Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Full preview for the 2018 NFL Draft

By Logan Stanley

Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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STARKVILLE, MS – NOVEMBER 11: Keith Mixon #23 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs catches a pass as Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide defends during the second half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS – NOVEMBER 11: Keith Mixon #23 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs catches a pass as Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide defends during the second half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /

Potential targets

Just up until very recently, linebacker was atop the list for what position I believed the 49ers should target first in the draft. Now, that has changed.

If linebacker Roquan Smith is there when San Francisco is on the clock, I don’t think it’d be a mistake. There’s a good chance Smith might not be though.

Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, at 19 years old, is understandably raw. I believe there’d better value trading down and then selecting Edmunds as opposed to at No. 9.

Considering Foster has a greater chance of remaining a member of the 49ers moving forward, I think the need has been knocked down a peg. So, best player available is the route the team should take.

Enter, Alabama cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick. San Francisco is reportedly “high on Minkah Fitzpatrick,” according to Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst. Fitzpatrick was one of San Francisco’s pre-draft visits.

Eric Crocker from Fourth and Nine did a superb thread on Fitzpatrick, which you can check out here:

There shouldn’t be any worry about Fitzpatrick’s potential fit with the 49ers defense and his ability is evident. Fitzpatrick’s presence would provide an immediate boost to an emerging secondary.

At this pick, I could also see EDGE Harold Landry, safety Derwin James, cornerback Denzel Ward or cornerback Josh Jackson.

Other potential targets after Round 1:

  • Guard Austin Corbett, Nevada.
  • Guard Skylar Phillips, Idaho State.
  • Tackle Brian O’Neill, Pittsburgh.
  • Tackle Alex Cappa, Humboldt State.
  • EDGE Arden Key, LSU.
  • EDGE Josh Sweat, FSU.
  • Linebacker Lorenzo Carter, Georgia.
  • Cornerback Quenton Meeks, Stanford.
  • Cornerback Holton Hill, Texas.
  • Safety Kyzir White, West Virginia University.