There are two elements of the latest USA TODAY mock draft that matter for the 49ers.
The first is that they’re picking last. The second is the actual pick – Alabama safety Xavier McKinney.
Picking last would mean the 49ers won Super Bowl LIV. In this specific mock, they knocked off the Chiefs, which pick No. 31 overall. That last spot from a draft standpoint might actually help the 49ers in their pursuit of additional draft picks after sending their second, third and fourth-round picks out in trades. Having the No. 32 slot may mean a team wanting a the fifth-year of control that comes with a first-round will be willing to shed assets to climb back into the first round.
The pick itself is interesting considering the 49ers’ safety situation. Jimmie Ward is coming off his best year as a pro after signing a one-year deal to return to San Francisco this offseason. Jaquiski Tartt next season is entering the final year of his two-year extension.
There’s a very real possibility the 49ers opt to let the 28-year-old Ward walk in free agency in favor of a younger, cheaper option. McKinney would fit that bill. He’s a touch bigger than Ward at 6-1, 200 pounds, but he has a lot of the same skill set that makes Ward an invaluable piece in the back end of the 49ers’ defense.
McKinney’s tape shows a tackler willing to mix it up near the line of scrimmage, and the range to play
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