The 49ers need to hit a home run in the 2019 draft if they’re going to accelerate their rebuild and contend for a playoff spot next season. ESPN’s Todd McShay put together a three-round mock draft that lands each team an ‘A’ grade.
Unsurprisingly, San Francisco’s involves an edge rusher, a safety and a wide receiver with its first three picks.
Here are the three players the 49ers took in McShay’s mock:
Round 1, Pick 2: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
No surprise here with quarterback Kyler Murray flying off the board first to the Arizona Cardinals. Bosa is very likely the pick for the 49ers if he’s available, but it isn’t a slam dunk certainty. They’ll still consider a trade back and may even look into Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. However, Bosa is the most logical pick. He gives San Francisco a potential All-Pro talent on the side opposite newly-acquired pass rusher Dee Ford, and gives the 49ers an opportunity to dramatically improve one of the league’s worst pass defenses in just one offseason.
Round 2, Pick 36: Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
The 49ers dipped into the deep safety class with their second pick in McShay’s mock, and landed a tremendous playmaker. Rapp doesn’t have the athleticism to play the free safety spot for San Francisco, but they can plug him in as the starting strong safety on Day 1. He is all over the field on tape and loves to hit. Rapp is the kind of player who can line up almost anywhere and will make plays when he’s around the football. The 49ers need a lot of help at safety, and Rapp’s tenacity and nose for the football make him a strong fit in their defense.
Round 3, Pick 67: Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State
McLaurin’s name hasn’t been a popular one when discussing receivers the 49ers could take in this year’s draft. McShay points to matchup issues the speedster could help create.
“Jimmy Garoppolo would be taking snaps in the middle of a track meet with McLaurin and Marquise Goodwin lined up outside,” he wrote.
The former Buckeyes receiver posted a blazing 4.35 at this year’s combine, and brings good size at 6-foot, 208 pounds. He’s a very good route runner, which should endear him to the 49ers’ coaching staff, but his physicality lacks for someone with his frame. McLaurin posted moderate productivity in college, with his best year coming as a senior. Even then he hauled in just 35 catches, but he turned those into 701 yards and 11 touchdowns.
It’ll take some coaching to refine McLaurin’s all-around game, but he has a lot of the characteristics to be successful in the 49ers’ offense.
