San Francisco 49ers: 7-Round Mock Draft and Top-100 Big Board

The San Francisco 49ers are starting over from scratch.

They have a brand-new head coach—Chip Kelly—a brand-new system on offense, a brand-new system on defense, one of the youngest rosters in the league and 12 draft picks to rebuild it.

Twelve draft picks may not be enough. The Niners have needs everywhere, especially at right tackle, outside linebacker, inside linebacker, cornerback, wide receiver and quarterback.

Unfortunately for the Niners, only three of their picks come on Days 1 and 2.  So, the Niners’ best draft strategy may be to trade down in Round 1 and pick as many Day 2 picks and 2017 picks as possible.

Fortunately for the Niners, trading down should be easy. The Los Angeles Rams and the Cleveland Browns probably will take quarterbacks with the top two picks, so a premium non-quarterback should fall to the Niners—someone like Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Multiple teams, including the Miami Dolphins, the Chicago Bears, and even the Philadelphia Eagles who pick eighth, may attempt to trade up with the 49ers for Elliott. If just two of those teams bid against each other, the 49ers will be in business.

Top 100 Big Board

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These are the top 100 players I expect the 49ers to target in the draft. Caution: These are not necessarily the top 100 draft-eligible players. These are the players I predict the 49ers will like most—players who fit the Niners' system and fill specific needs.

You'll notice Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott doesn't make the top 10. Elliott is a great talent and one of the top prospects in the draft, but the 49ers won't draft him high because they already have Carlos Hyde. Got it?

Here's the board:

San Francisco 49ers Big Board

Rank	Player	Position	School
1	Myles Jack	ILB	UCLA
2	Jalen Ramsey	S/CB	Florida State
3	Laremy Tunsil	OT	Ole Miss
4	Joey Bosa	EDGE	Ohio State
5	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State
6	Shaq Lawson	EDGE	Clemson
7	Darron Lee	ILB	Ohio State
8	Leonard Floyd	EDGE	Georgia
9	William Jackson III	CB	Houston
10	DeForest Buckner	DT	Oregon
11	Reggie Ragland	ILB	Alabama
12	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	Ohio State
13	Sheldon Rankins	DT	Louisville
14	Chris Jones	DT	Mississippi State
15	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio State
16	Ronnie Stanley	OT	Notre Dame
17	Jarran Reed	DT	Alabama
18	Andrew Billings	DT	Baylor
19	Josh Doctson	WR	TCU
20	Corey Coleman	WR	Baylor
21	Cody Whitehair	G	Kansas State
22	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
23	Emmanuel Ogbah	EDGE	Oklahoma State
24	Vernon Butler	DT	Louisiana Tech
25	Sterling Shepard	WR	Oklahoma
26	Jason Spriggs	OT	Indiana
27	Noah Spence	EDGE	Eastern Kentucky
28	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
29	Vernon Hargreaves	CB	Florida
30	Shillique Calhoun	EDGE	Michigan State
31	Paxton Lynch	QB	Memphis
32	Carson Wentz	QB	North Dakota State
33	Tyler Boyd	WR	Pittsburgh
34	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
35	Karl Joseph	S	West Virginia
36	Joe Thuney	G/T	North Carolina State
37	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
38	Michael Thomas	WR	Ohio State
39	Jonathan Bullard	DT	Florida
40	Ryan Kelly	C	Alabama
41	Xavien Howard	CB	Baylor
42	Kalan Reed	CB	Southern Mississippi
43	Hunter Henry	TE	Arkansas
44	Nick Martin	C	Notre Dame
45	Robert Nkemdiche	DT	Ole Miss
46	Su'a Cravens	ILB/S	USC
47	Paul Perkins	RB	UCLA
48	Kenneth Dixon	RB	Louisiana Tech
49	Jeremy Cash	S	Duke
50	Keanu Neal	S	Florida
51	Derrick Henry	RB	Alabama
52	Austin Johnson	DT	Penn State
53	Adolphus Washington	DT	Ohio State
54	Jordan Howard	RB	Indiana
55	Joshua Perry	ILB	Ohio State
56	Artie Burns	CB	Miami
57	Darian Thompson	S	Boise State
58	Vonn Bell	S	Ohio State
59	Kenny Clark	DT	UCLA
60	Kyler Fackrell	EDGE	Utah State
61	Justin Simmons	S	Boston College
62	Leonte Carroo	WR	Rutgers
63	Jared Goff	QB	Cal
64	Joshua Garnett	G	Stanford
65	Hassan Ridgeway	DT	Texas
66	Cyrus Jones	CB	Alabama
67	Kyle Murphy	OT	Stanford
68	Shon Coleman	OT	Auburn
69	Kevin Dodd	EDGE	Clemson
70	De'Vante Harris	CB	Texas A&M
71	Nick Kwiatkoski	ILB	West Virginia
72	Carl Nassib	EDGE	Penn State
73	Kamalei Correa	EDGE	Boise State
74	Sheldon Day	DT	Notre Dame
75	Jerell Adams	TE	South Carolina
76	Michael Thomas	WR	Southern Mississippi
77	Thomas Duarte	TE	UCLA
78	Bronson Kaufusi	DT	Brigham Young
79	Javon Hargrave	DT	South Carolina State
80	Rashard Higgins	WR	Colorado State
81	Isaac Seumalo	G	Oregon State
82	Christian Westerman	G	Arizona State
83	Keyarris Garrett	WR	Tulsa
84	Maliek Collins	DT	Nebraska
85	Alex Collins	RB	Arkansas
86	Will Fuller	WR	Notre Dame
87	Charone Peake	WR	Clemson
88	Devontae Booker	RB	Utah
89	Darius Latham	DT	Indiana
90	Malcolm Mitchell	WR	Georgia
91	Will Redmond	CB	Mississippi State
92	Devin Lucien	WR	Arizona State
93	Jayron Kearse	S	Clemson
94	Kevin Peterson	CB	Oklahoma State
95	Braxton Miller	WR	Ohio State
96	Steven Daniels	ILB	Boston College
97	Kentrell Brothers	ILB	Missouri
98	Jack Allen	C	Michigan State
99	Austin Hooper	TE	Stanford
100	Yannick Ngakoue	EDGE	Maryland

