We're just 10 days away from the start of the 2024 NFL Draft. While many gain more confidence about their projections for the top of the first round, the picture of what might happen further down remains murky. Most predict the San Francisco 49ers will use their first selection, No. 31 overall, on an offensive lineman. However, an early run on the position may alter those plans. The 49ers may address another position, or they may have to move up to secure a top prospect.
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates recently revealed a joint three-round mock draft, examining the top 100 selections and forecasting each team's moves during the draft's first two days.
"One important note for this mock: Kiper and Yates based their picks on a combination of what they think each team will do and what they would do if they were playing general manager for all 32 teams," noted ESPN.
San Francisco owns one selection in each of the first three rounds, meaning this mock draft anticipates three new players joining the roster. At No. 31, Kiper has the 49ers selecting former Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan.
"San Francisco needs to add competition for its right tackle spot," Kiper wrote. "Morgan is a veteran left tackle who could make the switch to battle Colton McKivitz."
Morgan has emerged as a popular choice for the 49ers at their first-round spot. The team attended Arizona's pro day last month to evaluate Morgan.
According to Pro Football Focus, 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 83.5.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Morgan posted a 40-yard dash time of 5.04 seconds, a vertical jump of 28 inches, and a broad jump of nine feet, 2 inches.
Kiper also makes the 49ers' next selection. At No. 63 overall, he has the team drafting former Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips.
"This is about beefing up a secondary that struggled at times at the end of last season," Kiper explained. "Phillips has high-ceiling physical tools after playing nearly 600 coverage snaps over his past two seasons."
Phillips recorded 47 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, and five passes defensed in 12 game appearances as a senior in 2023, per Sports Reference. Throughout his collegiate career, he accumulated 82 tackles, including three for a loss, and 10 passes defensed across four seasons.
During the NFL Scouting Combine, Phillips posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.48 seconds, a vertical jump of 42 inches, and a broad jump of 11 feet, 3 inches. The 49ers are scheduled to host Phillips on a pre-draft visit on Wednesday.
Yates finally makes a 49ers selection at No. 94 overall, opting for former TCU tight end Jared Wiley.
"The Niners' hunt for a tight end behind George Kittle ends here with Wiley, who is huge at 6-foot-6 and 249 pounds and brings good speed," Yates shared. "Wiley caught eight touchdown passes last season."
Wiley was among the many players the 49ers met with at the NFL Scouting Combine. Through 12 game appearances as a senior in 2023, he registered 47 receptions for 520 yards, adding to his eight touchdowns, per Sports Reference. Over his collegiate career, the tight end caught 90 passes for 1,013 yards with 15 touchdowns across five seasons.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Wiley posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.62 seconds, a vertical jump of 37 inches, a broad jump of 9 feet, 10 inches, and a 7.19-second three-cone drill time.