Perfect Picks 2023: San Francisco 49ers
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Pro Football Focus Mock Draft Simulator and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature the first two picks, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
Round 3 - Olusegun Oluwatimi (Center, Michigan)
Jake Brendel was a solid presence at center for the 49ers in 2022. However, as a prospective free agent, it can certainly be a position the 49ers look to strengthen.
How better to do so than with the winner of the Outland (best college interior lineman) and Rimington Trophies (best college center)? Olusegun Oluwatimi transferred from Virginia and was a great fit in Ann Arbor. He anchored the Michigan offensive line, without allowing a single sack as the Wolverines returned to the College Football playoffs.
He has quick feet, decent strength and the athletic ability to make plays downfield. It seems a good fit in the Shanahan offense and should benefit star running back Christian McCaffrey.
Round 3 - Kyu Blu Kelly (Cornerback, Stanford)
The 49ers have Charvarious Ward as one of their starting corners, but there are question marks elsewhere in the secondary. Jimmie Ward has hinted that a lowball offer has potentially burned the bridges between himself and the front office. Emmanuel Moseley is set to test the market as well.
Kyu Blu Kelly would be an excellent addition, considering his size and speed. A 6’1 frame combined with a track background are usually key factors when teams look for NFL corners. Kelly possesses both those and is physical enough at the tackle point.
The Cardinal has a history of supplying NFL corners, see Richard Sherman and Paulsen Adebo. At this price point, Kelly could be considered a steal.
Mid Round Gem - Emil Ekiyor (Offensive Guard, Alabama)
The 49ers leaned heavily on inexperienced interior linemen Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford. However, neither should dissuade them from adding further depth to the offensive line’s interior. Mike McGlinchey could vacate the right tackle spot. Perhaps Burford gets a shot at his college position and makes space for a player like Ekiyor.
The last couple of years have been less than stellar for Alabama’s offensive line considering the high bar set by previous groups. However, Emil Ekiyor has been a consistent performer at the right guard spot. He only conceded 8 pressures in over 700 snaps last year and a PFF pass-blocking grade of 79.9 should pique the interest of NFL teams.
Late Round Sleeper - Daniel Scott (Safety, California)
Talanoa Hufanga proved to be an excellent draft pick for the 49ers last year and they might return to the position this offseason. Tashaun Gipson is on an expiring deal and the deep-lying centerfield safety spot could be up for grabs.
Daniel Scott was a six-year contributor at California but was only a starter in his final two. He played both as a free safety and in the slot. That is something the 49ers appreciate and something Jimmie Ward has done for them. Scott showed his athletic ability at the senior bowl, and despite his age, his floor would be as a special teams guy.
Draft In Full
Round 3 – Olusegun Oluwatimi (Center, Michigan)
Round 3 – Kyu Blu Kelly (Cornerback, Stanford)
Round 3 – Connor Galvin (Offensive Tackle, Baylor)
Round 5 – DJ Johnson (Edge, Oregon)
Round 5 – Emil Ekiyor Jr (Offensive Guard, Alabama)
Round 5 – Ronnie Bell (Wide Receiver, Michigan)
Round 6 – Cameron Mitchell (Cornerback, Northwestern)
Round 7 – Dante Stills (Defensive Tackle, West Virginia)
Round 7 – Daniel Scott (Safety, California)
Round 7 – Tre Tucker (Wide Receiver, Cincinnati)
