49ers fix free-agent losses in this 7-round mock NFL Draft

Unfortunately, the 49ers aren’t blessed with early selections in the 2023 NFL Draft. Can they find a diamond in the rough to help them win a championship?

After a flurry of free-agent moves, some gains, and some losses, the San Francisco 49ers are one month away from the 2023 NFL Draft.

After last season’s collective performance and the rise of quarterback Brock Purdy, it’s evident the Niners don’t need much to win a championship.

In fact, if not for injuries, who knows how the season would’ve ended?

Granted, the 49ers saw a few more free agents leave the building than they would’ve liked, but if you look at the roster, the playmakers remain and this team is geared for another deep playoff run.

A few holes still need to be filled, but moving forward solid depth is what’s needed the most.
With that being said, there’s no reason they couldn’t return to full strength by utilizing the remainder of free agency and the upcoming draft.

Unfortunately, the Niners are without a high pick for the second consecutive year. The team’s first pick isn’t until Round 3, so the war room will need to be a bit more cunning than usual. Or, general manager John Lynch could move up by orchestrating a trade.

In recent years, he’s certainly been no stranger to that.

What will happen on draft day is anyone’s guess, but with any luck, the right players will fall the team’s way.

Let’s take a look at how it could go in this seven-round mock draft for San Francisco.

Round 3, Pick No. 99 Overall: 49ers select S Christopher Smith

After nine seasons in San Francisco, Jimmie Ward decided to test free agency. However, it didn’t take long for him to settle on a suitor. He hightailed it out of the Bay Area and has reunited with new Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans.

Despite the departure, general manager John Lynch abstained from taking a dip in the free-agent pool to acquire a replacement. Instead, he re-signed veteran Tashaun Gipson on a one-year deal.

Locking down the other safety position is third-year man Talanoa Hufanga, who figures to build on an incredibly successful 2022 season. Together, they totaled nine interceptions, 2.5 quarterback sacks, and 17 pass breakups. That’s solid work for a defensive backfield, especially one that was still getting acquainted as the year progressed.

The starters are in place for the upcoming season, but depth is certainly an issue, and who will take over for Gipson when he decides to hang up his cleats now that Ward is no longer an option?

Having Georgia Bulldogs safety Christopher Smith waiting in the wings wouldn’t be a bad idea.

He’s certainly to stranger locking down his side of the field. In his senior year alone, he surrendered an incredible QB rating of 50.6 when targeted. He’ll fit right in with Hufanga, who led the league, with a passing-efficiency rating of 105.5.

In five seasons with the SEC, Smith played in 46 games and logged over 1,800 snaps. He’s been labeled as an “instinctive center fielder” and covers the field like a blanket.

Sounds like another safety on the roster that has also garnered new-found success.

He and Hufanga will pay the perfect compliment to each other. If paired together, in the upcoming years, going over the middle at Levis’ Stadium would be a bad idea.

In fact, it could be the new “No Fly Zone.”

Round 3, Pick No. 101 Overall: 49ers Select CB Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson

Last year, the Niners spent big bringing in defensive back Charvarius Ward. This year, they chose not to spend big in bringing back starter Emmanuel Moseley. Instead, they signed Isaiah Oliver to an absolute bargain deal. Chances are, he’ll start opposite Ward.

Behind them, waiting patiently for an opportunity to stand out are Deommodore Lenoir, Ambry Thomas, and Samuel Womack. Each has had his fair share of success, but until now, they have operated as a committee. There’s no doubt the 49ers are all eyeing the vacancy with every intent to fill it.

However, if they’re not careful, defensive back Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson could blow right past them with his blazing 4.41 speed. In his senior season, he returned two interceptions for touchdowns and recorded an elite QB rating of 38.9 when targeted.

His size is a concern at 5-foot-7, but when Hodges-Tomlinson is in coverage, he plays like he’s well over six feet tall.

The Niners need an explosive player to start opposite Ward, and if Oliver is not the guy, then the former TCU standout has the ability to be that player.

And, with his numbers, he’s the epitome of a lockdown corner. At the very least, he’ll fit right in at the nickel position.

Round 3, Pick No. 102 Overall: 49ers select OT Blake Freeland

Whether or not Mike McGlinchey lost too much weight in the offseason, or he could hold his own at right tackle is no longer relevant. After five seasons for San Francisco, he’s packed his bags and is headed to the Denver Broncos.

