Daniel Jeremiah doesn't believe that the absence of a first-round pick in this year's draft is as big a deal as some might think. That is certainly good news for the San Francisco 49ers, who won't draft in the first round until 2024, barring any trades.
On Friday, NFL Media draft analyst Jeremiah held a conference call with reporters to preview the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. A reporter asked explicitly about the 49ers and their options for bolstering the cornerback and offensive line units in the upcoming draft. As of right now, San Francisco's first selection will be the No. 61 overall pick.
"No, that's a good question," Jeremiah responded. "Corners, I think it's a solid group of corners. Where they're picking, I'll be curious, you know, where does Kaiir Elam end up going from Florida, who's really, really tall. He's a press corner. He's got big-time makeup speed.
"There's some stuff in the transition that he struggled with a little bit, gave up a little bit of separation, but I think there's a lot to like about him in kind of that range of where they are."
San Francisco has what many consider to be the best offensive lineman in football in tackle Trent Williams. Guard Laken Tomlinson just made his first Pro Bowl but is scheduled to become a free agent. Center Alex Mack made it to his seventh. The 49ers could look to solidify the unit in the draft.
"And then with the offensive line, you're going to be able to find tackles pretty much throughout this draft," Jeremiah said. "A guy like Max Mitchell would be intriguing to me from Louisiana. He's got really good feet. He's a really good athlete, and he's got the ability to reach and seal guys in the run game.
"You think about the run game with the Niners and what they ask of those guys movement-wise, he'd be up for the challenge. He can really move. He would be a fun one, I think, that would fit really well there."