Dan Rainville-USA TODAY Sports
Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft has 49ers adding pass rusher at No. 31
Feb 28, 2024 at 4:43 PM
•
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper
unveiled his latest mock draft, projecting the 32 selections of the first round. For the first time since 2021, the San Francisco 49ers own a first-round selection and could use the pick to bolster the offensive line or the defensive backfield.
However, Kiper has the team going in another direction. He proposes adding a pass rusher to complement defensive end
Nick Bosa on the opposite side. Kiper's pick for San Francisco is
Chop Robinson of Penn State.
Kiper wrote, "It has to be offensive line or edge rusher for the 49ers, right? They need to find young talent so they can use their cap space on their veteran stars. I went offensive tackle in my debut mock, but let's switch to the defense here."
With several defensive linemen set to become unrestricted free agents next month, including this past season's prized trade acquisition, Chase Young, the 49ers may prioritize adding another edge rusher through either the draft or free agency.
"San Francisco could take the comp pick for defensive end Chase Young and let him walk in free agency, opening up a spot on the other side of Nick Bosa," Kiper continued. "That's where I'd slot in Robinson, whose sack numbers were a little disappointing the past two seasons (9.5 total, four in 2023) but who has the potential to be a star."
Despite Kiper's assessment of Robinson's recent seasons, the defender still boasted Pro Football Focus' 6th-highest overall grade (90.8) and 4th-highest pass-rush grade (92.3) among edge rushers. He has amassed 60 tackles, including 20 for a loss, 11.5 sacks, three passes defensed, and three forced fumbles in three collegiate seasons, per
Sports Reference.
Kiper concluded, "At 6-3, 250 pounds, he is extremely explosive. Give him time with 49ers D-line coach Kris Kocurek and he could be a star. The reason Robinson might be a late Round 1 pick is because of that questionable production, but scouts and execs love his tool set."
Related News
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
Mel Kiper Jr. questions 49ers drafting Ricky Pearsall
The San Francisco 49ers' decision to select former Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick has left many scratching their heads. Reactions from fans on social media were mixed, with many feeling the pick came out of left field.
The 49ers drafting a wide receiver isn't the perplexing aspect of the selection; it's specifically the choice of Pearsall. While the former Gator could become a solid contributor in the coming years, many had other receivers ranked ahead of him. This has left analysts like ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. wondering about the 49ers' thought process and what it means for the team's two star receivers.
"This one makes you wonder what's going on with Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, right?" Kiper wrote in
Mel Kiper Jr. deems 49ers' selection of Renardo Green the biggest reach of Round 2
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. raised questions about the San Francisco 49ers' draft choices, starting with wide receiver Ricky Pearsall at No. 31 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. His critique extended to the team's second-round pick, former Florida State cornerback Renardo Green.
"This was the biggest reach of Round 2, by far," Kiper stated in his analysis of the winners, losers, and head-scratchers from Day 2 of the draft.
Kiper did not expect to hear Green's name called for at
7-round mock draft has 49ers adding 2 legacy players
Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus unveiled a seven-round mock draft for the San Francisco 49ers, addressing several key needs for the team in the 10-pick projection. Interestingly, the mock draft sees the team adding two legacy players. But before delving into that, let's examine the first three selections.
Sikkema has the 49ers shoring up their offensive line at pick No. 31 with the selection of former Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan.
Morgan allowed 14 pressures and two sacks in his 477 pass-blocking snaps at left tackle in 2023. He earned an impressive pass-blocking grade of 87.3 and an overall grade of
Daniel Jeremiah's final mock draft has 49ers adding another weapon for Brock Purdy
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah unveiled his fourth and final mock draft, projecting the San Francisco 49ers to select Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy with the No. 31 overall pick.
While many anticipated the 49ers bolstering their offensive line in the first round, Jeremiah's choice may raise eyebrows. However, with seven offensive tackles already off the board, he opted to provide third-year quarterback Brock Purdy with another explosive target.
"This is my favorite fit in the first round," Jeremiah explained. "We saw what Tank Dell did in a similar offensive system with Houston, and we know what Mike McDaniel has been able to build with so much
