With the NFL Scouting Combine only a few days away, and free agency opening on Mar. 12, the path to the San Francisco 49ers’ future will be laid out in full by the time the 2018 NFL Draft begins.
The San Francisco 49ers, led by general manager John Lynch, march towards the 2018 NFL Draft in search of prospects equipped to play Niners football with the complete understanding world championships are the end goal.
The 49ers road to success starts with identifying talented football players that will display an immediate impact on the field, team and organization.
In an effort to make his team better, Lynch will have to make sound football decisions that will affect the 49ers organization for years to come.
Serious questions surround linebacker Reuben Foster’s off-field antics; will he be available for 2018, how many games suspension will Foster serve and will the 49ers cut their losses by releasing the talented 2017 rookie? We focus on the draft selections keeping this black cloud of mystery in mind.
Using Fanspeak, I built a mock draft specifically focusing on team needs without free-agent pickups included ahead of the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine later this month.
This mock is specifically based on what I would want to see if I were building the team as GM. No trades.
Rashaan Evans, Linebacker, Alabama
The ultimate team need for the 49ers in the 2018 NFL Draft is linebacker, specifically inside linebacker, as thanks to Reuben Foster and all of his off-field nonsense, the 49ers are now faced to address the LB position immediately and without pause.
I have done my homework, I have no choice but to make some tough decisions in regards to passing on some serious talent. However, I have to do what’s best for the 49ers organization.
Tremaine Edmunds, the No. 1 linebacker on my big board is taken No. 8 overall by the Chicago Bears. And I am literally poking toothpicks in my eyeballs.
The Bears and general manager Ryan Pace know I am in desperate need of a LB, so maybe a little payback from last years fleecing?
Possibly.
Apparently, the talking heads and pundits are finally catching up to what I’ve been preaching about Mr. Edmunds — he is the best LB in this class, bar-none.
NFL.com’s Mike Mayock, whom I deem one of the best evaluators of talent, has Edmunds as the No. 1 LB on his big board. Not surprised.
Nonetheless, I have to rebound, so I pass on my man crush, Quenton Nelson, all the while biting my tongue blaming Foster for every expletive protruding from my thoughts.
No trades in this mock, but trading down to No. 20 to No. 25 would give me additional draft picks while securing the LB I need and covet.
I select the No. 2 LB on my big board, Rashaan Evans from Alabama.
Evans is a perfect fit in defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s 4-3 scheme. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, Evans is able to move inside and take on NFL bodies without getting washed. Evans is a natural WILL, and can take over for fellow linebacker Malcolm Smith once his days are over in San Francisco.
But for now, Evans is certainly needed to play inside for the enigmatic expletive Foster.
Kyzir White, Safety, West Virginia
The second round has to be utilized with complete certainty, as the Niners own one pick, and its late in the round. No mistakes can be made here, I have to hit the mark.
San Francisco 49ers
I have to go safety, so I select the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Kyzir White out of West Virginia.
I do not hesitate to take a safety that, on tape, looks exactly like former 49ers safety, Dashon Goldson.
White is a 49er at heart. A hard hitting safety who despises his opponents, hits with authority, and exudes a winning attitude; yeah, White is definitely 49er material.
Described by NFL.com, “Absolute freight train as a blitzer who looks to leave a mark on the quarterback.”
This draft is deep with corners, so taking White at this point only makes sense.
I secure the safety position in need of upgrade, but moreover, who knows what will happen with safety Eric Reid and his impending free agency. Murky waters for sure.
While Ronnie Harrison, safety out of Alabama would have been my selection at this juncture, I am pleased as punch to have Kyzir “The Hitman” White on board.
Sean Welsh, Guard, Iowa
At 6-foot-2 weighing a fairly appropriate 300 pounds, Sean Welsh of Iowa is a tough versatile interior lineman. And while Welsh is undersized to play the tackle position in the NFL, he can easily move to center and feel at home.
I have coveted Welsh for some time now. Knowing the 49ers draft would have to start by addressing the LB position first, I had to study tape and select the best gems the later rounds can offer for the offensive line positions.
Welsh is moving up on draft boards and in a hurry. If Welsh is available when the Niners select in the third round, then we don’t waste a second by calling his name.
The 49ers need tough football players in uniform, and Sean Welsh would make a perfect fit in San Francisco.
Mike Hughes, Cornerback, UCF
No way on this green earth will Mike Hughes of UCF fall to the third round. But anything can happen in NFL Drafts, and I find an absolute diamond for pennies with my No. 74 overall selection.
