49ers 7-round NFL mock draft: Loading up on linemen and adding another McCaffrey

The San Francisco 49ers enter this week’s NFL Draft with 10 draft picks. It’s time to make our final projections of what they might do with them.

Of course, the 49ers might trade — up or down — in this draft. But for the sake of this exercise, we’ve disallowed trades. We’re simply going through all 10 picks, projecting players that might go to the 49ers with each selection. Also, an important note: We did not consult with each other when picking our players. So the overlap in this dueling mock draft — four picks! — is purely coincidental.

Round 1, Pick 31

Lombardi: DE Darius Robinson, Missouri

Death, taxes and the 49ers using their top first-round pick on a defensive lineman. It’s happened three times already under general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan. Robinson produced in the SEC, notching 8 1/2 sacks and 14 tackles for loss as a senior. The Athletic’s draft expert Dane Brugler wrote that Robinson “displaces tight ends like rag dolls” with his powerful frame.

Barrows: DT Johnny Newton, Illinois

If no offensive tackle catches the 49ers’ eye, they should go with the best player available. And that player could be Newton, who has a lot of Javon Hargrave-like qualities and who, maybe best of all, didn’t miss a single game over the past four seasons.

Round 2, Pick 63

Barrows: OT Blake Fisher, Notre Dame

The 49ers have the luxury of molding whichever tackle they take this year. Fisher, who stands nearly 6-foot-6 and who recently turned 21, has better upside than the other tackles they could get here. He’d benefit from a year under Chris Foerster, Trent Williams, Colton McKivitz, et al.

Lombardi: OL Roger Rosengarten, Washington

Rosengarten is the fastest offensive lineman in this draft class. Former 49er Joe Staley is training him. He went to high school at Valor Christian in the Denver area, playing two seasons for coach Ed McCaffrey, who borrowed zone-blocking schemes straight from Mike Shanahan’s 49ers and Denver Broncos playbooks of the 1990s. Oh, and Rosengarten didn’t allow a sack over 610 pass-block snaps as a senior. Washington even moved Rosengarten to right tackle to protect lefty QB Michael Penix Jr.’s blindside.

Round 3, Pick 94

Lombardi: WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky

This graphic from Hayden Winks might remind you of 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel, who’s specialized in maximizing the short passing game with monstrous numbers after the catch.

Some optionality for Samuel’s offensive role can benefit the 49ers, both now and next offseason. And given the NFL’s new kick return rules, a bruising weapon like Corley might be extra valuable.

Barrows: CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Louisville

He doesn’t have exceptional size (5-11) or speed (4.51-second 40). But Brownlee is feisty, physical, comfortable in press coverage and has the tools to be a nickel cornerback. He also was a more-than-willing special-teamer throughout college, which likely would be his rookie role.

Round 4, Pick 124

Barrows: WR Javon Baker, Central Florida

Baker has the kind of smooth stride that Kyle Shanahan loves and he finished with 1,139 yards last season. He doesn’t have the blinding speed of some prospects, but he knows how to get open deep. He had 21 catches of 20 yards or more last season.

Lombardi: G Zak Zinter, Michigan

Many projected Zinter as a second-round pick before he broke his fibula and tibia late in the 2023 season against Ohio State. The fourth round would represent real value for a dependable guard. Both of the 49ers’ projected starters at the position, Aaron Banks and Jon Feliciano, are only under contract through 2024. And Zinter has trained at center, another position where the 49ers can use an upgrade.

Round 4, Pick 132

Lombardi: WR Javon Baker, Central Florida

Baker is an explosive receiver (he averaged 21.9 yards per catch in 2023) who must still polish his game. The 49ers, stocked with veteran wideouts, offer a good setup for him to do just that. Baker can use 2024 as a developmental year before making a serious move toward the starting lineup in 2025 when spots might come open.

Barrows: OL Caedan Wallace, Penn State

From Brugler’s write-up on Wallace: “all his starts came at right tackle, but NFL scouts say he saw plenty of guard reps during practice.” The 49ers sent a lot of scouts through Penn State in recent years, which means they probably have a good idea of whether he can move inside.

Round 4, Pick 135

Barrows: WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice

Never underestimate Shanahan’s fondness for all things McCaffrey. At bare minimum, Ed’s youngest son could be a special teams stalwart as a rookie, both on the coverage units and as an option at punt returner, which he did well during Senior Bowl week. His quickness and consistency as a route runner also promise to make him a favorite of Brock Purdy.

Lombardi: OL Caedan Wallace, Penn State

Strength up front comes in numbers — especially because it’s so hard to score a starting-caliber tackle without one of the top picks of the draft. Throwing multiple darts at the wall can be the best strategy. One can go to Wallace, a four-year starter at right tackle for Penn State who might have the polish to contribute immediately.

Round 5, Pick 176

Lombardi: WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice

The name speaks for itself. McCaffrey has played two seasons at wide receiver after converting from quarterback. He’s been on a firm upward trajectory at his new position. The 49ers, with their heavy emphasis on timing in the passing game, want to pair Purdy with weapons who’ll operate as precisely as the quarterback. The fact that McCaffrey has played QB is a notable asset in that regard.

Barrows: RB Isaac Guerendo, Louisville

This guy seems a lot like former 49er Raheem Mostert, who went undrafted out of Purdue in 2015 after running a 4.38-second 40. Guerendo — at 221 pounds — was even faster at 4.33 seconds at the combine. He has the skill set to gouge defenses on outside runs that has made Shanahan swoon in the past.

Round 6, Pick 211

Barrows: TE Erick All, Iowa

All tore his ACL in October, which will be an automatic turnoff to 49ers fans who remember how many ACL flops the team had a decade ago. All, however, is a strong receiver and tackle-breaker when healthy. And it’s hard not to see him becoming a better blocker after spending time with George Kittle. All together (see what I did there?), he seems worthy of a sixth-round pick.

Lombardi: S Sione Vaki, Utah

He’s just a good football player. Vaki played both safety and running back in college. His 4.62 speed won’t blow anyone away, but instincts make Vaki look faster on tape. He isn’t afraid to hit and seems like a DB who can adapt to the creative alignments the 49ers are expected to deploy on the back end.

Round 6, Pick 215

Lombardi: CB Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State

The 49ers’ top four corners — Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Isaac Yiadom and Rock Ya-Sin — are only under contract through 2024. Talent must continue flowing into this position room. Smith-Wade, who broke up 21 passes in college, might be able to move inside and beef up the slot cornerback spot.

Barrows: S Sione Vaki, Utah

The 49ers weren’t turned off by Talanoa Hufanga’s slow 4.64-second 40 time in 2021 because they could see how fast and passionate he was on the field. They likely get the same vibes from Vaki, who has the makings of a special teams missile.

Round 7, Pick 251

Barrows: DT Evan Anderson, Florida Atlantic

The 320-pound Anderson was strong against the run in all four seasons at Florida Atlantic and managed 3 1/2 sacks last season. The 49ers weren’t very good against the run in 2023, and they lost their best run-stopping lineman, Arik Armstead.

Lombardi: QB Devin Leary, Kentucky

The 49ers still have room for one more quarterback on their 90-man roster. Using their final draft pick on a QB has proven to be a winning strategy. Perhaps Leary, who has a strong arm but must work on his downfield accuracy, would represent a nice value play if he’s still available at No. 251.

(Top photos of Darius Robinson and Johnny Newton: Matthew Visinsky / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images and David Berding / Getty Images)