It's time for another Niners Wire mock draft!
We went through three rounds using the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator and tried our best to mimic how we think the 49ers would handle themselves in this particular projection.
Our focus was on trading down to accumulate picks later in the draft, and we leaned more on best player available than we did on specific needs. The result was a couple of defensive lineman, an offensive lineman, a defensive back and a running back who was probably taken earlier than San Francisco would want to take an RB.
We omitted an OT in the first three rounds because it may not be a position the team is in a hurry to add if they're happy with starting right tackle Colton McKivitz.
Here's a rundown of our five selections and two trades in this three-round mock draft:
Trade 1
49ers get: 1/16, 2/47
Cardinals get: 1/11
Round 1, Pick 16: Boston College DE Donovan Ezeiruaku
It wouldn't be a surprise if the 49ers move down from No. 11 overall to pick up some more picks. Doing so allows them to snag a defensive lineman without reaching for one. Ezeiruaku is a little undersized at 6-2 1/2, 248 pounds, but he has 34-inch arms which should mitigate some of the size concerns. He wins outside with speed, but he has a nice counter move inside as well. Ezeiruaku had elite production with 16.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss last season. He's a good enough athlete with great balance who should at least be an effective rotational edge rusher right away.
Round 2, Pick 43: Ole Miss CB Trey Amos
The 49ers may not need to take a CB this early, but Amos fills a need and he was arguably the best player on the board. Last season was his only one as a full-time starter, but he came up with 10 pass breakups and three interceptions in 13 games. Amos isn't the most athletic CB in the draft, but he has good tools and plenty of size at 6-1, 195 with 31 1/4-inch arms. He should be able to start on Day 1 alongside Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green.
Trade 2
49ers get: 2/55, 4/125, 6/181
Chargers get: 2/47
Round 2, Pick 55: Ohio State RB Quinshon Judkins
This is probably too early for a running back, but Judkins was the clear best player on the board. He was Ohio State's leading rusher with 1,060 yards last season. His patient, physical running style should fit well in the 49ers' offense. Judkins doesn't have home-run speed, but he's a consistent runner, a reliable pass blocker, and a good enough receiver to play on all three downs as a pro. There's a chance Judkins would wind up as the RB2 behind Christian McCaffrey.
Round 3, Pick 75: Texas DT Vernon Broughton
There are two reasons Broughton is a player the 49ers may fall in love with. First, he's massive. He measured in at 6-5, 311 pounds with 35-inch arms. He's also a terrific athlete at that size who frequently gets off the ball unimpeded. Texas played him on the outside and along the interior, but San Francisco would likely keep him at defensive tackle. Broughton posted career highs in pressures (32), sacks (four) and run stops (26) last season in his first as a full-time starter. He played 56 games in his college career and he could be a third-round pick who starts right away as a pro.
Round 3, Pick 100: Georgia OL Tate Ratledge
It wouldn't be a surprise if ...
