With the NFL Scouting Combine wrapping up, Niner Noise runs through another 49ers mock draft as the team looks to go one better in 2024 and win their sixth Super Bowl.
For us draft nerds, the NFL Scouting Combine is always good fun. Whether it's a prospect who helps themselves immensely or a player who's torpedoed his draft stock to the point where it might have been better to stay home.
Read More: 49ers fans should want this prospect after strong 2024 NFL Combine
And sometimes, there's just the bizarre.
I mean, seriously, there was a player who stood right up to the cameras and said he doesn't believe in space or planets.
I have been on this planet for 30 years, and I can guarantee that I don't think I will see a more confusing interview.
But back to the San Francisco 49ers.
For this mock draft, just a few house rules. We aren't doing trades (yet), and we'll go really in-depth for Round 1, some decent-sized profiles for the Day 2 picks and then we'll blow by the Day 3 picks with a touch less information.
But we'll give you a rundown on their fit, their collegiate career, and (if applicable), their NFL Combine performance.
49ers pick at No. 31 overall: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Offensive linemen aren't flashy picks, but that won't stop me once again from selecting Jordan Morgan on behalf of the 49ers.
Morgan might not play for a powerhouse school, but he had an excellent season with only one sack allowed for the Wildcats.
His school measurements are at 6-foot-4 and 312 pounds, so it'll be interesting to see how his measurables compare because of his short arms, but he's the perfect player who can start right away at right tackle and then move over the blindside when Trent Williams retires.
Short arms can be mitigated by good technique, which is what Morgan brings to the table. He's not a power blocker, but he's a good enough athlete to get around this by getting to the right positions. He gets to the second level well on running plays, and a pass-rusher will have problems using speed or leverage to get by him.
Where Morgan falls flat when it comes to being considered one of the top tackles in this class is the aforementioned lack of physicality. Morgan could stand to get stronger for the NFL and to develop a mean streak, but that can come with time and having Williams mentor him. All the tools are there, and he can still be a Week 1 starter in 2024.
The 49ers should feel very blessed that the biggest hole on their roster happens to be the biggest strength of this class. Most drafts wouldn't have Day 1 starters at tackle this late, but this year happens to be the exception.
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49ers pick at No. 63 overall: CB Max Melton, Rutgers
I confess that Max Melton might be my draft crush for this entire draft. I love how he plays, this page loves how he plays, and it seems the 49ers love how he plays because they've met with him on more than one occasion.
So it's fair to say, there's some mutual interest here.
In 2023, the Rutgers defensive back recorded 32 tackles, three interceptions and six passes defended for the Scarlet Knights. This followed what was a breakout in 2022 where he had 33 tackles, two interceptions and nine passes. Being on a poor Rutgers team meant he didn't get a lot of time to shine, but he rectified that at the NFL Combine.
Walterfootball.com listed Melton as one of the winners of the combine at the cornerback position, noting:
"It’s not a surprise that Mex Melton was able to show out at the combine. He posted some great measurables. Included are a 4.39 40 time, a 40.5-inch vertical and an 11-4 broad jump."Walterfootball.com
The 5-foot-11, 187-pound cornerback was probably on the bubble of the Day 2/Day 3 variety, but he shouldn't fall past the first 75 selections now. His strong play and his exceptional combine performance should see to that.
What the 49ers will like about Melton also is his versatility. While not the biggest cornerback, he's still at home on the boundary or can also move inside in the slot. The Niners do tend to move about their cornerbacks when injury or circumstances dictate, so this will be of interest to them.
49ers pick at No. 94 overall: OG Christian Hayes, Connecticut
Once again, we're shooting for offensive linemen, but it shouldn't surprise the 49ers if they spend a few early picks on beefing up the offensive line.
Spencer Burford has not developed at right guard as the 49ers would have liked, and he ended up being benched in the second half of the season, so the team will be looking for a long-term solution.
At 6-foot-2 and 318 pounds, Connecticut guard Christian Hayes was a starter for four years on the Huskies' offensive line and is a relentless motor up front. In a sense, he's sort of the anti-Jordan Morgan where he hasn't much finesse and relies on strength and aggression.
A strong Senior Bowl has put Hayes into Day 2 contention, a strong NFL Combine will confirm that position.
49ers pick at No. 98 overall: WR Ja'Lynn Polk, Washington
The 49ers raised a few eyebrows by meeting with some wide receivers during the NFL Combine who could end up being selected on Thursday night. While a receiver in the first round is unlikely, they're clearly interested in adding to their receiving corps.
Ja'Lynn Polk might be the forgotten Washington Huskies receiver, thanks to Rome Odunze being the center of attention. But that shouldn't take away what a good receiver he's been for the Huskies: 73 receptions for 1,191 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023, and looked like he would have been a No. 1 receiver for most schools.
Polk measured in at a decent size at 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds and followed that up with an acceptable (if unspectacular) 4.52 40-yard time. He fared a lot better in the athletic drills, recording a 37.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-9 broad jump.
