The best part? They get Bosa.
The NFL Combine is just days away which means the draft board can get shaken up once NFL scouts get looks at these projections in action.
Until then, the trio of Quinnen Williams, Nick Bosa, and Josh Allen will play musical chairs for the 49ers No. 2 pick, but it’s the later three rounds that haven’t been consistent. We’ve seen all sorts of things going on for round 2 and later and this latest four-round mock draft by Luke Easterling has plenty of new faces.
For starters, they have Nick Bosa going to the 49ers (yay!). This is thanks to the Arizona Cardinals addressing needs and getting Quinnen Williams. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins goes No. 4 to the Jacksonville Jaguars (via Oakland Raiders trade) and that takes care of the big names. Here’s the whole haul.
Round 1: Nick Bosa, defensive end, Ohio State
Round 2: Trayvon Mullen, cornerback, Clemson
Round 3: Riley Ridley, wide receiver, Georgia
Round 4: Johnathan Abram, safety, Mississippi State
So first is Mullen. The 49ers aren’t sure what they are going to do at cornerback with Ahkello Witherspoon’s hot and cold play. Mullen is someone that feels a bit high, but his upside is intriguing. He recorded his first interception of the season in Clemson’s National Championship win and walked away from his college career with four total. His Draft Network card gives him a Year 3 projectivity and that seems a bit long for a second round pick. The 49ers will need some secondary help, whether it’s for competition or because they don’t think the numerous investments they’ve made in the last two years can fit the bill, but Mullen leaves me scratching my head.
So then there’s Riley Ridley. He’s the brother of 2018 Atlanta Falcons pick Calvin Ridley. He’s a wide receiver just like his bro, but isn’t as talented, yet. The issue with this pick is mostly the need. The 49ers wide receiving corps is not as bad as it was in years past. They need an Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr. or someone like that. Ridley doesn’t seem like the kind of person to develop into that No. 1 wide receiver everyone wants. His route running is great, but his YAC really needs work. He also got arrested in 2017 for marijuana possession. While possession of herb isn’t near as significant an offense as years prior, one has to look at that and question Ridley’s decision making process. Reuben Foster wasn’t kicked off the team for his marijuana possession charge, but it was certainly telling and didn’t help his case when the 49ers finally gave him the boot.
So finally there’s Johnathan Abram. If the 49ers address their need at safety in free agency (which I do think they will), then this pick can be used on a linebacker, guard, or tackle. Now if they miss out, Abram brings a lot of physicality to the position, similar to Jaquiski Tartt. He hits. Hard. If someone catches the ball (or runs it past the tackles for that matter) and runs into Abram, they are going to pay for it. That is, if he can stay disciplined. Abram is another player that may need development. At the worst, the 49ers would have a banshee on special teams and someone that could work in. This of course is me being subjective as several also have him pegged as a 1st-round talent. If he balls out at the Combine, he’s not lasting until the fourth round.
Overall, I like Bosa, but my needs after do not align with the talent taken. I think the 49ers need to spend a pick on a linebacker, a offensive lineman and maybe a safety depending on how free-agency goes. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: if Mike McGlinchey is kept at his right tackle spot a developmental prospect should take Joe Staley’s position. Not a rookie drafted in 2020. Even if McGlinchey is moved, the 49ers struck gold once with him and they may not be so lucky with a rookie at right tackle again.
Especially if they pick at the end of the first round like we all hope they do in 2020.
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