Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports has unveiled his latest mock draft, projecting the entire first round. While he predicts the New York Giants will select Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the top overall pick, San Francisco 49ers fans are likely more focused on what he projects for their favorite team at No. 11, their current spot in the draft order.
Trapasso envisions the 49ers landing a top-tier pass rusher with that pick, projecting them to select Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr., the fifth-ranked prospect on CBS Sports' draft board.
"Pearce looks like a top-15 pick, and the 49ers make him one here," wrote Trapasso. "He's long, explosive, deceptively powerful and put together two magnificent seasons in the SEC. He's the running mate Nick Bosa needs."
Finding a complementary piece to line up opposite defensive end Nick Bosa has been an ongoing challenge for the 49ers. While the team brought in Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos this season, the unit's pass-rushing production has been inconsistent.
San Francisco's defense ranks 18th in the NFL with 35 total sacks, and their Pro Football Focus team pass-rushing grade of 67.9 sits at 17th in the league.
Trapasso believes Pearce (6-5, 243) offers significant upside. The standout edge rusher posted a career-high 10 sacks last season and followed it up with 7.5 sacks, 38 tackles (13 for a loss), a pass deflection, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery this year. Pro Football Focus graded him at 87.1 or higher on defense and 88.9 or higher as a pass rusher in each of the past two seasons.
By selecting Pearce, the 49ers could finally secure the young, reliable contributor Bosa needs to elevate their pass rush to an elite level.