Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team revealed his latest mock draft, which goes seven rounds deep and projects every selection for every NFL team. While most predict that the San Francisco 49ers will add an offensive lineman with their first selection, No. 31 overall, Mosher has the Bay Area team going in a different direction.
The writer and analyst has the Niners selecting former UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu in the first round.
"It wouldn't be a shock to see Laiatu Latu fall in the draft due to his medical history, but he is too good of a value to pass up here at No. 31," Mosher wrote. "The San Francisco 49ers have been searching for the right pass rusher to pair with Nick Bosa and Latu couldn't be a better fit."
Latu registered 49 tackles, including 21.5 for a loss, 13 sacks, two passes defensed, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles through 12 game appearances as a senior in 2023, per Sports Reference. He transferred from Washington to UCLA in 2022.
Latu would join a defensive line room that lost Chase Young and Clelin Ferrell but added pass rushers Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos. At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6' 4 3/4" and 259-pound Latu posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.64 seconds, a vertical jump of 32 inches, and a broad jump of 9 feet, 8 inches.
Throughout his collegiate career, Latu recorded 100 tackles, including 35.5 for a loss, 24 sacks, four passes defensed, two interceptions, and five forced fumbles over four seasons.
The former Bruin earned an overall grade of 96.3 from Pro Football Focus, the highest among college defenders last season. His pass-rushing grade of 94.3 led all defensive linemen, while his 62 pressures tied for fifth in the nation.
Here are the rest of Mosher's projected selections for the 49ers:
- Round 2, Pick 63: Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon
- Round 3, Pick 94: Javon Baker, WR, UCF
- Round 4, Pick 124: Zak Zinter, G, Michigan
- Round 4, Pick 132: Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane
- Round 4, Pick 135: Sione Vaki, S/RB, Utah
- Round 5, Pick 176: Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame
- Round 6, Pick 211: Ethan Driskell, OT, Marshall
- Round 6, Pick 215: Dominique Hampton, S, Washington
- Round 7, Pick 251: Trey Knox, TE, South Carolina
The 49ers have hosted Baker and Vaki on pre-draft visits and met with Pratt and Vaki at the NFL Scouting Combine. They have also worked out Vaki as part of their pre-draft evaluation.