The 49ers might not have a first rounder in this year’s draft, but they’ll still be adding a ton of new faces.
San Francisco has nine draft picks — four of those compensatory — in the upcoming draft. Four of those are in the first four rounds, and were included in NFL.com’s latest extended mock draft. Here’s who they see the 49ers adding.
Round 2 – No. 61 overall: Cameron Thomas, DE
With the prolonged and perhaps permanent absence of Dee Ford, the 49ers have been without a consistent pass rusher to pair with Nick Bosa. San Francisco has good depth at this position, Kerry Hyder and Samson Ebukam, are currently next up on the depth chart.
Perhaps San Diego State product Cameron Thomas can a part of a more consistent pairing with Bosa moving forward. Thomas is different stylistically from Bosa, and is more of a 3-4 edge than a speed rusher. The 49ers have typically valued that type of versatility — think Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner — but Thomas in not the kind of athlete that either of those two are.
Thomas notched 10.5 sacks and 71 tackles last season with the Aztecs. NFL.com believes that Thomas’ floor is a good backup with the potential to develop into a starter.
Round 3 – No. 93 overall: Josh Thompson, CB
Cornerback was the weakest position on the 49ers last season, which is the only way to explain Josh Norman starting 14 games. San Francisco has already made a major move to address their issues on the outside, signing free agent CB Charvarius Ward to a multi-year deal.
At 5-foot-11, 194 pounds, Thompson is a bump-and-run style corner who played four years a the University of Texas. Additionally he also has NFL speed, running a 4.4 second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
There are questions about whether Thompson will work as a corner at the NFL level, with some scouts believing that he projects better as a safety. Similar conversations surrounded Jimmie Ward coming out of college, and that worked out pretty well for the 49ers.
Round 3 – No. 105 overall: Marcus Jones, CB
The 49ers have already made a number of special teams additions this offseason, but they might not be done. If they elect to go with Houston’s Marcus Jones, it could be a decent way to address both the return game and the secondary.
Jones is believed to have “game-changing” return talent, with NFL.com listing his comp as Dante Hall, one of the greatest returners in NFL history. What’s more, Jones is a slot cornerback, a position the 49ers are looking to fill with K’Waun Williams’ exit in free agency this offseason.
Jones is such an elite athlete, there are even some scouts who believe he should get a look at wide receiver. With the No. 105th pick, taking a chance on an explosive athlete that can help in multiple facets isn’t the worst way to go.
Round 4 – No. 134 overall: Markquese Bell, S
With the final pick of this mock, you guessed it, the 49ers are looking to add more depth in the secondary. When you don’t have a ton of needs, sometimes just taking a bunch of fliers and hoping one hits is a viable strategy.
Safety specifically is one of the 49ers more solid positions, but Jaquiski Tartt is currently a free agent and could open up a competition at strong safety if he’s not retained. Bell, a Florida A&M product, projects more as a run stopping safety, similar to what San Francisco has in Talanoa Hufanga.
