San Francisco 49ers: Round 1 big board for the 2020 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers seem to be favorites to trade down and out of Round 1 in the 2020 NFL Draft, but a player on their first-round big board could convince them otherwise.

In all likelihood, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch will trade out of the No. 31 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Considering the Niners aren’t currently scheduled to pick again until their two picks in Round 5, the thought of Lynch adding some much-needed draft capital in the middle rounds makes a lot of sense, especially because of the team’s limited resources to attack free agency this offseason.

Yet there’s always the possibility Lynch and Co. stay put in Round 1, grabbing one of what are likely a handful of first-round prospects dipping down into penultimate last selection in the round. Of course, it would have to be a player who’s exceptional and worthy enough to convince Lynch and the front office a trade down is no longer worthwhile.

Lynch and his scouts have likely created a big board of sorts to break down and rank these prospects who’d be highly considered and targeted at No. 31 overall. Some would require a drastic slip in the draft order.

But if they’re there when the 49ers’ number is called, there’s a good chance Lynch and Co. stick to the big board and take one of the 10 players listed here on Niner Noise’s Round 1 big board.

The first few players on San Francisco’s big board are ones who’ll likely be available at No. 31 overall, perhaps even projected as day-two picks. But with zero current selections in Round 1, an inability to trade back from the first selection may prompt Lynch to reach a bit.

One player who could convince the 49ers to do such a thing is Mississippi State cornerback Cameron Dantzler, who has an ideal 6-foot-2 frame to fit in nicely as a boundary defensive back in the Niners’ Cover 3 zone defense.

Dantzler didn’t over-impress at the NFL Combine, running a slowish 4.64 40-yard time and posting an OK 34.5-inch vertical leap. This will ultimately hurt his draft stock, particularly being on the wrong side of a 4.5 40-yard time threshold.

But Dantzler plays with aggression, and he’s stronger than his 188-pound frame would suggest.

Considering the Niners have to think about a long-term replacement for aging cornerback Richard Sherman, and fellow corners Ahkello Witherspoon and Emmanuel Moseley haven’t solidified starting roles just yet, the team could do worse than looking at a player like Dantzler early.