Niner Noise
FanSided

2016 NFL Draft: Revamped 49ers Mock Draft Post-Trades

By Jerod Brown

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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Jan 2, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (35) and linebacker Shaq Petteway (36) celebrate a fourth down stop against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half of the 2016 Cactus Bowl at Chase Field. The Mountaineers won 43-42. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (35) and linebacker Shaq Petteway (36) celebrate a fourth down stop against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half of the 2016 Cactus Bowl at Chase Field. The Mountaineers won 43-42. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Round Four, Pick Seven–No. 105 Overall

Nick Kwiatkoski, Inside Linebacker–West Virginia

College Statistics

Kwiatkoski led the West Virginia defense in tackles each of the last three seasons and he’s shown an ability to remain healthy and productive. For the 49ers, the fact that Kwiatkoski continually shows up ready to play is a major plus after some of the injury issues to the linebacker group last season.

Kwiatkoski is a guy that will show up every Sunday and give you ten tackles no problem. Next to Bowman, the 49ers don’t need much. Just someone they can depend on.

Kwiatkoski has solid speed–his 40-yard dash time was 4.73 seconds–and he pairs it with instincts and efficient movement to the ball. With Bowman as a mentor, he’ll continually be put in a position to make tackles. As a former safety, he has the coverage skills to compete with running backs out of the backfield and he shows good sideline-to-sideline range in the run game.

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The 49ers need to find a compliment that can protect Bowman from taking on an entire offensive line each play. The selection of DeForest Buckner in the first round helps, while Kwiatkoski can come be a part of the cleanup crew. The 49ers have now addressed the first two levels of rebuilding their defense.

Round Four, Pick 35–No. 133 Overall

Cardale Jones, Quarterback–Ohio State University

College Statistics

The 49ers might be comfortable starting either Blaine Gabbert or Colin Kaepernick at quarterback this season. Head coach Chip Kelly could likely make either of them serviceable until the team determines who will be the franchise quarterback moving forward.

If the 49ers’ front office is in a draft-and-develop mode at quarterback, there is no better option than Ohio State’s Cardale Jones. He’s got incredible size, a cannon arm and he succeeded at the highest level in college football despite little preparation.

Jones never became the unquestioned starter at Ohio State and he’ll need time to refine his mechanics. However, he has some unreal guts and ability to make ridiculous throws.

I recently put together a 49ers Quarterback Big Board and listed Jones much higher than most expect. He has the tools and ability that teams will believe they can make use of in a year or two.

The 49ers will have to develop a quarterback regardless of who they select. Might as well pick the guy with a frame and technique to build on. Cardale Jones could become the best quarterback in this entire class.

Next: Fifth Round