Matt Miller, a longtime San Francisco 49ers fan and ESPN analyst, recently conducted a mock draft using ESPN Analytics' mock draft simulator. Proud of his projections, Miller shared the results on social media.
Basically DOMINATED this mock draft for the 49ers.https://t.co/j7ag09VRAY pic.twitter.com/COOE0M1eku
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 21, 2024
Miller addressed several 49ers' needs in his mock draft. He utilized the team's first two selections to bolster the offensive line, selecting former Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims and former West Virginia center Zach Frazier.
In a recent interview with 49ers Webzone, discussing the team's offensive line needs in the draft, Miller expressed, "So I do think it's a huge need. And I will say I've been banging that drum since, like, October, so it wasn't just like a postseason overreaction. It was when I really started diving in on team needs, probably around October, and looking at, like, okay, Trent Williams is a Hall of Famer. He's getting older, and I'm going to cry the day he retires because he's such a huge part of this team."
Miller was likely pleased to see Frazier available in the second round, a player he might even consider for the 49ers at No. 31 if all other offensive line options are off the board.
"He's just tough as hell, really athletic," Miller stated. "And so, would he be a first-round player for every team? Probably not. But I think for San Francisco, I would consider him just because I think he's plug-and-play, and he's going to give you that toughness and the agility on the inside."
ESPN's Matt Miller campaigns for the #49ers to draft O-line with their top pick.#FTTB@nfldraftscout | @AudacySports | @AlSacco49 | @brenick77
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/P4XtOqgLKW pic.twitter.com/5bGCg0IAhF
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) April 10, 2024
Miller's mock draft has former Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips falling to the third round, where Miller happily adds the prospect to fortify the 49ers' secondary. The mock draft also includes San Francisco selecting another cornerback in the seventh round and a safety in the sixth round.
Miller fills several other 49ers' needs in his mock draft, adding former Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, the brother of current 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, in the fourth round. He also adds pass-rushing help in the fourth round with the selection of former Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker, who racked up eight sacks with the Jayhawks last season.
Former Arizona tight end Tanner McLachlan joins All-Pro George Kittle after amassing 984 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 79 catches through two seasons with the Wildcats after transferring from Southern Utah.
All of Miller's mock draft selections are listed below:
- Round 1, Pick 31: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
- Round 2, Pick 63: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
- Round 3, Pick 94: Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky
- Round 4, Pick 124: Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
- Round 4, Pick 132: Austin Booker, DE, Kansas
- Round 4, Pick 135: Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona
- Round 5, Pick 176: Jaden Crumedy, DT, Mississippi State
- Round 6, Pick 211: Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
- Round 6, Pick 215: Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall
- Round 7, Pick 251: Ryan Watts, CB, Texas
