After adding Ohio State’s Nick Bosa with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, here’s where things stand with the San Francisco 49ers heading into the second round.
The San Francisco 49ers stood pat during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on Thursday, adding elite edge rusher Nick Bosa to the mix.
Bosa, 21, is largely considered the best player in the entire draft. His addition comes at a position of need after San Francisco struggled rushing the passer last season.
It also comes after the 49ers acquired Pro Bowl edge rusher Dee Ford in a trade with the Chiefs earlier this offseason.
This pick alleviates pretty much all of the concern San Francisco has in its front four. Some combination of Ford, Bosa, DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead, Solomon Thomas and D. J. Jones will be starting next season. That’s a pretty stacked unit.
It also leads to some questions heading into Day 2 of the draft on Friday. Thomas, the No. 3 overall pick back in 2017, is said to be on the block.
The 49ers pushed back against that idea even after adding Bosa to the mix. Whether that’s just PR talk or something more concrete remains to be seen.
What we do know is that Lynch made the same assertion last year surrounding then starting right tackle Trent Brown after selecting Mike McGlinchey in the first round. Within hours, San Francisco sent Brown to the New England Patriots in a trade.
Heading into Day 2, we fully expect that either Thomas or Armstead will be moved for more draft capital. San Francisco has only five more picks remaining in the draft, two coming in Round 2.
It’s also possible that kicker Robbie Gould will be moved as the draft goes on. He officially requested a trade from the 49ers this week after seeing the franchise tag placed on him. Though, said trade likely wouldn’t take place until the fourth round (Day 3 on Saturday).
In addition to making the right decision to select Bosa, it appears the 49ers were aided by other teams reaching Thursday night. This leaves the team a whole host of options with the fourth overall selection in the second round and at the top of the third round.
Here’s just a few options.
Jawaan Taylor, Offensive Tackle, Florida
Some experts had predicted that Taylor would be the first offensive tackle off the board and go within the top 10. Here we are, and he’s still available. The 6-foot-5,312-pound Taylor is already a plus-level pass protector. He’d slot in initially at guard and eventually take over for Joe Staley at left tackle.
A. J. Brown, Wide Receiver, Mississippi
Yet another player that was expected to go in Round 1, the 6-foot-1 Brown fell victim to only two wide receivers being selected on Thursday. A dynamo from the slot, Brown would be a perfect third option behind stud youngster Dante Pettis and All-Pro tight end George Kittle.
Deebo Samuel, Wide Reciever, South Carolina
We’re hearing that Lynch and Co. fell in love it Samuel during the pre-draft process. For good reason. He has the elusiveness that San Francisco coveted in Pettis last year. Sure the two might be somewhat similar, but it would be a heck of a matchup problem.
Hakeem Butler, Wide Receiver, Iowa State
Noticing a theme here? San Francisco is expected to target a receiver at the top of the second round. Given that some of the draft’s best players at this position remain on the board, it makes perfect sense. Outside of D. K. Metcalf, who the 49ers are not high on, Butler might be the best fit. At 6-foot-5, he makes the contested catch look easy. It’s this type of big-bodied target that’s been missing in San Francisco’s offense.
Irv Smith Jr., Tight End Alabama
San Francisco looked into the idea of adding Iowa’s Noah Fant to team up with Kittle.
