Here's our first roundup of current mock drafts leading up to the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com selects...
Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
Roby is an explosive, fluid athlete that would fit nicely in the 49ers’ secondary.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports selects...
Roby
He is a talented corner with good size. Doesn't everybody want that now?
Charles Davis of NFL Network selects...
Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
Back to the WR well for the Niners. Benjamin is a youngster that can be groomed.
Doug Farrar of SI.com selects...
Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
At some point in the draft, head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke will look hard at receivers, knowing that if
Michael Crabtree had been healthy all season, the NFC might have gone a different way. But there’s also the matter of the defensive line over the long term — and that’s the cornerstone of Vic Fangio’s defense. Hageman, with his knack for blasting opposing linemen from the nose-shade and three-technique spots, would be an exceptional complement to
Justin Smith in the short term — and Smith’s ultimate replacement over time.
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report selects...
Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State.
Adding a big (6'3"), fast, long receiver like Allen Robinson just makes sense.
Robinson's length and yards-after-catch ability would balance out Crabtree, Patton, Boldin and tight end
Vernon Davis perfectly while giving
Colin Kaepernick a young receiver to learn and grow with long term. Because as soon as Boldin is no longer on the roster, Kaepernick needs another option to work with. Robinson can be that guy.
Rob Rang of CBS Sports selects...
Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
Injuries tested the 49ers depth at cornerback, exposing one of the few areas in which the team could use reinforcements. A slight frame might mean Verrett's role would be inside covering the slot but given the frequency of three-receiver sets in today's NFL, nickel cornerbacks (like pass rush specialists) are now generating first round conversations for clubs.
Dane Brugler of CBS Sports selects...
Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida
San Francisco went secondary in the first round last year and it wouldn't be a shock if they do so again, addressing the cornerback position. Roberson isn't talked about much, but if he is healthy, he is arguably the top cornerback prospect in the entire draft.
Peter Schrager of FOX Sports selects...
Verrett
The 49ers corners have done a superb job this season, despite a nagging hamstring injury for
Carlos Rogers.
Tramaine Brock and
Tarell Brown proved they could be starters in this league. Verrett adds some depth to one of the NFL's best defensive backfields.
Nate Davis of USA Today Sports selects...
Benjamin
Huge target (6-5, 233) could be a necessity if
Anquan Boldin moves on.
Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports selects...
Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame
Not sure how, but every year it seems that a team picking in the bottom five of Round 1 lands a great prospect who just inexplicably slides. Cordarrelle Patterson last year. Doug Martin the year before. Muhammad Wilkerson in 2011. The list goes on. In this scenario, the 49ers would be able to land a top-20 talent who had an inconsistent final season but projects nicely as a long-term replacement for Justin Smith and
Ray McDonald. Tuitt can play multiple techniques and fits the mold of this defense well.
Josh Norris of RotoWorld.com selects...
Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
It might be time to find Anquan Boldin’s eventual replacement, since he will not play forever. Landry lined up inside and out for the Tigers and can dominate at the catch point despite measuring in around 6’0/200 pounds. Colin Kaepernick tends to rely on these types of receivers.