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ESPN’s Todd McShay mocks Minkah Fitzpatrick to 49ers in 2018 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns an interception for a touchdown against the Florida Gators in the first quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns an interception for a touchdown against the Florida Gators in the first quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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ESPN’s Todd McShay released his latest mock and has Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick going to the San Francisco 49ers in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The San Francisco 49ers are going to land Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, according to ESPN’s Todd McShay, who released his first mock draft Wednesday morning.

According to the mock, the Niners end up picking at No. 1. First off the boards is USC quarterback Sam Darnold, who goes to the Cleveland Browns. The run on QBs continues with the New York Giants, who grab UCLA signal-caller Josh Rosen.

After that pick, the Denver Broncos grab Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

The Niners then pass on running back Saquon Barkley at No. 4, which we’ve said would be the likelihood. Head coach Kyle Shanahan isn’t known for touting high-profile runners early in drafts, so why the change here?

Instead, McShay looks to Alabama’s Fitzpatrick. Here’s what ESPN’s draft analyst had to say abou the selection:

"Saquon Barkley could make sense here, but the 49ers have Matt Breida and could re-sign pending free agent Carlos Hyde. Just like his dad did throughout his career, Shanahan has always believed in his ability to identify RB talent that fits his system in later rounds; I’m guessing he and John Lynch will employ a similar strategy. The 49ers have invested heavily on the defensive line in recent drafts, but they need an infusion of talent in the secondary. Fitzpatrick is a true shutdown cornerback who has the versatility to play safety as well."

Breaking Down the Fit for the 49ers

Fitzpatrick, 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, is a three-year starter with the Crimson Tide and would reunite with former collegiate teammate, 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster.

Minkah Fitzpatrick Defense & Fumbles Table
TacklesDef IntFumbles
YearSchoolConfClassPosGSoloAstTotLossSkIntYdsAvgTDPDFRYdsTDFF
*2015AlabamaSECFRDB143015453.02.028844.021000
*2016AlabamaSECSODB154224665.51.5618631.02701
2017AlabamaSECJRDB113319526.01.5100.00601
CareerAlabama1055816314.55.0927430.442302

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 12/13/2017.

Over those three years, Fitzpatrick has doubled as both a cornerback and safety, which gives the Niners some flexibility in the secondary. While the development of rookie corner Adrian Colbert has been promising, it would be nice to see some added depth here in case of injury. San Francisco lost safeties Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt, each to forearm injuries earlier this season.

Starting strong safety Eric Reid is a pending free agent too.

More from Niner Noise

But where Fitzpatrick makes more sense is at cornerback. This has been a primary weakness for the Niners all year. And while San Francisco can hope first-year pro Ahkello Witherspoon develops into a nice player, the No. 2 spot remains wide open.

It’s currently filled by Dontae Johnson, who is also a pending free agent. Johnson has struggled this year, and the Niners’ Cover 3, single-high safety scheme requires corners to operate effectively on an island.

Fitzpatrick fills that role.

Next: Full 7-round mock NFL Draft for the 49ers

We’ll see if McShay’s mocks change from this point onward, as the 2018 NFL Draft gets closer.