Jeff Kerr released his only mock draft of the year for CBS Sports, but rather than sticking to the traditional format—predicting what NFL teams will do with the first 32 picks—he decided to mix things up.
"I'm going to pick where every player SHOULD go," Kerr explained. "This is more of a pound-for-pound of the draft class, instead of a player or team reaching for a player. Of course, team needs do factor into the equation (hence why quarterbacks will be taken high). There will be other players who will go higher or lower based on these pound-for-pound rankings, but that's part of the fun of it all."
Kerr's draft begins conventionally, with Cam Ward and Travis Hunter going No. 1 and No. 2 to the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, respectively. But his selections diverge from what you'd expect in a traditional mock as the draft progresses.
When it comes time for the San Francisco 49ers to pick at No. 11, several top-tier defensive linemen remain available, along with frequently projected targets like offensive tackle Kelvin Banks and cornerback Will Johnson. However, in Kerr's version, the 49ers go a different route, selecting Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
"The 49ers find their Deebo Samuel replacement in McMillan, the best wideout in this draft class," Kerr wrote. "McMillan can play wide or in the slot, and his deep-ball ability gives the 49ers another explosive pass catcher in a revamped offense."
San Francisco passing on help in the trenches would surprise many, but the team deviating from the expected wouldn't be unprecedented. Few predicted the selection of Ricky Pearsall in the first round last year, and receiver remains a pressing need with Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk recovering from a significant knee injury.
McMillan (6-4, 219) tallied 84 receptions for a Big 12-leading 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns through 12 games as a senior in 2024, per Sports Reference. He earned first-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-Big 12 honors. His 2023 campaign was even more productive, with 90 catches for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns over 13 games.
Pro Football Focus ranks McMillan as the highest-graded wide receiver and the third-highest-graded player overall, making his hypothetical selection at No. 11 a tremendous value.
While the first round of the draft is unlikely to unfold the way Kerr outlines, his mock offers an intriguing exercise in evaluating talent based on pure ability rather than overall expectations.