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2017 NFL Draft Preview: San Francisco 49ers 7-Round Mock

By Logan Stanley

Feb 2, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan answers questions during a press conference at Westin Houston Memorial City Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan answers questions during a press conference at Westin Houston Memorial City Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1, No.2: DL Jonathan Allen

Top 300 ranking: 7

Three straight first round drafts with a defensive lineman? That’s right.

This a tough one. A load of mock drafts have the 49ers selecting a quarterback at this position. QBs like North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky, Clemson’s DeShaun Watson and Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer have all been speculated at the No. 2 slot.

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    • I think the 49ers go defense here to patch up that 32nd-ranked rushing defense. This pick is entirely structured around the assumption that the Cleveland Browns draft Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett first overall.

    Garrett — who Miller has praised as a “generational talent” and ranks higher on a historical grading scale than Houston Texans DE Jadeveon Clowney and Los Angeles Chargers DE Joey Bosa — is exactly who the 49ers should draft, if he were to be available. But the possibility of that is slim.

    That leaves us with B/R’s second-ranked rusher, DL Jonathan Allen. The 22-year-old Allen, who can play both defensive end in a 4-3 and defensive tackle in a 3-4, offers an unique skill-set that the 49ers are longing for. DE DeForest Buckner has shown glimpses of power and the consensus is that his draft selection has been justified. The two young pass-rushers, alongside Erik Armstead, could form a trio that would be impactful for years to come. In order to return to the days of being a top team in the NFL, the 49ers must build up their defense — just as they did leading up to the 2010s.

    Allen’s versatility as a defender makes him that more alluring as a draft prospect. Right now, San Francisco currently has no defensive coordinator. Reports currently peg New England Patriots LB coach Brian Flores and former Jacksonville LB coach Robert Saleh as frontrunners for the 49ers DC job. With Allen’s ability to switch between formations, that means whoever is at DC will have no worries about scheme fits.