2016 NFL Draft: Way Too Early Mock for San Francisco 49ers, Version 1.0A
By Peter Panacy
Nov 21, 2015; Tulsa, OK, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane wide receiver Keyarris Garrett (1) catches a pass and turns up the field against the Navy Midshipmen at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joey Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Round 5: Pick from San Diego
Selection: WR Keyarris Garrett, Tulsa
Round 5 is frequently reserved for those proverbial “diamond in the rough” picks teams occasionally manage to squeeze out. Hey, linebacker Aaron Lynch should ring a bell.
At 6’4″ and 221 pounds, Tulsa wide receiver Keyarris Garrett has the physical intangibles to be intriguing enough to supplement San Francisco’s growing wide receiver needs.
True, wideout Torrey Smith is going to be here for a while. But 35-year-old veteran Anquan Boldin is in a contract year, fellow WRs Bruce Ellington and Quinton Patton haven’t made splashy impacts and who knows how effective wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (NFI) will be after his redshirted rookie season.
Garrett filled up the stat sheet with 1,451 receiving yards in 2015 and, while he may be raw, could end up being a nice project for the 49ers offense if he builds on his natural strengths.
Oct 3, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Tyler Johnstone (64) celebrates the win over the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. The Ducks defeated the Buffaloes 41-24. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Round 5: Own Pick
Selection: OT Tyler Johnstone, Oregon
Right tackle Erik Pears isn’t working out, and who knows the situation with Anthony Davis. Will Trent Brown be ready to assume a starting role at the position in 2016?
Oregon tackle Tyler Johnstone has the physical attributes to hold his own here. At 6’6″ and 295 pounds, Johnstone has some injury concerns, which aren’t as big of a risk in Round 5. Still, he has the skill set necessary to excel at the NFL level.
Per Rob Rang of CBS Sports, Johnstone was very effective in the Ducks’ zone-blocking scheme — the same approach the 49ers wanted to use to maximize the effectiveness of running back Carlos Hyde.
Johnstone primarily lined up on the left side of the offensive line, so there is a possibility of him being a swing tackle should another incumbent member of the 49ers win out the starting job.
Nov 21, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Cyrus Jones (5) celebrates after returning a punt for a touchdown against Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Round 5: Compensatory Pick (Perrish Cox)
Selection: CB Cyrus Jones, Alabama
The 49ers don’t really need to draft a cornerback this year but, knowing general manager Trent Baalke, they will take another defensive back at some point.
One with versatility would be an ideal fit. And Alabama corner Cyrus Jones could provide that flexibility.
The 5’10”, 196-pound Jones is a little undersized for anything more than a nickel corner. But he does have good experience in punt returns. Given wide receiver Bruce Ellington’s question marks here, and the uncertainty surrounding Jarryd Hayne’s future, Jones could give that added spark in the return game the 49ers have been lacking.
Next: Round 6