It's mock draft season. This mock draft was created using The Draft Network's simulator. I expect the 49ers to be aggressive in the 2022 NFL Draft, so I was aggressive by trading three times to help the 49ers get the best value from their draft picks. The 49ers put together a solid free agency to set themselves up to draft the best player available. With nine selections in the upcoming, the 49ers could look a lot different going into 2022.
Disclaimer: The Draft Network doesn't properly list the 49ers' later draft selections and doesn't have the team initially owning nine picks. The selections below are based on the selections they listed for San Francisco.
In round two, the 49ers select guard/center Dylan Parham. Why would the 49ers draft another guard in round two? The answer is simple: To redshirt the player and get him accustomed to the 49ers way. They did this in the 2021 draft, selecting left guard Aaron Banks out of Notre Dame. Parham is a different type of player. Don't let his size fool you. He's 6'3", 311 lbs, and can move mountains at both guard positions and as a center. Parham ran a 4.93 40-yard dash with a 1.74 10-yard split. His three-cone drill was a 7.78, and he also ran a 4.7 in the 20-yard shuttle at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Though he struggles with allowing some pass rushers to get into his frame, Parham can anchor down to counter the bull rush. He allowed ten pressures in 2021, two quarterback hits, eight hurries, and zero sacks. Parham can start day one but doesn't have to. He would be the perfect replacement for the starting center Alex Mack.
In round three, the 49ers select DeAngelo Malone, a defensive end out of Western Kentucky, with pick No. 93. Malone is 6'4", 239 pounds, and has 33 1/8" arms. Malone only did the bench press at the NFL Scouting Combine, putting up 23 reps and placing fifth out of the edge rushers. He ran a 4.56 40-yard dash in 20 miles per hour winds and a 7.0-second three-cone drill at Western Kentucky's pro day. Malone finished his season with 94 tackles, nine sacks, four forced fumbles, and four pass deflections. He was Conference USA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.
Malone can line up at other positions on defense as well. According to Pro Football Focus, Malone recorded 18 snaps in the box, three in the slot, and one at the outside corner position. The 49ers could use Malone's speed on the outside. He has a perfect bend and can get around the outside. He's not the best at stopping runs, but he could develop significantly as a third-round pick. Malone has active hands and plays big. Bring him in on third downs, and he will get to the quarterback.
Trade alert
The 49ers trade with the Cleveland Browns, trading pick No. 105 for pick Nos. 118 (fourth round) and 246 (seventh round). The 49ers also deal with the New York Jets, sending pick No. 134 (fourth round) and a 2022 fifth-round pick in exchange for pick No. 117 (fourth round). Keeping the best player motto intact, how will the 49ers use their back-to-back fourth-round choices?
In the fourth round, the 49ers select Khalil Shakir, a wide receiver out of Bosie State. Despite the news about All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel, the 49ers could look to add a player with the same type of versatility. Shakir can line up inside, outside, and at running back. He was fantastic at the Combine. Shakir stands at 6'0" tall and 194 pounds. He ran a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash, vertically jumped 34.5 inches, broad jumped 124 inches, a 7.28 in the three-cone drill, and a 4.21 in the 20-yard shuttle. In 2021, Shakir had 114 targets with 77 receptions, 1,117 yards, seven touchdowns, and 14.5 yards a reception. Put Shakir in the slot, and it's a win-win.
With pick No. 118, the 49ers select wide receiver Alec Pierce from Cincinnati. Why would the 49ers select back-to-back receivers? Because they can and they should if this opportunity presents itself. Alec Pierce is 6'3", 211 pounds, and has 33-inch arms and 9-inch hands. He has the number catch radius of 148.5 among the wide receivers of this draft class. Pierce ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash, a 7.13 in the three-cone drill, and a 4.28 in the 20 yard-shuttle. He lacks the quickness to play in the slot, but he is fast and plays big running down the field. His large catch radius allows him to compete for the 50-50 balls. Pierce finished the season with 74 targets, 48 receptions, 791 yards, seven touchdowns, and 16.5 yards per reception. If Trey Lance is the starting quarterback, the 49ers will have a player that can stretch the field vertically.
Trade Alert
The 49ers traded with the Chicago Bears, sending pick Nos. 175 (fifth round), 187 (sixth round), and 246 (seventh round) in exchange for pick Nos. 150 (fifth round) and 186 (sixth round). The 49ers moved up, and it only cost them a seventh-round selection.
In round five, the 49ers select Cole Turner, a tight end out of Nevada, with pick No. 150. Turner is 6'6" and weighs 246 pounds. He ran a 4.76 in the 40-yard dash, a 7.06 in the three-cone, and a 4.41 in the 20-yard shuttle. Turner finished the season with 93 targets, 62 receptions, 677 yards, and 10.9 yards per reception. He can line up all across the line but saw most of his success in the slot. The 49ers could use another big pass-catching target for Lance. Turner's leaping ability allows him to win those 50-50 balls.
In round six, pick No. 186, the 49ers select running back Ty Chandler out of North Carolina. The 49ers lost their speed back, Raheem Mostert, to the Miami Dolphins in free agency. The 49ers get another with Ty Chandler, who ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash, third-fastest amongst all running backs. Chandler finished the regular season with 1,097 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns, and one fumble. He has 33 plays plus ten yards, and his longest run from the line of scrimmage was 60 yards. In the receiving game, Chandler had 17 targets, 14 receptions, 211 yards, and one drop. He has strong hands out of the backfield, and he would be a bonus to have in the Kyle Shanahan offense. He may not be as elusive as some of the running backs in the draft, but he has proven he can be the bell of any offense.
In round six, pick No. 220, the 49ers select Markquese Bell, safety, out of Florida A&M. Bell can play strong and free safety. He finished the season with 86 tackles, four forced fumbles, one interception, and two touchdowns. Bell is 6'2" and weighs 212 pounds. He ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash and a 4.43 in the 20-yard shuttle. Bell will provide support stopping the run. He plays aggressively and has a good burst.
In round six, pick No. 221, the 49ers select Kalon Barnes, a defensive back out of Baylor. Barnes is the fastest defensive back in the draft, clocking in at a 4.23 speed in the 40-yard dash. If selected, he would be a bonus to the special teams unit immediately. Barnes may become the best gunner in football. He has the speed to recover on defense if he appears to allow receivers to get by him. We saw this in Ambry Thomas during his rookie season with the 49ers. Barnes finished the season with 21 tackles, one interception, and five pass deflections. He was targeted 30 times and allowed 15 receptions. Barnes has the length and athleticism and resembles 49ers defensive back Dontae Johnson in size. Barnes could give the 49ers a boost of speed.
In my second mock draft, I got aggressive in trading three times. I look forward to the mock draft 3.0 coming soon. Results will vary depending on how the board falls. The Draft Network doesn't have draft selections as high as pick 262, so I drafted only seven picks in this mock draft. Thank you, and I hope that you enjoyed it.