ESPN analyst Mel Kiper released his third mock draft on Tuesday and projected the two first-round picks for the San Francisco 49ers. The team had just one pick, No. 31 overall, before trading defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts and acquiring the No. 13 pick in the process.
While it is possible that the 49ers trade one of those picks to move down and acquire more draft equity, Kiper has the team addressing two areas of need — wide receiver and cornerback — for now.
With the No. 13 overall pick, Kiper has the 49ers selecting wide receiver Jerry Jeudy of Alabama. He writes the following about the selection:
This pick now belongs to the 49ers, after the Colts traded it to acquire interior disruptor DeForest Buckner. San Francisco could use the pick for a straight replacement for Buckner at defensive tackle -- if Javon Kinlaw drops out of the top 10, he could do damage in the middle of its defense -- but I see wide receiver as a higher priority, particularly after Emmanuel Sanders walked in free agency. Adding Jeudy, who caught 77 passes for 1,163 yards and 10 TDs last season, to a group with Deebo Samuel and Kendrick Bourne makes this a really exciting (and young) trio of wideouts for Jimmy Garoppolo. The 49ers are also trade-down candidates -- after the No. 31 overall pick, they don't pick again until Round 5.
Jeudy finished his college career with 159 receptions for 2,742 yards and 26 touchdowns in three seasons. His best statistical season came during his sophomore year in 2018 when he racked up 68 catches for 1,315 yards with 14 touchdowns.
Kiper has the 49ers selecting cornerback Noah Igbinoghene of Auburn with the No. 31 overall pick. He writes the following about that projected selection:
If the 49ers can get a wide receiver with their first pick, they could turn to the defense with this pick. With DeForest Buckner gone, I thought about defensive tackle, but they still have some talent there with former top-five pick Solomon Thomas moving inside permanently. Justin Madubuike could be an option. But corner is a more pressing need, and you only have to watch Super Bowl LIV to see that. Richard Sherman, who turns 32 later this month, is only signed through 2020, and the Niners don't have a set No. 2 corner. Igbinoghene, a track athlete who is still raw, is my third-ranked corner and he could also help as a return man.
Igbinoghene finished his college career with 92 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, 18 passes defensed, an interception, and a forced fumble through three seasons. His best statistical season also came during his sophomore year in 2018 when he registered 50 tackles, 1.5 for a loss, 11 passes defensed, an interception, and a forced fumble.
