Niner Noise
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2019 NFL Draft: 5 players 49ers can cross off their Round 1 big board

By Peter Panacy

ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 08: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts to a sack against the Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 08: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts to a sack against the Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Christian Wilkins #42 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Christian Wilkins #42 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Putting it bluntly, Clemson’s defensive line entering this NFL Draft is pretty awesome. One player, EDGE Clelin Ferrell, could easily be a 49ers target if they trade out from No. 2.

Defensive tackles Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence, however, probably won’t be.

Lawrence is slated to go on day two of the draft, so let’s not count him here. Wilkins, though, is a surefire Round 1 selection, probably going in the mid-to-late teens or early 20s on day one.

His placement on this off-the-big-board list isn’t necessarily due to any shortcomings, aside from simply not being quite the prospect Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is. Should San Francisco elect to take Williams at No. 2 overall, that move would be grabbing the best overall talent available if Nick Bosa is off the board. Nothing wrong with that.

But, assuming the 49ers trade down, Wilkins would be an unnecessary pick. Especially with the Niners knowing fourth-year pro DeForest Buckner, another 3-technique, is coming off a 12-sack Pro Bowl campaign.

Grabbing Williams at No. 2 might justify some defensive line shuffling. That’s not the case with a player like Wilkins.