49ers mock drafts: One man seems like a lock in our final look at candidates at No. 2
It’s rare that anything is certain heading into any NFL draft. However, if you ask most national analysts, this year’s top two picks are almost a lock.
It’s probably a safe bet that if the presumed No. 1 pick, Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray, isn’t selected by the Arizona Cardinals or acquired by a team that trades up to get him, he’s not going to the 49ers, either, as that position isn’t one of glaring need.
San Francisco is widely expected to use the No. 2 overall pick on a player to help boost its pass rush. The overwhelming choice among the analysts sampled here is Ohio State defensive end 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.”
Bosa is so highly regarded as the 49ers’ pick, only one analyst thinks otherwise – only because he has Bosa going first.
Here’s our final look at who analysts think San Francisco will choose Thursday when the 2019 NFL draft kicks off from Nashville, Tenn.:
With the second pick, the 49ers select ...
CHRIS BIDERMAN, The Sacramento Bee (April 24): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
ALBERT BREER, Sports Illustrated (April 25): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
WILL BRINSON, CBS Sports (April 24): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
BUCKY BROOKS, NFL.com (April 25): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
EDDIE BROWN, San Diego Union-Tribune (April 24): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
CHARLIE CAMPBELL, Walter Football (April 25): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
WALTER CHEREPINSKY, Walter Football (April 25): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
CHARLES DAVIS, NFL.com (April 23): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
NATE DAVIS, USA Today (April 24): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
JARED DUBIN, CBS Sports (April 25): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
LUKE EASTERLING, Draft Wire (April 23): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
CAM INMAN, Bay Area News Group (April 24): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
DANIEL JEREMIAH, NFL.com (April 24): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
DANNY KELLY, The Ringer (April 25): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
MEL KIPER JR., ESPN (April 18): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
RHETT LEWIS, NFL.com (April 23): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
TODD McSHAY, ESPN (April 25): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
MICHAEL MIDDLEHURST-SCHWARTZ, USA Today (April 22): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
PETE PRISCO, CBS Sports (April 25): Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
CHRIS TRAPASSO, CBS Sports (April 23): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
R.J. WHITE, CBS Sports (April 23): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
RYAN WILSON, CBS Sports (April 23): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
This story was originally published April 24, 2019 at 4:36 PM.