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2016 NFL Draft: Complete Mock for 49ers in Each Round

By Bryan Knowles

Trent Baalke and Chip Kelly have the chance to really re-make the roster from the ground up. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Trent Baalke and Chip Kelly have the chance to really re-make the roster from the ground up. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates with his teammates after defeating the Air Force Falcons at Amon G. Carter Stadium. California won 55-36. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates with his teammates after defeating the Air Force Falcons at Amon G. Carter Stadium. California won 55-36. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1, Pick 7: Jared Goff, QB, California

Surprised? Jared Goff has been the consensus number-one quarterback in the draft for much of the 2015 college football season, and is the first quarterback off the board in all four mock drafts currently on NFL.com.

However, over the past few weeks, Carson Wentz has been rising up draft boards based on a strong Senior Bowl performance and eye-popping numbers down at the FCS level. Wentz and Goff now can be found in either order on many draft boards, and the odds of Goff falling to the seventh overall pick, passing Cleveland, Dallas and any team interested in trading up, is gradually rising.

While I still like the option of trading back and taking Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch later in the first round, Jared Goff falling to the seventh overall pick would be a great situation for the 49ers. Goff participated in the sort of up-tempo offense that Chip Kelly enjoys running, and has all the attributes you’re looking for in an NFL starting quarterback—solid size, a very strong arm and solid mobility in the pocket. He’s not a scrambler by any stretch of the imagination, but will move out of danger to extend plays and complete passes.

His accuracy and decision-making processes could be improved, but these are common flaws for many rookie quarterbacks. His touch on short throws and accuracy on deep bombs help ease any worries about his development.

Assuming they stay with the seventh pick, the 49ers first-round choice should be one of the top three quarterbacks, one of the top two offensive tackles, defensive end Joey Bosa or wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. One of those seven players will best help the team moving forward.

Other players considered:

  • Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
  • Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
  • Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi.

Next: Round 2: A Boom or Bust Receiver