49ers mock NFL Draft: Niners gouge on 2023 Senior Bowl sleepers

With the 2023 Senior Bowl in the books, the 49ers now can look to adding some hidden-gem talent after the first two rounds of the NFL Draft are over.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch isn’t going to have a lot to do for the first two rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Niners, of course, are without picks in the first two rounds. Their Round 1 selection this year was included in the 2021 trade that netted quarterback Trey Lance at No. 3 overall, while the second-round pick was part of the midseason trade last October that landed All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers.

Sure, Lynch might be fielding some phone calls here and there. But, until San Francisco’s compensatory selections in Round 3 start popping up, it’s likely he’ll be pretty quiet.

Related Story: Every Niners 2023 draft pick heading into the offseason

However, Lynch and the 49ers scouting department shouldn’t have been quiet during Senior Bowl week, which concluded on Saturday, Feb. 4 from Mobile, Alabama.

Still armed with plenty of mid- and late-round selections, the Niners have every chance to land some sleeper talent, and some of those Senior Bowl prospects should have made their way onto Lynch’s radar.

So, with that as a backdrop, let’s kick off a seven-round post-Senior Bowl mock for San Francisco that focuses on some of that talent from the week at Mobile.

Well, a seven-round mock that skips Rounds 1 and 2, of course.

Note: Non-49ers mock simulated by FanSpeak.

Round 3, Pick No. 65 overall (from Texans): Center John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota

Boom!

Right out of the gate, the 49ers engineer a trade in this one, moving up from the end of Round 3 by sending off an additional third-round pick, a fifth-round selection and a future 2024 third-round pick to move to the very top of Round 3.

And there’s a good reason, too.

The Niners got excellent production from perennial backup center Jake Brendel last season, but a long-term upgrade is still an extremely important need.

Considering the always-endless need to reinforce the offensive line, grabbing a center to anchor the O-line would be wise here.

Center John Michael Schmitz had an excellent week of Senior Bowl practices, and one could make the argument about him being the No. 1 center in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Niners have previously opted to spend big money on free-agent centers before Brendel, namely Weston Richburg and Alex Mack, but it’s time now to find and groom someone who could anchor the interior for the next four years.

Not a flashy pick, but it’s a smart one.

Round 3, Pick No. 101 overall (compensatory): Cornerback Julius Brents, Kansas State

Another player who impressed at the Senior Bowl was Kansas State cornerback Julius Brents, who at 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds, has an ideal body type for boundary duties.

Brents showed plenty of skill in one-on-one drills, sticking with his receiver and not giving up much cushion at all during Senior Bowl practices:

https://twitter.com/CamMellor/status/1620537926743629824

He also proved to be a bit of a ballhawk last year, registering four interceptions and breaking up another four, too.

San Francisco already has a No. 1 cornerback in Charvarius Ward, and it’d ideally re-sign No. 2 cornerback Emmanuel Moseley.

However, going after Brents at the tail end of Round 3 would be an excellent contingency plan.

Round 5, Pick No. 166 overall (from Dolphins): Offensive tackle Ryan Hayes, Michigan

The 49ers already had this pick from the Miami Dolphins as a result of last season’s trade of running back Jeff Wilson Jr.

And while the Niners may be tempted to flip this pick into another running back, they instead wisely look to reinforce the offensive line.

Again.

There is a need, particularly if right tackle Mike McGlinchey winds up signing elsewhere in NFL free agency, and it sure seems as if that’ll happen. McGlinchey would like to return, but San Francisco probably wants to allocate resources elsewhere.

The 49ers have a few options to replace McGlinchey, such as promoting Colton McKivitz from a backup role, but going after someone like Michigan’s Ryan Hayes on day three might work out well, too.

Hayes had an OK week of Senior Bowl practices, and he might not be a clear-cut starter. He does, however, have the ability to play both tackle spots.

Round 5, Pick No. 173 overall (compensatory): EDGE Ali Gaye, LSU

Niners EDGE Nick Bosa led the entire NFL with 19.5 sacks last season.

No one else on San Francisco had more than five.

2022 rookie EDGE Drake Jackson fell off the radar late in the year, too. And while the 49ers would love to see him become a key part of the pass rush, reinforcing with other edge rushers late in the draft is never a bad idea.

Potentially, someone like LSU’s Ali Gaye fits the bill.

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Gaye has good speed for his size. And while he lacks a pass-rushing arsenal, his physical traits are more than enough to groom into being a quality supplementary pass-rusher.

Round 6, Pick No. 217 overall: Safety Quindell Johnson, Memphis

Like Mike McGlinchey, it doesn’t seem as if the Niners will be able to retain their longest-tenured player, safety Jimmie Ward, who’ll be a free agent this offseason.

Additionally, fellow safety Tashaun Gipson isn’t just hitting free agency, too, but he’s also weighing retirement.

That leaves a pretty noticeable void alongside All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga, and San Francisco would be wise to try filling it with someone versatile.

Memphis safety Quindell Johnson is a versatile player, capable of playing in a single-high role or even doubling down toward the box.

Johnson has proven to be a playmaker, boasting four interceptions in his final year in college. But he also has a high-risk, high-reward kind of pedigree when it comes to making those plays.

Round 7, Pick Nos. 224, 249 and 255 overall

With three picks to close out Round 7, the 49ers look for supplemental help that can either round out a roster or turn into a developmental gem down the road.

Kind of like quarterback Brock Purdy, who was last year’s final pick in the NFL Draft.

No. 224 overall (from Broncos): Tight end Brenton Strange, Penn State

The Niners have sought a No. 2 option to support All-Pro tight end George Kittle for years now.

While Penn State’s Brenton Strange isn’t anything close to that right away, he has the intangibles to work himself into a modest role within a year or two.

No. 249 overall (compensatory): Wide receiver Justin Shorter, Florida

Don’t let the last name fool you, as Florida wide receiver Justin Shorter is a big-bodied target with a 6-foot-4, 223-pound frame who uses his size and physicality to bully opposing defensive backs.

The transfer from Penn State could be reminiscent of current San Francisco wideout Jauan Jennings, and Shorter could end up being his long-term replacement in a third-down role.

No. 255 overall (compensatory): Linebacker Ventrell Miller, Florida

The 49ers are probably going to lose linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair to NFL free agency after committing big money to fellow backers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw.

Florida’s Ventrell Miller can help alleviate the loss, and he can serve as a key special teams contributor right away.