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49ers falling in NFL Draft order means Notre Dame OG Quenton Nelson makes more sense

By Peter Panacy

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco 49ers have fallen in the 2018 NFL Draft order down to No. 8 heading into Week 17, thanks to their recent win streak, meaning Notre Dame offensive guard Quenton Nelson makes more sense in Round 1.

Not long ago, we were talking about the San Francisco 49ers being in position to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

After all, the Niners were winless after nine weeks and right on pace with the Cleveland Browns for the top selection.

Here we are six games later, and San Francisco has pulled off four consecutive wins and five of those last six. The chatter for No. 1 has transformed to a top-five selection, now holding onto a spot within the top 10.

If the draft were to start today, the Niners would be picking eighth, according to ESPN Sports Center:

Sure, the drop is due to many things, including the emergence of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. And while the recent hot streak has cost general manager John Lynch and Co. the chance to either land a top-three selection, or possibly trading down for a lucrative return, the new positioning means one prospect selection makes even more sense.

Notre Dame offensive guard Quenton Nelson.

If you’ve read Niner Noise enough, you’ll know we’re pretty high on Nelson. He’s arguably one of the best interior offensive linemen to come out in years, and the 49ers would be wise to invest in protecting their high-profile quarterback this offseason.

At Nos. 2 or 3, though, the selection might have been something of a reach. While CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso ranked Nelson No. 3 on his prospect big board, it’s rare to see interior O-linemen go that high.

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Especially if a lot of teams are going to reach for quarterbacks in Round 1.

That will probably happen early, and the Niners may not be able to trade down as initially predicted.

But if the selection winds up being Nelson, it’s all the better.

Luke Easterling of USA Today’s Draft Wire recently came out with a mock, and he has Nelson going to San Francisco at No. 8. Easterling wrote:

"The 49ers keep dropping in the draft order, but it’s because they finally found a franchise quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo, so they won’t mind too much. In this scenario, the 49ers protect their new asset with one of the best offensive line prospects in recent memory."

Yes, the 49ers are banking on a healthy return of second-year guard Joshua Garnett (knee) in 2017. But with right guard Brandon Fusco and center Daniel Kilgore scheduled to hit free agency, and fill-in guard Laken Tomlinson struggling, going after a player like Nelson makes plenty of sense.

Next: Don't worry about the 49ers falling in 2018 NFL Draft order

Even more, now that the Niners have dropped in order.