2020 49ers Mock Draft (Act One)

Well, it is that time of the year.  The one time where the 49ers fans channel their inner GM while praising or cursing every move the team makes during free agency and then the draft.  Where the fans tend to think that they know better than the team’s front office and will proclaim far and near to the top of their lungs.  You know, like what the New York Giants fans did during the 2019 draft.

This isn’t a slam at the fans who do a mock draft or two (or a hundred) between the months of January to April; it is just what tends to happen, sometimes with just a few fans, and other times with a majority of a fan base.

Now onto my mock.      

Currently, the 49ers are scheduled to pick 31^st in the first round of the draft and then not make another selection until the fifth round.  It goes without saying, but a good chunk of the analysts and fans are predicting the 49ers will trade out of that pick in order to garner some picks during the draft.  I agree with that sentiment, so this is how I think their draft will go.

ROUND ONE

49ers trade the 31^st pick to the Eagles for the 53^rd, 85^th, and 103^rd picks

ROUND TWO

PICK 53

WR Laviska Shenault Jr.

Durability concerns and being a boom/bust prospect will cause Shenault to suffer a freefall during the draft, and the 49ers will be there to stop it and pair the Swiss Army knife playmaker with the Swiss Army knife WR Deebo Samuel.

ROUND THREE

PICK 85

OL Lloyd Cushenberry III

Cushenberry is a starting caliber center who has the frame to also play guard.  He is a player with a high level of character who is tough to beat in pass protection and plays with a mean streak.  The 49ers need both since the offensive line was the 7^th worst in terms of pass protection in 2020.

PICK 103

CB Bryce Hall

The 49ers need a cornerback to challenge Akhello Witherspoon and  Emmanuel Moseley for the starting position opposite of Richard Sherman, and Hall easily fits the bill.  He is a long defensive back who excels in zone coverage and is a year removed from being one of the best CBs in college football.

ROUND FIVE

PICK 157

DL Raekwon Davis

Maturity and a lack of results despite having all the tools will cause Davis to plummet in the draft, but here the 49ers can afford to take a chance on someone capable of replacing DT/DE Arik Armstead while also putting the heat on current bust Solomon Thomas.

  

PICK 177

S/CB Jaron Bryant

Tavarius Moore is looking to be the starting FS for the 49ers in 2021, but the 49ers can give him some competition by drafting this kid.  A high character player, Bryant has the skill set needed to be effective against the pass and the run at the next level.  That he can be a good addition to the special teams is just icing on this potential diamond in the rough.

ROUND SIX

PICK 211

TE Dalton Keene

The 49ers really do not need a developmental TE rookie since they are fairly set at the position, but I am willing to bet that Shanahan will watch the tape showcasing Keene’s impressive versatility, speed, and athleticism and tell Lynch, “Yeah, I can definitely work with that.” 

ROUND SEVEN

PICK 218

OT Charlie Heck

Heck is a developmental prospect who needs to hit the weight room, but he is a solid blocker in the run game who is a quicker mover on his feet than one would think and could be developed into a swing tackle.

PICK 246

WR Jeff Thomas

Honestly, I would be surprised if Thomas is drafted due to the concerns about his character, but he is a true vertical threat in the passing game who could help open the 49ers offense up more and an exceptional kick returner who could help flip the field.

UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS SIGNINGS

CB/S Elijah Riley

WR Austin Mack

QB Steven Montez

DL Khalil Davis

S Geno Stone

CB Myles Bryant

OG/OT Jon Runyan

OT Scott Frantz

And there it is, my first seven-round mock draft for the 49ers.  What are your thoughts?  Comment below if you can, or leave a response on the Inside the 49ers blog hosted by Grant Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.