Top 6 Players the San Francisco 49ers Should Target in Round 1 of the 2016 Draft

The San Francisco 49ers still need to replace retired inside linebacker Patrick Willis.

If they wish to replace him in the first round of the upcoming draft, they can take Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame or Myles Jack of UCLA. Either player would be a terrific pick.

Jack (listed at 6'1", 245 lbs) played outside linebacker at UCLA but would play inside linebacker in the 49ers’ 3-4 defense. He’s about the same size as NaVorro Bowman (6'0", 242 lbs).

Jaylon Smith (listed at 6'3", 240 lbs) is taller than Jack, which works in Smith’s favor. The Niners need a tall linebacker to cover division rival Jimmy Graham, so Smith is a good fit. He should be No. 6 on the 49ers draft board.

In ascending order, here are the top players San Francisco should target in Round 1 of the upcoming draft.

5. Memphis QB Paxton Lynch

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As good as Jaylon Smith is, and much as the Niners need an inside linebacker, they can’t draft one over Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch. Quarterback is a more difficult position to fill and a bigger need for San Francisco.

If the Niners were to draft Smith instead of Lynch, they would have to wait until the second or third round to draft a project quarterback like Carson Wentz from North Dakota State or Cardale Jones from Ohio State—guys who might amount to nothing.

Lynch seems to have the traits of a franchise quarterback. He’s big and fast, he has a strong arm and was extremely successful in college. He’s similar to Blake Bortles, the No. 3 pick from the 2013 draft who has thrown 30 touchdown passes this season for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Lynch should be No. 5 on the 49ers draft board.

4. Ohio State DE Joey Bosa

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The best defensive player in the draft is Joey Bosa from Ohio State. He’s the kind of player a franchise can build around, a player like former 49ers All Pro Justin Smith.

Smith was the fourth pick in 2001. He played the first seven seasons of his career as a 4-3 defensive end, but he was athletic enough to play 3-4 outside linebacker, too—he was that good. Eventually, he bulked up and became a 3-4 defensive end.

Bosa could have the same career path. As a rookie, he’d play outside linebacker for San Francisco and replace former 49ers standout Aldon Smith. Then, seven or eight years down the line, Bosa could move inside and replace Justin Smith, too.

Bosa should be No. 4 on the 49ers draft board.

3. Cal QB Jared Goff

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If he declares, the best quarterback in the draft will be Jared Goff, the junior from Cal.

Goff has a chance to be special. He’s not a can’t-miss prospect like former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, who was ready to rip his rookie season. Goff may need a season to develop. He’s skinny, and he played in a spread offense in college.

But he has a cannon, he throws accurately to all areas of the field and he feels pressure in the pocket as he sidesteps the rush and keeps his eyes downfield—similar to Peyton Manning.

Goff should be No. 3 on the 49ers big board.

2. Notre Dame OT Ronnie Stanley

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Quarterback is not the Niners’ biggest need.

Even a great quarterback needs time to throw, which he won’t have behind San Francisco’s current offensive line. Niners quarterback Blaine Gabbert got sacked nine times last week by a Cleveland Browns defense that had recorded just 17.0 sacks coming into that game.

Offensive line is priority No. 1.

The Niners expect former starting right tackle Anthony Davis, who retired during the offseason, to return next year. Davis has talent, but the Niners can’t rely on him—he played only seven games the season before he retired. If one of the top offensive tackles falls to the 49ers in Round 1, they have to draft him.

Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley is the second-best offensive tackle in the draft. He should be No. 2 on the Niners draft board. He’s a terrific pass protector—much better than Davis, who specializes in run blocking.

1. Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil

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The best offensive tackle in the draft is Laremy Tunsil from Ole Miss. He should be No. 1 on the 49ers draft board.

Tunsil could start Week 1 at left tackle his rookie season, although the Niners wouldn’t need him to play that position. They still have one of the best left tackles in the NFL—Joe Staley, who has been playing through a sprained knee the past few weeks

If the 49ers were to draft Tunsil, he could play right tackle the first few seasons of his career, then move to left tackle when Staley retires. Any quarterback would love to play behind those two.

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Unless otherwise noted, all statistics in this article were obtained via ESPN.com.