Trey To The Bay

The first blog will cover my favorite player in the NFL Draft, Trey Lance. Even before the 49ers traded up to the 3rd pick Trey lance was who I was praying they’d go get (and figured a trade up would be needed). The moment they moved up to #3 it cemented my thought that Trey Lance will be the future QB of the 49ers for years to come.

This was the perfect time to go trade up for the future QB. Jimmy G, as much as I love the man, can’t stay healthy for more than an hour. He has two years left on his deal and we can get out of his contract with no dead money at any time. The main reason this was the perfect time to trade up is because the 49ers expect to be picking at 25 and up in future drafts because of the talent on the roster and coaching staff. While some say we gave up soooo much to move up 9 spots, if you break it down it’s not as much as it looks. People say it was three 1st and a 3rd round pick. In reality it’s two 1st round picks as we got a 1st round pick back (3rd pick this year) in the deal. Two 1st and a 3rd rounder are the same number of picks the Seattle Seahawks just gave up last season to get Jamal Adams. A freakin safety. Now obviously Lynch and Shanahan are much smarter than the Seahawks management, I am not comparing the two but giving some perspective. It was a perfect trade, at the perfect time. Trey Lance could use some time to adjust so keeping Jimmy (which they have stated multiple times is the plan) for one more year is a great plan for a Super Bowl ready team. When Jimmy plays, he wins, and if he gets hurt (as usual) Trey Lance should be good to go whether its late in 2021 and he will definitely be ready for a coming out party in 2022. I don’t want to compare to Patrick Mahomes, but I believe he will have an All-pro season right out of the gate if he is able to sit for an entire year. Then we can easily cut or trade Jimmy G with no dead cap on the books.

While there have been rumors of Mac Jones being the pick and then after Justin Fields’ second pro day everyone had him being the pick, I find this all to be laughable that people think the 49ers are leaking this info. Since the Shanahan and Lynch era began, they have been phenomenal about keeping everything in house. From the Jimmy G trade, Dee Ford trade, Trent Williams trade, Richard Sherman signing, not a single leak. The fact people think that every GM and every reporter “knows Mac Jones is the pick” seems very obvious that will not be the pick. It will be Trey Lance, it has always been Trey Lance. I’m sure after Trey Lance’s second pro day today everyone will start predicting him to be the pick too.

With all of that let’s start with my first Mock Draft for 2021. No trades in this version.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars | Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence

No surprises here. Best player in the draft.

2. New York Jets | BYU QB Zach Wilson

New York takes the flashy one-year star from BYU and continues the rebuild under Saleh on a rookie QB deal.

3. San Francisco 49ers (from HOU via MIA) | North Dakota State QB Trey Lance

The 49ers get the 6’4 225 pounder with a cannon of an arm and the highest upside in the draft. Lance ran a pro style system playing mainly under center in a play action heavy passing game which is exactly what the 49ers want to do, his ability to be explosive as a runner is just another added bonus. He is my QB2 behind Lawrence and should shine in Shanahan’s offense especially with the added benefit of redshirting his first year.

4. Atlanta Falcons| Florida TE Kyle Pitts

Trade down option in play here but no trades in this mock. If I were the Falcons, I’d stay here regardless and go get one of the 3 best players in the draft. New coach, new GM should play it safe and ensure your first pick is a guarantee all-pro.

5. Cincinnati Bengals | LSU WR Ja'Marr Chase

What Joe Burrow wants Joe Burrow gets. Bengals go get the best WR in this class and hope the magic these two had in 2019 happens for the next decade. Sewell is tempting here but with Jonah Williams coming back from injury and locked into the LT spot they can wait till day 2 to go get interior lineman.

6. Miami Dolphins (from PHI) | Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle

Tough spot for Miami as they were hoping to get Chase or Pitts but since both are gone, I am going Waddle over Smith. Will Fuller is a nice speed threat but only under contract for one year. They get Tua a familiar stud in Waddle who can immediately come in and be a major threat in their offense.

7. Detroit Lions | Penn State LB Micah Parsons

If I could bet on one team to trade down it would be the Lions. If they do stay put, I am going Parsons here who fits new coach Dan Campbell’s personality to a tee. After losing former first round LB Jarrad Davis in free agency it fills a major need on defense.

8. Carolina Panthers | Oregon OT Penei Sewell

Panthers have the best OT fall right in their lap at a huge position of need. Easy pick.

9. Denver Broncos| Ohio St. QB Justin Fields

If the Lions are the team most likely to trade back, I’d have the Broncos as the team most likely to trade up and I believe they want to target a QB. Whether it be via trade or waiting at #9 Fields is the next best QB and immediate competition for Drew Lock.

10. Dallas Cowboys | Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II

Best defensive player in the draft and the Cowboys biggest position of need. Slater is tempting here but Cowboys should go defense.

11. New York Giants | Alabama WR Devonta Smith

Gettleman goes and gets one more weapon for Daniel Jones who now has onslaught of options on offense with Golladay, Slayton, Barkley and Smith. Slater or Edge rusher is tempting but with no clear dominant edge Gettleman gets a receiver he loves.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (from SF via MIA) | South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn

Worst case scenario for Eagles who traded out of 6th but were still eyeing one of the big 3 WRs in the draft. They move to the defensive side of the ball and grab the next best Corner and focus on WR on day 2.

13. Los Angeles Chargers | Northwestern OL Rashawn Slater

Chargers grab their future LT and complete an impressive overhaul of one of the worst offensive lines in the league in 2020.

