Under General Manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers are preparing for another significant NFL draft.
To stay under the NFL pay cap, San Francisco is trying to add cheap, controllable talent to the back end of its roster and maybe replace some starters.
The 49ers filled a number of holes in their roster through free agency, setting themselves up to perhaps select the top player available in each round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Here is the 49ers’ projected selection in the latest seven-round mock draft by ESPN’s Matt Miller.
Round 1, pick 31
Jordan Morgan, G/OT, Arizona
“The 49ers were active in free agency, but they didn’t do much regarding the offensive line, which struggled throughout the postseason,” Miller stated.
“That suggests to me that the front management thinks there’s room for growth with the draft class. Although Morgan played left tackle for Arizona, analysts believe he may play guard at the next level. He is an excellent space mover with 37 games under his belt. Morgan fits right into the 49ers’ plan and is ready to go.”
Round 2, pick 63
Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
“Arik Armstead was released in a salary cap-saving move, and while the 49ers did add Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott, a true 3-technique rusher should be on the draft wish list behind offensive line help,” Miller stated. “At 6-3 and 299 pounds, Jenkins demonstrated his speed with a 40-second time of 4.91 seconds. However, he is also among the class’s best defensive tackles.”
Round 3, pick 94
Zak Zinter, G, Michigan
“Zinter has missed the pre-draft process with a leg injury, but his power in the run game and movement traits are exactly what the 49ers are lacking at right guard,” Miller stated.
Round 4, pick 124 (from Dallas)
Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College
Round 4, pick 132
Curtis Jacobs, LB, Penn State
Round 4, pick 135 (Compensatory; original pick penalized four spots)
Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
Round 5, pick 176 (Compensatory)
Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
Round 6, pick 211 (Compensatory)
Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State
Round 6, pick 215 (Compensatory)
Jase McClellan, RB, Alabama
Round 7, pick 251
Nick Gargiulo, C, South Carolina