Round 1

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TRADE: S Antoine Bethea and Pick 7 to the Chicago Bears for Pick 11, Pick 72 and a third-rounder in 2017

The 49ers would like to trade veteran safety Antoine Bethea, according to The MMQB’s Peter King, who cites an anonymous source. Trading Bethea would create an opening in the 49ers’ starting lineup for last year’s second-round pick—Jacquiski Tartt.

Bethea turns 32 in July, and he missed nine games last season due to a torn pectoral muscle. But, he went to the Pro Bowl just two seasons ago when he played for Vic Fangio—currently the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears. This trade would reunite those two.

To make the trade work, the Niners would give up their first-round pick in addition to Bethea and get the Bears’ first- and third-round picks this year as well as their third-round pick next year in return. The Bears make this trade to acquire Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott.

TRADE: Pick 11 to the Tennessee Titans for Pick 15 and Pick 76

Why not trade down twice? The 49ers need as many bodies as they can get, and in this scenario they would pick up another third-round draft pick. Not bad.

The Titans trade up because they’re flush with draft picks. They recently acquired a first-rounder, two second-rounders and a third-rounder this year from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for the top pick in the draft, plus a fourth-rounder and a sixth-rounder.

The Niners trade down because they’re confident a player they like will be available at Pick 15.

Round 1, Pick 15 (from TENN via L.A.): Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia

This time last year, the Niners thought they had two good, young pass-rushers—Aaron Lynch and Aldon Smith. Then, on August 7, Smith got arrested for hit and run, DUI and vandalism, and the 49ers cut him shortly after.

Now, the Niners need to replace him. Head coach Chip Kelly seems to like edge-rushers who are tall and fast, like Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Connor Barwin or Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan, whom Kelly coached at the University of Oregon.

