Offense or defense? NFL.com’s mock drafts predict 49ers’ first-round pick

Mar 28, 2024 at 9:49 AM


placeholder image

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.

Three NFL Media analysts have recently released their mock drafts, projecting the potential moves of each team in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The San Francisco 49ers hold the No. 31 overall pick, marking their first Round 1 selection since 2021.

The latest mock draft comes from Charles Davis, who has San Francisco addressing the offensive line, strengthening a unit that showed inconsistency last season. Davis predicts the 49ers will choose former Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton with their first selection.

"The 49ers' offense will flourish as long as HC Kyle Shanahan is diagramming plays, and this agile former tight end has a chance to plug in immediately at right tackle," Davis wrote.

Although Guyton didn't allow a sack last season, he did permit a career-high 12 pressures while earning a Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade of 72.9.

Bucky Brooks delivered his mock draft a couple of days ago and foresees the 49ers addressing the defensive side of the football by selecting former Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins.

"The 49ers' glaring need on the island makes Wiggins an ideal candidate for this spot," Brooks wrote. "The slender speedster displays the footwork and instincts to flourish in the team's zone-based scheme."

Wiggins earned an impressive 83.9 coverage grade in 2023 with the Tigers. Opposing quarterbacks managed only a 44.4 NFL passer rating when targeting the young cornerback. He allowed just 18 receptions for 176 total yards and a touchdown on 41 targets last season.

Lastly, Chad Reuter projects four rounds deep with his selections. He also predicts the 49ers will address the defensive backfield by choosing former Rutgers cornerback Max Melton.

"Melton's plus athleticism (4.39-second 40, 40 1/2-inch vertical, 11-foot-4-inch broad) and aggressive coverage make him an easy choice for the 49ers, who desperately need to upgrade their secondary," Reuter wrote.

Opposing quarterbacks recorded a 65.7 NFL passer rating when targeting Melton in 2023. The cornerback has snagged eight interceptions over the last three seasons.

Reuter does have the 49ers addressing the offensive line in the second round, projecting former Washington tackle Roger Rosengarten as their pick at No. 63 overall. In the third round, he has San Francisco selecting former Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, the brother of current 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.

San Francisco currently has three selections in the fourth round, where Reuter has the team choosing former Texas A&M guard Layden Robinson, former TCU tight end Jared Wiley, and former Notre Dame running back Audric Estimé.

Enjoy this article? Follow us to never miss more!

Powered by Follow.it


Comments

More San Francisco 49ers News

placeholder image

CBS Sports mock drafts have 49ers eyeing Trent Williams' successor

By David Bonilla
Dec 12

CBS Sports released two mock drafts this week, one by Mike Renner and another by Chris Trapasso. While the contributors have the San Francisco 49ers selecting different players, their shared focus is on preparing for life after veteran left tackle Trent Williams. Williams, who...


placeholder image

ESPN mock draft: 49ers eye D-line help

By David Bonilla
Dec 11

With the San Francisco 49ers fighting to avoid playoff elimination in the final stretch of the regular season, it's also time to start considering mock drafts and the players experts believe could help the team bounce back from another potentially disappointing campaign. ESPN...


placeholder image

The 49ers offense will be more productive with Isaac Guerendo

By Ben Roberts
Dec 5

The 49ers' run game suffered a significant setback at the beginning of the season when it was determined that Christian McCaffrey wouldn't be ready. This setback worsened when he was diagnosed with bilateral Achilles tendonitis. CMC made his debut against Tampa Bay in Week 10...


placeholder image

Dre Greenlaw: The George Kittle of the 49ers defense

By Ben Roberts
Dec 9

Fred Warner and Brock Purdy Fred Warner is undoubtedly the leader of the 49ers defense. One could argue he serves as the defense's equivalent of quarterback Brock Purdy. Both Warner and Purdy receive plays and effectively lead their respective units. They demonstrate toughness,...


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone