The NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, with the free-agent frenzy passed and the remaining players to be signed as gap-fillers. The 49ers addressed the majority of their needs, signing cornerback Richard Sherman, center Weston Richburg, running back Jerick McKinnon, pass rusher Jeremiah Attaochu and guard Jonathan Cooper.

The draft is an opportunity for John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan to identify the remaining needs and continue building out a roster with plenty of optimism for the 2018 season.

Our friends at Draft Wire this week published a full seven-round mock draft predicting 256 picks in April. Let’s take a quick look at the 49ers’ nine selections and break down how the choices would fit.

Round 1 (pick 9) | Minkah Fitzpatrick | DB | Alabama

(Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)

Fitzpatrick is arguably the best defensive back in the draft and he is certainly the most versatile. He has the size (6-1, 201) to line up as a safety and handle tight ends in coverage, but also the speed to be a primary slot corner when necessary. The team could line him up all over the field as a counter piece to offenses’ strengths. Fitzpatrick can cover, play in run support and even has the capability to provide pressure off of the edge as a blitzer. The 49ers look to have a surplus of capable safeties but if Fitzpatrick slips to them, he’ll be awfully hard to ignore. He could be the long-term replacement for Jimmie Ward, who’s entering the final year of his contract.