NFL mock draft season began in earnest in late December, and it is into overdrive now as Mel Kiper has posted his first 2016 NFL mock draft. He has Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa going first, and Cal quarterback Jared Goff second off the board. He has three quarterbacks going in the first round, with Memphis' Paxton Lynch at No. 15 to the Los Angeles Rams, and North Dakota State's Carson Wentz at No. 22 to the Houston Texans.
As for the San Francisco 49ers? Like SB Nation's Dan Kadar, Kiper has the 49ers looking at wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. Here is what Kiper has to say about the pick:
This is a spot where you can see quarterback coming into play -- or a number of positions given what happened to this roster over the last 12 months -- but if the 49ers decide to build around a QB currently on the roster with the hopes of being more competitive in 2016 (something starting a rookie QB won't help) then Treadwell could really help the offense. He has a ton of experience as a true No. 1 and against top defenses, and brings size, hands, physicality and potential for early returns.
He acknowledges quarterback could be a possibility, but whatever the 49ers think of the QB position, I am skeptical they go quarterback in the first round. They could surprise us, but QB does not seem Trent Baalke's style. And given Baalke's shaky job status, one would think he would be looking for more of an immediate impact player at the top of the draft. I do think the 49ers draft a quarterback at some point, but first round seems unlikely.
Kiper's top six picks before the 49ers are as follows:
1. Tennessee Titans - Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
2. Cleveland Browns - Jared Goff, QB, Cal
3. San Diego Chargers - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
4. Dallas Cowboys - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
6. Baltimore Ravnes - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame