Simulated Mock Drafts

It's been a while since I lasted wrote anything on this blog and a lot has since happened in 49er land. Oh and yeah it's draft day. In less than 24 hours the Niners will have made their first pick in the draft, so what better time for some late, late draft content. I may have some more stuff up on later in the day, but for now here are four simulated mock drafts I have done using Fanspeak and the CBS Sports big board.

Here's my thoughts on these drafts for the 49ers. Keep in mind these are run through a simulation, one of which had Jameis Winston going seventh overall, so this is little more than a fun exercise that gives me the opportunity to offer some quick analysis on these prospects.

Draft One - In this scenario the Niners add a pass rusher in Randy Gregory who compares well to Aldon Smith and should immediately improve the defense. D.J Humphries offers competition and a potential future starter on an offensive line that struggled with injuries last year while Sammie Coates is an explosive but raw deep threat with the potential to be a huge asset in the passing game.

The later rounds picks see the 49ers bring in a physical and athletic corner in Eric Rowe who can play safety and a combine standout in Chris Conley who is one the more underrated receivers in the draft. James Sample offers safety depth and Josh Robinson is a bludgeoning downhill runner in a similar mould to Carlos Hyde. Inside linebacker Jeff Luc can also play fullback - worth noting given Bruce Miller's situation - and Hutson Mason is a very accurate passer who will at least be a good camp arm.

Draft Two - My favourite draft of the four. Waynes is a superb cover corner and Devin Smith a magnificent big-play receiver who has the tools to potentially be a number one wideout down the line. Ogbuehi can play tackle and guard, David Cobb is an underrated, chain-moving running back and Tyler Kroft is an athletic tight end who has gone under the radar due to a lack of targets in his final year at Rutgers.

Markus Golden and Cedric Reed would boost the pass rush, Gerod Holliman is a productive safety that needs a lot of development while Shane Carden is an accurate but immobile QB who perhaps lacks the arm strength to be a success.

Draft Three - This won't happen. Amari Cooper is the best receiver in the draft and won't fall to 15 and I don't expect Odighizuwa, who plays the run excellently and can generate pressure as a pass rusher, to fall outside of the first round. P.J Williams is a talented corner with character concerns and Mitch Morse is a tackle that doesn't have the quickness against edge rushers to stay there in the NFL.

The fourth and fifth round sees the Niners commit further to their running mentality with Mike Davis and Jalston Fowler - another potential Miller replacement. Vince Mayle is another big-play receiver who has had issues with drops, James Vaughters is an edge rusher who will have to impress on special teams and Ladarius Gunter a safety expected to go much higher than round seven.

Draft Four - The first round scenario in this final draft seems unlikely. I don't expect DeVante Parker, a player with the ability to make downfield grabs and excel underneath, to fall to 15. Stephone Anthony is an exceptionally athletic inside linebacker who has the length general manager Trent Baalke loves and a player I am a big fan of. I picked Williams and Frank Clark - a pass rusher with off-the-field issues - either side of another good tight end in Jeff Heuerman.

Xaiver Williams is a developmental prospect on the D-line, Sean Hickey is another tackle who projects better at guard. Dominique Brown would give the Niners another power back but one who has had injury issues and Taylor Heinicke is a small-school QB who would only be a camp arm.

Apologies that my analysis is short and listy - if that's a word - but I'd be keen to hear any thoughts on these players even in this short window before the draft.