Scooter's 49ers 2023 Mock Draft

By Scooter_McG

The 2023 NFL Draft is almost upon us!

However, with the 49ers not slated to pick until pick #99, the typical excitement that comes with the NFL Draft feels muted this year. In fact, 49ers storylines have been more focused on the QB room than the draft in recent weeks.

Even so, the 49ers are currently in position to add 11 new players to the roster this coming weekend, and some of those players may be expected to play significant roles in 2023. 

I'm not really into doing mock drafts as much as I used to be, preferring instead to just identify players I think would suit the 49ers and then delve into the players more once they are drafted. But I thought I would give my thoughts on how the 49ers draft may go. I've based this largely on three things: prospect rankings on nflmockdraftdtabase.com, players the 49ers are known to have met with, and my gut feel for who might/ might not be available and what the 49ers might do. 

In line with that, while I think the 49ers would love nothing more than to take an OT, TE and safety in the the third round, I just don't feel the value will be there for all those positions. 

So, this is how I think things will shake out for the 49ers. 

Pick 99: YaYa Diaby, Edge, Louisville. Big, athletic, high motor edge prospect built just the way the 49ers like them. 

Pick 101: Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pitt. This would no doubt be a pick that infuriates many a 49ers fan, the dreaded third round RB, but "Izzy" is the RB that Shanahan has been searching for. The team has missed the home run threat that guys like Mostert and Breida brought to the backfield. Abanikanda provides that plus good size to handle the beating. 

Pick 102: Nick Saldiveri, OT, Old Dominion. Not my preferred choice, but I fear the likes of Duncan, Freeland and Steen will be gone before the 49ers pick. Saldiveri I believe will be the "best of the rest", but still provides sufficient athletic upside and nasty demeanour to be long time starter at RT. 

Pick 155: Terell Smith, CB, Minnesota. Elite athlete with good ball skills and a scrappiness to his game that the 49ers like. Needs coaching, but I can imagine the 49ers see some Moseley-like upside to him.

Pick 164: Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama. Underrated TE prospect that knows how to get open downfield. I can see him fitting into the role the 49ers envisaged for Jordan Reed. 

Pick 173: Puka Nacua, WR, BYU. Raw and needs coaching up, but is a YAC monster with sufficient size and athleticism to play on the outside. Also an aggressive blocker. Has Shanahan written all over him.

Pick 216: Jalen Graham, LB, Purdue. Smaller sized LB prospect that played the Star position in college (same position Fred Warner played). He didn't test overly well at the combine, but plays with excellent instincts and physicality. 

Pick 222: Dante Stills, DL, West Virginia. The 49ers DL is already pretty stacked, and I have them drafting Diaby in the 3rd round. But Stills is a penetrating DL that has the inside/ outside versatility the team loves. Would have a battle to make the roster but I can see the 49ers liking him.

Pick 247: Jordan Howden, S, Minnesota. Not ideal to be waiting until round 7 for a safety, but this safety class is pretty bad and I couldn't justify taking one over the players I have above. Howden is a try-hard safety with good instincts but only ok athleticism. 

Pick 253: Chad Ryland, K, Maryland. The 49ers will add a rookie kicker at some point. May as well be here. Ryland may not be available, but there are a few to choose from.

Pick 255: Jake Witt, OT, Northern Michigan. Chances are you have heard of Witt by now. He won't get drafted due to his on-field production, but could get drafted due to his elite athletic traits. If he is there at 255, 49ers may as well take a flier on him and see what he can become with coaching up.

You'll note I don't have a QB being drafted by the 49ers. While they will no doubt add one for training camp, I don't see much value drafting one unless they trade Lance. 

Anyway, that's my take on the 49ers potential draft choices. Let's see what happens this weekend!