Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Day 3 primer for the 2018 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 02: Josh Sweat #9 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after a play against the Alabama Crimson Tide during their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 02: Josh Sweat #9 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after a play against the Alabama Crimson Tide during their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Remaining NFL Draft Picks to Target

The 49ers still have some major needs, as previously discussed, and day three of the draft could provide some nice sleepers and the proverbial “diamonds in the rough.”

A year ago, John Lynch struck gold with some late-round finds, namely tight end George Kittle, wide receiver Trent Taylor and safety Adrian Colbert. This ability to hit on late-round picks was vital, as it has been something missing from San Francisco’s draft efforts in years prior.

Which players should be on Lynch’s radar this time around on day three?

EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma

The lack of a pure pass-rushing presence on the Niners defense is glaring. And usually, waiting until the later rounds to address such a need isn’t a good idea.

But Oklahoma’s Ogbonnia Okoronkwo — currently CBS Sports‘ second-highest player remaining — is a player worth watching. He’s comparable to Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Yannick Ngakoue, armed with a similar frame and skill set.

Okoronkwo’s 17 sacks the last two seasons may be too hard to pass up if Okoronkwo makes it to No. 128 overall.

EDGE Josh Sweat, Florida State

Like Okoronkwo, Florida State’s Josh Sweat is a mid-round EDGE find who, despite fewer sacks the last two years, might actually be a better fit for San Francisco’s defense.

His 4.53 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine is worth noting, indicating the pure speed off the edge the Niners could use.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 7: Cornerback Quenton Meeks (24) of the Stanford Cardinal intercepts a pass from wide receiver Raelon Singleton (11) of the Utah Utes during the first half of an college football game on October 7, 2017 at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 7: Cornerback Quenton Meeks (24) of the Stanford Cardinal intercepts a pass from wide receiver Raelon Singleton (11) of the Utah Utes during the first half of an college football game on October 7, 2017 at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) /

Cornerback Quenton Meeks, Stanford

So much for our prediction mocking Stanford’s Quenton Meeks to the 49ers in Round 3.

The 6-foot-2 corner is still on the board, though, and it isn’t as if the Niners have completely solved their secondary depth concerns the first two days.

Meeks has met with the 49ers already, and his frame looks to be ideal for coordinator Robert Saleh’s Cover 3 defense.

Offensive Guard Wyatt Teller, Virginia Tech

Head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense isn’t totally predicated on excellent guard play. That responsibility falls on the tackles and center.

Yet it wouldn’t be a shock to see some further depth added, possibly landing someone capable of shifting into a starting role down the line.

Virginia Tech’s Wyatt Teller — 6-foot-5 and 314 pounds — is more of a power-run blocker, but he has impressive strength for a project-type prospect.