San Francisco 49ers: Complete 7-Round Mock for the 2017 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers own the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, which is the first of 10 selections. Niner Noise dishes out our latest seven-round mock for your enjoyment.

“With the second overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select…”

Yeah, it’s draft season. You’re bound to hear those words for the next few weeks.

The 2017 NFL Draft kicks off on April 27 from Philadelphia. Considering the many needs general manager John Lynch has, it’s redundant to say this draft is of the utmost importance to San Francisco.

San Francisco 49ers

On one hand, the Niners grabbed a number of offensive players via free agency. That’s good. Many of those players have experience working under head coach Kyle Shanahan’s system.

But Shanahan’s system is complex. We shouldn’t expect Robert Saleh’s defense to be the same.

As such, expect Lynch to target a number of defensive players in the draft. He won’t ignore the offense altogether, but we should see a defensive focus from Lynch here.

For review, here are the Niners’ 2017 draft picks, as listed by David Fucillo of Niners Nation:

1. First round: Own – No. 2
2. Second round: Own – No. 2 (34 overall)
3. Third round: Own – No. 2 (66 overall)
4. Fourth round: Own – No. 2 (109 overall)
5. Fourth round: Comp pick – No. 37 (143 overall)
6. Fifth round: Own – No. 2 (146 overall)
7. Fifth round: Washington (Derek Carrier trade) – No. 17 (161 overall)
8. Sixth round: Own – No. 14 (198 overall, from Baltimore)
9. Sixth round: Denver Broncos (Vernon Davis trade) – No. 18 (202 overall)
10. Seventh round: Cleveland Browns (Andy Lee trade) – No. 1 (219 overall)

Note, the Niners swapped sixth-round picks with the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for center Jeremy Zuttah.

So now, let’s jump into Round 1.

Round 1: Defensive End Solomon Thomas, Stanford

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 273 pounds

The 49ers have already drafted two defensive ends in consecutive years, Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner, but Stanford’s Solomon Thomas is an entirely different player altogether.

Thomas is a pocket-wrecking force, who registered 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss last year.

On top of that, Thomas helps reinforce what was the Niners’ biggest weakness last season — the run defense.

As Pro Football Focus’ metric below shows (h/t PFF’s Jordan Plocher), Thomas’ run-stopping ability is also one of his major strengths:

One can imagine an offensive line with Thomas playing the right defensive tackle position. But he’s flexible enough to move all around the line as needed.

That should significantly boost a San Francisco defensive line, especially with up-and-coming defenders like Armstead and Buckner in the mix.

And just like that, the 49ers defense could be back on its way to being dominant again.

Round 2: Cornerback Fabian Moreau, UCLA

Height/Weight: 6-foot-0, 206 pounds

The 49ers need cornerbacks capable of operating on an island in Robert Saleh’s defense.

Saleh’s scheme can call for eight defenders in the box at times, which means there will be a lot of one-on-one coverage in the secondary.

And that’s where UCLA cornerback Fabian Moreau comes in.

Moreau’s height and weight should match up well against some of the bigger-bodied receivers he’ll face at the next level. And while he’s not quite the ball hawk, Moreau is more than capable of breaking up passes. He had eight last year.

As far as the “being on an island goes,” look at what CBS Sports’ Rob Rang had to say:

"He is well-versed in man coverage, often lining up on an island in UCLA’s scheme. Moreau has a tight, low backpedal and a fluid hip-turn to remain in the back pocket of receivers. He plays with a gambler’s mentality, occasionally allowing space to receivers only to show a nice burst to break up passes once quarterbacks commit. Moreau shows good hand-eye coordination and timing to slap the ball away as it arrives, doing a nice job of keeping his hands free of the receiver so as to not draw the ire of officials."

The only cornerback of worth or potential on the Niners roster right now is Rashard Robinson. Tramaine Brock is aging and gets burned too often. And no one else on the depth chart, aside from K’Waun Williams in the slot, looks promising.

Moreau is, which is why the 49ers would be wise to grab him in Round 2.

Round 3: Linebacker Jarrad Davis, Florida

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 238 pounds

The 49ers have three linebackers penciled in for 2017 — NaVorro Bowman, Malcolm Smith and Ahmad Brooks. But the problem is Bowman is returning from an Achilles injury, Smith isn’t particularly great in coverage and Brooks is a situational pass-rusher at best.

And no one behind this group inspires a lot of confidence. Maybe Ray-Ray Armstrong, but that’s about it.

Regardless, the Niners could use a major reinforcement here. And that comes in the form of Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis.

Davis isn’t going to offer much in the pass rush. But that’s fine. He’s more of a rover and should benefit from playing behind a strong offensive line — the Niners should have one after Round 1.

His size probably makes him ideal for more of a WILL linebacker, at least to start, at the NFL level. Davis’ coverage skills are OK, but he does have a tendency to be a bit overaggressive.

Additionally, Davis has to prove he can remain healthy. Injuries in 2016 certainly hurt his draft stock. But if those are no longer a concern, the Florida linebacker would be a steal in Round 3.

Round 4: Wide Receiver Malachi Dupre, LSU

Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 196 pounds

San Francisco spent its first three picks on the defensive side of the ball but could stand to use some reinforcements on offense.

Especially in the passing game.

Even though general manager John Lynch brought in wideouts Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin, Aldrick Robinson and re-signed Jeremy Kerley, some promising youth here would be a smart addition.

LSU’s Malachi Dupre has the combination of speed and size to develop into a solid receiving weapon, especially in an offense like that of head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Dupree managed to run a 4.52 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, which isn’t terrible for a receiver of his size. But his hands and leaping ability are what impress scouts, and Pro Football Focus broke down.