Hughes is 5-foot-11 weighing a good 190 pounds. NFL.com describes Hughes:
"A little short but stout and tough. Very physical from press. Gives opponents a rough ride out of their release. Won’t just jam, looks to completely halt the route with his initial punch and aggression."
Hughes is able to return kicks, return punts, play against slot receivers and have the versatility to be a boundary corner as well. This kid will never get out of the second round, but if by fate he does, then please get on the next available flight to San Francisco, the 49er Faithful await with open arms!
Kemoko Turay, EDGE, Rutgers
I have zoomed in on Kemoko Turay months ago. I do not wait any longer, I secure his rights and draft him in the fourth round.
Boom! I got the guy I wanted from day one.
I can’t wait for the NFL Scouting Combine to watch what kind of numbers Turay will post in his high jump, broad jump and 40-yard dash. The numbers should be sick.
At 6-foot-5, all of 255 pounds of pure head-knocking qualities, Turay is compared to the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.
NFL.com describes Turay:
"Moves easily and naturally in space. Aware when dropping into coverage. Slides in space to mirror quarterback’s eyes. Able to ramp up secondary rush to harass quarterbacks. Has coachable traits as pass rusher."
The Niners need help on the edge and desperately.
The lack of a pure pass rush from Solomon “can’t get to the QB” Thomas and Arik “the heartless wonder” Armstead hinders the 49ers opportunities of getting off the field on third downs.
Armstead and Thomas will never erase the long-standing memories 49ers faithful have of Charles Haley or Fred Dean any time soon.
Turay is an asset the 49ers need desperately to bolster their defensive efforts.
J.C. Jackson, Cornerback, Maryland
It is the fifth round, and I’ve landed a true boundary corner in the likes of J.C. Jackson out of Maryland. At 6-foot-1 and a load at 185 pounds, Jackson can take on big receivers and cover ground as a strong tackler on run support.
Jackson had some off-the-field issues while in Florida as a Gator, but has since turned his life around under head coach D.J. Durkin.
Charlie Campbell of Walter Football says this of Jackson:
"“eam sources from multiple teams have really liked what they’ve seen from Jackson’s film. They say that staff at Maryland speak well of him as a person and that he hasn’t had problems there. Evaluators are grading Jackson for Day 2 because of the off-the-field concerns."
Jackson knows football is his entire life and has made significant strides to improving his lifestyle.
Jackson continues his path to redemption and dons the scarlet and gold. Steal!
Mason Cole, Center, Michigan
Mason Cole falls to the sixth round, and I’m doing my happy dance knowing I have a guy who would give his left leg to protect franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Cole would compete for the center position day one. Not necessarily a plug-and-play player, but with the recent re-signing of center Daniel Kilgore, this would allow time for Cole to settle in catching up to NFL speed.
Cole is a blue-collar guy, tough as nails and brings his vicious tenacity to the field.
Cole is an absolute steal if he falls to the sixth round. For the value, the 49ers would hit a home run with this young man running the offensive line.
Kyle Hicks, Running Back, TCU
At 5-foot-10, 210 pounds of quick elusive tangibles, running back Kyle Hicks of TCU is an absolute terrific fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme.
Hicks does not have true breakaway speed, but what he lacks in speed he makes up with great vision, tremendous power from his lower half, outstanding in space and possesses great hands out of the backfield.
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With the unlikely re-signing of Carlos Hyde, and the uncertainty of Joe Williams returning from injury, a tailback is necessary to complement Matt Breida who has certainly taken a fair share of carries in 2017.
Hicks is my guy, happy to make the call and secure his signature.
Darren Carrington II, Wide Receiver, Utah
At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, wide receiver Darren Carrington II out of Utah is making a solid case to be drafted.
Starting his collegiate career in Oregon, Carrington II got in trouble and was dismissed for his shortcomings.
Red flags certainly surround this young man and may prevent him from hearing his name called at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas during the draft.
Selecting Carrington II may have pause with John Lynch and Co., as they still feel the pinch from Reuben Foster’s off-field stuff. So while the Utah Ute has great hands and leaps, I’m probably guessing the 49ers administration passes up on the young talent.
In any event, he’s my selection, and he would be given another chance to prove himself.
Once the free agency picture is clear, and the NFL Scouting Combine is complete, I will post a mock draft 2.0 including viable trade scenarios.
Stay tuned for my next piece, and hit me up on Twitter to discuss 49ers draft prospects and trade scenarios you may deem as viable. Would love to hear your thoughts!