Now that we know the selections of the San Francisco 49ers in this next NFL Draft, we can go through simulation draft simulations thanks to the compensatory choices that are being awarded. I’m using the PFF Mock Draft simulator.
Today, we are acting as if Jimmy Garoppolo is the defender, Trent Williams has been rehired. Still, the Niners have been unable to retain any other unrestricted and notable internal free agents and are forced to continue working.
RD 1: TRADE! – Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, Miami
49ers receive: No. 19, No. 51
Washington receives: No. 12, No. 117
Martin Mayhew goes up to the quarterback that some compared to Jimmy G and selected Alabama, Mac Jones. John Lynch takes advantage of a desperate Washinton club as he faces another needy QB team in New England.
In choice 19, I choose who I believe to be the best defender of the draft. It’s been almost a month since I wrote about Phillips and I haven’t seen a player who has changed his mind. Phillips may be Chandler Jones. He’s so talented. Your floor, especially playing with talent in this defensive line, could be where most ceiling rushers are in this class.
It’s not the same defensive line as 2019, but San Francisco has four formidable pass rushers, and if they don’t have the best defensive line in 2021, the team will arrive in 2022.
Rd 2: CB Greg Newsome, Northwestern – OL Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Newsome is unlikely to fall in the first round after his pro day performance, where Newsome ran a 4.3 40 yard run, but he was considered a second rounder from the middle to the finish before this week.
Newsome would be a great option for 49ers and projects like the number 1 CB in the NFL. We can confirm that he is fast now, in addition to a sound technique, which puts Newsome in a position to make a ball move:
Newsome is a safe choice that you can trust to get started on Day 1.
I am casting an offensive striker, but not a tackle. Meinerz dominated the Senior Bowl after dominating in Wisconsin-Whitewater. Here was Meinerz’s 6’2 ”professional training, 320 pounds:
Official Quinn Meinerz test numbers:
40 Yard Dash – 4.96
10 Yard Division – 1.73
Pro Shuttle – 4.58
Three Cone – 7.54
Vertical jump – 32 ”
Wide jump – 9’3 ”– Owen Riese (@RieseDraft) March 9, 2021
Based on all the attackers qualified for the 2020 draft who participated in the NFL Combine, Meinerz would have the second best short bus, the third fastest of 3 cones, the fifth fastest 40 yards and the tenth longest vertical jump.
Meinerz could start in the center or in the guard, depending on what the agency was like. In addition, he can intervene as soon as a player like Alex Mack is transferred in a year or two. Adding a starter that is a suitable layout for versatility has made this selection easy. Don’t be fooled by the school; Meinerz can play. This falls under the category of “best available player”.
RD 3: QB Kellen Mond, Texas A&M
Mel Kiper Jr. said earlier this week that Mond should be available on the 3rd. The 49ers don’t risk that and, for the second time, summons a quarterback in the third round under Shanahan. Mond plays the position like a robot. So much so that Mond’s rigid mechanics affect his accuracy.
Mond has great arm strength that leads to several “wow” pitches. You can assemble a roll of Mond’s highlight launches that could challenge almost any QB in this class. He is a strong quarterback, with surprisingly good athleticism and mobility, which I could see Shanahan falling in love with and wanting to develop. When everything goes right, aesthetically, Mond is a pleasure to watch.
Let’s be clear: Mond will last so long for a reason. Jimbo Fisher does not practice ordinary college crime. Mond had a tough job at Texas A&M, but for a three-year-old beginner, he was consistently inconsistent. I mentioned Mond’s mechanics. The lower part of your body is doing one thing, while the upper part is doing another. It will be inaccurate as long as that is the case.
At his best, Mond can use his athleticism and play in a time-based pass attack that plays from below. Sound familiar?
RD 4: TRADE! WR Amari Rodgers, Clemson
Amari Rodgers from Clemson was available and a player that Kyle Shanahan should love. Before it fell further, I switched from number 155, 180 and 228 to move up to number 126 – which works perfectly according to this draft value chart – to pick up a player who can start for me on special teams, immediately .
Rodgers is known for his ability to chase footsteps and make moves. He was fifth among all draft eligible recipients in yards after receipt. Rodgers also becomes the team’s punt and kick returner.
After running a 4.54 40 yard dash on his professional day on Thursday and already being undersized, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Rodgers last on Day 3 of the draft. This class of wide receiver features the type of depth and athletes that will push players like Rodgers down on the board.
RD 5: CB Darren Hall, San Diego St.
I watched Hall cut a BYU wide receiver and break an initial route against Zach Wilson and it was sold. Hall is a cornerback with great closing speed and plays with a style of attack against the race that should make him an asset in special teams and potentially a holder in the slot.
Hall started his career in security, so I would train him in both positions to see if he excelled in either position. I’m doubling up on the defensive back and getting a good value on choice # 172.
RD 6: RB Pooka Williams, Kansas
The 49ers met the small corridor back from Kansas. His name will be a mainstay for me, as Williams to the 49ers is one of the best schemes among all skill players. Niners are looking for a running back that could be an off-field threat at each level of the field. Williams finally gives them that weapon.
Williams is the type of threat that can make something happen with 5-7 touches in a game. He would also compete with Rodgers as a returning man.
RD 7: TE Kenny Yeboah, Ole Miss
The 49ers think outside the box and try to use Yeboah as a replacement for Kyle Juszczyk. It is true that we would see Ross Dwelley in this role before a novice in the seventh round, but that is what the mini training camp is for. Yeboah would serve as a main blocker on Ole Miss while Lane Kiffin would put him in the place of the tight end in racing plays.
If the 49ers lose Kyle Juszczyk, we could see 11 and 12 more employees in 2021. Yeboah led all the tight ends eligible for draft with an average of ten yards after the capture. He ran routes from that H-back / sniffer / position and usually slipped behind linebackers.
Using Yeboah on both the tight end and the quarterback would allow Shanahan to dictate which personal defenses to use. Yeboah was a mismatch in the middle of the SEC and would give Garoppolo an athletic target he could trust.