This year’s first-round NFL draft class could set up very well for the 49ers.
After finding a quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo late last season, San Francisco can use its No. 1 pick – the ninth or 10th overall – on a player at another position. And, with a wealth of upper-echelon quarterbacks expected to go high in this draft and a number of teams in need at that position, the Niners should be able to get a very high-impact player.
As David Fucillo of SB Nation noted Friday, a recent mock draft by CBS Sports has USC quarterback Sam Darnold (No. 1), UCLA QB Josh Rosen (No. 5), Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield (No. 6) being taken before the 49ers make their pick. Plus, Wyoming’s Josh Allen and Louisville’s Lamar Jackson are other QBs in the first-round mix that could be taken higher if needy teams make a move up on draft day.
Pro Football Focus’ latest mock draft has Mayfield, Darnold, Rosen and Jackson being drafted before San Francisco GM John Lynch gets to use his pick.
“With plenty of other needs, they’re in a position to take the otherwise best player available,” wrote Fucillo of the 49ers. “More importantly, it could open the door for a profitable move down the draft board if somebody else needs a quarterback.”
That means the 49ers could get the best cornerback, best pass rusher, best wide receiver or best offensive lineman available in the entire draft with their first pick, depending on the non-quarterback flow at the top of the first round.
Certainly, it’s a great position for Lynch to have going into his second draft.
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As of now, the 49ers also are in the position of getting quantity as well as quality. Aside from the first-round pick, San Francisco has a second-round choice, two thirds, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth and two picks in the seventh round.
The draft will be held April 26-28.
