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2016 NFL Draft: Post-Super Bowl Full 7-Round Mock for San Francisco 49ers

By Peter Panacy

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the number ninth overall pick to the New York Giants in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the number ninth overall pick to the New York Giants in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2015; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Arizona Wildcats linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) celebrates after beating the New Mexico Lobos 45-37 in the 2015 New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Arizona Wildcats linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) celebrates after beating the New Mexico Lobos 45-37 in the 2015 New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 3

The Pick: ILB Scooby Wright III, Arizona

6’0″, 246 pounds

The 49ers need to get strong up the middle on defense once more, and it’s apparent inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite isn’t cut out to be an everyday starter.

To shore up this need, and to place a solid inside linebacker alongside NaVorro Bowman, the 49ers tab Arizona prospect and 2014 Heisman Trophy candidate Scooby Wright III.

Wright would have easily been a first-round pick had it not been for a season-ending knee injury that limited him to just three games in 2015. Prior to that, Wright led all the NCAA the previous year with 164 tackles as well as a collegiate-leading 31 tackles for a loss. Oh, and he also registered 15 sacks that year.

Dane Brugler of CBS Sports makes a comparison many 49ers fans should know well:

"After winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Rotary Lombardi Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2014, Wright missed all but three games as a junior and yet still elected to leave early for the NFL. He offers Jedi-like instincts and keen spatial awareness to knock the ball free, making him a potential standout against the run and while attacking the quarterback. The challenge of adapting to a more traditional defensive alignment and holding up in pass coverage, however, could keep him on the board into Day Two and raises concerns about his ability to duplicate his eye-popping collegiate success in the NFL. COMPARES TO: Chris Borland, ex-San Francisco 49ers – Like the former 49ers standout, Wright is a better football player than athlete, winning with terrific instincts, generally reliable open-field tackling and a knack for producing big plays."

A comparison to ex-49ers linebacker Chris Borland is a nice thing here. Both had their tackling prowess, and San Francisco’s defense needs help here in a major way.

He’s projected by CBS as a late third- or early fourth-round pick. But, pending his meniscus evaluations in advance of the draft, that stock should climb.

And general manager Trent Baalke loves his “All ACL” players, right? Well, at least it’s not an ACL injury in this case.

Next: Round 4