Mock NFL Draft roundup: Who are 49ers taking after free agency?

The 49ers addressed some serious needs in free agency but also lost some key players, and the NFL Draft must provide some answers, right?

The San Francisco 49ers saw a pretty significant chunk of players leave the organization in the first wave of NFL free agency in the middle of the month.

Not only is quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo donning the silver and black as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders, but right tackle Mike McGlinchey, safety Jimmie Ward, cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, EDGE Samson Ebukam and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair are all going to be suiting up for different teams in 2023.

Those losses are significant.

At the same time, though, the Niners hope to have turned the page by adding other standout players, namely former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and defensive back Isaiah Oliver.

Read More: 49ers NFL free agency tracker: Who’s coming, going in 2023?

While general manager John Lynch and Co. will make other free-agent transactions in the upcoming days and weeks, the focus for San Francisco will be on the 2023 NFL Draft now. The 49ers lack picks in Rounds 1 and 2 but will have 11 in total from the end of the third round all the way through Round 7.

So, when looking at all the mock drafts out there, Niners fans simply don’t have to pay attention unless the mocks go at least three rounds.

Fortunately for you, we’ve aggregated some recent post-NFL free agency mocks for you right here.

Who is being mocked to 49ers in 2023 NFL Draft after opening wave of free agency?

San Francisco could still seek out help for its offensive line, while another pass-rusher and cornerback could be must-have weapons.

Plus, knowing head coach Kyle Shanahan has been on a seemingly endless search for a tight end to pair with the All-Pro, George Kittle, an awfully deep class at the position makes another TE almost guaranteed.

Let’s see what those mocks out there say about the 49ers’ draft plans. And remember, the Niners are armed with three compensatory picks at the end of Round 3, so each three-round mock will have three San Francisco selections in that round.

Jeff Risdon, Touchdown Wire

• No. 99 overall: CB Eli Ricks, Alabama
• No. 101 overall: WR Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss
• No. 102 overall: CB Tre’Vius Tomlinson, TCU

Two cornerbacks and a wide receiver could easily be the plan, as USA Today’s Jeff Risdon suggested. Ricks has the physical tools to be a quality boundary corner, while Tomlinson is a prototypical nickel back with his 5-foot-8 frame.

A wide receiver is a bit of a surprise, but Shanahan has shocked us with odd picks in Round 3 before.

As long as it’s not a running back, we’re OK.

Ian Cummings, Pro Football Network

• No. 99 overall: OT Wanya Morris, Oklahoma
• No. 101 overall: LB Ivan Pace Jr., Cincinnati
• No. 102 overall: CB Eli Ricks, Alabama

It sure seems as if Ricks might be a popular choice. With Moseley joining the Detroit Lions, the 49ers’ current choice would be to insert third-year pro Deommodore Lenoir into that No. 2 corner spot.

Ricks has far more upside, though.

Ian Cummings of PFN makes a slam of a pick with Morris, though, replacing McGlinchey at right tackle.

Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus

• No. 99 overall: CB Tre’Vius Tomlinson, TCU
• No. 101 overall: OL Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan
• No. 102 overall: LB Ivan Pace Jr., Cincinnati

More repeat targets for the Niners, including Tomlinson and Pace.

San Francisco inked Oliver, yes, but Tomlinson might end up being the long-term fit. Pace, meanwhile, could fill that third linebacker void left by Al-Shaair’s departure.

Oluwatimi has also been a popular choice for the 49ers in many a three-round mock, so it’s not surprising to see him there even though the Niners were able to re-sign center Jake Brendel and won’t need to replace him anytime soon.

The 2023 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 27.