49ers mock NFL Draft 2024 after blockbuster Chase Young trade
49ers 2024 mock NFL Draft
42. #27. . . Cornerback. Max Melton. Rutgers. Max Melton. player. 27
A talented corner who has flown under the radar at Rutgers during his career, Max Melton has shown he has some serious potential as a shutdown corner at the next level.
The 6-foot-0, 190-pound Melton has backed up a strong 2022 where he had 33 tackles, two interceptions and nine passes defended, with 25 tackles, an interception and five passes defended so far in 2023.
. Layden Robinson. 57. 42. Texas A&M. Layden Robinson. player. #57. . Guard
The 49ers need to beef up the right side of their offensive line. Guard Spencer Burford has been spotty at best, and the team could look to spend several picks beefing up the right side of the offensive line.
Robinson has been a strong player for Texas A&M and plays with a nasty mean streak that would suit the Niners just fine, given they like to run the ball.
K.T. Leveston. Kansas State. 90. player. 42. . Offensive Tackle. K.T. Leveston. #90.
As mentioned, the Niners could spend several picks to boost the blocking on the right side of the O-line, and they also need to look to the future on the blindside as well.
K.T. Leveston is an interesting prospect at the end of Day 2, as he could play any tackle or guard spot in the NFL.
He's also shown improved pass protection skills in 2023, and he's boosted his draft stock.
. Jahmal Banks. 98. player. 42. . #98. Jahmal Banks. Wide Receiver. Wake Forest
San Francisco will face a battle with its salary cap to get wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk signed up to a big deal, and the team is always looking for someone to step up as the third receiver regardless.
Jahmal Banks is unlike most 49ers receivers, given he's 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds.
Banks showcased his potential in 2022 with 42 receptions for 636 yards and nine touchdowns. He's showcased similar stats so far in 2023 with 47 receptions for 528 yards and three touchdowns for the season.
Cal Haladay. 125. player. #125. Cal Haladay. 42. . . Linebacker. Michigan State
The 49ers lost depth at linebacker over the offseason and could look to invest a third-day pick into another project player at the position.
Cal Haladay backed up a strong 2022 campaign for Michigan State with 65 total tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack and an interception so far in 2023.
His interception, along with two passes defended, shows a vein of talent when it comes to coverage.
Jordan Strachan. 176. player. 42. #176. . South Carolina. . EDGE. Jordan Strachan
The Niners will undoubtedly spend a pick to help bolster the defensive line no matter what, and Jordan Stratchan would be an interesting pickup at the end of the fifth round.
Strachan transferred to South Carolina for the 2021 season after a breakout 10.5-sack season at Georgia State the year before, but a dip in form and a torn ACL torpedoed his momentum.
Strachan had to stay healthy in 2023 to rehabilitate his draft stock, and he's done that so far with five tackles for loss and two sacks for the Gamecocks.
. player. . Austin Jones. 42. #202. Austin Jones. 202. Running Back. USC
It wouldn't be an unusual San Francisco draft without at least one pick spent on a running back, and Austin Jones would be an interesting pick as a potential home run swing at the bottom of the sixth round.
He's benefited from a lot of attention on the USC offense, thanks to the spotlight on quarterback (and probable No. 1 pick) Caleb Williams.
Jones has been a reliable weapon for the Trojans, with the 5-foot-10 and 201-pound running back going for 385 yards and five touchdowns on 6.3 yards per carry. He's chipped in a little bit as a receiver, too, with seven receptions for 68 yards and an additional touchdown.
. . Center/Guard. Alabama. player. Darrian Dalcourt. Darrian Dalcourt. 42. #213. 213
The 49ers value versatility along its offensive line, and they could use more than one pick along the interior line.
Darrian Dalcourt has been a solid starter at both guard and center for Alabama and looms as a solid pick somewhere on Day 3 as a versatile backup who can develop into a starter anywhere along the interior.
Safety. #245. 245. 42. . Makari Paige. Michigan. Makari Paige. player.
Tashaun Gipson will probably depart the team after 2023, so the team will look to add more depth to the safety position for 2024 and beyond,
Makari Paige is a bit of a project player as he's never played to his potential, but he has good size at 6-foot-3 and 192 pounds, which could make him an intriguing pick to develop as a backup safety who contributes on special teams.
Read more from Niner Noise
feed