With quarterback Brock Purdy set to take up a significant portion of the team's salary cap, the 49ers must rely on the draft to replenish their roster. Armed with 11 selections, they'll need to make the most of their picks to improve upon last season's disappointing performance.
Ben Rolfe of Pro Football Network released a seven-round mock draft, projecting all 257 selections. It has the 49ers aggressively restocking the defense early in the draft.
Round 1: Addressing the defensive line
The 49ers' defensive line lacks depth after releasing Javon Hargrave, Leonard Floyd, and Maliek Collins. Rolfe has them address the position early, selecting Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart with the 11th overall pick.
"It has been a tough offseason for the San Francisco 49ers, with several departures and very few high-level additions," Rolfe wrote.
"The 49ers hope that a combination of fewer injuries and key NFL Draft additions will be enough to drive a return to the playoffs next season.
"The 49ers need to focus on the defense after losing depth at defensive tackle and edge rusher. Shemar Stewart helps fix one of those elements as an exciting pass rusher who is also a stout run defender. He demonstrated his athletic potential at the NFL Scouting Combine, and with further refinement, his ceiling in the NFL is very high."
Round 2: Trade-up for more defensive line help
Rolfe has the 49ers making an aggressive move in the second round, trading the 43rd and 113th overall picks to the New England Patriots to move up to No. 38. With that pick, they double down on the defensive line, selecting Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams.
"The 49ers capitalize on the depth at defensive tackle, trading up to grab a first-round talent who slipped," Rolfe wrote. "With Javon Hargrave gone, they need a difference-maker on the interior, and Williams provides that potential. Given other teams in this range are also eyeing defensive tackles, San Francisco makes the smart move to jump ahead."
Round 3: Adding depth at linebacker and cornerback
San Francisco's defensive overhaul continues in the third round as the team selects Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul Jr. at No. 75 to help replace Greenlaw.
"The 49ers lost both Dre Greenlaw and De'Vondre Campbell Sr. this offseason and it has left the linebacker position looking thin behind Fred Warner," Rolfe noted. "Chris Paul Jr. has the potential to be an immediate starter as a rookie and a future leader of this defense. He is a superb tackler who is more than competent in coverage and could easily be a three-down linebacker alongside Warner."
With their second third-round pick (No. 100), the 49ers address the secondary, selecting Kansas cornerback Cobee Bryant.
"This offseason has left holes all over the 49ers' defense, and cornerback is another where they need to add more talent. Cobee Bryant could present a solid value late on Day 2 as a player who has the ball skills to be a difference-maker but is solid enough in other elements of his game to not be a liability.
"There is the potential for someone to emerge as a surprise starter in this depth chart, and Bryant could be that player."
Rounds 4-7: Addressing the offensive line and late-round depth
After trading away the 113th overall pick in their second-round trade-up, the 49ers still have six remaining selections. They make their first offensive selection in the fourth round, finally addressing the offensive line. Later, they add another lineman while continuing to reinforce the defensive front with two additional picks.
Rolfe also has the team selecting a wide receiver and a quarterback in the later rounds.
- Round 4, Pick 138: Chase Lundt, OT, UConn
- Round 5, Pick 147: J.J. Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
- Round 5, Pick 160: Clay Webb, G, Jacksonville State
- Round 7, Pick 227: Jimmy Horn Jr., WR, Colorado
- Round 7, Pick 249: Brady Cook, QB, Missouri
- Round 7, Pick 252: Barryn Sorrell, LB/DL, Texas
Does this mock draft effectively address the 49ers' offseason needs? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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