FanPost

Fun Times Mocking

So, I’ve been enjoying mocking drafts for several years. If I’ve learned anything from all these years its 1) that I’ll never get it right, 2) no matter how much I think I know, I don’t and 3) that’s okay, because this is just for fun and even those who actually do know what they’re talking about get it wrong way more than they get it right.

Therefore, I’ve spent some quarantine time playing with mock drafts. Please don’t tell me that this trade or that pick would never happen. It’s pretty clear that MOST of anyone’s trade or mock drafts are gonna happen. This is fun. If I could show you who was still available when each pick was taken I would. Only because I’d love to see your alternative picks. I’m a consummate learner and I’d just rather hear other people’s rational alternatives to my picks. So if you decide to just call me names or deride the draft, I won’t be responding. If you have positive critiques…i.e. – such and such a player doesn’t really fit our schemes…please share. Like Is aid, I like to learn.

With that in mind, here it is.

My first objective was to garner extra day 2 picks. As our draft inventory is now, we can get two really good players to fill two major needs without any trading down. But I think we really need some day two picks to fill in some depth gaps. And I think we can still get top quality talent to fill those couple of major needs.

So I was offered a trade by Green Bay for pick 1:13. The trade was, basically for the rest of GB’s draft…picks 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30 & 6:13. While the trade values actually are reasonable, there is no way GB would give up the bulk of their draft for one player. But, the offer was made, so I took it.

With Picks 1:30 and 1:31, there was no way I was going to not trade down again. So when the Jets offered 2:16 & 3:4 for Pick 1:30, I took it as well.

Finally at 1:31, I was able to pick. I took WR Denzel Mims from Baylor. The scouting report on him hits on all the things we want. While there was a chance to get Jefferson or others at pick 13, the only two WRs in the top tier that I like for us are Juedy and Mims. Jeudy was not available and thus the trade down was worth it.

1:31 – Denzel Mims – WR – Baylor - Mims is a long-striding outside target with excellent height, weight and speed and an insane catch-radius. He's a touchdown threat anytime he's near the red zone, with the focus and body control to finesse and finish catches above the rim. He struggles to release and separate from physical press corners, and he doesn't consistently compete and outwork opponents for positioning on contested catches. If the route work and intensity catch up with his natural athletic ability, he could become a dangerous "Z" receiver in a vertical offense, but the floor might be lower than some teams are comfortable with.

Our next pick was at 2:13 and our second major need, I believe, is at CB. While I think we can survive with what we have for one more year, we were exposed as weak at the corners in the SB. Picking someone who can both add to what we already have, become a solid corner opposite Sherman and eventually replace Sherman as our top CB was vital to me. I admit the CJ Henderson was available at pick 13, I am not totally upset at passing on him to get those day two picks.

2:13 –Jaylon Johnson – CB – Utah - Boundary bully with an improving skill set to clamp down on WR1s and limit their exposure to the football. Johnson is built for press, with the size, length and athleticism to force receivers to work harder getting into their routes. His eagerness to stay tight to the route leads to inconsistent balance and positioning from time to time, but his foot quickness and agility allow for rapid recoveries. He's equipped to play the deep ball but needs to fully prove himself in that area. He's a physical press corner with off-man ability whose anticipation and ball skills should continue to help him make plays as a CB1 and first-round pick.

This is where our draft becomes sticky. I think we have several positions where we need to either draft for depth or to improve against an existing starter. The positions I think are in need this way include TE, OG, OT, DL, S, and even RB. By the time we got to pick 2:30 we had some tempting options at RB. But short of cutting Tevon and trading Breida, we are doing fine there. With resigning Ward, I don’t know that we need Safety help, but Safety, in my opinion, along with interior OL, may be where we need to push for better performances and depth. If there were a G/C option available worth taking here I would have. But there were not. And so I went the direction of Safety.

2:30 – Terrell Burgess – S – Utah - Utah is known for developing defensive talent and Burgess is the latest success story to emerge from the program. The cornerback-turned-safety plays with uncommon discipline and field vision despite just a single season as full-time starter. Teams love his versatility and ability to play nickel, but matchups against speed could cause some issues. He plays with good instincts and closing burst from high safety looks but doesn't have the striking ability to concern targets working the middle. Burgess' versatility, athleticism and feel for pathways to tackles in run support could make him a valuable middle-round pick with a chance to find the field early on in a variety of roles.

With the next pick, I, again, would have preferred going interior OL, but when I saw Adam Trautman still on the board, I had this image of defenses trying to cover Deebo, Mims, Kittle & Trautman. How can I pass that up. The biggest issues with Trautman are that he’s not from a top tier college team and that he’s not a great block right now. I can live with that simply because he will almost never be covered by anyone other than a LB.

3:4 – Adam Trautman – TE – Dayton - Right now, Trautman is a big, pass-catching tight end who needs to prove he can transition from his level of competition and handle bigger, more physical coverage dogging him around the field. He has a solid athletic profile, but his technique as a blocker will need to be upgraded as teams will likely expect him to play in-line due to his size. He's a talented pass-catcher with Day 3 potential, and good upside to work with.

Next on the list of wants is still Interior OL depth, but again, no one really of any substance is there at 3:30. But there is someone there I really like at this spot. And so I decide to go DL with someone who can be very powerful when left one on one…and he will be left one on one with what already have on the DL.

