49ers seven-round mock draft: DT Kinlaw with the first pick

We’ve gone through several mock drafts, but I haven’t done one myself yet. I used PFF’s mock draft simulator that allowed for trades and had some fun. Here is out the draft turned out for the San Francisco 49ers:

First-round Trade!

John Lynch’s buddy John Elway picked up the phone once Ceedee Lamb was available and wanted to trade up to No. 13. The 49ers have a tough decision to make as both Lamb and Henry Ruggs are on the board. If I’m operating as the general manager and I know we need picks, this is a no-brainer for me. I’ll take the trade. We picked up a third-round pick to move down two slots. At No. 15, Ruggs was there for the taking. Ruggs being on the board led to Jerry Jones giving me a jingle. I thought you’d never ask, Jerry. So we were able to manipulate the board with other teams desperate for a receiver and pick up two third-round picks while getting the player we wanted the entire time, Javon Kinlaw, at pick No. 17.

Kinlaw won’t be a popular pick until the season comes and you see Kinlaw destroy offensive lineman, and the 49ers defense continue their dominance. I’ll take a stud like Kinlaw, who makes every level of my defense better plus two additional picks over one player every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Wideout at No. 31

It came down to Michael Pittman, Jalen Reagor, Brandon Aiyuk, and a few other positions at No. 31. I went with Pittman because he fits the Shanahan mold of a receiver from an athletic testing standpoint. I also get a big, strong receiver that can win down the field and in the red zone. Reagor and Deebo were too repetitive, and I wanted someone to complement Samuel. I also think Pittman is a better player and was the best player available, so I went with him.

Third round thievery

At pick No. 77, I stayed on the perimeter and drafted Louisiana Tech cornerback Amik Robertson. I’m going against the Lynch prototype, but I’m drafting a good football player, which is the goal. Robertson didn’t run at the NFL Combine, but he ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at his pro day. Robertson finished his junior year with eight tackles for loss, a sack, five interceptions, and a ridiculous 16 pass breakups. He also scored twice and forced a fumble.

He measured at 5’8” 187, which will likely cause Robertson to fall in the draft. If you think size is his issue, Texas tried to challenge him with their supersized receivers and found out the hard way that size isn’t a skill.

Robertson is fiesty, can play inside or out, and has the football smarts you look for at cornerback. I know I have a starter at cornerback in Robertson, whether that’s in the slot or on the outside.

With the second selection I picked up, I took UCONN’s offensive tackle Matt Peart, who is 6’7”, 318 pounds, and has 36 5/8” arms. The redshirt senior started at both left and right tackle as a Huskie. He also was a first-team All-AAC selection as a senior. What I saw from Peart is a tackle that thrived using a “jump set” to get his hands on defenders at the snap. I also saw a player that thrives in space and as a down-blocker. With a year of practicing against the 49ers defensive line, Peart can fine-tune his mechanics and turn into a potential starter down the line.

More firepower for Jimmy

At pick No. 156, I selected UCLA’s tight end Devin Asiasi out of UCLA, a player the 49ers met with. My pal Emory Hunt compared Asiasi to Washington’s Jordan Reed. Asiasi is the tight end Kyle Shanahan is looking for. He’s too big for defensive backs and too quick for linebackers. I like how Asiasi is comfortable going up and making plays in traffic, as well as going outside of his frame to make the catch.

Back to the secondary

To protect myself from injury at either safety position, I’m rolling with Iowa safety Geno Stone. The 5’10”, 207-pound safety ran a 4.62 40-yard dash and tested below average in both his jumps. He’s what you call a “football player.” Stone can play the deep middle, patrol the intermediate part of the field, or drop down in the slot. While he didn’t time fast, he plays fast thanks to top-tier instincts.

A running back before we get out of here

I really wanted App. State’s running back Darrynton Evans, so I used the final two picks to move up and take him. A home run Evans is a home run threat every time he touches the ball and makes Matt Breida expendable. He also has kick return ability. Evans scored a touchdown in college returning kicks in each of his three seasons. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash and played that fast.

What do you think?

17 - DT Javon Kinlaw
31- WR Michael Pittman
77 - CB Amik Robertson
82 - OT Matt Peart
156 - TE Devin Asiasi
176 - S Geno Stone
210 - RB Darrynton Evans