A Way-Too-Early Look at 49ers Key Position Options in the 2017 Draft

In a season of utter disappointment for our beloved San Francisco 49ers, Ninernoise takes a super early look at draft options at a few key positions that the team could make to spearhead a rebuild heading into 2017.

Myles Garrett

While the Cleveland Browns are winless at 0-8, the San Francisco 49ers are currently right behind them at 1-6.

Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson felt as though he got a starter-quality player in QB Cody Kessler, selected in the 3rd round of last season’s draft. This could allow the 49ers to have their pick of the 2017 quarterback class, should they take a QB with their first pick.

With the heat on general manager Trent Baalke, he may not be on board next season. The Niners decide that the level of talent for the amount of picks they have had over the last three seasons is just not cutting it. But whomever is the general manager come next offseason, they may have the easiest time making the 49ers first round pick — and not for a quarterback.

Myles Garrett of Texas A&M is looking more and more like a top pick in next year’s draft. This is player whom scouts have been eyeing since his high school days as a sure bet prospect out of the Dallas area.

The name Jevon Kearse has been associated with Garrett since his junior year at Martin, where he posted 27.5 sacks in his final two years there.

But he didn’t stop there. In his freshman season, he had 11.5 sacks to break the SEC record of 8 sacks held by some guy named Jadeveon Clowney.

Not too shabby, especially considering he followed that up with 12.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss the next season.

Scouts rave about his size and speed combination, and the ability to consistently show improvement on each level he has played. At 6’5″ and a strong 275, he sacrifices no flexibility or athleticism with that freakish frame of his.

The 49ers will also be looking at quarterbacks as well, yet this year’s QB class has a little less shine on it as the college season has progressed. Drafting a QB in the top 5 may be too high, and if Garrett is on the board when they are on the clock, the Niners would be wise not to pass him up.

Oct 15, 2016; Akron, OH, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) tosses the ball after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Akron Zips at InfoCision Stadium. Western Michigan Broncos won 41-0. Mandatory Credit: Jason Mowry-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Davis

If you don’t know his name, you should. Corey Davis of Western Michigan is 6’3″ and 205 pounds with a polished skillset, who is quick and gets great separation out of his breaks.

While Mike Williams of Clemson, Courtland Sutton out of SMU, JuJU Smith- Schuster of USC, Isaiah Ford of Virginia Tech, and Curtis Samuel of Ohio State may be taken ahead of him, Davis may just be slotted perfectly for the Niners in the early part of the second round.

The team desperately needs a playmaking wide receiver. Taking a wideout in the second round is not a stretch.

Through eight games, Davis has 49 catches for 739 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 15 yards per catch would fit very nicely in the Niners lineup come 2017.

At this point, any high draft talent would be appreciated at the receiver position. Especially since Baalke has refused to draft a receiver early since the A.J. Jenkins debacle.

The QB position need an upgrade as well, yes. Yet there are very few players in the league that could make the current crop of Niner receivers (with the possible exception of Jeremy Kerley) look decent. Not all of the woes on offense are directly contributed to the QB play.

For an offense to click and operate on an effective level, there almost inevitably has to be a QB-wide receiver/ tight end connection. aka Brady/Gronk, Dalton/ Green, Carr/Cooper, and Roethlisberger/Brown.

Davis would be a potential number one, game-changing receiver the Niners haven’t had since Terrell Owens donned the scarlet and gold.

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Kenyan Drake (17) is brought down by LSU Tigers linebacker Kendell Beckwith (52) during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Kendell Beckwith

The 49ers of 2016 have been poor at tackling and horrible against the run. Plugging in Beckwith at the middle linebacker spot would most likely alleviate a glaring hole in the middle of the field, especially with NaVorro Bowman once again rehabbing from a season-ending injury.

At 6’2″ 252 pounds, Beckwith has shown an ability to shed blocks and be a physical tackler. He currently has totaled 69 tackles, a sack, and a pass broken up.

With Beckwith manning one of the inside backer positions, the Niners would potentially fill the void left by Chris Borland’s and Patrick Willis’ retirement two seasons ago.

While there are no guarantees that Bowman can return to form, a duo of Bowman and Beckwith at the linebacker position sounds pretty enticing.

And should Bowman struggle with his comeback attempt, the team would still potentially fill one of the linebacker positions for the foreseeable future.

Oct 8, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Baker Mayfield

I know what you’re thinking. Baker Mayfield? Really?

But since this is the toughest position to fill in all of sports, I am going to take a few liberties here.

First and foremost, my thought would be to try to sign Jimmy Garoppolo as a free agent. I know there are some skeptics who think about a quarterback who played in Bill Belichick’s system having success outside of it. There are always questions, no matter where or how you get a quarterback. So why not get a guy that has NFL starting experience?

However, let’s just say Garoppolo decides to sign elsewhere or stay with the Patriots. The 49ers, in my mock draft ,would be using a mid round pick to take a quarterback.

My logic here is simple: I don’t think the quarterbacks in this draft are worthy of such a high draft pick. Deshone Kizer, DeShaun Watson, Chad Kelly, and the rest are all second round talent at best.

With as many needs as the 49ers have right now, taking a quarterback that high would not have the effect that this franchise needs.

Baker Mayfield comes from a high level program at Oklahoma, his completion percentage is over 70%, and he is peaking at the right time. In his last three games, he is 90-of-122 for 1,517 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions.

And while I typically do not try to compare players, there are some striking similarities to a certain quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.

Both have roughly the same measurables. (Drew Brees is listed at 6’0 and 209 lbs, while Mayfield stands 6’1″ 209). Both are extremely accurate passers as well. This is a skill that can’t be taught at the level these two operate.

Drafting a QB in the third round would also provide an opportunity for the Niners to develop Mayfield, without the pressure of having to start him too soon.

With all the potential changes that may come at season’s end, the 49ers are looking at a long-term rebuild however the offseason shakes out. Whether they make any of these picks, or go in a completely different direction, the team needs to fill the roster with playmakers. Period. Let’s just hope that all the struggles of the past few years pay off with high draft picks that can help turn this franchise around.