49ers stand pat, take exciting pick to fill need in final quickfire mock draft
Niner Noise 2024 Mock Draft 2.0: Pick Nos. 17 - 24
player. 52. 17. . . Clemson. Nate Wiggins. Nate Wiggins. Cornerback. 17
Mock Draft 1.0: Nate Wiggins, Cornerback, Clemson
An explosive cornerback who needs to improve his tackling a bit but has exceptional athleticism and instincts, the fit with the Jaguars is obvious, given they need a No. 2 corner desperately in a division with two elite quarterbacks facing them twice a year apiece in Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Stroud.
18. 56. 18. Washington. . Offensive Tackle/Guard. player. . Troy Fautanu. Troy Fautanu
Mock Draft 1.0: J.C. Latham, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
The Bengals need to keep Joe Burrow upright, which seems to be a recurring need every year. Luckily for them, this draft is teeming with offensive linemen, but we don't know which one they're targeting at No. 18.
Maybe Troy Fautanu is the answer, as the talented lineman can play multiple positions and plug up whatever hole there is on the offensive line.
. Texas. 19. Defensive Tackle. Byron Murphy. . Byron Murphy. 51. 19. player
Mock Draft 1.0: Byron Murphy, Defensive Tackle, Texas
This would be a good steal for the Rams, as Byron Murphy could be taken as high as No. 9 overall to the Bears. The team will be missing Aaron Donald desperately in retirement, so they need to find a replacement for him.
. . Graham Barton. Duke. Graham Barton. 20. player. 20. Offensive Tackle/Guard/Center. 55
Mock Draft 1.0: Taliese Fuaga, Offensive Tackle/Guard, Oregon State
The biggest omission from my first mock draft is the talented and versatile Graham Barton, who could play any interior position and maybe even right tackle in the NFL. The Steelers need interior line help, especially at center, and Barton has a lot of fans late in the draft process.
Taliese Fuaga. player. Oregon State. . Taliese Fuaga. 21. 59. 21. . Offensive Tackle/Guard
Mock Draft 1.0: Troy Fautanu, Offensive Tackle/Guard, Washington
Defensive line help is definitely in play for the Dolphins, and I imagine this pick would be tricky given Jared Verse is still on the board in this mock.
But truthfully, they need to do everything possible to keep the fragile Tua Tagovailoa upright and Fuaga can fill multiple positions. Tua might be one concussion away from possible retirement given his history.
54. Cooper DeJean. 22. 22. . Cooper DeJean. player. . Cornerback/Safety. Iowa
Mock Draft 1.0: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama
The Eagles need to prop up their secondary badly if they want to remain relevant in the NFC. Cooper DeJean is a versatile defensive back who can play nickel back or safety, providing the versatility that the Eagles need.
. Wide Receiver. 23. . LSU. 13. Brian Thomas Jr.. Brian Thomas Jr.. 23. player
Mock Draft 1.0: Brian Thomas Jr., Wide Receiver, LSU
For reference, the Vikings traded No. 11 and No. 23 to the Chargers for No. 5 and No. 110 to make this trade happen.
The Chargers have to come out of here with a receiver given Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are gone. They luck out here, getting the consensus fourth-best receiver on the board at No. 23.
player. 24. Offensive Tackle. . 123. Alabama. J.C. Latham. 24. . J.C. Latham
Mock Draft 1.0: Tyler Guyton, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma
J.C. Latham would be an excellent get for the Dallas Cowboys if they find him available at No. 24. They need a right tackle now Tyler Smith will man the blindside permanently, and Latham projects as an excellent right tackle for the NFL.
The problem facing Latham which might make him fall, is teams don't view him as capable of being a left tackle. This might hurt him a bit.