© Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
You’d think the No. 2 selection in the NFL draft would hold some consistency from week to week. But you can thank a long-time college coach picking No. 1 overall and a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback choosing not to pursue baseball for shaking up the 2019 draft outlook in recent weeks.
Yes, the additions of Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury and Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray to the NFL world have added a major wrinkle to the draft — and potentially the 49ers’ plans.
In two previous mock draft roundups, 11 of 20 draft experts projected the 49ers to select Kentucky’s Josh Allen with the No. 2 overall pick. That, apparently, was more a result of Ohio State’s Nick Bosa going No. 1 than Allen’s status as San Francisco’s top option.
With the Cardinals reportedly shopping quarterback Josh Rosen, and their intention to draft Murray with the top overall pick, the 49ers will have their choice of their top non-quarterback prospect. Bosa has widely been considered that player.
All 10 post-NFL Combine mock drafts compiled below project Murray to go No. 1 overall. That consensus has led to another: the 49ers will select Bosa with the No. 2 overall pick.
ESPN’s Todd McShay: Nick Bosa
“The Niners will be hunting for pass-rushers this offseason, and getting the best overall player in the class at No. 2 would be a fantastic start. Bosa has length, speed and power from the edge, and it’s fathomable that the Buckeye paces San Francisco’s defensive line in sacks as a rookie. He’s that good.”
Washington Post’s John Clayton: Nick Bosa
“The 49ers have a desperate need for a pass-rushing defensive end. While they might pursue one in free agency, getting Bosa with the second pick would be the ultimate gift. Bosa is considered the best player in the draft.”
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah: Nick Bosa
“Nick Bosa, one of the best pass rushers to come out in the last handful of years. He has a variety of ways to pressure the quarterback.”
Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller: Nick Bosa
“If the Cardinals select Murray at No. 1, the San Francisco 49ers would be ecstatic. Without having to trade, general manager John Lynch could snag the best player in the 2019 draft class and fill his team’s biggest need at edge-rusher.
Nick Bosa is the top overall player on my big board. He’s powerful, explosive, technically sound and productive coming out of Ohio State. Yes, he missed much of this past season with a core muscle injury, but he showed in Indianapolis that he’s back to being the dominant pass-rusher we came to expect.
The biggest key for Bosa will be medicals. If teams clear him after an ACL injury in high school and the core injury this past season, he’s a lock for the top overall spot on my board come late April.”
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.”
Yahoo Sports’ Eric Edholm: Nick Bosa
“One of the worst-kept secrets from the combine was the 49ers’ adoration for Bosa, so this would constitute a dream scenario. Yes, they’ve invested heavily up front. But they don’t have that edge terror on Bosa’s level, and the defense was a major disappointment a year ago, so every little bit of juice helps. The Bosa brothers now will be taking over the Left Coast. Trading down would be an option, too, for the 49ers given that the edge-rush draft pool looks deep. The Niners suddenly find themselves in the driver’s seat again after two tough seasons.”
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter: Nick Bosa
“Bosa wasn’t the best athlete at the combine (though he showed real quickness), but he still is the best football player in the class.”
Pro Football Focus’ Steve Palazollo: Nick Bosa
“Pass-rushing off the edge has been an issue for the 49ers, and Bosa is the best edge defender in the class. He has 117 pressures on only 607 career rushes while posting a nation-high 92.5 pass-rush grade in 2017.”
CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli: Nick Bosa
“The 49ers might be the biggest beneficiary of the trade, as the best pass-rushing prospect in a deep class falls into their laps with the second pick.”
USA Today’s Nate Davis: Nick Bosa
“The highest-graded prospect on many draft boards, he looked smooth in his first public workout since a core muscle injury ruined his final season with the Buckeyes. Bosa’s combine numbers were actually slightly better than those of his brother Joey, the third overall pick three years ago and now a Pro Bowler for the Chargers. Nick Bosa could give the Niners a top-shelf outside-inside pass rush combo if teamed with DT DeForest Buckner.”