Phoenix 49ers 2016 Mock Draft V3.0

I like your priorities throughout. Trading down from #7 and trading back up I believe is the best way to go.

Probably my favorite realistic mock so far.

Originally posted by Paul_Hofer:

I like your priorities throughout. Trading down from #7 and trading back up I believe is the best way to go.

This is exactly what I want to see. This team has multiple holes and depth issues, landing a few first rounders would help quite a lot.

REALLY liked this draft. Its not sexy, but it is solid as hell and answers a lot of problems. This is a rebuilding team and will be doing so for another 2-3 years. The success of the last run was based on solid line play on both sides of the ball. In reality, that is the way this team should go. A top 10 pick would help this team in one spots. Two top thirty picks would help help in two. The is a ton of quality in your draft. I like it.

I just don't see a conservative GM like Baalke moving back up into the 1st round. He values his picks too much and doesn't like to gamble like that. Trust me I hope Baalke proves me wrong, it would be exciting to see two 1st round picks, but I just don't see it happening.

Originally posted by Kolohe:

I just don't see a conservative GM like Baalke moving back up into the 1st round. He values his picks too much and doesn't like to gamble like that. Trust me I hope Baalke proves me wrong, it would be exciting to see two 1st round picks, but I just don't see it happening.

He moved up from 30 to 18 for Reid. For Trent it is all about value, if the deal is fair and he sees a kid falling he has a high grade on, he will go up and get him.

Originally posted by Kolohe:
I just don't see a conservative GM like Baalke moving back up into the 1st round. He values his picks too much and doesn't like to gamble like that. Trust me I hope Baalke proves me wrong, it would be exciting to see two 1st round picks, but I just don't see it happening.

You have a valid point. But this all depends on how he values the players remaining on the board. If he feels there is a steep drop off and no highly graded prospects will drop to him in round 2 -- he may trade up to solidify another 1st round graded prospect.

If the Browns/Rams both get a QB, we'd be able to get either Bosa/Buckner/Jack/Ramsey/Tunsil. I don't think the would pass on any of those guys.

But if those guys go, and they are not sold on Goff, I'd get either Stanley or Conklin. Trading down would be risky. A lot of mocks have Conlkin going in the 10-13 range. We may as well just nab the guy we want. I personally prefer Conklin. Check out this vid of Conklin taking on Deforest Buckner one on one.

Originally posted by KRS-1:

Originally posted by Kolohe:
I just don't see a conservative GM like Baalke moving back up into the 1st round. He values his picks too much and doesn't like to gamble like that. Trust me I hope Baalke proves me wrong, it would be exciting to see two 1st round picks, but I just don't see it happening.

He moved up from 30 to 18 for Reid. For Trent it is all about value, if the deal is fair and he sees a kid falling he has a high grade on, he will go up and get him.

For a 3rd round pick, that's hardly taking a risk. And exactly like I said, he values his picks, I just don't see him giving up a 2nd and 3rd round pick.

Originally posted by Kolohe:

For a 3rd round pick, that's hardly taking a risk. And exactly like I said, he values his picks, I just don't see him giving up a 2nd and 3rd round pick.

I never believe in absolutes. Belichick and Parcells both moved up for guys if they liked them enough. Baalke gave up an early 3rd to move up for Reid. He was also right under McCloughan and Nolan when the 49ers moved back into the 1st for Staley.


The 49ers reportedly like Butler and he fits all the parametersforboth Baalke and Kelly but the only way they get him is if they trade down about 15 picks in the 1st or move up from the 2nd.

If you can get a guy like Conklin, moving up for Butler is well worth it, you got potential long term starters at two key spots.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
I've redone this mock draft a few times, deleted and started over, based on everything that has happened, the players that the 49ers have met with, team needs and who BPA is expected to be I've put together a pretty straightforward draft. The biggest issue I've had figuring out is QB, looking around I pretty much opted to punt with Gabbert for this season, hopefully be in position for a guy like Watson or even Falk if Gabbert doesn't work out.


The team has so many needs that you can't fill them all in one draft, trying to fit all of them seems like a half measure so I went with the best available players in key areas. I anticipate that a Kaepernick will get worked out by the draft and that the 49ers will end up receiving a 3rd rounder from Denver.





Round 1-49ers(Trade down with Tennessee). With Buckner and Jack gone, the 49ers elect to move down. Titans trade picks #15 and #43, and a 5th rounder in 2017 to move up. Tennessee still needs a left tackle, they supposedly liked both Tunsil and Stanley. Jumping up to #7 guarantees them one of those players while they still have a bundle of extra picks to trade. Alternatively the 49ers could trade down with Miami who move up for Elliott after struggling to pick up a RB all offseason.





