Now we’re starting to have some fun

In this 7-round mock draft by CBS, we see the San Francisco 49ers trade not one, but two of their former first round draft picks. Let’s get right into it, starting with the first trade.

Trade!

The 49ers ship Solomon Thomas to the Miami Dolphins for free safety Reshad Jones. A player-for-player deal. Perfect. Jones is a really good player. He’s not flashy, but he’s sound. That’s what the defense needs. Jones is 33, though. So you’re not only punting on Jones but you’re not getting the future at safety, more of a holdover. Here’s why the trade would never happen. Jones is expensive. This isn’t a “the Niners have plenty of cap space so it’s fine” situation. Jones has a salary cap number over $17 million in 2019. The next two years are at $14 and $15 million. Eh, no thanks.

First three picks

The 49ers take Nick Bosa at number two. Then at 36 they take Deebo Samuel. You already know about Bosa. If you missed us breaking down Samuel, you can read that here. Samuel is one of the better route runners in the draft. He’s also terrific after the catch and when the ball is in the air. It’s easy to see why Kyle Shanahan would gravitate towards him.

In the third round the team took Clemson CB Trayvon Mullen.

Mullen is a talented boundary corner who is good insurance if Jason Verrett can’t get healthy, and he could develop into the team’s No. 1 corner in a few years.

Mullen has the pedigree, he’s a lengthy corner that runs well. As far as on the field, I’m not so sure he’s what the 49ers are looking for. He doesn’t take the ball away. Mullen 41 times in 2018 and didn’t have a single interception while breaking up two passes. He never gave up a touchdown, so there’s that. When you watch Mullen, there isn’t a trait he does that makes you go “I want him.”

Trade!!

The 49ers ship Arik Armstead, who’s playing on the fifth-year option, to the New England Patriots in their annual trade hookup for fourth and seventh-round picks. In this situation, I may have used that extra fourth to move up for another player, depending on if someone fell.

Day three picks

With their remaining picks, the 49ers double down on WR, grab a LB, DT, guard, and a punter.

WR Mecole Hardman, Georgia

LB Tre Watson, Maryland

DT Chris Slayton, Syracuse

OG Nate Herbig, Stanford

P Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah

Hardman is fast. He ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine. He also has only been playing receiver for a couple of years. So this would be a developmental experience. Here’s the writers take on the rest of the picks.

If other options at the position cause Mecole Hardman to slip to Round 4, the 49ers would be wise to double-up on the position and grab him as a field-stretching option to add to the offense. Having a young receiving corps of Dante Pettis, Samuel, Hardman and Trent Taylor (and of course George Kittle at tight end) would be excellent for Jimmy Garoppolo. Watson gives the team depth at inside linebacker in case Kwon Alexander isn’t the same after tearing his ACL. Slayton and Herbig provide more depth on the interior of their respective lines, while Wishnowsky can compete for the punter role.