Floyd is 6'6", and he ran a 4.6 at the NFL Scouting Combine. He fits Kelly’s mold and could play right away in the 49ers’ sub-packages. He may need to add weight before he can play in the 49ers’ base defense, though.

Round 2

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Round 2, Pick 37: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana

Retired right tackle Anthony Davis still has not filed for reinstatement with the NFL. But, even if he does file before the start of the season, he may not be in shape—he hasn’t played since 2014. And he may not fit the Niners’ zone-blocking scheme, either.

Indiana tackle Jason Spriggs fits it perfectly. Spriggs played tight end in high school and ran a 4.94 40-yard dash at the combine, so he can move. He's probably the draft's most athletic tackle.

Spriggs would start immediately at right tackle and improve both the 49ers’ pass protection and run blocking. Davis can play guard if he ever reinstates.

Round 3

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Round 3, Pick 68: Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor

The 49ers tried to sign cornerback Sean Smith during free agency, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. But, instead, Smith chose to sign with the Oakland Raiders. Can you blame him?

Smith seemingly was the Niners’ top, most expensive free-agent target. Since they didn’t get him, it makes sense they would target a cornerback early in the draft.

Other than Jalen Ramsey of Florida State, who may play safety in the NFL, Baylor’s Xavien Hoard may be the best corner in the draft. He’s big (6'0", 201 lbs), fast (4.38 40-yard dash at his pro day) and productive (five interceptions and six pass breakups in 2015, according to the 2016 PFF Draft Guide). He excels in man-to-man coverage and is a terrific tackler. He’s a perfect fit in the 49ers defense.

Round 3, Pick 72 (from CHI): Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers

The 49ers need someone to replace all-time great wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

Quinton Patton probably will get the first chance to replace Boldin at the flanker position. Patton is a former fourth-round pick who has been in the NFL for three seasons. With him on the team, the Niners can wait until Round 4 to draft a receiver.

Rutgers’ Leonte Carroo should be available when the 49ers pick at the beginning of Round 4. Carroo is an explosive talent, but he played through injuries last season and missed four games.

He seems healthy now. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at his pro day, which is quite fast, but he isn’t just a speed receiver. He’s also a good route-runner with great hands, and he makes defenders miss after the catch. Chip Kelly will love him.

Round 3, Pick 76 (from TENN via L.A.): Nick Kwiatkoski, ILB, West Virginia

The 49ers never drafted an inside linebacker to replace Patrick Willis and Chris Borland. Now is the time to do so.

Niners general manager Trent Baalke has a history of drafting quality inside linebackers in Round 3. He drafted Borland in Round 3 of the 2014 draft, and NaVorro Bowman in Round 3 of the 2010 draft.

This year, Baalke will draft West Virginia inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski in Round 3. Kwiatkoski has the size (243 lbs) to take on guards in the running game, plus the height (6'2"), speed (4.65 40-yard dash at his pro day) and ball skills (three interceptions and five pass break-ups in 2015, according to Pro Football Focus' draft guide) to cover tight ends.

Round 4

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Round 4, Pick 105: Yannick Ngakoue, OLB, Maryland

The Niners should draft two pass-rushers, not just one. Kelly’s defense needs a rotation of rushers to keep each player fresh.

Maryland’s Yannick Ngakoue is a high-motor speed rusher who recorded 13 sacks as a junior in 2015—major production for a player in a major conference. Ngakoue uses tremendous quickness and agility to beat offensive linemen both around the edge and up the middle on stunts and twists.

Ngakoue falls to Round 4 because he’s not yet an effective run defender or every-down player. He needs to get bigger. He currently weighs 252 pounds.

Round 4, Pick 133: Daniel Lasco, RB, Cal

The Niners need a quality No. 2 running back behind injury-prone starter Carlos Hyde.

Cal’s Daniel Lasco will be a quality No. 2 running back in the NFL. He may not be durable enough to carry an offense by himself—he played through hip and ankle injuries in 2015 and ran the ball just 65 times—but he’s an ideal backup to a power runner like Hyde.

Lasco is electric. He ran a 4.4 40-yard dash at his pro day and explodes out of his cuts. He also blocks well and catches passes out of the backfield.