He came in to block for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, opposite 49ers legend Joe Staley, so McGlinchey exiting the building with Garoppolo was kind of apropos.

Just before his departure, the Niners inked Colton McKivitz to a two-year extension. John Lynch knew that McGlinchey was due a sizable payday and wasn’t willing to engage in a bidding war for the five-year veteran.

McKivitz knows the system and is a good fit for San Francisco. However, what will they do outside of him, and what about a successor for probable Hall of Famer Trent Williams?

Drafting Blake Freeland out of BYU wouldn’t be a bad start. He’s one of the very few bright spots, who will be around in the third round, in a very thin offensive tackle class.

In four years on the right side, Freeland has only given up two quarterback sacks. At 6-foot-7 and weighing 302 pounds, he and Trent Williams will be absolute bookends and will provide more than enough protection for quarterback Brock Purdy.

He’s versatile, playing on the left as well, just as skilled in the run game as he is in the passing game, has the agility of a tight end, and he set a new Combine record for offensive linemen with a vertical jump of 37 inches.

Freeland is an absolute steal in the third round for Lynch. Without question, he’s the future of the offensive front in San Francisco and should be on the radar moving forward.

Round 5, Pick No. 155 Overall: 49ers select OG Emil Ekiyor Jr.

Left Guard Aaron Banks did more than surprise in his first full season as a starter, in fact, he looked like a perennial All-Pro next to Trent Williams. That alone is no easy task.

Holding down the right side is second-year man Spencer Burford, and he was the only rookie offensive lineman to go all season while not allowing a sack. Together he and Banks have the potential to anchor the interior line alongside Jake Brendel for the unforeseen future.

But what about depth? You can never have too many quality protectors.

Enter Emil Ekiyor Jr.

In five seasons for the Crimson Tide, he manned both the guard positions and gave up an impressive two quarterback sacks in almost 2,700 snaps. How’s that for protection?

A three-man rotation of Banks, Burford, and Ekiyor would not only keep the guard position on fresh legs, but it would also be a lateral move in terms of stability.

Ekiyor is an absolute workhorse and plays with a mean streak from the snap to the whistle. The Niners offensive line has a bright future ahead, but with the former Alabama prospect in the mix, it could be even brighter.

Round 5, Pick No. 164 Overall: 49ers select OT Ryan Hayes

The 49ers have the best left tackle in football, Trent Williams is second to none. But at 34 years of age, it’s time to start thinking about a replacement.

Make no mistakes, Williams has shown no signs of slowing down, as evident by his tenth Pro Bowl last season, but father time waits for no one.

Tackles Colton McKivitz and Jaylon Moore will look to capitalize on the departure of Mike McGlinchey while helping to provide depth along a fairly young offensive front.

With Michigan’s Ryan Hayes on the roster, competition heading into training camp should be fierce but fun to watch.

During the Kyle Shanahan regime, the 49ers have relied heavily on free agency and trades to keep their O-line competitive. Moving forward, they will have to look to the draft for prospects and put those prospects in the capable hands of their coaching staff.

As stated earlier, this year’s draft class is very thin at offensive tackle, but there are some talented, capable players if they are put in a scheme that suits them. In fact, it’s crucial for their development.

At 6-foot-6 and 298 pounds, Hayes will fit right in with the big, physical line in San Francisco due to his measurables, motor and work ethic.

Round 5, Pick No. 173 Overall: 49ers select TE Josh Whyle

Tight end George Kittle had an incredible season, largely in part to the chemistry that he and Brock Purdy found on the field. Their late-season connection produced seven touchdowns in four games and helped cap off a 10-game win streak.

Backing up the “People’s Tight End” and resident hype man are Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley. Woerner is in the last year of his contract, and Dwelley just re-signed earlier this week to a one-year deal.

This means that both of Kittle’s backups will be free agents next year. That doesn’t leave a lot of insurance for the Niners at the season’s end should both decide to sign elsewhere.

What they can do is draft Josh Whyle out of Cincinnati and give him a full year to learn the Kyle Shanahan system. If Whyle pans out, then they will have a vested backup on more than a one-year deal for a bargain price.

