49ers mock NFL Draft roundup: Who is selected first in 2019?

Heading into Week 13, Niner Noise takes a look at mock NFL Drafts for 2019 to see who the experts are tabbing to the San Francisco 49ers in Round 1. There are some surprises.

At 2-9 a full 12 weeks deep into the 2018 season, it’s safe to say the content focus for the San Francisco 49ers has shifted almost entirely to the offseason.

That, of course, means NFL Draft talk and everything that comes with it: prospect breakdowns, team needs, fits and mock drafts.

Right now, the Niners are slated to have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. This number could change, of course. But with a pretty difficult remaining schedule on San Francisco’s calendar, it’s very possible we’ve already seen the last of the 49ers’ 2018 wins.

The 49ers currently own five picks in April’s draft. They’re without their own fifth-round selection (used to acquire offensive guard Laken Tomlinson back in 2017) and seventh-round pick (used to acquire swing tackle Shon Coleman). But that doesn’t totally affect what the Niners will do with their top pick.

At least not according to the multitude of mock drafts out there.

So, since draft talk seems to be about the only positive thing the 49ers have going for them right now, let’s take a look around the league to see which collegiate prospects are being tabbed to San Francisco in 2019.

Some are, well… interesting, to say the least.

Albert Breer and Kalyn Kahler, The MMQB: EDGE Nick Bosa, Ohio State

"A scout told me last week there’s a good chance Bosa will be the first pick, as long as he can perform athletically at some point before the draft. The 49ers have their quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo, and a trade down is possible if another team falls in love with one of the quarterbacks. Scouts say Bosa is nearly identical to his older brother, Chargers pass rusher Joey Bosa, and the 49ers are desperate for a playmaker on the edge."

NN take: Most NFL Draft big boards out there rank Bosa the No. 1 overall prospect in this year’s class. And there’s nothing wrong with a team simply grabbing the best available player.

Even better for San Francisco, Bosa fits the team’s biggest positional need.

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: OT Jonah Williams, Alabama

"The 49ers just took Mike McGlinchey in the top 10 of the 2018 draft, but Joe Staley is in the twilight of his career. Williams could even start at guard at the outset of his time in the NFL, then play left or right tackle in San Francisco."

NN take: Umm, OK? Trapasso has a point. Staley is nearing the end of his career, although he’s still playing like a top-quality lineman at 34 years old. Unless he suffers some sort of career-threatening injury between now and Week 17, this selection is a hard no.

Ryan McCrystal, Bleacher Report: EDGE Nick Bosa, Ohio State

NN take: Did we mention the younger Bosa may be projected to be even better than his older brother, Joey?

Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus: CB Greedy Williams, LSU

"Williams has played below his high expectations this season, but he has all of the necessary tools to develop into a press man corner and he’s allowed a passer rating of 40.1 into his coverage this season."

NN take: Palazzolo had the Niners selecting third, and Bosa was off the board by then. But going with a cornerback — another position of need — isn’t necessarily the worst idea ever.

After all, the EDGE draft class is awfully deep, while the crop of cornerbacks isn’t anywhere close. San Francisco can still get a top-quality edge rusher with its first pick in Round 2.

Gavino Borquez, The Draft Wire: EDGE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson

"The 49ers seek out some edge help here in the early portion of the first round, though they could go a variety of ways with this selection given the amount of holes on their roster. Clelin Ferrell has been one of the best pass-rushers in the ACC over the past three seasons, racking up 44 tackles for loss and 24 sacks. Ferrell is one of the most athletic edge rushers in the 2019 draft class. He made an immediate impact and was consistently disruptive from game to game and would fit right in for coach Kyle Shanahan."

NN take: The 49ers held the No. 2 overall pick in Borquez’s mock, so don’t jump on him for not grabbing Nick Bosa.

An ACC scout friend of mine told me he thought Ferrell would wind up being a better overall player than Bosa at the NFL level, primarily based on the former’s ability to guard against the run with tenacity. If Bosa doesn’t wind up going to San Francisco, Ferrell would be a nice consolation prize.

Brad Weiss, FanSided: EDGE Nick Bosa, Ohio State

"Bosa was injured earlier in the season, and has made the decision to forgo the rest of his college career, and get ready for the NFL. Some scouts feel he will be an even better player than his brother, All-Pro Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Joey Bosa, who also has been bitten by the injury bug this season."

NN take: Notice a trend here?

The 2019 NFL Draft officially kicks off on Thursday, April 25.