Round 5

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Round 5, Pick 142: Trevone Boykin, QB, TCU

As long as Colin Kaepernick is on the team, the 49ers shouldn’t draft a quarterback until the end of Round 4 or the beginning of Round 5.

TCU’s Trevone Boykin would be a great pick at the beginning of Round 5. Boykin fits the Niners offense. He played in a spread attack similar to the one Kelly runs, so Boykin’s learning curve would be small to non-existent.

Boykin is an extremely athletic quarterback with a powerful, accurate arm. But, he falls to Round 5 because he’s short (6'0") and negative off-field behavior (he was arrested for hitting an officer during a bar fight a few months ago).

Boykin's potential far outweighs the risk of drafting him in Round 5.

Round 5, Pick 145: D.J. Reader, NT, Clemson

Starting nose tackle Ian Williams is recovering from an ankle injury, and backup nose tackle Glenn Dorsey is recovering from a torn ACL. The Niners need another nose tackle in case those two aren’t ready for the beginning of the season.

Clemson’s D.J. Reader is a powerful 327-pound nose tackle who specializes in defending the run, and moves with the quickness of someone much smaller. The Niners met with Reader at the combine, according to Dan Hope of the Independent Mail (via of David Fucillo of Niners Nation).

Reader never had a breakout season in college, so he should be available when the Niners pick at the beginning of Round 5. He has traits they would love to coach up.

Round 5, Pick 174: Graham Glasgow, G/C, Michigan

If the season were to start tomorrow, Andrew Tiller would be the 49ers’ right guard.

Tiller may be a quality NFL guard someday. He’s strong, and he played well at times last season, but he lacks experience. The Niners probably don’t want to hand him a starting job just yet. They probably want someone to compete with him.

Michigan’s Graham Glasgow would be stiff competition. The 2015 All-Big Ten honorable mention has experience playing both guard and center, and he fits best in a zone-blocking scheme. He could become a versatile backup if he doesn’t beat out Tiller.

Round 6

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Round 6, Pick 178: Kevin Byard, FS, Middle Tennessee State

As a rookie in 2013, Eric Reid made 73 tackles, intercepted four passes and went to the Pro Bowl. He was fantastic. In the two seasons since then, Reid has made 91 tackles, intercepted only three passes and gone to no Pro Bowls. Not so fantastic.

For some reason, Reid seems slower and less aggressive than he was his rookie season. The 49ers may need a new free safety soon. Small-school free safety Kevin Byard intercepted 19 passes in college, and he’s fast (4.46 40-yard dash). He’d be a great value in the sixth round.

Round 6, Pick 207: Quinton Jefferson, DE, Maryland

The Niners have two quality starting defensive ends—Arik Armstead and Quinton Dial. Behind those two, the Niners have very little. They need more depth.

Maryland’s Quinton Jefferson is a 3-4 defensive end who specializes in rushing the quarterback. Jefferson is quick for his size, he has a terrific swim move and he recorded 6.5 sacks in 2015. He would be a terrific third-down replacement for Dial, who’s more of a first- and second-down run-stuffer.

Round 6, Pick 211: Stephen Anderson, TE, Cal

Chip Kelly likes to feature an H-back in his passing attack. On the Eagles, Kelly’s H-back was Zach Ertz. And on the Niners, Kelly’s H-back probably will be Blake Bell—a fourth-round pick in 2014.

Bell is a former quarterback who caught 15 passes as a rookie and only 16 passes in college. He’s no sure thing. The Niners need another H-back.

Cal’s Stephen Anderson is a former receiver who ran a 4.63 40-yard dash at his pro day. He falls to Round 6 because he has hardly any blocking experience.

Round 6, Pick 213: Marquez North, WR, Tennessee

The sixth round is a good round to draft players who didn’t have successful college careers, but they do have traits worth developing.

Tennessee’s Marquez North caught only 74 passes in college and was frequently injured. But he’s 6'2", 223 pounds and ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at his pro day. It’s not easy to find such a big, athletic wide receiver in Round 6.

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