The 49ers probably aren’t going to use the No. 31 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Their roster doesn’t necessarily require a first-round talent, and they wind up skipping one of the draft’s top safeties in Daniel Jeremiah’s post-combine mock draft … sort of.
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney is on Jeremiah’s board when the 49ers pick with the penultimate pick in the first round. Jeremiah mocks McKinney to San Francisco, but his explanation of the selection includes an important, realistic caveat.
“The 49ers will not pick here,” he wrote. “They don’t have a single pick in the second, third or fourth round, so trading back for more selections is a necessity.”
This seems like the most logical route for San Francisco to go. A first, two fifths, a sixth and two sevenths probably isn’t enough draft capital to restock the 49ers’ roster in a year where they’ll be somewhat handcuffed in free agency.
Moving back from No. 31 could net multiple Day 2 and early Day 3 picks, and adding multiple players in the top 150 is more crucial than adding one in the top 32.
There is a scenario though where they simply don’t find a trade partner and wind up using their first-round pick. A player like McKinney sliding to them would be ideal, especially if they lose free safety Jimmie Ward in free agency.
McKinney (6-0, 201 pounds) showed a lot of versatility as a tackler and in coverage while playing for the Crimson Tide. The ability to hold his own down in the box while also bringing the athleticism to play the ‘eraser’ role at the back end of the defense. That multifaceted skill set gives the 49ers an advantage when it comes to mixing up and disguising coverages.
His numbers match the style of play he showed at Alabama. He filled the stat sheet during his three years with 175 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, five interceptions, 15 pass breakups, a fumble recovery and six forced fumbles.
If the 49ers aren’t able to trade back from their first-round slot, landing a player like McKinney to insert into their secondary wouldn’t be a bad consolation.