Round 1-Jack Conklin-OT-6'6", 310-Michigan State. Conklin may never be a left tackle in the NFL......and that is okay. He is one of the most game ready players in this entire draft. Not the most agile guy but performed well with the zone blocking that Michigan State ran. Very balanced blocker with long arms(35") can pass and run block well, a mauler in the run game, tough, blue collar type of guy that could be a good right tackle in the NFL for a decade+. He would be a starter for the 49ers from Day 1. I've gone back and forth on Conklin but the more I think about it, the more sense makes for the 49ers. I like his demeanor and attitude, he also held his own against both Joey Bosa and DeForest Buckner. Conklin says that he has tried to pattern his game after Joe Staley.....now he gets to play with him.









Round-1-49ers move up with the KC Chiefs. 49ers trade their 2nd rounder, Broncos 3rd rounder and a 2017 4th rounder to move up to #28





Round 1-Vernon Butler-DE-6'4", 325-Louisiana Tech. 49ers move up to add this massive, versatile lineman to the defensive of the ball. With long arms, explosive power, a mean streak a mile long and versatility to play anywhere on the DL, Butler is a great fit. Just as with Conklin he is a guy who could start from the get go or be worked in and rotate with Dial. He needs some development but he has the tools and upside to be a dominant DE in a 3-4. Nice player for the new DL coach to work with, 49ers have shown interest in Butler throughout the pre-draft process.









Round 2(Titans)-Josh Garnett-OG-6'4", 315-Stanford. Chip Kelly recruited Garnett while he was at Oregon, now he gets to coach him. Both Baalke and Kelly high five with this pick. Garnett is another tough, physical lineman, a mauler as a blocker that is exactly the sort of player that Kelly needs for his inside zone running game. Last year the 49ers running the football to the right side was a suicidal proposition, with Conklin and Garnett, a substantial weakness has been greatly improved. Garnett's family is comprised of 49ers fans and he has expressed interest in staying in the area which certainly doesn't hurt.









Round 3-Xavien Howard-CB-6'0", 200-Baylor. Howard is the bigger sort of CB that both Baalke and Kelly are fans of. Physical CB, has a tough demeanor, very well versed for the man coverage that O'Neil runs, a ballhawk that shows good awareness and tracking of the football once it is in the air. More fluid than what might be expected from a bigger CB.









Round 4-Malcolm Mitchell-WR-5'11", 200-Georgia. Boom or bust pick here. 1st round talent that has dealt with a series of injuries. Has enormous, reliable hands, catches everything that comes with his way. Has improved substantially as a route runner, very precise, had catches on a myriad of different routes. Shows no fear going across the middle of the field. A good guy to have around to move the chains on offense. If he stays healthy, this is a huge value pick.












Round 4(Comp)-Tyler Ervin-RB-5'9", 192-San Jose State. An intriguing change-of-pace back that could play a Sproles like role for the 49ers. Ervin would come in and get carries right away. Along with Hyde and Davis and whoever else makes it, that would comprise a decent young group of RB's and now they'd actually have an OL that could block and create holes for them.













Round 5(San Diego)-Nick Kwiatkoski-ILB-6'2", 240-West Virginia. I really like Kwiatkoski a lot. Former safety that switched to LB, has been incredibly productive for West Virginia. Very smart player with outstanding football instincts and the guy lives to light people up on the football field. Reliable tacker that has done well dropping back in coverage(7 INT's), a team leader with outstanding character. If he can't take over a starting spot at ILB, his future could be as a special teams demon.











Round 5-DJ Reader-NT-6'3", 330-Clemson. The popular pick around here for NT and with good reason. Versatile and athletic, Reader comes with good upside and would help to fill in depth at a crucial area.









Round 5(Comp)-Dadi Nicolas-OLB-6'3", 240-Virginia Tech. Nicolas is drafted as a developmental pass rusher. Pure speed rusher, older but still pretty raw, first step is lightning quick, not a guy that is very physical or can hold up against the run, strictly a third down pass rusher at this point, could also figure in on special teams due to his athleticism.









Round 6(Dallas)-Vernon Adams-QB-5'11", 200-Oregon. I'm not the biggest fan of Adams, I've made many a reference about the CFL in conjunction to him but I think once you get beyond Goff and Wentz this draft turns into a huge crapshoot. I like Prescott a lot but I saw better value in the draft at other positions. With Adams the upside is that you get a guy who knows the offense. You get a guy who is mobile, who can run away from pressure with very good accuracy on shorter throws. He is also a very good improviser who is one of the best QB's in the draft at throwing on the run. I'm not convinced that the guy will last in the NFL but at this point in the draft he is worth a shot and his familiarity with the offense was the tipping point for me here.











****The crazy Youtube video error ate up the last part of my mock, I'll update the pick writeups later.








6th Round(Denver)-Quinton Jefferson-DE-6'4", 285-Maryland. Another guy that I like a lot. Experienced DL that has played in both a 3-4 and a 4-3. Talented pass rusher that could stand to add some bulk, could be a nice guy for Azzinaro to work with, brings some pass rush on 3rd downs. Has had injury issues in the past.









6th Round(Comp)Kivon Cartwright-TE-6'3", 240-Colorado State. H-Back type prospect. Good natural hands and athleticism, can be very inconsistent as a blocker, had an ACL tear in 2014 so this could be a Baalke injury special. Has been productive when healthy.









6th Round(Comp)-Taveze Calhoun-CB-6'0", 192-Mississippi State. 49ers showed interest in Calhoun at the Miss. St Pro Day. A guy with great intangibles, good character, tremendous leadership ability, tough, slight build, not great speed but a very smart player that could contribute as a backup or as a starter.












Summary-I think this draft really helps address needs on the OL and DL. In particular you get some hard-nosed, tough, hit you through the whistle types in Conklin, Garnett and Butler. With Conklin and Garnett I think the right side of the OL becomes instantly improved. An OL group of Staley, Beadles, Kilgore, Garnett and Conklin is light years away from the group that started last season.

One of Kelly's adages is that "Big people beat up little people", well with this draft, with Conklin, Garnett, Butler and Reader you add some real size and attitude to the roster, guys that will be the ones beating people up and not getting beat up.

Another aspect that I looked at is leadership which is something that Kelly puts a lot of emphasis on. With Conklin, Butler, Garnett, Mitchell, Kwiatkoski, Adams and Calhoun, this team gets added leadership in spades.

Looking forward for 2017, OLB, QB and potentially WR are all areas of need IMO. If Gabbert doesn't work out then there is the possibility of a guy like Watson or Falk, with the very outside chance of Adams eventually developing into a starter. OLB may or may not be a need depending on how Eli and Nicolas come along. WR just depends how guys like Patton, Ellington, Mitchell and Smelter do this upcoming season.

Like all those picks except the 5'10 receiver.

Originally posted by Trath44:

Check out this vid of Conklin taking on Deforest Buckner one on one.

Someone is paying attention. Although the this tells two stories and a bunch of people are overlooking one of them. 1. Conklin is NFL ready 2. Just about every NFL tackle would handle Buckner with releative ease. The NFL exposes guys who are nothing more than big and strong. Buckner doesn't have the short area to quickness to develop. It's why armstead was actually the better prospect and will be a better NFL player when developed.

Armsteads strengths coming out:

Improved by leaps and bounds from 2013 to 2014. Elite size with ability to add more bulk to his frame. Quick-twitch athlete. Explodes upfield into blockers with good pad level and hip snap, gaining instant leverage against the run and often jarring them into the backfield. Gets good arm extension to control offensive linemen and peppers them with powerful hands. Can unlock quickly from blocks. Has above-average tackle radius thanks to his length and quickness.


Your not going to hear "quick-twitch athlete, explodes, controls linemen, unlocks from blocks, tackle radius, or quickness" when describing Buckner. These traits translate at the next level while buckners "NFL-­ready physique and natural strength and power" is better described as dominant in college, run of the mill at the next level.

We are hitting a grand slam If we somehow get Conklin and Garnett with another late first rounder squeezed in between.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by Kolohe:
For a 3rd round pick, that's hardly taking a risk. And exactly like I said, he values his picks, I just don't see him giving up a 2nd and 3rd round pick.

I never believe in absolutes. Belichick and Parcells both moved up for guys if they liked them enough. Baalke gave up an early 3rd to move up for Reid. He was also right under McCloughan and Nolan when the 49ers moved back into the 1st for Staley.


The 49ers reportedly like Butler and he fits all the parametersforboth Baalke and Kelly but the only way they get him is if they trade down about 15 picks in the 1st or move up from the 2nd.

If you can get a guy like Conklin, moving up for Butler is well worth it, you got potential long term starters at two key spots.

define absolute??

Baalke's track record has shown that he doesn't risk multiple picks for one player but instead does takes the safe way out and trades down.

Baalke really liked Odell Beckham and everyone thought they would make that trade, fell short like always I wonder why??

Originally posted by Kolohe:

define absolute??

Baalke's track record has shown that he doesn't risk multiple picks for one player but instead does takes the safe way out and trades down

Yet that track record includes moving up for Reid, moving up for Davis and moving up for other players in various rounds.

This is why claiming that "Baalke never trades up" simply doesnt hold water. If he likes a player enough and the price is right, he has shown that he can and will.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by Kolohe:
define absolute??

Baalke's track record has shown that he doesn't risk multiple picks for one player but instead does takes the safe way out and trades down

Yet that track record includes moving up for Reid, moving up for Davis and moving up for other players in various rounds.

This is why claiming that "Baalke never trades up" simply doesnt hold water. If he likes a player enough and the price is right, he has shown that he can and will.

I'm not saying he never trades up I'm saying he values his picks, and won't make a mega trade. Like I said in another post, that was a measly 3rd round pick to move up anyone would make that deal that was a given.

Btw what was that trade to move up for Anthony Davis again for??