NFL Draft: Who experts tab to 49ers in latest 2018 mocks

Niner Noise compiles a number of NFL Draft mocks for 2018 to see whom the experts are tabbing to wind up with the San Francisco 49ers in Round 1 this April.

The San Francisco 49ers will own either the No. 9 or No. 10 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, depending on a coin flip with the Oakland Raiders at the NFL Scouting Combine later this spring.

And since the 2017 NFL regular season is over, along with the completion of the college football playoffs, it’s officially NFL Draft season.

Thank goodness.

San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

At any rate, mock drafts have been going on for quite some time now. That isn’t anything new. But there’s always a great deal of changing information, so Niner Noise thought it kind enough to assemble a number of experts’ takes from around the league to see which prospect general manager John Lynch and Co. will land in the first round.

You’re welcome.

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports — OG Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame

"The Jimmy Garoppolo era is ready to take off for a full season in San Francisco, and with Nelson, the 49ers get the blocker with the most impressive collegiate film in the 2018 class. He’ll help the run game and limit pressure up the middle on Jimmy G."

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today Sports — WR Courtland Sutton, SMU

"For all the promise Kyle Shanahan’s offense showed as Jimmy Garoppolo went 5-0 as a starter, San Francisco still needs a big-bodied receiver. At 6-4 and 215 pounds, former basketball player Sutton can win 50-50 balls and boost a red-zone offense that ranked as one of the league’s worst (47% touchdown rate)."

Rob Goldberg, Bleacher Report — WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama

Dan Kadar, SB Nation — WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama

"With [Quenton] Nelson off the board, the 49ers could turn to wide receiver and find a No. 1 piece on the outside for Jimmy Garoppolo. With his stellar route running and short area explosiveness, Ridley is the draft’s best receiver. Some will quibble about his age – he’ll turn 24 in December – but his talent shouldn’t be overlooked."

Randy Gurzi, NFL Spin Zone — Courtland Sutton, SMU

"Sutton is the exact kind of help he needs as he joins Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin to form a feared trio of receivers. The SMU product stands an impressive 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, but can still stretch the field with his speed. He doesn’t have the same skill as someone like Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons, but head coach Kyle Shanahan will have his best wide out since working with Jones as the offensive coordinator for the Falcons."

It’s interesting to see just how popular wide receivers are to the Niners in this year’s draft. On one hand, it makes a lot of sense. San Francisco could use a true No. 1 target and, more importantly, a red-zone threat like SMU’s Courtland Sutton.

More from Niner Noise

But there’s an argument to be had head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense might just be effective enough to get by with returning veterans Pierre Garçon, Marquise Goodwin and Trent Taylor.

After all, Goodwin nearly hit 1,000 receiving yards last season, while Garçon was on pace to do the same before his season-ending neck injury.

Interestingly enough, USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz’s NFL Draft mock had the 49ers passing on Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith, who ended up going to the Raiders at No. 10.

And Smith to San Francisco was certainly a popular idea after his performance in the College Football Championship Game on Monday night.

Next: 2018 NFL Draft: Round 1 mock to ring in 2018

Who would you like to see the Niners land in the 2018 NFL Draft? Be sure to speak your mind in the comments section below.

2018 NFL Draft: Who are the experts tabbing to the 49ers in their latest mocks?

By Peter Panacy | Jan 9, 2018