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2017 NFL Draft: A Way-Too-Early Look at the San Francisco 49ers Plans

By Peter Panacy

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (left) and Connie Payton announce the number eight overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (left) and Connie Payton announce the number eight overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Brandon Harris (6) hands the ball off to running back Leonard Fournette (7) for a rushing touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Brandon Harris (6) hands the ball off to running back Leonard Fournette (7) for a rushing touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt Miller’s Top-50 Big Board

Again, like so many other things in advance of the 2017 NFL Draft, it’s impossible to gauge a collegiate big board because, well, there’s a whole season of NCAA football to be played between now and then.

But Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller has done a tremendous job putting together an early look at some of the top prospects to watch this upcoming season.

Here are his top-50 players as of May:

1 Leonard Fournette LSU RB
2 Deshaun Watson Clemson QB
3 Christian McCaffrey Stanford RB
4 Jonathan Allen Alabama DL
5 Carl Lawson Auburn EDGE
6 Cam Robinson Alabama T
7 Myles Garrett Texas A&M EDGE
8 Brad Kaaya Miami (Fla.) QB
9 Jalen Tabor Florida CB
10 Raekwon McMillan Ohio State LB
11 Tim Williams Alabama EDGE
12 Dalvin Cook Florida State RB
13 O.J. Howard Alabama TE
14 Roderick Johnson Florida State T
15 Mike Williams Clemson WR
16 Jarrad Davis Florida LB
17 Jabrill Peppers Michigan S
18 Carlos Watkins Clemson DL
19 Malik McDowell Michigan State DL
20 Marlon Humphrey Alabama CB
21 Jamal Adams LSU S
22 Nick Chubb Georgia RB
23 Reuben Foster Alabama LB
24 Jake Butt Michigan TE
25 Mason Rudolph Oklahoma State QB
26 Pat Elflein Ohio State G
27 Mike McGlinchey Notre Dame T
28 Ethan Pocic LSU C
29 Devonte Fields Louisville EDGE
30 Jordan Leggett Clemson TE
31 JuJu Smith-Schuster USC WR
32 Luke Falk Washington State QB
33 Jehu Chesson Michigan WR
34 Evan Engram Ole Miss TE
35 Adoree’ Jackson USC CB
36 Desmond King Iowa CB
37 Jalen Reeves-Maybin Tennessee LB
38 Kendell Beckwith LSU LB
39 Dalvin Tomlinson Alabama DL
40 Chris Wormley Michigan DL
41 Montravius Adams Auburn DL
42 Jalen Hurd Tennessee RB
43 Samaje Perine Oklahoma RB
44 Malachi Dupre LSU WR
45 Royce Freeman Oregon RB
46 Corey Davis Western Michigan WR
47 Bucky Hodges Virginia Tech TE
48 Derek Barnett Tennessee EDGE
49 Jourdan Lewis Michigan CB
50 Tre’Davious White LSU CB

Going back to the previous slide, it’s possible to list a couple of likable prospects the 49ers may target with their first-round pick based on needs alone.

Next: Way-Too-Early Mock Draft