ESPN identifies the best draft fit for 49ers at pick No. 61

The San Francisco 49ers' first selection in the 2022 NFL Draft is currently the No. 61 overall pick. That could change with any trades. For now, that is what most mock drafts are going by.

The 49ers' first-round pick, along with a third-rounder and next year's first-rounder, was part of last year's trade to move up to the No. 3 overall pick to select quarterback Trey Lance.

With no first-round pick this year, predictions for that No. 61 selection have been all over the place. However, most mock drafts have the team going with a defensive prospect.

ESPN's Jordan Reid looked at the eight teams without first-round picks and named the best fit for each. He has San Francisco selecting cornerback Roger McCreary out of Auburn.

"Here's an intriguing corner who could help a team with a few different needs," wrote Reid. "McCreary has the versatility to play in the slot or on the perimeter, and he could be a nice Day 2 addition to a defense that also added Charvarius Ward in free agency."

McCreary registered 49 tackles, two tackles for a loss, a sack, 14 passes defensed, two interceptions, and a touchdown through 12 game appearances as a senior in 2021, per Sports Reference. He recorded 135 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, a sack, 30 passes defensed, six interceptions, a touchdown, and a forced fumble through his four collegiate seasons.

ESPN's 49ers beat writer, Nick Wagoner, feels the team has other priorities, pointing to two different areas of need that should be addressed first.

"Their top needs remain on the interior of the offensive line, where a guard capable of playing center would be an ideal fit, and on the defensive line, where another edge rusher to complement Nick Bosa is needed," wrote Wagoner, who points to the departures of guard Laken Tomlinson and defensive tackle D.J. Jones as contributing factors for those needs."

Wagoner believes that only after addressing those two areas can San Francisco shift focus elsewhere, including the secondary.

"From there, San Francisco should have the freedom to go any direction it wants for best prospect available," Wagoner continued, "though more help in the secondary, a pass-catcher or even another offensive lineman would be welcome."