actual draft spot, which will be ninth or tenth, will be determined by a tiebreaking coin flip against the Oakland Raiders at the NFL Scouting Combine later this month.
Following his most successful statistical year at Ohio State, Ward decided to forgo his senior season. In 2017, he registered 37 combined tackles, two interceptions, and 15 passes defensed through 11 games, according to Pro Football Reference. Ward, who is 5-foot-10, earned All-American honors and was first-team all-Big Ten.
In this latest mock, Fitzpatrick is selected two picks earlier by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds of Virginia Tech is chosen by the Raiders one pick after the 49ers.
Here is what McShay has to say about the selection of Ward by the 49ers:
"Well, things have changed a bit for the 49ers, haven't they? With Jimmy Garoppolo looking like a franchise QB, all of a sudden it's no longer a position of need for San Francisco. Instead, the 49ers can look to the defensive side of the ball and grab the best man-to-man cover corner in this draft. Ward lacks ideal starting experience at Ohio State but was exceptional this season and rose quickly up my board."
The 49ers used a third-round pick on cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon last year. Dontae Johnson, who started across from Witherspoon, was erratic in his play and is scheduled to become a free agent.
49ers land among NFL's best running back duos, per Bleacher Report
By David Bonilla
Jun 9
The San Francisco 49ers' success in 2025 could depend heavily on the health and performance of Christian McCaffrey. The star running back endured an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, appearing in just four games and rushing for a career-low 202 yards with no touchdowns.
Now...
49ers sign 4th-round draft pick CJ West to 4-yr, $5.2M rookie deal
By David Bonilla
18 hrs
The San Francisco 49ers have officially signed former Indiana defensive tackle CJ West to his rookie contract. Selected in the fourth round (No. 113 overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft, West becomes the latest addition to finalize his deal from the team's incoming rookie...
49ers face tough choice in Bleacher Report's 2024 NFL re-draft
By David Bonilla
Jun 6
Would the San Francisco 49ers rethink their 2024 draft strategy if they could go back, knowing how a disappointing season played out? Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox explored that hypothetical for every NFL team, rewinding the clock and projecting how the 2024 NFL Draft might...
49ers insider predicts kicker competition outcome—and fans may not love it
By David Bonilla
15 hrs
One of the most intriguing battles heading into San Francisco 49ers training camp is the kicker competition between Jake Moody and NFL veteran Greg Joseph.
Moody, a third-round pick in 2023, is coming off a rocky sophomore NFL season in which he missed 10 field goal attempts...