2016 NFL Draft: Complete 7-Round Mock for the San Francisco 49ers
By Peter Panacy
Round 6, Pick No. 178
OLB Dadi Nicolas, Virginia Tech
When you think you have enough pass-rushers, you should always add another, right?
Such would be the case with an addition of Virginia Tech outside linebacker Dadi Nicolas. In 2014, Nicolas posted 8.5 sacks and had 17 total over four collegiate seasons.
The 6’3″, 235-pound prospect enters the draft projecting as an outside linebacker instead of a traditional defensive end in a 4-3 scheme.
Round 6, Pick No. 207
WR De’Runnya Wilson, Mississippi State
We’ve already covered some of the need the 49ers have at wide receiver this offseason, and the early selection of Rutgers’ Leonte Carroo has solved some of the shortcomings.
But at 6’5″ and 224 pounds, Mississippi State’s De’Runnya Wilson has some sheer physicality too good for San Francisco to pass up in Round 6.
Wilson is raw and not the best route-runner. But what he does offer is tremendous red-zone potential — an area in which the 49ers offense has struggled in recent seasons. The team lacks a true red-zone threat, so adding a player like Wilson would have some likable implications.
The Mississippi State prospect did post 10 touchdowns last season and also averaged 15.3 yards per catch.
Round 6, Pick No. 211
G Rees Odhiambo, Boise State
Boise State offensive guard Rees Odhiambo is raw — he didn’t start playing organized football until his high school years, per CBS Sports — but his physical makeup and prowess lend the Kenya native some interesting attention worthy of being considered in the draft.
Odhiambo is 6’4″ and 314 pounds and could work his way into a backup role for San Francisco’s offensive line.
Dane Brugler of CBS Sports noted Odhiambo’s fit into a zone-blocking scheme — the same approach to be employed by head coach Chip Kelly. And while injury concerns will accompany Odhiambo’s selection, the Niners wouldn’t have to worry too much about him becoming an injury-prone starter.
He’d likely be tabbed behind interior linemen like Zane Beadles, Andrew Tiller, Marcus Martin and Brandon Thomas with the possibility of passing up the latter two down the road.
Round 6, Pick No. 213
QB Vernon Adams Jr., Oregon
The last pick the 49ers have in the 2016 NFL Draft covers a position many think will be handled by their first: quarterback.
Yes, if you want a project signal-caller, Oregon’s Vernon Adams is your guy.
OK, so analysts think the 5’11”, 200-pound prospect is too small and not durable enough to play the position. And those concerns are warranted. Durability may be an issue as well. But the comparisons between the former Duck and current Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson are there.
Just ask Rob Rang and Dane Brugler of CBS Sports.
Adams also showcased his talent during the East West Shrine Game, as illustrated in the video below:
Even more important to head coach Chip Kelly, who obviously has to see the Oregon connection, is Adams’ ability to execute on quick, precision-based passes in the short and intermediate areas of the field.
Tack on his ability to extend plays with his legs, and it’s hard not to see Adams being the perfect project-type quarterback worthy of a late-round selection.
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So there you have it — a full mock to chronicle what the 49ers should do in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Mocks are mocks, and rarely do they take into account other teams plans or the seemingly endless number of factors working into draft preparation and plans.
Yet this sort of draft class would be a wise one for San Francisco as general manager Trent Baalke looks to turn the fortunes around for a franchise struggling to get back on its feet.
Next: Primer for 49ers in 2016 NFL Draft
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated. Supplementary draft information courtesy of CBS Sports.