ESPN analyst Mel Kiper had former Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa going No. 1 overall to the Arizona Cardinals in his last mock draft. How quickly things change.
Like most other mock drafts across the web, Kiper now has the Cardinals going with former Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray, leaving the San Francisco 49ers with their choice of defensive prospects. And like most other mock drafts, Kiper has general manager John Lynch and company going with the highest-rated defensive player, Bosa.
"The 49ers could be the big winners if Murray goes No. 1 because it means the top pass-rusher -- and my top-ranked prospect -- is still on the board here," writes Kiper.
Despite trading for former Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher Dee Ford, Kiper can envision the 49ers still selecting Bosa and lining him up opposite Ford. The defense's pass rush, a glaring weakness over the years, would suddenly become a strength.
Kiper could also see the 49ers trading the valuable No. 2 pick for more selections, enabling the team to fill even more roster holes. San Francisco could still find someone to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This year's draft class is deep with pass rushers.
"We've seen San Francisco GM John Lynch trade down before; he did it in 2017, when the Bears moved up one spot to take Mitchell Trubisky," Kiper continued, "and the Niners got back two third-round picks and a fourth-rounder. Could Lynch do it again?"
The draft kicks off on April 25 from Nashville, Tennessee and concludes on April 27. The 49ers currently own six selections.
Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen, whom Kiper had the 49ers selecting in his last mock draft, now heads to the New York Jets at No. 3 overall in his latest.
