Mocking on Ice: Will The 49ers Chill?

Lynch said in Arizona at the Annual Meetings that he wouldn’t want a bunch of high picks.

I expect John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan to let the draft come to them, no splashy deals, no big moves up, they sit at 99 and wait.

Lynch said in Arizona at the Annual Meetings that he wouldn’t want a bunch of high picks and inferred that he sees this as a flat draft with a lot of depth.

Where trades may happen are to bridge the larger gaps between picks, No, 102 to No. 155, No. 173 to No. 216. These are the trades fans hate, going down. This 49er regime loves to pick, in volume.  

No. 99
A speed edge isn’t just about Nick Bosa, it’s more about optimizing Javon Hargrave. A speed edge beside him forces an offensive line to pick their poison, the edge has a multiplier effect. Which is why this pick is key, it unlocks the entire front four. Drake Jackson can’t do that, at least not yet.

YaYa Diaby (Louisville) 6-3/263 Edge
A 4.51 speed edge that has excellent get off and big production with ten sacks and 36 pressures. Diaby was one of the Niners first 30 visits. Ohio State’s Zach Harrison could be a fallback.

No. 101 & 102
The gap between No. 102 and No. 155 will see too many 49er targets leave the board. Therefore:

Trade
San Francisco: 102, 164 and 247
for New England: 107, 135

The Patriots move up at a key spot, the end of Day 2. The Niners get two picks in the fourth, which opens up their draft.

No. 101
49ers Media Dean Matt Maiocco raises the interesting point that the 49ers believe in right tackle Colton McKivitz, and that no one drafted at the end of the third could replace him as the starter. Therefore no tackle taken in the third. He may well be right. Picking a tackle to pick a tackle isn't sound.

The future at right tackle comes in the first round of next year’s draft. I’m projecting Blake Fisher of Notre Dame, but I might be getting just a smidge ahead of myself.

So No. 101. There’s a clear need at safety and good talent available at this pick. Tashaun Gipson has one year left and this is an opportunity to form the 49ers safety tandem of the next ten years.

Ji’Ayir Brown (Penn State) 5-11/203 Free Safety
Brown lacks elite physical traits, but he brings exceptional football iq, anticipation, and ball skills. That sounds a lot like Talanoa Hufanga. Brown has ten picks in two years, he was Penn State’s leading tackler, and had 4.5 sacks this year.

Lynch talks about spirit, when the front office knows this guy is a Niner. That’s Brown, a competitive assassin. The Rose Bowl Defensive MVP.

No. 107
Will Kyle Shanahan allow the Niners to take three defensive players to open their draft? That’s the question here.

Dorian Williams (Tulane) 6-1/228 Linebacker
The best coverage linebacker in the draft, Williams had two interceptions and three PBUs this year. 4.49 speed with six sacks, 22 pressures, and 54 stops. He’ll need to add power to offset his lack of size.

If Shanahan insists on offense, he can take Michigan State WR Jayden Reed here and Pitt sleeper SirVocea Dennis at linebacker later in the draft. Williams is BPA.

No. 135
A great GM in any sport looks to optimize skillsets on the roster. The more ways you can win the more games you do win. Get what you don’t have. Shanahan picks a running back but this time it works?

Keaton Mitchell (East Carolina) 5-8/179 Running Back
A home run hitter with 4.37 speed, Mitchell puts fear in a defense. He led the nation in plays over 10+ and 15+ yards with 85. 75 missed tackles forced, 15 touchdowns, 1,452 yards rushing.

No. 155
Byron Young (Alabama) 6-3/294 Defensive Tackle
The run stuffer the Niners have lacked since D.J. Jones left in free agency.

Trade
San Francisco: 174, 2024 6th
to Houston 188, 201
The Texans have three picks in the 6th, they still have a selection in the round and move up to the 5th. The Niners move to where their targets can be found. With their full complement of picks in 2024, the future 6th is movable.

No.188
Darrell Luter (South Alabama) 6-0/189 Defensive Back
Smart and long, Luter contests well at the catch point. He has five picks in two years with 16 passes defensed, 4.49 speed with a 40.5 vertical, and he’s a solid tackler.

If the Niners want to take a DB earlier, Kei’Trel Clark of Louisville and Terrell Smith of Minnesota are options.

No. 201
Ronnie Bell (Michigan) 6-0/191 Wide Receiver
Explosive out of his cuts, a separator in the slot. Five TDs for 888 yards. Andre Iosivas of Syracuse is another option as a tall, fast outside receiver with good hands that blocks well.

No. 216
Brayden Willis (Oklahoma) 6-4/241 Tight End
A long-term replacement for George Kittle isn’t realistic, but the Niners do need a two-way tight end. That eliminates most of this draft class, which is good at one skill and average at best at the other. Willis is a chess piece for Shanahan. An H Back that had eight TDs for 503 yards. Rare for this class, a YAC player with 15 missed forced tackles, and he’s an effective in-line blocker. Willis came in for a 30 visit.

No. 222
Clayton Tune (Houston) QB
The most accurate thrower in the class with an adjusted completion percentage of 79.5%. He’s solid in pre-snap recognition and produces, 45 touchdowns and over 4,000 yards. Similar speed to Brock Purdy, he’s evasive. Not a great arm, particularly deep, but he fits the system as an accurate processor.

No. 253
Jake Witt (Northern Michigan) 6-7/302 Offensive Tackle
One of the most athletic tackles in the draft, Witt has 4.89 speed and a 37 vertical. While the Niners may pass at tackle early they could take one late as depth is a concern.

No. 255
Chad Ryland (Maryland) Kicker
Everybody loves Jake Moody, but if that requires a 4th rounder, pass. Ryland makes 85% of his kicks and has a good track record over 50 yards with a long of 55. He’s also effective in kickoffs. He’s worth taking in the draft as he’s the clear #2 kicker and the other options aren’t great.