Polk isn't the most dynamic receiver, but his strength lies in his ability to catch contested passes and make big plays when needed. He projects as a Jauan Jennings-esque player with a bit more of a vertical threat for the next level.
49ers pick at No. 124 overall: TE Tip Reiman, Illinois
San Francisco has been very vocal about adding help for tight end George Kittle. The 49ers might mean a veteran, but they also could be looking at someone from the combine who was so impressive that he's gone from buried as a Day 3 selection to being close to a top-100 pick.
The tight end class is not a deep one, unlike last year, so that meant Tip Reiman showed out at the combine. Reiman didn't catch the eye at Illinois where he only caught 19 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns in 2023, but he's an excellent blocker.
But where the potential lies is in his Combine performance as Walter Football explained:
"Tip Reiman was the heaviest of all the tight ends at the combine (6-5, 271), yet he was able to blaze a 40 in 4.64 seconds. He also posted a solid 3-cone time of 7.02. He notched a 10-1 broad jump and a 33.5-inch vertical as well. Reiman was great in the drills, particularly when he was moving the sled with ease."Walter Football
A physical freak with some intriguing height-weight-athleticism splits, Reiman could be developed slowly behind Kittle before finally being able to take over when the People's Tight End retires.
In the interim, he has the potential to get on the field early on running plays to lay open running lanes.
49ers pick at No. 131 overall: Edge Myles Cole, Texas Tech
It stands to reason that the 49ers will add some pass-rushing help no matter what. The Niners always will look to add some juice to the defensive line.
Myles Cole is a bit of an enigma. He recorded only 3.5 sacks and one pass deflected at the line of scrimmage for Texas Tech this season while not standing out at the Senior Bowl, but he exploded at the NFL Combine and is going to intrigue a lot of defensive line coaches who would love a chance to get a shot at developing him.
Cole measured in at 6-foot-6 and 278 pounds while recording an arm length of 37 inches and an 86.25-inch wingspan. Cole then recorded 35 inches on the vertical jump and 10 feet on the broad jump.
But just to add to that, he then ran an insane 40-yard time in 4.67 seconds! Cole is well worth a gamble on that potential, although fans should be cautioned to let him develop slowly.
There's also some doubt if he's suited as a 4-3 edge and might be better in the 3-4, but at this stage, the risk would be worth it.
49ers pick at No. 175 overall: LB Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington
The 49ers can stand to add some more depth at linebacker. Edefuan Ulofoshio had a solid season for the Washington Huskies before a strong NFL Combine boosted his stock.
Ulofoshio had recorded 94 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, two passes defended and three sacks in 2023 as he was a jack of all trades for the Huskies.
He then followed that up by testing excellent at the combine. His 39.5-inch vertical jump was the best at his position for both 2023 and 2024 prospects, his 10-foot-8 broad jump also led linebackers this year, and he followed it up with a strong 4.56 40-yard time after measuring in at 236 pounds.
This selection might help mitigate the loss of star linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who could miss the opening of the 2024 season because of a torn Achilles suffered in the Super Bowl.
49ers pick at No. 208 overall: DT Marcus Harris, Auburn
San Francisco might look to add some run defense, given how much of a weakness this was throughout 2023, and Marcus Harris is intriguing as a developmental pass-rushing prospect who can contribute right away on base downs.
Harris had 40 tackles, seven sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defended last season.
Harris is also an underrated run defender despite being undersized at 6-foot-2 and 286 pounds. He's very agile and able to shed blocks.
He looks like someone who could thrive with the right coaching.
49ers pick at No. 213 overall: IOL Will Putnam, Clemson
Look for the 49ers to add some developmental guys for the offensive line, at least one Day 3 pick, to be sure. Going back to the need to upgrade over Spencer Burford, as well as finding depth, the Niners could and should take advantage of a deep O-line class this April.
Will Putnam has the versatility to play any of the interior positions, and that would appeal to a Niners team that likes to move around its backup offensive linemen.
A good size at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds who's started two years at guard and two years at center for Clemson, he looks like a nice option to shore up the interior.
49ers pick at No. 214 overall: QB Devin Leary, Kentucky
The 49ers could look to save some money by developing a young rookie as a backup to Brock Purdy.
Kentucky's Devin Leary wasn't considered a unanimous draftable prospect until the NFL Combine, but he showcased some intriguing potential for someone to take a Day 3 flier on him.
Leary threw for 2,746 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions for the Wildcats, which won't exactly jump off the screen at you.
What impressed teams, however, was his touch and his efficiency during the combine drills.
Leary also threw the ball with more velocity than people thought possible from him.
49ers pick at No. 248 overall: S Millard Bradford, TCU
The team does need some safety depth, and TCU defensive back Millard Bradford might have put himself into a position where he's a shot to be drafted after recording the second-fastest 40-yard time for his position at 4.42 seconds.
Bradford recorded 54 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception and four passes broken up in 2023.
He isn't the most exciting prospect, but this is where you start looking for diamonds in the rough, and his speed could give him some special teams ability, too.