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2018 NFL Draft: 5 scenario predictions for the 49ers in Round 1

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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FORT WORTH, TX – SEPTEMBER 19: Courtland Sutton #16 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs catches a deep pass as Nick Orr #18 of the TCU Horned Frogs defends in the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on September 19, 2015 in Fort Worth, Texas. The play was called back due to a holding penalty against the Southern Methodist Mustangs. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX – SEPTEMBER 19: Courtland Sutton #16 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs catches a deep pass as Nick Orr #18 of the TCU Horned Frogs defends in the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on September 19, 2015 in Fort Worth, Texas. The play was called back due to a holding penalty against the Southern Methodist Mustangs. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

No. 2: 49ers Lose the Coin Toss and Pick at No. 10

Let’s hope John Lynch and the 49ers are working on their coin-tossing skills this offseason.

Either way, the Niners and Raiders will decide who picks at No. 9 and No. 10, via a coin flip, at the NFL Scouting Combine this spring. It’s not hard to find mocks out there saying San Francisco wins here.

But what if the 49ers lose?

OK, No. 10 isn’t bad. Although one can assuredly guarantee the coin-toss loss crosses off a defensive player from Lynch’s big board. That’s where the Raiders will go.

Let’s assume, for a moment, both Bradley Chubb and Denzel Ward are gone when San Francisco’s number is called at No. 10. And there’s been a modest run on quarterbacks to kick off the NFL Draft as well.

Going with a defensive player does make sense here. A lot of sense. Let’s change things up, though, and put together a scenario where Lynch focuses on offense.

Remember SMU’s Courtland Sutton? The 6-foot-4, 215-pound wide receiver immediately becomes a red-zone threat. At 22 years old, he’s more than just a long-term replacement for the veteran, Pierre Garçon. He’d be the 49ers’ equivalent of the Atlanta Falcons’ Julio Jones — a big target with big-play capabilities.

Just like that, San Francisco’s receiving corps becomes elite.

John Lynch’s Reaction: After a run on quarterbacks, with defenders filling other teams’ needs, the Niners give quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo a massive weapon on the outside with Sutton.