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

The 2018 NFL Draft is finally here. Our preview will get you prepared with the San Francisco 49ers’ list of selections, positional needs, potential targets and a mock draft.

After many months of preparation, the time has come for NFL teams across the country to enter their war rooms and build on their plot to take over the league.

Armed with 10 picks, last year’s affair was John Lynch and his new regime’s first draft, and the returns on the field after one season have been mostly positive.

Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, selected at No. 3 overall, struggled at times but finished the season strong and flashed glimpses that provide for a promising future. Linebacker Reuben Foster, picked No. 31 overall, was one of the league’s top players at the position.

But Foster has had an offseason marred by trouble with the law. Though with Reuben Foster’s former girlfriend recanting her claim and saying Foster never struck her, the prospects of the second-year player staying with the team have strengthened.

Cornerback Ahekllo Witherspoon (third round pick), tight end George Kittle (fifth round pick), wide receiver Trent Taylor (fifth round pick) and safety Adrian Colbert (seventh round pick) all look set to be key players for the future.

This time around, the 49ers possess nine total picks. Defense will most likely be an emphasis in drafting, as it’s the side of the ball they struggle with the most.

One thing to watch for is what general manager John Lynch does in the first round at No. 9 overall. With quarterback needy teams sitting behind and Lynch’s willingness to make deals, does he execute another draft-day trade?

List of draft selections

The following is a list of all nine picks the 49ers own in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Round 1

• No. 9 overall

Round 2

• No. 59 overall (Originally from the New Orleans Saints)

Round 3

• No. 70 overall (Originally from the Chicago Bears)
• No. 74 overall

Round 4

• No. 128 overall (Originally from the Pittsburgh Steelers)

Round 5

• No. 143 overall (Originally from the New York Jets)

Round 6

• No. 184 overall

Round 7

• No. 223 overall (Originally from the Miami Dolphins)
• No. 240 overall (Originally from the Kansas City Chiefs)

Positional needs

Getting to the passer

Right now, San Francisco’s biggest hole in the defense is the EDGE rusher position. The team signed Jeremiah Attaochu in free agency, and brought back Cassius Marsh, but that’s basically it for pass-rushing specialists. Safe to say a lot of question marks still remain.

Protecting the $137.5 million dollar man

The offensive line will need to be addressed as well, particularly the interior portion. Weston Richburg is the future at center, but nothing is settled at both left and right guard. Although the 49ers are set for this next season at tackle with Joe Staley and Trent Brown, both are approaching critical points in their careers.

Bolstering the secondary

Yes, San Francisco did just sign cornerback Richard Sherman in free agency. And Ahkello Witherspoon has shown to be reliable. Sherman is coming off a major injury though and will be hitting his mid 30s soon. Depth is needed outside of both Sherman and Witherspoon.

Here are the rest of the needs that I’ve ranked in terms of importance:

4. Linebacker

5. Safety

6. Wide receiver

7. Running back

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.

Mock draft

Round 1

—No. 9: Cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama.

Round 2

—No. 59: EDGE Kemoko Turay, Rutgers.

Round 3

—No. 70: Guard Braden Smith, Auburn. 

—No. 74: Linebacker Fred Warner, BYU.

Round 4

—No. 128: Tackle Brandon Parker, North Carolina A&T.

Round 5

—No. 143: Running back Bo Scarbrough, Alabama.

Round 6

—No. 184: Wide receiver Jaleel Scott, New Mexico State.

Round 7

—No. 223: Cornerback Brandon Facyson, Virginia Tech.

—No. 240: Safety Siran Neal, Jacksonville State.

Next: San Francisco 49ers 2018 regular-season preview: Weeks 1 through 4

With the 49ers owners of nine picks and an aggressive general manager, the next weekend is bound to be an eventful one.