Schrock's seven-round 49ers mock draft has trades, big steal
Against all odds, we finally made it to the 2021 NFL Draft.Ever since the 49ers made their blockbuster trade to move up to No. 3 overall, the NFL world has been focused on trying to psychoanalyze Kyle Shanahan's quarterback preference and tried to determine which signal-caller he has his eyes on as the 49ers prepare to make a franchise-altering trade.We know they will be quarterback hunting at No. 3 overall, but will they call Mac Jones, Justin Fields or Trey Lance's name? The winds currently are pointing to Jones being the favorite, but all three still remain realistic possibilities to be the 49ers' next franchise QB.After that, the 49ers will have eight more picks to use to bolster their roster. They need to add depth to the interior offensive line, address the secondary for the future and add at least one more offensive weapon.So, how will they do it? Or, better yet, what should they do?Here's my final seven-round mock for Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch with the draft a few days away.
Yes, this is supposed to be the "What should the 49ers do?" mock. And yes, I would absolutely take Justin Fields.
But we're operating under the assumption that the choice is down to Mac Jones and Trey Lance. If that's the case, and this is going to be unpopular, I would take Jones.
It's clear that Kyle Shanahan wants a quarterback who can start come September if needed. Take all the Jimmy Garoppolo talk and push it aside.
In Monday's press conference, Shanahan constantly reiterated that the 49ers were looking for "a starting quarterback." If the choice is between Jones and Lance, then Jones is the clear choice because he is more ready to play Week 1 if needed.
Lance has a ton of talent but is still just 20 years old and will need at least a year to sit and develop before taking the reins of an NFL offense. Jones' accuracy, precision, timing and football IQ allow him to slot in and be a productive rookie quarterback in the most QB-friendly system.
If it is between Jones and Lance, and don't shoot the messenger, the choice should be Jones.
Trade details
49ers get: 2021 second-round pick (No. 52 overall), 2021 third-round pick (No. 83 overall)
Bears get: No. 43 overall, 2021 fifth-round pick (No. 155), 2021 sixth-round pick (No. 194)
I'm sticking with Jevon Holland here in Round 2, but I think the 49ers can still nab him a little lower and a trade down makes a lot of sense to try and grab another top-100 pick.
The rule of thumb is you should get no-doubt starters in Rounds 1-3, so sacrificing two Day 3 picks to move down nine spots and get a middle of the third-round pick is a smart move. The Bears are an ideal partner as Chicago could be looking to move up and grab a Day 2 QB.
Now, back to Holland.
Versatility, athleticism, intelligence. Jevon Holland is the complete package, and if he slides to the second round, as expected, the 49ers could get one of the big steals of the draft.
The Oregon star was a projected top-20 pick before opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. Holland played all over the defensive backfield for the Ducks, aligning at safety, slot corner and occasionally outside corner.
He has the ball skills and coverage ability that will allow defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans to play Holland at safety or slot corner should K'Waun Williams leave after next season.
Holland is an elite safety prospect whose versatility makes him a near can't-miss.
If Mac Jones is the 49ers' pick at No. 3 overall then they need to surround him with the best possible situation. Currently, the 49ers have a gaping hole at slot receiver, and that's one that Amon-Ra St. Brown could absolutely fill.
What the 5-foot-11 1/2 receiver lacks in pure speed, he makes up for with his route-running, great contested-catch ability and a smooth athleticism that allows him to be a threat in the short, intermediate and deep areas of the field.
He's tough, competitive and savvy. Putting St. Brown in the slot alongside Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle would give Jones all the weapons needed to excel in Year 1.
If you want to know what a prototypical NFL guard might look like, Trey Smith checks every box.
The 6-foot-5 1/2, 321-pound guard is big, long, strong and aggressive. He's a powerful people-mover, but his lack of mobility is a concern. Some of his issues can be worked out with an offseason to refine technique, though, and at pick No. 102, the 49ers are getting a guy who profiles as a starting NFL guard if they can iron out the edges.
I expect guys like Quinn Meinerz and Kendrick Greene to be gone by this point, so Smith will be the best option available.
I'm not getting off this pick. The 49ers need to find a long-term answer at cornerback and Shakur Brown, despite his limited sample size, looks the part.
Where some see a gamble, others see opportunity, right?
After a rocky 2019 season, Brown was sensational for Michigan State in 2020, notching nine passes defenses and five interceptions in seven games for the Spartans.
Brown, 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, has tremendous ball skills, quickness and excels at reading the quarterback's eyes and accelerating to make a play on the ball.
Brown has had issues being beaten deep by faster receivers, and he needs to be more disciplined at times. While he only started 12 games in East Lansing, he has traits that show a cornerback who can be developed into a good outside or slot NFL corner.
Once again, this one, like Shakur Brown, makes too much sense.
With Tevin Coleman and Jerrick McKinnon gone, the 49ers could use another backfield option behind Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr.
Hubbard has 4.5 speed with good vision and home-run threat potential out of the backfield. He had seven runs of 50 or more yards in 2019. While he isn't super elusive at the second level, the 49ers' running game would give him a lot of opportunities to show off his breakaway speed and give Shanahan another weapon to utilize in the backfield.
Plus, he has the ability to be a workhorse back in the future should Mostert leave after next season.
Value.
The 49ers added depth to their defensive line with Arden Key and Maurice Hurst but still are in need of another edge rusher -- or two -- to put opposite Nick Bosa.
With Arik Armstead playing on the edge on first and second down before kicking inside on passing situations, the 49ers need a situational pass rusher who can provide speed off the edge.
Enter: Shaka Toney.
Toney lacks ideal NFL size at 6-foot-2, 242 pounds, but he has an explosive first step and the quickness to blast around the edge and into the backfield. A high football IQ player, Toney ranks eighth on Penn State's all-time sack list with 20.5.
Toney needs to work on his counter moves and become a better edge setter, but he can be a solid sub-package rusher who can develop into more.
Trade details
49ers get: 2021 sixth-round pick (No. 188 overall)
Patriots get: 2021 seventh-round pick (No. 230 overall), 2022 fifth-round pick
I'm sticking with this pick, but Kenny Yeboah is getting some much-warranted steam up the draft boards and probably won't be there in the seventh round.
So, the 49ers find a draft partner addicted to moving down and acquiring Day 2-3 picks in the Patriots and pay a bit of a premium to move up and get an athletic tight end who can become a real threat in Shanahan's offense.
At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, Yeboah is another versatile offensive weapon who excels at making people miss. He was second among FBS tight ends with 270 yards after the catch in 2020.
That screams Kyle Shanahan.
Yeboah is a physical route-runner who can line up in the backfield, out wide or in-line. He's not a great blocker, but can improve there with added strength.
If the 49ers can leave the draft with Jones having St. Brown, Hubbard and Yeboah to go along with Aiyuk, Kittle, Samuel and Mostert, it will be a massive win.
