Thanks to the late-season success of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the offseason expectations have been set high for the San Francisco 49ers. While it might be ridiculous to predict a seventh Super Bowl berth for the team from the Bay, competing for a playoff spot is absolutely in the realm of possibility.
Second-year head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch can push this team over the hump with a solid draft. Here’s what I think they should do.
Round 1, Pick 9: Derwin James, Safety, Florida State
2017: 84 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, one sack, two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, 11 passes defended (6-3, 211 pounds)
The 49ers let Eric Reid walk in free agency and his continued unemployment is kind of ridiculous. That’s a whole other article. In this one, I’m putting together a mock draft and San Francisco can fill up his empty roster slot with a day one starter in James.
Round 2, Pick 59: Malik Jefferson, OLB, Texas
2017: 110 tackles, 10 for a loss, four sacks (6-3, 240 pounds)
Before Reuben Foster ended up in the police blotter, SF needed to add linebackers anyway. Now, they have to be even more desperate. While Jefferson isn’t a mike, he should allow the 49ers to move some guys around and get three competent, starting linebackers on the field.
Round 3, Pick 70: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
2017: 80 catches, 1,033 yards, eight touchdowns, five carries, 61 yards, one rushing touchdowns, 15 punt returns, 153 return yards, 10.2 yards per return (5-11, 215 pounds)
Over the last week Moore’s draft stock has been skyrocketing to the point where some have tabbed him as the best wideout in the draft. I don’t see that, but if he’s still on the board in the third, San Francisco should run that card up to the podium in record time.
Round 3, Pick 74: Lorenzo Carter, DE, Georgia
2017: 62 tackles, 8.5 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries (6-6, 243 pounds)
The 49ers have invested two first round picks in recent years on pass rushing defensive ends. Last year, Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas combined for a total of 4.5 sacks. Now, neither guy played a full season and there’s no chance Carter could beat them out, but he can immediately contribute in the rotation and spell guys on passing downs.
Round 4, Pick 128: Wyatt Teller, OG, Virginia Tech
6-4, 301 pounds
A few seasons ago the 49ers could boasted one of the top offensive lines in the NFL. While they’re still good, they’re far form the unit Jim Harbaugh sent into battle. Teller adds depth and can spot start later in the season.
Round 5, Pick 143: Darius Phillips, Cornerback, Western Michigan
2017: 39 tackles, four for a loss, one sack, three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 26 kick returns, 683 return yards, 26.3 yards per kick return, two kick return touchdowns, 13 punt returns, 104 punt return yards, eight yards per punt return (5-10, 190 pounds)
San Francisco spent its free agent money on Richard Sherman and won’t regret it. What Phillips can add is depth, a nickle starter and a dynamic special teams presence.
Round 6, Pick 184: Justin Crawford, RB, West Virginia
2017: 191 carries, 1,060 yards, 5.5 yards per carry, seven touchdowns (6-0, 202 pounds)
The 49ers signed Jerick McKinnon as a free agent to test drive him as an every down back. Even if that works out, they must add depth. Crawford has the size to shake things up in the RB rotation and push the ball in at the goal line.
Round 7, Pick 223: Sam Jones, OG, Arizona State
6-5, 290 pounds
When you invest in a quarterback, you need to make sure you’ve got the men on the roster to protect him. Jones should be a value pick in the seventh.
Round 7, Pick 227: Kenny Young, ILB, UCLA
2017: 110 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, three passes defended, one fumble return (6-1, 240 pounds)
If you read my linebacker rankings, you know I’m high on Young and think he’s undervalued. Unless some other GM/Coach combo agrees with me, he would be a tremendous selection to wrap up SF’s 2018 draft.