He probably won’t be a day-one starter. But with some fine tuning, Dupre could turn into a nice addition for Shanahan’s passing game.

Round 4: Running Back D’Onta Foreman, Texas

Height/Weight: 6-foot-0, 233 pounds

The 49ers have one compensatory pick in the NFL Draft, and they use the selection to grab a backup wide receiver capable of both spelling No. 1 tailback Carlos Hyde and adding an entirely different dimension in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s scheme.

Remember, Shanahan had a two-headed monster (Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman) when he was the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator last year. And that worked out well.

Texas’ D’Onta Foreman is built like a monster. His huge frame makes him a difficult tackling assignment. And he also holds his own in pass protection — an element the Niners have lacked from their running backs since the days of Frank Gore.

Projected as a Round 4 pick by CBS Sports, a unique runner like Foreman would add solid depth to this position of need on offense.

Round 5: Linebacker Devonte Fields, Louisville

The 49ers own two picks in Round 5, and the first is used to address more of the pass rush.

Louisville’s Devonte Fields might have seen his draft stock fall a bit recently (CBS Sports has him ranked as a late fourth- or early fifth-round pick). But there’s no doubting the linebacker’s productivity at Louisville the last two seasons, especially in 2015:

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 3/22/2017.

Fields shouldn’t have too much difficulty in San Francisco’s 4-3 under scheme. And he’s not exactly a one-trick pass-rusher either. This clip from Pro Football Focus’ Steve Palazzolo reveals the inside cut (Fields isn’t a repeat of former 49ers linebacker Corey Lemonier):

After registering just 33 sacks last year — tied for 19th in the NFL — the 49ers could afford to stock up on pass-rushers.

Fields fits the bill.

Round 5: Cornerback Brian Allen, Utah

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 215 pounds

We’re getting into the phase of the draft where projects start to dominate. And that’s exactly what Utah cornerback Brian Allen is.

Remember that part about the 49ers needing corners?

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Adding one helps. But finding a big-bodied project like Allen is a smart move this late in the draft. Remember, general manager John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan (six-year deals each) have time to make some investments.

Allen switched to cornerback from wide receiver in 2015. He’s still learning the position, technique and how to read defenses. But something must have worked, since he registered four interceptions a year ago.

But, as NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein stated on Allen’s draft profile, the young defensive back is “nowhere near ready to play NFL football.”

That’s OK though. Let the physical attributes influence the decision.

Round 6: Quarterback Jerod Evans, Virginia Tech

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 232 pounds

Yes, the 49ers wait until Round 6 to add a quarterback. There are a number of reasons for this.

First, San Francisco might not have a shot to land one of the top-tier QBs in this year’s draft class. Guys like Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer, North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky and even Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes don’t possess the value at No. 2. And all could be gone by No. 34.

Furthermore, the 2018 quarterbacking class is seen as much better. And the 49ers could still be eyeing Washington Redskins QB Kirk Cousins on the free-agent market.

Still, the 49ers need to add some competition behind likely starter Brian Hoyer and his backup, Matt Barkley.

Virginia Tech quarterback Jerod Evans might have seen his stats inflated due to his school’s high-profile offense. Still, Evans has solid accuracy within the pocket and matches it with a powerful arm. And his 846 rushing yards is proof enough he’s mobile.

Evans is raw though, and scouts know this. But with some development, the Virginia Tech product might be enticing enough to consider down the road.

Round 6: Offensive Tackle Justin Senior, Mississippi State

Height/Weight: 6-foot-5, 331 pounds

This year’s NFL Draft doesn’t provide a lot of likable options along the offensive line. But the 49ers could stand for some help.

The trade for center Jeremy Zuttah helps add another body to the interior. And left guard Zane Beadles has the flexibility to bump out to left tackle to relieve Joe Staley if needed. But it wouldn’t be bad to add some more depth at offensive tackle in the later rounds.

Second-year pro John Theus isn’t going to cut it, even as a swing tackle. And while incumbent RT Trent Brown has questions in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s outside-zone scheme, finding some worthy value here would be a smart move.

Mississippi State tackle Justin Senior has plenty of experience going against tough SEC defenses over the last three years.

As NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein pointed out, Senior takes “smart angles to his blocks and can have an impact on second level.” This is an area in which Brown struggles, so maybe that’s something to consider.

But Zierlein also noted Senior is strictly a right tackle, so the lack of flexibility could hurt a bit here.

Round 7: Linebacker Marquel Lee, Wake Forest

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 240 pounds

Remember what we said about the 49ers needing depth at inside linebacker? Current options are lacking, and it’s hard to feel overly confident about the current group of starters.

Wake Forest linebacker Marquel Lee is built for the position. And his stats over three years do enough to warrant consideration in the later rounds. Especially in 2016, where Lee registered 63 tackles, 7.5 sacks and a whopping 20 tackles for a loss.

It’s hard to see these numbers translate over to the pro level though.

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Lee doesn’t have tremendous speed — running a 4.76 40-yard dash at the combine — which hurts his coverage and converging skills. And while those pass-rush totals look nice, Lee can get into some trouble at the line of scrimmage.

Especially with bigger blockers and more complex offenses, which he’ll face at the NFL level.

Still, Lee would be a nice backup for San Francisco’s linebacker corps in the later rounds.

Next: 2017 NFL Draft: Two-Round Mock for All 32 Teams

And if he can contribute on special teams, it’s all the better.