With confidence that their Super Bowl window remains open, San Francisco 49ers import 2024 NFL Draft their first first-round pick since they switched to a quarterback Trey Lance in 3rd place overall in 2021.
And even though that pick didn’t work out, the 49ers were lucky to get an MVP candidate and franchise quarterback in Brock Purdy in the seventh round of the 2022 draft.
So no one understands the importance of every pick more than 49ers general manager John Lynch, especially when San Francisco pays some of its homegrown players the highest sums in the game. Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, George Kittle And Deebo Samuel.
“We got our first pick for the first time in a long time,” Lynch said at this year’s combine. “That’s great. But we really try to focus on making all of those things count. They’re all opportunities to improve your organization.
“And we look at each of those things as such. And you know, we pride ourselves on putting as much effort into the late rounds as we do into the early rounds. [rounds]. So we’re going to take them where they want to go and we’re going to try to get the most out of them.”
The 49ers hold the 31st overall pick and have a total of 10 selections in this year’s draft, including four compensatory picks. Here is FOX Sports’ seven-round mock draft for San Francisco.
Round 1, pick number 31: WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Those loud noises Brandon Aiyuk requested a trade that was rejected by his agent and the two sides are still working on an extension. However, Aiyuk has unfollowed the 49ers on social media and only has one year left on his rookie contract.
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The Arizona State product is San Francisco’s No. 1 receiver in the 2023 class, but the 49ers have had success finding and developing young talent in the receiver room. Michigan product Ronnie Bell is the latest example; During his rookie year, he showed flashes of brilliance in training camp and in the limited moments he had during the regular season.
The addition of Mitchell certainly won’t replace a skilled route runner like Aiyuk. Still, with a 4.35-second 40-yard time, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Mitchell can stretch the field vertically while developing as a route runner and chainman.
And as a bigger receiver with good hands, he has shown the ability to win contests. Additionally, according to Pro Football Focus, Mitchell only went down once in his final two seasons in college.
While serving as offensive coordinator for Atlanta FalconsNiners coach Kyle Shanahan has an explosive physical receiver inside Julio Jones. Mitchell isn’t as dominant an athlete as Jones, but he could develop into a physical presence on the perimeter for the 49ers.
Round 2, Pick 63: OT Roger Rosengarten, Washington
With All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams turning 36 in July, the 49ers could use some help along the offensive line to protect Purdy, and Rosengarten provides that at both offensive tackle positions. He attended Valor Christian High in Colorado, where he played with by Christian McCaffrey younger brothers, Dylan and Luke McCaffrey. Rosengarten was coached by patriarch Ed McCaffrey in high school.
According to Pro Football Focus, the 6-foot-5, 308-pounder is an easy mover and did not give up a sack during the regular season. However, he struggled in pass protection against Michigan in the National Championship Game.
Former San Francisco player Joe Staley reportedly coached Rosengarten during the pre-draft process.
Round 3, Pick 94: CB Decamerion Richardson, Mississippi State
Richardson ran a 4.34 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine. He started two seasons for the Bulldogs, finishing his career with 177 combined tackles, one sack and 10 sacks. According to ESPN, Richardson made a preliminary visit to San Francisco.
Round 4, Pick 124: WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice
McCaffrey is a sudden mover with great hands and the ability to make defenders miss after the catch. Sound familiar? McCaffrey finished with 71 receptions for 992 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in his final season for the Owls. He also beat his brother Christian’s 40-yard dash time in the combine (4.46 seconds to Christian’s 4.48).
Round 4, Pick 132: Tel McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M
At this point in the draft, an interior defensive lineman cramming the run makes sense for a team that struggled to stop the run at times last season. The 326-pound Jackson totaled three sacks and 27 combined tackles (five tackles for loss) for the Aggies in 2023.
Round 4, Pick 135: LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
Legendary son Philadelphia Eagle defensive end Jeremiah Trotter, the younger Trotter is a bit light for the position (6 feet, 226 pounds). Still, he moved well and filled up the stat sheet in his final year at Clemson, finishing with 88 combined tackles — including 15 tackles for loss — five sacks and two sacks. intercept. The 49ers could use depth at the linebacker position with Dre Greenlaw is recovering from an Achilles injury suffered in the Super Bowl.
Round 5, Pick 176: TE Erick All, Iowa
At a program known for producing NFL-ready tight ends, All finished with 21 receptions for 299 yards and three touchdowns in seven games for the Hawkeyes.
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Round 6, Pick 211: RB Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State
The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Davis had 1,578 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns for the Jackrabbits, the 2023 FCS national champions.
Round 6, Pick 215: DE Eric Watts, Connecticut
He only had two sacks in his final year for the Huskies, but at 6-foot-6 and 274 pounds, Watts ran a 4.68 40. So there’s potential there to coach San Francisco defensive end Kris Kocurek thrives.
Round 7, Pick 251: CB Chau Smith-Wade, Washington state
He finished with 35 tackles and six pass breakups for the Cougars in 2023. Smith-Wade reportedly took a pre-draft visit with San Francisco and spoke with the 49ers at the combine.
Eric D. Williams has covered the NFL for more than a decade, reporting on Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and Seattle Seahawks Football Team for Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.
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