3:30 – Raekwon Davis – DL – Alabama - Rugged and powerful with elite physical traits, Davis has the ability to impose his will on opponents and dominate at the point of attack. He plays long and strong with rare leverage for a taller player and holds positioning against double teams for linebackers to flow freely. He was all over the backfield in 2017, but hasn't made nearly as many plays -- against the run or pass -- since then. Despite possessing unique traits and the potential to dominate, his upside could be a moving target based upon maturity level and continued growth as a rusher. He should be a first-round pick who can come in and start right away for an odd or even front defense.

With Day Two done, I am least happy that I don’t have interior OL depth. I wanted some like Ruiz. But he wasn’t going to be available with anything other than a late first or second round pick. Aside from that, I’m thrilled. We have a second elite WR to join Deebo. We have an elite CB and a very good safety. We have depth at TE and a very good DL depth player. I could walk away from Day Three and not regret anything. But I do still want that interior OL, another RB, and some WR depth. So here’s the rest of the draft. I will simply list them with a scouting report on them.

4:30 – John Simpson – OG – Clemson - Broad, well-built snowplow of a guard with the traits and power to turn a crease into a full-fledged running lane. Teams looking to add physicality up front will covet Simpson, but keep in mind he was plenty effective with scoop blocks, pulls, second-level climbs and even screen blocking, which shows the big man can move. Tardiness coming out of his stance and issues changing direction in pass protection are concerns that may not be easily fixed and could lead to matchup-based inconsistencies. However, he plays with good technique and has the tools to become an early starter and a good NFL guard.

5:10 – Jonathan Greenard – Edge – Florida - Athletic, intelligent edge defender with enticing flashes as both a run defender and pass rusher. Greenard's plus get-off and ability to bend and corner the edge are predictive traits for success as an NFL rusher but he'll need a more reliable go-to counter as a pro. He's tough and aware at the point of attack and plays with consistent leverage and motor. Edge defenders need forceful hands to set edges and open doors as a pass rusher and his hesitation to unleash his right hand after suffering a major wrist injury in 2018 is a concern. If his hesitation is more mental than physical, he should become an eventual starter in either an odd or even front.

5:29 – Ben Bartch – OF – St. Johns (MN) - Converted tight end who has added 75 pounds of good weight since stepping on campus but retained his plus movement. Despite a lack of experience and small-school background, his traits and rapid growth in body and play caught the eye of Senior Bowl evaluators. From a skill standpoint, he's still an undergrad, but on pace for his degree in tackle studies. He's an enticing left tackle prospect who continues to evolve, but a step up in competition and a need for continued physical development will require patience and could determine whether his final calling is swing tackle or starter.

5:30 – Kyle Dugger – S – Lenoir-Rhyne - It's rare to find a safety with elite size, speed, explosiveness and production at a Power 5 school and almost impossible to find one at a Division II school. Dugger crammed the stat sheet full and used those elite traits to dominate the opposition. At times, he seems bored with his level of competition, but his engagement can be instant and urgent when it needs to be. He plays with controlled violence and carries an alpha demeanor on the field. He has soft hands and is rangy, but needs to train his eyes and improve his fundamentals before he's coverage-ready. Dugger is a versatile, scheme-friendly safety who helps immediately on special teams and could develop into a talented NFL starter.

6:13 – Darrynton Evans – RB – App. St. - Slashing outside-zone runner with glide in his stride and ability to run with elusiveness and creativity. Evans is a little undersized and might be viewed as a change-of-pace option, but he appears to have the three-down skill set to handle committee carries. He can run with patience, but has the loose hips and agile feet to plant-and-go in a hurry. He sees the field and does a nice job of setting up and eluding tacklers with lateral cuts or stacked moves. While he's confident in space, Evans lacks the commitment and finishing force to make a living inside the tackles. His third-down and kick-return versatility increases the likelihood that Evans will hear his name called in the middle rounds with a chance to become a solid RB2.

6:31 – Luq Barcoo – CB – San Diego St. - His length immediately pops off the screen. He is every bit the listed 6’1" and has some very long arms to boot. He uses that length frequently throughout the route to stay in phase. He seems to always be in proper position, having the ability to make a play on the football. At the catch point is where Barcoo becomes a special football player. His experience at the wide receiver position pays off big time, allowing for some spectacular plays through the catch point. He flashes solid hands and concentration to create turnovers through the point of contact.

7:3 – Cameron Brown – LB – Penn St. - Long-limbed, 4-3 linebacker with moldable play traits and an attacking play demeanor. Needs to add muscle and learn to play under control. Brown has the speed and length to put himself into position to make plays but he overshoots open field tackle opportunities. He is average in zone coverage, but has intriguing rush/blitz potential that might be tantalizing. He might climb the ladder from a backup to something more if he can play stronger and with more discipline.

7:31 – Bryce Perkins – QB – Virginia - Perkins is a dynamic athlete at the quarterback position. He wins by getting outside the pocket where he can threaten a defense with his legs. Not just because of the speed but he can be elusive in the open field. Defenses have to come up and play the run when Perkins gets outside the pocket as he will tuck it and run. This does open up some plays downfield where he will chuck the ball.

Well, there you have it. Some potential starters. Some good backups with talent to start in the future. Some good depths. And some good projects. I’ve done dozens of these drafts this year and I think this is my favorite. I remind you, I know there is no chance this is the draft we will have. But for a fun time passing piece of entertaining, I’m happy with it. Enjoy.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.