Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus released his latest first-round mock draft on Tuesday, and, like ESPN analyst Todd McShay's mock published on the same day, has the San Francisco 49ers addressing both sides of the football with their two first-round selections.
Palazzolo's projected selection by the 49ers matches McShay's. Both have the team adding wide receiver Henry Ruggs of Alabama with the No. 13 overall pick, a selection acquired via a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. The selection of Ruggs, or any receiver, would represent the 18th consecutive year the team has addressed the position via the draft.
Palazzolo writes the following about the selection of Ruggs, who had an impressive 4.27-second 40-time at the NFL Scouting Combine last month.
The 49ers' offense has been built on speed, and they'll find a way to use Ruggs' 4.2 speed with their current group of playmakers. Ruggs is a field-stretcher but is also capable of taking short passes to the house and doing damage in San Francisco's end around/jet sweep game. After last year's Super Bowl run, the 49ers must continue to add more playmakers to the offense, and Ruggs is a perfect fit with the pick they earned from the DeForest Bucknertrade with the Indianapolis Colts.
The speedy receiver hauled in 86 catches for 1,487 receiving yards with 18 touchdowns over his past two seasons with the Crimson Tide.
Palazzolo's 49ers selection at No. 31, however, differs from McShay's. While the latter went with a cornerback, the Pro Football Focus analyst has San Francisco adding some help along the defensive line, possibly mitigating the loss of Buckner.
Palazzolo has defensive lineman Jordan Elliott of Missouri being added to the 49ers roster and writes the following about the selection.
Elliott is still flying under the radar after posting the top pass-rushing grade in the class a year ago (91.1). He wins with burst, pad level and hand usage, a nice combination that should help mitigate the loss of DeForest Buckner — and at a much cheaper price.
Elliott recorded 68 tackles, 16.5 for a loss, and 5.5 sacks in his final two seasons with the Tigers after transferring from Texas.