Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Kiper has 49ers selecting Justin Fields in mock draft with McShay
Apr 20, 2021 at 10:55 AM
•
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
It's time for
ESPN's annual joint mock draft by analysts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay (h/t to
Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports). The two take turns projecting the selections for each NFL team through the first three rounds. While most "experts,"
including McShay, are still predicting Mac Jones of Alabama to head to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 3 overall, Kiper ended up making the pick for the Bay Area team.
Of course, this mock draft doesn't feature what Kiper and McShay envision each NFL team doing with their respective selections. It is what
they would do with the pick. So, had McShay ended up selecting for the 49ers, he has made it clear that quarterback Trey Lance of North Dakota State is his third-ranked quarterback and would probably be the selection.
As expected, Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson go off the board with the first two selections. That leaves Kiper to select quarterback Justin Fields of Ohio State for the Niners.
"You should know by now how much I like Fields," Kiper explains. "He has all the tools to be a superstar, and he'd thrive in Kyle Shanahan's offense."
Kiper later has the New England Patriots trading up and selecting Jones at No. 7, and then the Denver Broncos adding Lance at No. 9.
In the second round, Kiper has San Francisco adding cornerback help with the selection of Tyson Campbell of Georgia.
"Campbell had an inconsistent college career, but teams are looking for high-end traits here," wrote Kiper. "The 49ers let both Ahkello Witherspoon and Richard Sherman walk as free agents."
McShay makes his first selection for the 49ers in the third round, at No. 102 overall. He, too, has San Francisco adding some help on the defensive side of the football with the selection of defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon of Iowa.
"The 49ers had one of the NFL's best run defenses last season," explained McShay. "They drafted
Javon Kinlaw in the first round last April, so let's go back to the defensive tackle well to give him a partner on the inside and keep the run D a strength. Nixon is very disruptive and is a good fit as a 3-technique in the San Francisco 4-3."
The 2021 NFL Draft begins on April 29 from Cleveland, Ohio.
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
Mock Draft 4.0: 49ers address interior D-line early
Things will change as the rest of free agency plays out. However, this mock draft tries to address the San Francisco 49ers' key needs and doesn't rely heavily on the moves that have already been made this week—just yet.
This mock draft was created without heavily factoring in the trade for defensive tackle Maliek Collins, so it still includes 11 selections. Another mock draft reflecting the most recent roster changes is coming soon.
Round 1, Pick 31
DT Byron Murphy II, Texas
Although the 49ers addressed the defensive tackle position in free agency, Byron Murphy II may be the best player at the 31. Murphy II's quick burst and get-off makes him one of the most dangerous defensive tackles in the draft. He will impact the
49ers achieve "dream scenario" in latest PFF mock draft
While news of Arik Armstead's impending release could potentially alter the San Francisco 49ers' draft strategy, we'll first have to wait to see how the team addresses its defensive front in free agency. Assuming the 49ers brain trust has a plan in place and can execute it properly, that would leave them free to address the offensive line next month.
In the latest mock draft by analytics site Pro Football Focus, the 49ers are projected to do just that, with former Alabama tackle JC Latham falling to them at No. 31 overall.
"Admittedly, this is a dream scenario for the 49ers," analyst Dalton Wasserman wrote in the pre-free agency
49ers announce team has re-signed Chris Conley
The San Francisco 49ers announced today that the team has re-signed WR Chris Conley to a one-year deal. Conley spent 2023 with the 49ers but only appeared in eight games. He finished the regular season with three receptions for 69 yards.
But Conley saved his best for the postseason. Although he only had two receptions for 35 yards, his catches came in big moments. In the Divisional Playoff Game against the Green Bay Packers, with the 49ers trailing 21-17, Conley brought in a 17-yard catch that moved the ball to Green Bay's 26-yard line. The 49ers scored the winning touchdown on the drive.
Then in Super Bowl LVIII, Conley hauled in an 18-yard reception in the first quarter to help set up a Jake Moody field goal. But perhaps Conely's biggest plays in the Super Bowl
49ers hosting CB Chau Smith-Wade on a pre-draft visit
Justin Melo of The Draft Network reports that the San Francisco 49ers will host Washington State cornerback Chau Smith-Wade on a pre-draft visit in Santa Clara.
"Smith-Wade is one of the most versatile CBs in the 2024 NFL Draft," Melo wrote.
.@WSUCougarFB CB Chau Smith-Wade has Top 30 visits w/ #49ers & #Giants. Had Combine Formals w/