During his tenure in the AAC, Whyle eclipsed the 130 QB rating season mark twice when targeted, and averaged more than 10 yards per catch three times in five seasons.

Over the years, the 49ers haven’t invested a lot of time into grooming a long-term backup, mostly in part to Kittle’s iron man status.

Maybe this year, they will change that.

Round 6, Pick No. 216 Overall: 49ers select LB Sirvocea Dennis

Since 2019, the 49ers have had the best linebacking corps in the National Football League. Leading that group is arguably the best linebacker in the league, Fred Warner. Unfortunately, Azeez Al-Shaair decided to test free agency and break up the group, and rightfully so, he’s performed beautifully for San Francisco.

Recently signed linebacker Austin Bryant is a favorite to start, but why not add in some competition to make it interesting?

Former Pitt Panther alumnus, Sirvocea Dennis, is the perfect fit for Johnny Holland to coach up for next season. In his final year at Pittsburgh, as a pass rusher, Dennis racked up 32 total pressures, 13 hurries, eight hits, and sacked the quarterback 11 times.

In coverage, he added an interception, a pass breakup, and held the opposing quarterback to a rating of 85.0.

Dennis is the complete linebacker who could only get better at the pro level. Thanks to the help of Warner, he could be one of the best in the league in only a couple of seasons.

Round 7, Pick No. 222 Overall: 49ers select CB Mekhi Blackmon

The secondary has been a concern for years. Once the 49ers get their man for one position it seems that another area of need pops up right away.

To put it plainly, it’s a revolving door.

The truth is, for any team, that without a competitive secondary, you’ll never be able to compete against a team that relies solely on its passing attack.

Mekhi Blackmon is just under 6 feet tall but plays with a lot of physicalities. He’s also an absolute speedster, at the combine he put up 4.47 speed.

Blackmon plays well against press coverage and has impressive straight-line speed to stay with receivers downfield. He also covers slot receivers and tight ends with ease.

Round 7, Pick No. 247 Overall: 49ers select S Chamarri Conner

Notice a trend here?

No matter how great your secondary is, it has to be your area of concern year after year. The league is filled with great young quarterbacks and big, physical receivers. And, the depth you have, or you lack, can be the deciding factor in how your season goes.

Chamarri Conner is another speedster that ran 4.51 at the NFL Scouting Combine. Conner plays well in zone coverage but plays very physically at the line in man coverage. He is also no stranger to blitzing off the edge.

Connor will add quality depth to San Francisco and push others to better overall play.

Round 7, Pick No. 253 Overall: 49ers select WR Puka Nacua

The Niners do not need another receiver. They have a “wide back,” a newly crowned thousand-yard receiver in Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings who is sure-handed and reliable, especially on third downs, and they have running back Christian McCaffrey who can literally play any position on the field.

If we’re being honest, they have so much depth at receiver that Kyle Shanahan had to shelve then-rookie Danny Gray for the entire 2022 season.

With all that being said, BYU’s Puka Nacua is still worth a look.

In his junior year, he averaged 18.3 yards per catch while posting a QB rating of 128.0 when targeted. His senior season was a bit lower but still very impressive.

He’s another speedster (4.45) with good height at 6-foot-1 and great length. His combination of speed and average yards-per-catch bares comparison to Danny Amendola or Cooper Kupp, subjectively speaking, of course.

Nacua and Gray would have to fight for reps, but if they are anything alike in terms of ability it’ll be a lot of fun to watch.

Round 7, Pick No. 255 Overall: 49ers select RB Mohamed Ibrahim

Running backs Elijah Mitchell and Christian McCaffrey get the majority of the reps on the team, and with Tyrion Davis-Price and Jordan Mason returning, it’s a crowded backfield.

However, Mohamed Ibrahim out of Minnesota played in the Big Ten Conference and still managed to rush for over 1,600 yards while averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Even more impressive than that, he rushed 19 touchdowns in his final year for the Golden Gophers.

That alone deserves a look.

Want your voice heard? Join the Niner Noise team!

Write for us!

Mitchell and McCaffrey need not worry about their jobs, but Mason and TDP are officially on notice.

Considering how quickly the Niners have gone through running backs over the years, fueling the back end of the pipeline is never a bad idea and strategy.