The San Francisco 49ers wheeled and dealed with the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots to end up with picks Nos. 59, 70 and 74 on day two of the 2018 NFL Draft, here we examine some possible targets in Rounds 2 and 3 the Niners could target.
If San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch showed one thing right away about his style after being named to the team’s front office early in 2017, it’s that he wasn’t shy about trading up, down or for somebody.
The Niners ended up with a lot of currency in Rounds 1 to 3 for 2018, with a top 10 pick and two picks each in Rounds 2 and 3.
Of course, the 49ers have only one pick in Round 2 now, but I think the guy who came over in that trade, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, was kind of worth it.
But while year one of the Lynch/Kyle Shanahan era received a pass mark by the vast majority, there’s still a lot to overhaul after the Trent Baalke era. Niner Noise writer Peter Panacy recently wrote an article detailing that over 70 percent of players from the Baalke era have moved on, with that number set to rise.
Not every hole San Francisco has will be filled by a first-round pick or free agency, so, in no particular order of preference, here are a few day two options for the Niners to consider.
No. 5: Will Hernandez, Guard, UTEP
I’ve written before of my love for Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson, but there’s no guarantee that he even makes it to the Niners’ first pick or that the Niners feel the same way. But the interior line is the most pressing need, so an early pick should be used to address it.
UTEP guard Will Hernandez is a big unit (6-foot-3, 330 pounds), who plays aggressively. He’s fits at right guard as a dominant run-blocking specialist and isn’t lost in the passing game either. He turned heads with dominant practices at the Senior Bowl, and showed he wasn’t lost taking on more superior defenders than he normally faces with UTEP.
As shown in the video above, Hernandez plays with a lot of aggression and fire. The Niners don’t need blockers just to protect Jimmy Garoppolo but also to blast open running lanes as well.
Why This Makes Sense
As noted, the Niners desperately need to upgrade the interior offensive line, and they have met with Hernandez during the Senior Bowl. Hernandez ticked the boxes during the Senior Bowl, and if he has a great pro day and combine leading up to the draft, it’s possible this slide may need to be updated with a more attainable prospect.
For now he’s a second-round prospect, and a definite 49ers target.
No. 4: Bradley Bozeman, Center, Alabama
We continue on a similar vein here. The Niners double dip on the offensive line, similar to them taking Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, don’t be shocked to see multiple picks on the offensive line.
Bradley Bozeman stands a solid 6-foot-5 and 314 pounds, and has played both guard and center at Alabama, setting into the Center position during Bama’s title-winning run. He had a solid Senior Bowl and looks set to be a steady pick in Rounds 2 or 3. He plays with physicality and a mean streak, and can instantly upgrade possibly the Niners’ weakest position.
Why This Makes Sense
Although the 49ers offensive line showed signs of improvement, thanks to Jimmy Garoppolo’s fast decision making and his leadership, Daniel Kilgore ranked a low 24th for NFL centers according to Pro Football Focus and can be upgraded. The Niners have met with Bozeman, whose versatility will appeal to Kyle Shanahan, and may be hard to resist if available.
No. 3: Darius Leonard, Linebacker, South Carolina State
Let’s look at the defensive side of the ball here. Small-school player he may be, Darius Leonard has some very impressive tape and lived up to it versus superior opposition at the Senior Bowl.
Leonard stands at 6-foot-2, 229 pounds and is already a complete player, according to this report:
"Leonard didn’t get a ton of headlines for his play in Mobile, but he was very good in every session to show that he could handle the improved level of competition. In the run game, Leonard was sideline to sideline and stuffing runs in the tackle box. Even more important for Leonard’s draft stock, he showed the ability to cover tailbacks and tight ends in the passing game. That illustrates that Leonard has three-down starting potential for the NFL and is worthy of going as high as the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft."
Leonard should go on day two, and the Niners could definitely grab him to pair with the exciting Reuben Foster.
Why This Makes Sense
Foster lived up to high expectations, but was off the field due to a shoulder injury for a lot of it. His recent arrest also will have him on a very short leash, but even despite all these the Niners need to upgrade at linebacker regardless. Leonard would serve as an insurance policy as well as a partner for Foster.
No. 2: Chad Thomas, Defensive End, Miami
Miami defensive end Chad Thomas is a change of pace from the previous three prospects. Unlike the others (except Bradley Bozeman), he comes from a big school, he wasn’t in the Senior Bowl but the East-West Shrine game instead, and he’s underperformed during his college career.
Physically, Thomas has the tools to be a great pass-rusher, he’s a tall 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds of muscle, but he’s never gotten it together. Walter Football has a third- to fourth-round grade on him, and had this to say about the Miami defender:
"Thomas totaled 30 tackles with 8.5 for a loss and 3.5 sacks in 2017. Sources tell me that Thomas is really talented physically, but he hasn’t put it all together on the field. There have been flashes of excellence and stretches of doing nothing while looking clueless. They say that Thomas lacks instincts as well. However because of his great skill set, grades are going to be all over the board on Thomas."
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Thomas requires coaching up, but he could intrigue teams with his raw potential. At worst he can be a third-down specialist for the 49ers, who desperately need talented pass-rushers.
Why This Makes Sense
The Niners have a lot of talented personnel already on the defensive line, so the need for a defensive lineman probably won’t see them take another one in the first round unless N.C. State standout Bradley Chubb somehow falls. Thomas can be coached up immediately to fill the current need for a pass-rusher, while having the long-term view to develop him to be another terror on the 49ers defensive front.
No. 1: Rashaad Penny, Running Back, San Diego State
Peter Panacy already wrote an article about San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny and his fit with the Niners, so I’ll try not to repeat too much.
Penny is a good size, 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds, and fits the role of a lead back if the Niners decide to let No. 1 tailback Carlos Hyde depart. His stats speak for themselves too, rushing for 2,248 yards at a 7.8 yard average and 23 touchdowns. His 19 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown isn’t much in the receiving game, but if he shows some sure hands in his combine he can prove he’s the man to shoulder the Niners running game going forward.
Why This Makes Sense
If Hyde departs, the Niners will need a new lead back going forward.
Next: 2018 NFL Draft: 5 cornerbacks the 49ers should consider taking
Unless one-year pro Joe Williams, who missed his entire rookie season, has the confidence of John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan to be the guy, the Niners will surely look at someone either in the NFL Draft or free agency.