Niner Noise
FanSided

2017 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers First Round Big Board

By Nicholas McGee

Sep 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates after picking up a fumble during the third quarter of a game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates after picking up a fumble during the third quarter of a game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 6-11

Jamal Adams

Strong safeties rarely go in the top five but, by taking Adams, the Niners could give themselves a top-tier starter at the position for well into the next decade.

Adams would provide the 49ers with a tone-setter who can play down in the box and is athletic enough to cover in the slot and outside, but what sets him apart is his recognition skills.

Often seeming to know where the play is going before the ball is snapped, Adams was consistently the first man in the backfield for LSU. The 49ers need leadership and playmakers on defense, Adams would help in both areas and is an immediate upgrade on Reid.

Derek Barnett

Beyond Garrett, there is not an edge rusher worth taking with the No. 2 pick but, if the Niners move down within the top 10, then Derek Barnett should be on their radar.

Barnett lacks explosion and has struggled in converting his speed to power but, having been used on the defensive line, as a stand-up pass rusher and in coverage, where he has displayed surprising ball skills, heads into the NFL as a true three-down edge defender.

It is tough to ignore a player who has put up 32 sacks in three seasons in SEC and, if Barnett can continue to win with his strength and impressive hand-usage, he should continue to succeed in the pros.

Corey Davis

It would be quite fitting for the 49ers to take a receiver who has drawn comparisons to Terrell Owens, and Corey Davis is another obvious target should they trade down in the top 10.

Davis is blessed with the ideal size for a No. 1 receiver, the speed to take the top off defenses, the body control to make circus catches and can also pick up yards after the reception with elusiveness and by running over defenders.

The Niners have improved their receiving corps in free agency, but Davis could give them the game-changing No. 1 wideout they have lacked since Owens’ departure.

O.J. Howard

The value of the the tight end position has never been higher in the NFL and it is not rich to say that O.J. Howard has the skill set to go top 10.

He boasts an exceptional combination of size and speed, enabling him to stretch defenses down the seam. Howard has a large catch radius to haul in inaccurate passes and once he has the ball in his hands, can be extremely difficult to stop, as Clemson found out in the 2016 National Championship game.

Howard was under-used at Alabama, but that will not be the case in the NFL and he would be an extremely exciting weapon for Kyle Shanahan to work with.

Leonard Fournette

Does he have the pass-catching skills to be a three-down back? Will he be able to avoid injuries with his physical running style? There are plenty of concerns surrounding Leonard Fournette.

But that has not stopped talk of the 49ers taking him with the No. 2 overall pick.

More from SF 49ers Draft

Selecting Fournette that high seems very rich, but the 49ers have seen what a generational running back can do for a franchise recently, with Ezekiel Elliott transforming the Cowboys’ fortunes.

Fournette is not as talented as Elliott but he has great vision and a rare combination of size and speed, which allows him to take it the distance from anywhere on the field.

Capable of running over defenders while also making them miss with hurdles and a spin move, it would not be that much of a shock if the Niners decided to take the keys to the backfield from Carlos Hyde and hand them to Fournette.

Mike Williams

He may not be as well-rounded as Davis, lacking the shiftiness after the catch and the speed to create consistent separation, but few receivers have caused college defenders as much problems as Clemson’s Mike Williams.

Williams uses his 6’4″ and 210-pound frame to excellent effect, boxing out defenders on routes over the middle and excelling at making contested catches with his leaping ability and catch radius.

The Niners could certainly use a receiver who can bully defenders in the endzone and haul in inaccurate passes, Williams would provide that.