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This week, the San Francisco 49ers welcome the Seattle Seahawks to town in a pretty big matchup. While there is still plenty of football left to be played, that doesn't mean we can't have a little draft talk. Draft prep is in full force as the 2013 college football season works toward bowl season. Scouts are out and about, and teams are sorting through all sorts of information.
The approach of draft season also means mock drafts are getting into full swing. We'll get the mock draft database together sooner rather than later, but for now, let's take a look at Mocking the Draft's latest mock, released yesterday. With the 26th pick of the first round, MTD has the 49ers selecting LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr.
26. San Francisco 49ers: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU: Even with Michael Crabtree in the lineup, the 49ers need more talent at wide receiver. Players like Jonathan Baldwin and Mario Manningham just aren't getting it done. Beckham is a sure-handed receiver who can get vertical in a hurry. Get more weapons for Colin Kaepernick and let him become the quarterback Ron Jaworski thinks he can be.
A week and a half ago, Nick put together some early wide receiver rankings to get the discussion going. He ranked Beckham as his No. 5 wide receiver, behind Mike Evans, Sammy Watkins, Marqise Lee and Jordan Matthews. In MTD's mock, Watkins went first, and Matthews went behind Beckham.
Mock drafts this time of year are good for discussion, but the value has some downside. The latest NFL Draft order has the 49ers picking No. 26. We know teams will shuffle around as they win and lose, but all the playoff teams will be determined once the playoffs shake out. And of course we also know the 49ers have a lot of ammunition to trade around. They moved up for Eric Reid last April. Maybe they also move up this year?
The fluctuating draft order also means that second round pick the 49ers get from the Chiefs will depend on how the playoffs finish. The Chiefs haven't clinched a playoff spot yet, but the odds are pretty good they will be playing in January. Their performance then will dictate the general location of their draft picks.
