The end of the Super Bowl finalized the 2019 NFL draft order, and initiated another mock draft from our friends at Draft Wire. Luke Easterling issued a four-round mock that included a host of first-round trades. The 49ers weren’t involved in any of them. They stayed at No. 2 instead since the draft’s top overall EDGE prospect dropped to them.
Here’s a look at the four players the 49ers selected in Draft Wire’s latest projections:
Round 1, Pick 2 | Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State
Draft Wire is staying steadfast in Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams going No. 1 overall to the Arizona Cardinals. Their switch to a 3-4 defense under new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph could make Bosa an odd fit for them despite being the top prospect in the draft. That’s an ideal outcome for the 49ers who could plug Bosa in as a three-down starter to rush the passer from the edge on Day 1.
Round 2, Pick 36 | A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
Brown was part of a dynamite Rebels receiving corps this season with 85 catches for 1,320 yards and six touchdowns. He has good size at 6-1, 225 pounds, but more importantly for the 49ers, he runs a complete route tree and knows how to get open despite not having elite athleticism. Brown checks almost all the boxes head coach Kyle Shanahan wants in a receiver, and he fills one of San Francisco’s glaring needs for an additional playmaking pass catcher on the perimeter.
Round 3, Pick 67 | Kris Boyd, CB, Texas
The 49ers’ third-round selection could vary greatly depending on free agency. If they strike out on linebackers, they could very easily replicate last year’s draft and snag a linebacker with their second Day 2 pick. Easterling has them bolstering their secondary with Boyd instead.
Another cornerback in this year’s draft isn’t out of the realm of possibilities given the 49ers’ lack of certainty at that position. Boyd’s measurements at the combine will play a big role in whether the 49ers consider him at this point in the draft. He’s listed at 6-foot, 195 pounds. That’s not ideal size for a corner in the 49ers’ system. He only had three interceptions in his career, but Boyd’s tape is full of plays where he flies up in run support with a ton of physicality. He’d likely be a project for new defensive backs coach Joe Woods, while contributing on special teams in his first season.
Round 4, Pick 97 | Amani Hooker, S, Iowa
A safety early in Day 3 makes a lot of sense for the 49ers regardless of what they do in free agency. Even if they get Earl Thomas, a popular free agent name tied to San Francisco, Hooker would still make sense in the fourth round. He would likely slot in as a strong safety in the 49ers’ scheme.
Hooker is listed at 6-foot, 202 pounds and posted six interceptions the last two seasons. His experience is a small concern since he played only 21 games in his sophomore and junior years before entering the draft. He doesn’t jump off the screen when watching him, but the makings of a really solid football player are all very apparent. If Hooker in training camp can continue to build on a strong junior campaign, he’d compete for a starting strong safety job with the 49ers.
