The 2016 NFL Draft is a shade over a month away, and mock drafts are expanding to look beyond just the first round. Todd McShay released his latest 2016 NFL mock draft, and he went two rounds this time.
For the San Francisco 49ers, he focused on the offensive side of the ball. He has the team picking Cal quarterback Jared Goff in the first round, and Kansas State offensive lineman Cody Whitehair in the second round. As has become fairly custom, Carson Wentz is going to the Cleveland Browns in McShay's mock. The first six picks are Laremy Tunsil, Carson Wentz, Jalen Ramsey, Joey Bosa, Myles Jack, and DeForest Buckner. The first three picks after the 49ers are OT Ronnie Stanley, CB Vernon Hargreves, and DE/OLB Shaq Lawson.
In discussing the the Goff pick, he talks about all the Colin Kaepernick trade rumors since his last mock:
There has been a lot of noise around Colin Kaepernick since my last mock draft, with the 49ers exploring trade options. As of now, he's still on the roster, but the position is far from settled. If Goff -- or Wentz -- is still on the board at No. 7, you'd have to think San Francisco would at least consider pulling the trigger. A QB with Goff's skill set -- natural accuracy, good anticipation and a smooth release -- would fit nicely within Chip Kelly's offense.
Whitehair is competing with Stanford guard Joshua Garnett and Alabama center Ryan Kelly to be the first interior lineman off the board next month. The 49ers signed Zane Beadles to a three-year contract, likely slotting him in as their left guard. That would leave the right guard and right tackle positions open for competition. Andrew Tiller and Erik Pears would seem to be favorites at the guard position, but there is a lot to be figured out, including the potential return of Anthony Davis.
Here's what McShay had to say about the Whitehair pick.
Whitehair was a four-year starter, and his exceptional awareness is immediately apparent on tape. He needs to continue to improve his lower-body strength.