Mock Draft Monday 2.0: Post-NFL Scouting Combine Edition

While most expect the San Francisco 49ers to target an offensive lineman with their first-round pick, NFL Media lead draft writer Eric Edholm has the team going in another direction with the No. 31 overall pick. In his final mock draft of the year, Edholm has the team selecting former Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton, who also goes by "Johnny." "If you're worried Newton's skill set overlaps too much with that of Javon Hargrave, consider that Hargrave is set to hit the salary cap at more than $28 million in the 2025 season -- when he'll be 32 years old," Edholm explained. "As a relentless scheme-wrecker, Newton would help alleviate the

Trent Williams will be 36 at the start of the 2024 NFL season. While retirement isn't on his mind just yet, the San Francisco 49ers must consider a succession plan for left tackle. NFL Media's Bucky Brooks unveiled his final mock draft, projecting the San Francisco 49ers to select former Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan with the No. 31 overall pick as their eventual replacement for Williams. "With Trent Williams entering the twilight of his career, the 49ers have to find an eventual replacement on the edge," Brooks noted. "Morgan is a sound blocker at the point of attack with diverse skills

ESPN recently conducted a mock draft involving its NFL Nation reporters, where each assumed the general manager role for the team they cover. This unique process benefits from selectors who are intimately aware of each team's needs. The San Francisco 49ers are expected to address their offensive line with the No. 31 overall pick, marking the team's first first-round selection since 2021. Nick Wagoner, acting as general manager John Lynch, had to adapt his plan based on earlier selections taking several offensive tackles off draft boards. With those options gone, Wagoner opted for former Missouri pass rusher Darius

Analyst Dane Brugler recently revealed his seven-round mock draft for The Athletic, forecasting all 257 selections in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, set to kick off next week. "Piecing together a mock like this is time consuming, but I enjoy the exercise, because it allows me to focus on each team's needs, organizational trends and prospect-team pairings that make sense based on '30' visits, league buzz and overall interest," Brugler wrote. Most expect the 49ers to address the trenches early in the draft, and Brugler has the team doing that. It's just not on the offensive side of the football. In fact, Brugler doesn't have San Francisco