We’re talking about one decision the 49ers can make tonight that would make you second-guess everything they do
Every year, fans have a couple of picks in mind. Every year, fans are disappointed after their team didn’t select the player they wanted. The San Francisco 49ers sit at pick No. 11. This draft could go numerous ways.
Depending on the positional run, the 49ers will be in great shape when they’re on the clock. There’s also a chance that teams around the NFL are onto the Niners’ intentions and move in front of San Francisco to select a defensive lineman.
That brings us to our question of the day.
What’s your worst-case scenario for the 49ers in the first round?
My answer: The trio of Mason Graham, Walter Nolen, and Mykel Williams are all off the board by the time the 49ers are on the clock.
It’s become mildly popular in the previous 36 hours or so for Graham to fall to pick No. 11. That would be one of the better-case scenarios for Robert Saleh and the Niners’ defense. Graham requires little coaching/fine-tuning and is an easy plug-and-play starter.
I’ll believe Graham falls once I see it.
Assuming those three are off the board, that would mean San Francisco is now in a position where the value is zapped, and they should be looking to trade back. The one player who feels like he’s worthy of the 11th overall pick that would be on the board is Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons. He’s a stud. The reason he’d be available and not a top pick is that Simmons suffered a torn patellar tendon last October.
Whether right or wrong, let’s act as if the 49ers are scared away from Simmons because of his injury. Momentum for Texas’s offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. has grown. He seems like a lock for a top-10 pick.
That means the 49ers are staring at options like Shemar Stewart, Derrick Harmon, Kenneth Grant, Mike Green, James Pearce, and Josh Conerly. Those players are all projected to go in the 20s or lower. John Lynch should do his best to work the phones and trade back if this scenario comes up, but you’d also be left wondering who would want to trade up if all the premium talent is selected.
Coming off a 6-win season, the last thing the 49ers want is to feel like they are reaching for a player in the first round. Now, they could be higher on Stewart, Harmon, or one of the other available names and be comfortable taking them at 11, but you better have a plan for those players to be ready to play, contribute, and excel from Day 1.
What do you think? What’s the worst-case scenario for the 49ers in the first round? Scroll down to the comments and let us know.