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What they’re saying: Experts’ mocks for the 49ers’ first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 24: Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Virginia Tech Hokies prepares to hit quarterback Philip Nelson #9 of the East Carolina Pirates in the first half at Lane Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 24: Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Virginia Tech Hokies prepares to hit quarterback Philip Nelson #9 of the East Carolina Pirates in the first half at Lane Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /
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Niner Noise looks around the league and sees which prospects the San Francisco 49ers get in Round 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft, according to various experts and analysts.

The 2018 NFL Scouting Combine has wrapped up, and the San Francisco 49ers are gearing up for the upcoming NFL Draft owning the No. 9 overall pick after winning a coin toss with the Oakland Raiders.

Niner Noise mocked Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds to San Francisco in our latest draft projection. But let’s take a look around the league to see what other experts and pundits are saying.

Spoiler: This isn’t the first time you’ll hear Edmunds’ name called.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: LB Tremaine Edmunds, VA Tech

"Edmunds is one of my favorite players in the draft. He has a rare blend of size, speed and athleticism. He would be a perfect complement to Reuben Foster at the second level of the 49ers’ defense."

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: LB Tremaine Edmunds, VA Tech

"Versatile playmaker ideally suited to play the “Leo” role in the 49ers’ defense."

Peter Schrager, NFL.com: CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State

"The 49ers will be big spenders in free agency. With Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward’s contracts looming, I wouldn’t be surprised if they scooped up a top corner in the draft."

Todd McShay, ESPN: LB Tremaine Edmunds, VA Tech

"The 49ers need another cornerback, but in this scenario (Denzel) Ward is gone at No. 8. The 49ers have invested heavily on the defensive line high in previous drafts, but I think they look to the second level of the defense here. And Edmunds is a gift at No. 9. At 6-foot-4, 254 pounds, he has elite speed (4.47 40) and athleticism — and he’s only 19. Edmunds has the ability to play off the ball on first and second downs and rush the QB on obvious passing downs."

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

"Nelson is a Zack Martin-type prospect who’ll anchor the interior of the line at an extremely high level for a decade-plus. The 49ers can’t pass on that type of player in front of Jimmy Garoppolo."

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: LB Tremaine Edmunds, VA Tech

"With the problems surrounding Reuben Foster, they need to get a linebacker to either play with him or take over for him. Edmunds is that player."

Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated: LB Tremaine Edmunds, VA Tech

"Edmunds came on my radar late in the season. He’s a freak, built for the K.J. Wright/De’Vondre Campbell role in the Niners’ Seattle-style scheme."

Matt Miller, Bleacher Report: LB Roquan Smith, Geogia

"Roquan Smith isn’t the biggest guy (6’1″, 236 lbs) but is incredibly fast to the ball and showed that with his 4.51 time in the 40-yard dash. He’s the best in the draft class at playing the run and can be a shutdown player outside the hashes. He reminds me of a young Bobby Wagner in that way.The 49ers already have a need at stack linebacker and may have an even bigger one depending on Reuben Foster’s legal situation. Smith gives them insurance should Foster miss games but could turn the front seven into a strength if both can get onto the field together."

Not surprisingly, Edmunds seems to be the biggest riser on San Francisco’s mock target list.

Edmunds — 19 years old and 6-foot-5, 236 pounds — has the body type to line up as either a SAM linebacker and easy upgrade over the incumbent, Eli Harold, or an edge-rushing role at LEO, which is what NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks noted.

The Virginia Tech product posted a 4.54 40-yard dash at the combine, which ranked fifth among all linebackers.

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That’s pretty solid, along with his ability to make plays in space.

It’s not unreasonable to think the 49ers target a cornerback first in the upcoming draft, making the Denzel Ward selection sensible. But a good hunch suggests general manager John Lynch will use free agency as a tool to upgrade this spot.

Regardless, Edmunds seems to be the consensus pick right now.

Next: 2018 NFL Draft mock for Round 1, scouting combine edition

We’ll know for certain when the Niners’ selection comes in during Round 1 of the NFL Draft on Apr. 26.