It’s been nearly a week since star wideout Deebo Samuel requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers publicly, via ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, although it’s been reported that he presented the request to the organization two weeks prior.
While it is currently not apparent that Samuel will be traded, the potential move would significantly change the 49ers’ draft plans, as they’d be likely drafting in the first round on Thursday.
Here’s a mock draft with a potential Deebo Samuel trade in place:
Trades
San Francisco 49ers receives: 2022 1st-rounder(#10), 2022 2nd-rounder(#38)
New York Jets receives: Deebo Samuel, 2022 5th-rounder(#187)
San Francisco 49ers receive: 2022 1st-rounder(#32)
Detroit Lions receive: 2022 2nd-rounder(#38), 2022 4th-rounder(#134), 2022 5th-rounder(#172)
San Francisco 49ers receive: 2022 5th-rounder(#164)
Las Vegas Raiders receive: 2022 6th-rounder(#187), 2022 6th-rounder(#220)
Mock Draft
Round 1, pick #10: WR Jameson Williams(Alabama)
After trading Deebo Samuel, the 49ers have a clear hole at the receiver position, and are in a spot with the tenth pick where they can potentially select the best wideout in the draft, which could be Jameson Williams in their eyes.
The 6’2, 180-pound draft prospect excels with the ball in his hands, while also possesses elite speed for his size, and should flourish in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s system.
While acquiring extra draft capital via a trade down was an enticing move, the value of Williams at the tenth pick seemed too good to pass up.
Round 1, pick #32: S Lewis Cine(Georgia)
Following the Williams pick, which fulfilled the glaring wide receiver hole, the focus then shifted to the safety position, where the 49ers lack a true starter opposite veteran safety Jimmie Ward.
The intrigue of acquiring a player on a fifth-year option added to the desire to trade up, especially with the recent contract concerns that the 49ers have faced.
Cine is an aggressive tackler who can play a multitude of roles in the secondary, be it the slot, in the box, or deep, which is what the 49ers covet at the safety position. Cine’s 4.37 40-time attests to his athleticism, making him a good fit for DeMeco Ryans’s defense.
Round 2, pick #61: EDGE Kingsley Enagbare(South Carolina)
The 49ers have excelled at the defensive line position in recent years, having possessed a top-five sack percentage ranking in both 2019 and 2021.
In 2021, the defense was dependent on depth, as the 49ers carried 11 defensive linemen on their 53-man roster.
While the strategy worked in 2021, it would be nice to pair Nick Bosa with another young defensive end for some long-term stability at the position.
Enagbare stands at 6’4, 265-pounds with violent hands and a long reach with 35′ arms.
Although he isn’t the best speed rusher, which the 49ers might prefer opposite Bosa, who excels with his power, Enagbare’s value, combined with the 49ers’ affinity to develop pass-rushing, makes him the selection at 61.
Round 3, pick #93: CB Marcus Jones(Houston)
It’s surprising that Marcus Jones reached the 93rd selection in this mock draft, but with him available, it was a no-brainer selection.
If not for his 5’8, 175-pound frame, Jones would undoubtedly be a higher selection in the draft.
But, don’t let that size fool you. Jones is aggressive as a tackler, especially when he’s moving in space, perhaps providing a similar comparison to K’Waun Williams, who was a stout run defender for the 49ers for years at the slot position.
In the slot, Jones has the necessary speed to keep up with fast receivers, which is rounded out by his closing speed, which is amongst the best at his position.
For the cherry on top, Jones provides special teams capability, having returned kicks during his collegiate career at Houston, which could ease the responsibilities of newly-acquired return man Ray-Ray McCloud.
Round 3, pick #105: OL Luke Fortner(Kentucky)
Following general manager John Lynch’s press conference, it seems less and less likely that veteran center Alex Mack is returning for another NFL season, making interior offensive line an immediate need.
Current right guard Daniel Brunskill could slide to the center position, where he profiles better, but the best solution would be to find a long-term replacement for second-year quarterback Trey Lance.
Fortner, who played all three interior offensive line positions at Kentucky, would be an ideal selection because he wouldn’t have to rush into a starting role, but instead could learn behind the veterans in year one before taking over as the starter in his second season.
Additionally, his versatility would be ideal, given the lack of depth at the position currently for the 49ers.
Round 5, pick #164: TE Daniel Bellinger(San Diego State)
For years, the 49ers have attempted to find George Kittle his right-hand man at the tight end position.
The team signed Jordan Reed, who played with Kyle Shanahan from their Washington days, but that ultimately didn’t work due to Reed’s recurring injury issues.
Ross Dwelley, who was an undrafted free agent in 2018, showed promise in 2020, taking over for Kittle while the All-Pro was injured, catching 19 passes for 245 yards.
However, it’s clear that the 49ers view him as a backup, as his snap count took a significant hit in 2021, with second-year player Charlie Woerner overtaking him as the second tight end, outplaying Dwelley with 23% of the offensive snaps as opposed to 18%.
Bellinger could be that low-risk option opposite Kittle, as he possesses all the athletic traits alongside the blocking ability that the 49ers covet at the position.
Round 6, pick #221: OL Cordell Volson(North Dakota State)
How nice would it be to pair Trey Lance with his former offensive lineman at North Dakota State?
Volson would be a good addition for the 49ers, having experience with the outside-zone scheme in college, as well as the versatility to play multiple positions on the offensive line.
As stated above with Luke Fortner, the 49ers currently lack quality depth at the offensive line position, making Volson a quality backup at the minimum.
Should Mike McGlinchey face any setbacks in his recovery from the torn quadriceps injury, Volson could push him as competition, which the 49ers look for at every position.
Round 7, pick #262: WR Isaiah Weston(Northern Iowa)
With the last pick in the NFL Draft, the 49ers should look for upside and Weston screams that.
The 6’3, 215-pound Northern Iowa product ran a stellar 4.44 40-yard dash at the combine, showcasing his athletic profile as a big-bodied target in the passing game.
Weston could round out the receiving group as another unique receiver, and his quality hands would be a bonus for a receiving group that struggled with drops last season.
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