SF 49ers NFL Draft: Niners upgrade O-line in CBS Sports’ latest mock

While there’s speculation the SF 49ers will take a quarterback early in the 2021 NFL Draft, CBS Sports’ latest mock has them going O-line.

Yes, there’s a strong chance the SF 49ers wind up taking a quarterback with their first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Even if head coach Kyle Shanahan elects to stick with his current starter, Jimmy Garoppolo, the thought of finding a long-term replacement and someone to at least push Jimmy G in the immediate future is enticing enough.

Especially considering the top-heavy depth of quarterbacking talent in this year’s class.

While many a mock draft out there suggests this will be the path the Niners take, it’s not the route recently suggested by CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso in his latest mock, who came up with another very realistic situation.

Rather than grabbing a quarterback, Trapasso has San Francisco going with Virginia Tech offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw at No. 12 overall:

"Darrisaw reminds me a lot of Trent Williams, who is set to be a free agent after his one season in San Francisco."

Speaking of Williams, the 32-year-old perennial Pro Bowler is likely going to be a tough re-sign for the SF 49ers this offseason. While Williams and the Niners have had some preliminary talks about a new deal extending into 2021 and beyond, no concrete agreement has been put into place. And with the franchise tag off the table for San Francisco, it’s either Williams is retained on what could be a deal worth more than $18 million annually, or he walks in free agency and becomes a high-profile add for any team needing offensive line help.

The Niners don’t exactly have a lot of other options on their current roster. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey is solidified as an excellent run-blocker, but his pass-protecting woes don’t make him a good fit for a right-handed quarterback’s blindside.

San Francisco also didn’t get worthy production out of younger linemen, Justin Skule and Colton McKivitz, either.

While it wouldn’t be a flashy pick, adding a player like Darrisaw does make a lot of sense, especially considering the SF 49ers’ repeated efforts to bulk up at the line of scrimmage.

Deshaun Watson to Dolphins in CBS Sports’ mock NFL Draft

The Niners’ pick of Darrisaw isn’t flashy, and it wouldn’t be the headline-grabbing portion of the mock anyway.

No, that honor would be a blockbuster deal between the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins, one which sends disgruntled quarterback Deshaun Watson away from the rebuild in Houston and into the waiting arms of Miami, which could consider moving on from its first-round pick last year, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, after the latter flamed out late in 2020.

The Texans don’t have a first-round pick in this year’s draft. Via that trade, they net back the selection originally sent to Miami in exchange for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.

With the selection, Houston selects BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, another player on many SF 49ers fans’ radar.