49ers mock drafts: Offseason trade isn’t expected to change position of focus
One of the 49ers’ glaring concerns following the 2018 season was their pass rush.
San Francisco took a step toward fixing that issue this month when it traded for Dee Ford. He had 13 sacks last season for the Kansas City Chiefs while earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
Despite the acquisition, draft analysts still feel the 49ers will use the No. 2 selection in next month’s NFL draft to add another pass rusher.
It’s a two-man race which leans hard toward one player: Ohio State’s Nick Bosa. According to his draft profile on NFL.com, Bosa is a “high-motor defensive end prospect possessing NFL play strength on a well-muscled, compact frame. ... His lack of fluidity in space could prevent him from becoming an elite rusher, but he understands how to play and should become an early starter and future Pro Bowler.”
Here’s a sampling from the analysts on what they’re saying about the 49ers’ draft prospects:
ESPN+
Updated March 25
Mel Kiper Jr. is among the analysts who have Bosa destined to wear red and gold.
Kiper: “The 49ers could be the big winners if (Oklahoma quarterback Kyler) Murray goes No. 1 because it means the top pass-rusher – and my top-ranked prospect – is still on the board here. 1.) Two potential options: Take Bosa and put him on the other side of new addition Dee Ford, and the edge-rushing group – a major weakness in 2018 – immediately becomes a strength. 2.) Put the pick up for sale and get more capital to improve a talented team that still has some holes. We’ve seen San Francisco GM John Lynch trade down before; he did it in 2017, when the Bears moved up one spot to take Mitchell Trubisky, and the Niners got back two third-round picks and a fourth-rounder. Could Lynch do it again?”
NFL.com
Updated March 26
The league’s official website provides mock drafts from multiple analysts. The latest to check in is Peter Schrager, who also likes Bosa.
Schrager: “Bosa’s the most polished pass rusher in this draft, and he is widely viewed as the top prospect in this class. San Francisco would be thrilled to see him slip out of the top spot, which is what I think will happen.”
CBS Sports
Updated March 28
Like NFL.com, CBS Sports also offers mocks from multiple analysts. The latest to post is Jared Dubin, who also has Bosa going to the 49ers.
Dubin: “Kyle Shanahan can turn pretty much any pieces into a good offense, but his team entered this offseason badly needing help on defense. San Fran has already spent some money to rectify its issues but will bring in Bosa, who provides something much different than any of the 49ers’ recent defensive-line draft picks, to give Robert Saleh a devastating pass-rush combination alongside Dee Ford.”
USA Today
Updated March 14
Nate Davis is another analyst who puts San Francisco on Bosa.
Davis: “Even with former Chiefs OLB Dee Ford headed to the Bay Area, this still appears like an ideal fit for Bosa. The Niners are solid up the middle with DeForest Buckner but probably can’t have enough athletic edge defenders in a division featuring Russell Wilson and, potentially, Murray.”
Bleacher Report
Updated March 25
Add Matt Miller to those who have Bosa as the choice.
Miller: “If Kyler Murray is drafted No. 1 overall then the happiest team in the NFL will be the San Francisco 49ers. Simply because Ohio State’s edge-rusher Nick Bosa will be on the board. Bosa, teamed with free agent signees Dee Ford and Kwon Alexander, could give the 49ers a dangerous defense. With Richard Sherman, DeForest Buckner and last year’s breakout rookie Fred Warner coming back as marquee starters, this group looks playoff-caliber on paper.”
Walter Football
Updated March 26
Finally, someone in this roundup went against the grain.
Walter Cherepinsky has Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams as San Francisco’s pick.
According to his draft profile on NFL.com, “Williams is an instant starter with Pro Bowl potential. ... His play strength is good, but his lack of mass and length will show up at times against NFL competition.”
Cherepinsky: “The 49ers are currently deciding between Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams. ... Williams had a breakout performance this season and ... is now a likely top-five selection.”
The Ringer
Updated March 15
Danny Kelly also has Bosa in red and gold.
Kelly: “Packs power, explosiveness and agility into a prototype pass rusher’s frame; he might just have more upside than his older brother (Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa).”
This story was originally published March 29, 2019 at 2:50 PM.