49ers fill their biggest need in this 1st-round mock NFL Draft
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EDGE. 36. . . Jared Verse. 16. Jared Verse. 16. player. Florida State
The Seattle Seahawks could use this pick for more offensive line talent, but they also desperately need to improve the pass rush by giving a complement to Boye Mafe.
Jared Verse would be a solid pick halfway through the first round.
Verse has shown himself to be an excellent pass-rusher in his two seasons at Florida State, recording nine sacks apiece in those seasons. He also had 29.5 tackles for loss in those two years, demonstrating his ability to get into the backfield.
Verse is slightly undersized, but not overly so at 6-foot-4 and 254 pounds. He's a pure pass-rusher, with a wide array of moves to beat defenders and a relentless motor that allows him to make plays. He's a natural athlete with the skills to back it up.
The flaw with Verse is he's a loss as a run defender, getting pushed around and not being a force in those plays. Whoever gets him will need to coach him up to make sure he doesn't end up as a situational pass-rusher in the NFL.
. Nate Wiggins. 17. Clemson. Nate Wiggins. player. 17. Cornerback. . 52
The Jacksonville Jaguars, like the Colts, need a cornerback to help keep pace in the AFC South. The team had a disappointing end to the season, and now need a No. 2 corner opposite Tyson Campbell or risk losing more ground to the Texans.
Wiggins is a good height but is a bit underweight at 6-foot-1 and 173 pounds. He's a smart, competitive corner who had six passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack for Clemson in 2023.
Wiggins is a versatile player who can play both a man- and zone-based scheme. He's not quite the physical talent of Quinyon Mitchell or possess the skills of Terrion Arnold, but he's got the necessary ability to thrive in the NFL.
For the next level, Wiggins needs to improve his tackling as he let some plays through him at Clemson that should have been stopped. He's a bit stiff in the hips, too, so he needs to be carefull that speedy and slick receivers don't take advantage of him.
J.C. Latham. 18. . Alabama . . Offensive Tackle . 18. player. 56. J.C. Latham
The Cincinnati Bengals are a constant threat to win the Super Bowl but always seem to be just lacking in the protection department. Cincy is hurting a bit as well, given Jonah Williams defected to the Cardinals, so the team needs a right tackle desperately.
This would be a dream situation for the Bengals. There's some doubts that J.C. Latham can be a left tackle in the NFL, but he's a Pro Bowl-caliber right tackle who can start in Week 1 and also move inside to guard if need be.
Latham is an ideal size to be a tackle in the NFL at 6-foot-6 and 342 pounds, but he lacks the necessary feet and movement skills to stick as a left tackle in the NFL. His technique is otherwise good, however, and he has the strength to push people around, He's a smart player who can handle whatever defenders throw at him.
Latham could fall, given teams won't want to stick him on the blindside and he's a right tackle for the NFL, but he's still a Day 1 starter who can start for over a decade.
Exactly what the Bengals need.