14. Minnesota Vikings | Michigan EDGE Kwity Paye

A physical freak and gives them a dynamic duo at edge rusher alongside Danielle Hunter.

15. New England Patriots | Alabama QB Mac Jones

Cam Newton was fun but clearly not the long-term answer at QB. Belichick returns to a more traditional thrower from the pocket and grabs a QB who had one of the best statistical seasons in college football history.

16. Arizona Cardinals | Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley

Adding JJ Watt to a defense that already had Chandler Jones is an impressive front. There is still work to do in the secondary and Farley fills the (very large) hole Patrick Peterson left.

17. Las Vegas Raiders | USC OL Alijah Vera-Tucker

The Raiders have plenty of holes to fill on defense but Alijah Vera-Tucker’s versatility to fill in day one as RT or guard takes precedent.

18. Miami Dolphins | Miami (FL) EDGE Jaelan Phillips

I want them to go Najee Harris here and go complete Alabama on offense but instead they get the most talented edge-rusher in the class. Injury history is a major concern but if he can remain healthy, could be one of the biggest steals of the draft.

19. Washington Football Team | Virginia Tech OT Christian Darrisaw

Washington fills the hole Trent Williams left and targets a QB on day 2.

20. Chicago Bears | Northwestern CB Greg Newsome II

A possible trade up candidate for a QB but instead I think they go for day 2 selections such as Davis Mills or Kellen Mond. Here they grab Newsome who had a breakout year and fills the void Kyle Fuller left as a potential lock down corner.

21. Indianapolis Colts | Texas OT Samuel Cosmi

With Anthony Castonzo retiring they have a major need at LT. Cosmi is an experienced LT with the size and athleticism you look for and rumor has it, Frank Reich is a big fan.

22. Tennessee Titans | Oklahoma State Tevin Jenkins

Titans have struggled to find an adequate replacement for Jack Conklin. Jenkins is a physical blocker who will try and help King Henry retain the rushing title.

23. New York Jets (from SEA) | Georgia EDGE Azeez Ojulari

Dream scenario for Saleh in his first year. Franchise QB? Check. Now he goes and gets a dominant speed rusher who fits his scheme perfectly.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers | Alabama RB Najee Harris

This seems to be an almost unanimous pick in mock drafts, but it just makes way too much sense. Great fit for the Steelers as they get their new bell cow RB.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR) | TCU S Trevon Moehrig

Jaguars add the best safety in the class to a young defense that looks to be on the rise.

26. Cleveland Browns | Alabama DT Christian Barmore

Sounds weird to say out loud but not many holes on this Cleveland Browns team. They did just release Sheldon Richardson and Barmore adds to an impressive defensive front.

27. Baltimore Ravens | Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman

I have never understood why the Ravens don’t get Lamar more weapons, well, this year they do. Bateman has had pro comps to Keenan Allen, and I think would fit very well with Lamar. The former MVP gets a big-bodied receiver who is an excellent route runner.

28. New Orleans Saints | Florida WR Kadarius Toney

Sean Payton loves dynamic weapons and that is exactly what he gets in Toney. Line him up all over the field and once the ball is in his hands, look out.

29. Green Bay Packers | Tulsa EDGE Zaven Collins

As tradition the Packers “should” pick a WR to help Aaron Rodgers, but they remain stubborn and focus on the defensive side of the ball and add an athletic edge rusher instead.

30. Buffalo Bills | Florida St. CB Asante Samuel Jr.

The Bills have yet to find a suitable number 2 corner behind Tre’Davious White, so I think Samuel makes a ton of sense here.

31. Kansas City Chiefs | Notre Dame LT Liam Eichenberg

Cutting both offensive tackles and then signing a bunch of guards is a bold move. But the Chiefs get one of the better pass blocking LT in the draft and a 3-year starter out of Notre Dame who continue to produce great NFL lineman.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Penn St. EDGE Jayson Oweh

Bucs get an athletic freak who won’t need to be a every down player day 1 but has all the physical tools to be a dominant edge rusher in the league.

Bonus 49ers Day 2 picks. The 49ers have a total of 9 draft picks so I believe they will trade up at least once with not many holes remaining on the roster. Round 4-7 should be depth adds along the OL, CB, and Edge. I will focus on Round 2 and 3 picks as both should be major contributors year one.

Round 2 pick #43

I would love to trade up here and go get Jayson Oweh who is 6-5, 252 lbs., who ran a 4.36 40 time at his pro day. 0 sacks last year are concerning but he has the looks of the next Danielle Hunter or Montez Sweat. But if we remain at #43 I believe WR will be the target as we have had good luck getting CBs later in the draft. The two that scream Kyle Shanahan to me are Elijah Moore out of Ole Miss and Ronald Moore out of Purdue. Both are small but extremely fast slot WRs who are phenomenal after the catch. While I’d have Elijah Moore ranked higher, I think he goes very early in round 2.

Verdict: Ronald Moore.

Round 3 pick #102

This is the spot where I see the 49ers trading up. If they go WR in round 2 I’d expect to see CB be the target in round 3. If Eric Stokes is available, you go get him no questions asked. A more realistic option is Paulson Adebo out of Stanford or Benjamin St-Juste, out of Minnesota.

Verdict: Paulson Adebo.

Overall, a TON to be excited about as a 49ers fan heading into the 2021 season. Stay tuned for an update after the NFL draft to see how right I am!