Six 2015 NFL Draft Picks Who Could Be Opening-Game Starters for 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers need to draft as many opening-game starters as they can.
At minimum, the Niners need Week 1 starters at linebacker and cornerback. Linebacker Michael Wilhoite and cornerback Shareece Wright—starters on the current depth chart—should be backups. The Niners could find replacements for both of them during the first three rounds of the NFL draft.
The Niners also could use starters at guard and defensive end. Former starting left guard Mike Iupati signed with the Arizona Cardinals, and former starting left defensive end Ray McDonald signed with the Chicago Bears. They are dominant players. The Niners don't have dominant replacements for them.
The Niners don't have dominant running backs or receivers, either. It couldn't hurt to draft Week 1 starters at both positions.
Here are six draft picks who could start right away for the 49ers.
Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
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The Niners signed former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith this offseason to a five-year, $40 million contract. They gave him starter's money. Smith has been a starter for almost his entire four-season career, and he's in line to start opposite Anquan Boldin in 2015.
Not many wide receivers in the upcoming draft are good enough to take Smith's job next season. Smith is an established player who's averaging 16.9 yards per catch on his career. He is one of the best deep threats in the NFL.
But he has bad hands. Last season, he dropped 11 passes, and his drop rate was 18.33—second-worst in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. He might struggle catching passes from Colin Kaepernick, who throws very hard.
Former Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong has great hands. He would have no trouble snagging Kaepernick's fastballs.
Strong is a well-rounded receiver who makes contested catches over the middle, like Boldin, and deep catches down the sideline, like Smith. If the Niners take Strong in Round 1, he can start opposite Boldin, and Smith can be the No. 3 receiver—the deep threat off the bench.
Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon State
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The Niners don't have a No. 2 cornerback.
The No. 1 cornerback is Tramaine Brock. After him, the Niners have Shareece Wright, Dontae Johnson and Chris Cook. Not one of them is a good option to start opposite Brock next season.
Former Oregon State cornerback Steven Nelson is a Week 1 starter the Niners can get in Round 3. Nelson would be a huge upgrade over Wright, Johnson and Cook.
Last season, Nelson shut down two receivers whom teams might pick in Round 1—Jaelen Strong and former USC receiver Nelson Agholor. Nelson gave up only seven catches combined and zero touchdowns to those two receivers.
Nelson probably will fall to the third round because he's short. But he's no shorter than Brock. They're both 5'10", and they're both good. Nelson might be better.
Mario Edwards Jr., DE, Florida State
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If the Niners want a legitimate replacement for Ray McDonald, they should consider drafting former Florida State defensive end Mario Edwards Jr.
McDonald was the ideal 5-technique defensive end for the 49ers. He was the model. Edwards fits that model. Compare his combine numbers to McDonald's:
Edwards: 6'3", 279 pounds, 4.84 40-yard dash, 7.44 three-cone drill, 32 reps on the bench, 33 ¼-inch arms.
McDonald: 6'3", 276 pounds, 4.88 40-yard dash, 7.41 three-cone drill, 33 reps on the bench, 34 ¼-inch arms.
They practically are clones. Both have a rare combination of strength and speed—they're faster than some linebackers. They can bull rush tackles and guards, and they can chase runners to the sideline. They defend a large area of the field, not just one tiny section between the tackles.
If the Niners feel they absolutely need the next McDonald, they will have to draft Edwards in Round 1. He might get picked in the teens, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
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Donovan Smith, OG, Penn State
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The 49ers might incorporate more zone blocking in their running game next season to accommodate Kaepernick.
Kaepernick excels at the zone read, which typically involves zone blocking. Former 49ers left guard Mike Iupati was not suited for this. Zone blocking requires running, and Iupati is slow.
The Niners need a faster guard. Former Penn State offensive lineman Donovan Smith recently ran a 4.98 40-yard dash at his pro day. That's a great time for a 338-pounder.
Smith is fast enough to zone block. He also is big and strong enough to drive back defenders in a man-blocking scheme. Smith would allow the Niners to call any running play they can imagine.
The Niners will meet with Smith this week, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun. Experts expect teams to pick Smith in Round 2 or Round 3.
Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
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The Niners need someone who can cover Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham.
Former Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson might be the man for the job. He is the most fluid inside linebacker in the draft—he's a natural in man-to-man coverage. He intercepted five passes and broke up 16 in 40 collegiate games.
Thompson also played running back at Washington, and he averaged 7.5 yards per carry. He can back up 49ers' starting running back Carlos Hyde.
And he can start at inside linebacker. In the 49ers' base defense, the player who runs around and makes most of the tackles is the "Jack" linebacker. Thompson would be perfect for that position.
In the 49ers' nickel defense, Thompson can cover tight ends or running backs. The Niners can get him in Round 2.
Todd Gurley, RB, University of Georgia
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In November, former Georgia running back Todd Gurley tore his ACL. Before he tore it, some draft experts expected teams to draft Gurley in the top five picks of Round 1. Now, Gurley probably will be available when the Niners pick at No. 15.
49ers general manager Trent Baalke might not care about Gurley's knee. Over the past two years, Baalke has drafted four players coming off torn ACLs—guard Brandon Thomas, cornerback Keith Reaser, defensive tackle Tank Carradine and running back Marcus Lattimore. Baalke also signed former Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, who tore his ACL last year.
When Gurley is healthy, he can carry an offense by himself. He is better than Carlos Hyde. Together, they would make one of the best running back duos in the NFL.
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