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Mock draft season is in full swing, with the NFL Combine kicking off next week and the NFL Draft looming about nine weeks away.
After receiving a compensatory sixth-round pick Friday, the 49ers now have six selections in the 2019 NFL Draft, including the No. 2 overall pick. In our first mock draft roundup, all 10 mocks projected the 49ers select a defensive lineman or outside linebacker to address the team’s lack of pass rush. Five of those mocks predicted the 49ers pick Kentucky’s Josh Allen, who won the Bednarik Award winner as college football’s best defensive player in 2018. He could ideally play either the SAM or LEO in San Francisco’s 4-3 defense.
Allen continues as the trendy pick in this mock draft roundup. What’s important to consider is whether these draft experts feel Allen is the 49ers’ best option in the entire class, or whether he’s the best option after Ohio State’s Nick Bosa, who has long been considered this year’s top prospect. In all six of the mocks that have Allen going to the 49ers, Bosa goes first overall to the Arizona Cardinals.
Here is the breakdown of the 49ers’ selections.
Josh Allen, defensive end/outside linebacker, Kentucky: 6
Nick Bosa, defensive end, Ohio State: 2
Ed Oliver, defensive tackle, Houston: 1
Quinnen Williams, defensive tackle, Alabama: 1
There seems to be a consensus: the 49ers will look to bolster their defensive line. Fortunately for the 49ers, the 2019 class is replete with NFL-ready edge rushers. Multiple analysts project that four defensive linemen will be selected in the first five picks, which has never happened before.
This mock draft roundup featured a new name: Houston’s Ed Oliver. He is widely considered one of the most physically gifted athletes in the class, but he’s a defensive tackle, and the 49ers invested three of their previous four first-round picks on interior defensive linemen.
Here is the breakdown of the players linked with the 49ers:
ESPN’s Mel Kiper: Josh Allen
“If the Niners don’t trade down to add more picks, I expect them to take an edge rusher here. And Allen (6-5, 250) is just a step behind Bosa on my board. Two former first-round picks along the defensive line (Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas) have struggled in San Francisco, but neither has the pure pass-rushing ability of Allen, who had 17 sacks and five forced fumbles last season. Allen would fill a glaring need.”
ESPN’s Todd McShay: Josh Allen
“The Niners really want an edge rusher after only DeForest Buckner cracked six sacks for them in 2018 (Buckner had 12). Allen blew up offensive linemen all season en route to 17 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss for the Wildcats. With his big 6-foot-5, 260-pound frame, Allen could line up as a defensive end in the 49ers’ 4-3 scheme if he tacks on some more weight.”
The Ringer’s Danny Kelly: Nick Bosa
“Packs power, explosiveness, and agility into a prototype pass rusher’s frame; he might just have more upside than his older brother.”
USA Today’s Doug Farrar: Ed Oliver
“The 49ers have DeForest Buckner and a cavalcade of situational defensive linemen of varying quality, but outside of Buckner, there isn’t a transcendent guy capable of demolishing an offensive line with speed and power. Oliver makes a ton of sense here—there are few interior defensive linemen over the last decade with his acceleration off the snap, freakish athleticism, and ability to bull through the pocket. There are times when Oliver plays too fast and will run himself right out of the play, but when he’s on, the 6’3”, 292-pound Houston alum makes if virtually impossible for any one offensive lineman to deal with him on a snap-to-snap basis.”
CBS Sports’ Chris Trespasso: Josh Allen
“Everyone expects Allen to erupt in Indianapolis, and such a development — along with his 17 sacks in 2018 at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds — would make him a very appealing prospect here for the edge-needy 49ers.”
NFL.com’s Charley Casserly (former Texans general manager): Josh Allen
“The 49ers are in desperate need of an outside pass rusher.”
SB Nation’s Dan Kadar: Josh Allen
“It’s clear the 49ers need to fix the secondary this offseason. Ahkello Witherspoon is a solid cornerback, and Richard Sherman is still holding up. But after them, San Francisco is thin at cornerback, and the team need a consistent safety presence. All of that is why the 49ers finished last in Pro Football Focus’ secondary rankings this season.
Unfortunately, there just isn’t value with the second pick in the defensive backfield. There is up front on defense, though. Despite taking Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, and Solomon Thomasin recent years, San Francisco still needs pass rush help. That’s where Allen comes in. He can play on the strong side and rush the edge.”
Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling: Nick Bosa
“Any scenario that leaves Bosa on the board for the 49ers would be a dream scenario for general manager John Lynch and his crew. Getting the top overall prospect in the draft any later than the No. 1 overall pick is a steal, and it just happens to fill San Francisco’s biggest need.”
Sports Illustrated’s Kalyn Kahler: Josh Allen
“Allen, this season’s most-improved player, would complement their strong group of interior pass rushers.”
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter: Quinnen Williams
“It might be a tough call here between Williams and Kentucky’s Josh Allen. DeForest Buckner‘s versatility could allow the team to put Buckner and Williams on the field at the same time.”