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2016 NFL Draft: Round-by-Round Mock for 49ers

By Bryan Knowles

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-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

In editor Peter Pancy’s mock, published earlier this week, he had the 49ers passing on a quarterback with the idea of building a defense-first contender, aping the Denver Broncos from last season. If someone like defensive end Joey Bosa falls to the 49ers with the seventh pick, it’s not a bad idea at all to bolster the front seven.

Still, there’s no position in football that can change a team’s fortunes as fast as a first-round quarterback. When you nail that top quarterback, you can go from a top-ten pick to playoff contention in practically no time at all. Think of the New York Giants, who went from 4-12 the year before drafting Eli Manning to four consecutive playoff berths from 2005-2008. Think of the Atlanta Falcons, who had had three consecutive years of .500 ball or worse, drafted Matt Ryan in 2008, and had five straight winning seasons.

Think of the Philadelphia Eagles, who had five consecutive playoff berths once they handed the keys over to Donovan McNabb. Getting a top quarterback right can change your franchise in a way even drafting the next J.J. Watt doesn’t.

Obviously, you don’t want to over-draft a player just because they’re a quarterback, but Goff is worthy of a top-ten selection. I see a quarterback with Pro Bowl potential when I watch Goff’s footage—a player who can make all the throws while still providing an element of mobility in the pocket. He can throw receivers open and give his skill position players chances to make plays.

He’s a near-perfect fit for Chip Kelly’s up-tempo offensive style, with very good decision-making skills and a quick release. That, more than anything else, is what Kelly is looking for in a passer.

The 49ers’ entire offseason has been hanging on what to do at quarterback—will Colin Kaepernick be traded, should he be released, does he even want to be in town, can Blaine Gabbert really run Kelly’s offense, and so-forth. Drafting Goff would answer those questions.

The NFL is still a passer’s league—yes, the Broncos won the Super Bowl with a defensive-first philosophy, but nine of the twelve playoff teams had a top-12 quarterback, according to ESPN’s QBR. That’s simply the easiest and most successful way to build a contending team in the modern era, and if there’s a potential franchise quarterback available, the 49ers need to make that move. My pick from two months ago is unchanged.

Other players considered:

  • Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
  • Laquon Treadwell, WR, North Dakota State
  • Josh Doctson, WR, TCU

Next: Round 2, Pick 37