Full San Francisco 49ers Primer for the 2016 NFL Draft

Analysts’ Round 1 Mocks for 49ers in NFL Draft

Not surprisingly, Round 1 of any NFL draft always garners the majority of attention during this time of year.

NFL analysts have been speaking their minds about what the 49ers’ plans in Round 1 will be for some time now. So let’s take a look at what some of these experts are saying with regards to what San Francisco will do at No. 7 overall.

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: QB Jared Goff, Cal

"The 49ers can’t afford to pass on a potential franchise QB in their own backyard."

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: QB Jared Goff, Cal

"If the 49ers decide to move on from Colin Kaepernick, it would be hard to bypass the Cal standout based on his polished game and tremendous upside."

Todd McShay, ESPN.com: QB Jared Goff, Cal

"There has been a lot of noise around Colin Kaepernick since my last mock draft, with the 49ers exploring trade options. As of now, he’s still on the roster, but the position is far from settled. If Goff — or Wentz — is still on the board at No. 7, you’d have to think San Francisco would at least consider pulling the trigger. A QB with Goff’s skill set — natural accuracy, good anticipation and a smooth release — would fit nicely within Chip Kelly’s offense."

Dane Brugler, CBS Sports: QB Jared Goff, Cal

"Many assume Chip Kelly desires a mobile quarterback, but the most important trait to run his offense is quick mental processor, which fits Goff, who also happens to be a native of the Bay Area."

Rob Rang, CBS Sports: QB Jared Goff, Cal

"Given his preference for athletic quarterbacks at Oregon, it isn’t difficult to imagine Chip Kelly falling for Colin Kaepernick’s dual-threat possibilities. However, unless Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke are supremely confident that Kaepernick can resurrect his once promising career, adding the popular Bay Area product (who grew up a 49ers fan) seems too easy of a solution at the game’s most important position. Most important to Kelly’s scheme is anticipation and accuracy – two of Goff’s best attributes."

Peter Schrager, Fox Sports: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame

"Offensive line is an area of need for the 49ers — it was rattled by the departures of Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis last offseason, and next year’s unit still is a bit of a question mark. Right behind Tunsil on the offensive line board this year is Stanley. The Notre Dame star had a great Combine week. He’s 6-foot-6, 312 pounds, dominated opponents his entire career at Notre Dame, and had an arm length and hand size longer than Tunsil."

Matt Miller, Bleacher Report: QB Jared Goff, Cal

"For obvious reasons, the 49ers need help at the position and a long-term solution. Even if Colin Kaepernick is on the roster in 2016, the front office can still draft a quarterback at No. 7 overall."

The overwhelming consensus points to the 49ers taking Cal quarterback Jared Goff with their first pick.

It’s not surprising, even if San Francisco has a plethora of needs elsewhere. Taking a QB in Round 1 would signify a new era for the franchise and would, essentially, be turning the page on the Colin Kaepernick era.

Even if Kaepernick remains on the roster for 2016, the Niners would still be in a position to groom and develop the next quarterback.

Should they go this route, of course.

Next: Round 1 Big Board