The 49ers continue to benefit in mock drafts. Three new ones posted after the combine have Nick Bosa falling to them at No. 2 – a train Draft Wire has been riding for their last several mocks. That didn’t change in their updated four-round projections after the combine.
Several familiar names pop up in Luke Easterling’s latest mock draft, but added information from the combine changes how some of those players fit in San Francisco.
The 49ers don’t trade back in the first round – and probably won’t if Bosa is there for them – but they do drop down a few picks in the second round and skip a receiver at that spot.
Here’s a look at the 49ers’ four picks from the new Draft Wire projections:
Round 1 (Pick 2): Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
The 49ers land the top edge rusher in the draft without Kyler Murray going first, which is a slight change from some of the other rumors raging about what Arizona will do with the No. 1 pick. Any situation that sets the 49ers up to take the very talented younger brother of Chargers’ standout defensive end Joey Bosa is one they’ll take. Whether Quinnen Williams or Murray goes first, the 49ers probably win Day 1 of the draft if Bosa drops to the second pick.
Round 2 (Pick 39): Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
The 49ers move back three spots with Tampa Bay in this mock. Perhaps to acquire an additional late-round pick since they don’t have a fifth-round selection.
Mullen has been a popular mock selection to the 49ers. He measured out at the combine at a touch over 6-1 and 199 pounds. That’s a frame that fits the profile the 49ers want out of their corners. Mullen tested well enough to fit the 49ers’ scheme, but his arms measured in at 31 inches – well below the desirable measurement for San Francisco and their cornerbacks. General manager John Lynch said that measurables aren’t everything in prospects, but they do count for something. Mullen has pretty good tape and played a key role on a championship defense at Clemson last season, but his tape will have to be very good to overcome his physical shortcomings.
Round 3 (Pick 67): JJ Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford
This is where things get interesting from a draft philosophy standpoint. There are a ton of wide receivers available when the 49ers pick at No. 36 that could help their shallow receiving corps right away. Instead they traded back in order to take a corner, then they scooped up a receiver in Round 3. Arcega-Whiteside has good size at 6-2, 225 pounds, and he is perhaps the best red-zone threat in this draft. He hauled in 23 touchdowns in the last two seasons, including 14 last year. The issue with Arcega-Whiteside is his lack of speed and ability to separate. This pick makes a ton of sense the 49ers and Kyle Shanahan deviate from their norm and prioritize jump-ball ability over route running and getting open.
Round 4 (Pick 104): Sheldrick Redwine, S, Miami (FL)
A safety in the fourth round feels about right for the 49ers, and Redwine checks a lot of boxes to be a good strong safety in their system. He had a terrific combine, measuring in at 6-foot, 196 pounds while posting very good times in the 40-yard dash and 20-yard shuttle. He also posted a strong vertical. Redwine’s tape shows a very good tackler who almost plays safety like a linebacker – a necessary trait for in-the-box safeties in the NFL. Redwine showed he can hang with tight ends and running backs in coverage, and he may be a nice early Day 3 selection who will compete for a starting job right away.
