The 2017 NFL Draft is viewed by most as being particularly top-heavy on the defensive side of the ball. There are some high quality offensive options, but defensive line and secondary prospects are particularly strong this year.
The San Francisco 49ers have work to do on both sides of the ball, and we saw them invest heavily in free agency on the offensive side. The team has ten draft picks, so there will be offensive players added, but the heavy spending on that side of the ball could suggest the team is not going to invest some of its higher picks on the offense. There are some big-time impact players they could look at, but depending on how things they fall, this year’s draft could be defense-focused.
SB Nation’s Dan Kadar released his latest 2017 NFL mock draft, adding a second round since the first round remained fairly similar. His two 49ers picks focus on the defensive side of the ball. He has the 49ers selecting Ohio State safety Malik Hooker in the first round, and then Missouri edge rusher Charles Harris in the second round.
We’ve talked extensively about Hooker, but Harris is a guy who has been mentioned on occasion as a potential second round option for the 49ers. He stands 6’3 and weighs 253 pounds, and Lance Zierlein compared him to Connor Barwin. Harris had 12.0 sacks as a junior, after putting up 18.5 as a sophomore.
Zierlein raised questions about his work against the run, and there were issues when Missouri changed defensive schemes. It sounds like he pushed back on his role a bit, so it will be something to track as he moves into the NFL. One NFC scout offered this
"Don't get caught up in his numbers this year. He just didn't mesh with what they asked him to do. He's also got to be coachable and I think he may have fought the changes a little too much. What I saw in 2015 is what I think he's going to be."