We’re a day away from the NFL Draft. The San Francisco 49ers are in a position where they’ll need to be open to selecting a player they don’t view as a “need.” When you’re selecting at the end of the 1st round, anything is possible. In fact, it’s more likely there will be a wrench thrown in your plans well before you’re on the clock.
There have been two veteran additions at wide receiver this offseason, as well as a prominent interior pass rusher. Throw in a couple of experienced offensive linemen,
and the Niners have put themselves in a position to take the best player available on Thursday night.
John Lynch didn’t have much to say during his pre-draft presser. At least, he didn’t tip his hand or give any indication of who the team is considering. Again, how could he know with the team picking so late in the first round? We don’t have much information to go on, but we’ll talk about what a potential dream scenario would look like for the 49ers.
What is the dream scenario for the 49ers in Round 1?
My answer: Other teams can do the 49ers multiple favors by selecting late-rising players who didn’t sniff first-round talk four and five months ago. Take Malachi Lawrence, a pass rusher from Central Florida, for example. Sure, he tested well. But when you watch him, the pad level is inconsistent, and when it’s time for contact, he either “dies” immediately or struggles to negotiate it well. Those passive players are not the ones who got the 49ers to become a perennial playoff team.
The sweet spot for an edge rusher isn’t in the first round. Ideally, the prospects who have been propped up are off the board by the time the Niners are on the clock. That’s the dream scenario. Where the 49ers aren’t put in a position to reach for a player.
A team taking offensive tackle Caleb Lomu over Max Iheanachor or Blaker Miller would be a win for the 49ers. The same is true for Omar Cooper Jr. and any other undersized receiver over the likes of Chris Bell and Denzel Boston.
Defensive back is flying under the radar. Would you rather CB4(Chris Johnson out of San Diego State) or OT8? That should be an easy decision. Teams haven’t prioritized safety in the first round, making Emmanuel McNeil-Warren a candidate to slip to Day 2.
The dream scenario would involve Iheanachor or Miller being available, or within striking distance for a trade-up. That’s my answer. What’s yours? Let us know in the comments.
