San Francisco 49ers

NFL Draft: 2017 Round 1 Big Board for the 49ers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The 2017 NFL Draft may be a ways away, but the 1-6 San Francisco 49ers are probably thinking more about what happens with an influx of prospective talent a season from now. Niner Noise breaks down a Round 1 big board as San Francisco goes through its bye week.

Sep 10, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) looks to throw in the first quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers have more than a handful of needs in the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft.

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Who knows whether or not general manager Trent Baalke will be here come January. But that doesn’t affect much what the Niners’ needs are when it comes to adding much-needed talent to this hapless roster.

One of the good things about having a roster so devoid of talent is that it allows the 49ers an opportunity to simply take the best player available.

If the 2016 season was to end today, the Niners would hold the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft. The winless Cleveland Browns are at No. 1. And the Chicago Bears, currently with the same 1-6 record as San Francisco, would have the third pick (based off strength of schedule).

A second-overall pick gives the Niners an opportunity to stay put and land a top-three prospect. Or, in what might be a wise scenario, San Francisco could trade down and add a good deal of compensation in return.

And we all know how Baalke loves his draft-day trades (again, if he’s still here).

Nevertheless, let’s take a look at a Round 1 big board for the 49ers in the upcoming NFL Draft and see which prospects should be on San Francisco’s radar.

Sep 5, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) celebrates his sack against Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) (not pictured)in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Myles Garrett

EDGE, Texas A&M

Texas A&M edge rusher Myles Garrett is the best player in this draft.

While San Francisco is going to be in desperate need of a quarterback and wide receiver, adding an edge defender like Myles Garrett will ensure the Niners have a much stronger front seven in coming years.

Garrett already has four sacks on the season, as well as 9.5 tackles for a loss. And what makes him even more promising is the fact he’s the kind of player teams build defenses around.

If he’s there at No. 2, there’s no doubt San Francisco pounces.

Oct 8, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) is blocked by Brigham Young Cougars offensive lineman Tuni Kanuch (78) during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Malik McDowell

Defensive Tackle, Michigan State

So the Niners are really considering a third defensive linemen, first overall, in as many NFL Drafts?

Well, considering San Francisco can’t stop the run — and up-and-coming D-linemen DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead are part of this — adding a tackling prowess in the middle of the defensive line makes perfect sense.

And Michigan State Malik McDowell is this kind of player.

He won’t offer much, in terms of the pass rush, but his ability to play at end or in the middle gives the 49ers D-line some flexibility. And his 13 tackles for a loss back in 2015 suggests he’d be the kind of player capable of ensuring opposing ball-carriers don’t get far beyond the point of attack.

McDowell might slip a bit in Round 1, so it’s worth considering a drop-down in draft order if the 49ers can pull it off.

Oct 3, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) is tackled by Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during the second quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Reuben Foster

Inside Linebacker, Alabama

Alabama inside linebacker Reuben Foster is the best of his position within this NFL Draft, and he’ll be a top-10 pick with little doubt.

Foster has already registered 29 solo tackles on the year and has the quick instincts to converge on running backs as well as provide better-than ample coverage against receivers. And one of the nice things about Foster is his relentless pursuit capability, and we shouldn’t overlook his hard-hitting technique either.

San Francisco’s inside linebacker position, without NaVorro Bowman (Achilles), is a mess. It’s led to a historically bad run defense, so the Niners would be blessed to have a player like Foster help create another middle-of-the-defense tandem.

Remember those days?

Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs past Mississippi Rebels linebacker DeMarquis Gates (3) during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Leonard Fournette

Running Back, LSU

Wait, so this would mean the 49ers are going to move on from No. 1 tailback Carlos Hyde?

Well, it’s an idea. While Hyde may have all the traits of a top-tier franchise running back, the fact he’s missed 10 of 23 regular-season games since taking over for Frank Gore points to a very large injury concern.

Simply put, Hyde might not be totally reliable moving forward. And he’s 25 years old, so it’s not as if he’s an up-and-coming prospect waiting to break through.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette, who could be a Heisman Trophy candidate this year, is the clear-cut best running back in the NFL Draft. Rob Rang of CBS Sports compared him to Adrian Peterson, and he has all the likings of a franchise player.

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; NNotre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) leaves the field following the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Notre Dame 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

DeShone Kizer

Quarterback, Notre Dame

Remember that one time San Francisco drafted a quarterback out of Notre Dame?

OK, we’re not saying DeShone Kizer is the next coming of Joe Montana. But it’s pretty obvious the 49ers need a long-term solution under center.

Kizer’s stock has fallen in recent weeks, so it’s going to be interesting to see where he winds up being projected in the NFL Draft. At the start of the year, Kizer was seen as a top-five pick. Now, it’s very possible he falls into the middle of Round 1.

If this is the case, the Niners might be wise to trade down and net some draft picks in return. Heck, they need as many as they can get.

And, hopefully, Kizer winds up turning into the franchise quarterback many feel he can be.

Oct 15, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) is tackled by Vanderbilt Commodores linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) and defensive back Bryce Lewis (30) during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Cunningham

Linebacker, Vanderbilt

So we’ve already stressed the need for 49ers linebackers next season. And Vanderbilt’s Zach Cunningham might be an option if the Niners want to drop down into the middle of the draft order.

At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Cunningham might be better suited to play on the outside in a 4-3 defense. But that’s a formation San Francisco should consider in 2017 based off their defensive line personnel up front.

Cunningham has been a tackling machine over his collegiate career, and his 41 solo tackles over eight games this season should bode well for a Niners team struggling to take down ball-carriers at the point of attack.

Oct 7, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up prior to a game against Boston College at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

Deshaun Watson

Quarterback, Clemson

Just like Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer, Clemson QB Deshaun Watson has seen his stock fall in recent weeks.

Once projected as a top-five pick by numerous NFL Draft analysts, signs are pointing to Watson being more of a middle-of-the-round prospect.

His completion percentage is down from 67.8 in 2015 to 63.6 this season, and questions abound surrounding his accuracy and relatively simply offensive game plan at Clemson.

Still, he possesses dual-threat capability, which makes him an enticing prospect and a possibility to become the next mobile quarterback to climb the NFL ranks.

If selected, Watson might want to wait a year or so before being named San Francisco’s starter. Let the team figure out its needs elsewhere over the course of 2017.

Oct 15, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Wide Receiver, USC

The 49ers haven’t drafted a wide receiver in Round 1 since 2012 (A.J. Jenkins), and we all remember how bad that turned out.

And as Chris Biderman of Niners Wire pointed out, targeting a wideout early in the NFL Draft tends to work out for most other teams.

San Francisco hasn’t had elite-level production from its drafted receivers since Michael Crabtree. The failure to land anyone of similar-or-better caliber has hurt the 49ers offense tremendously over the last two seasons.

USC wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, has the makings for a tough, physical target capable of making tough grabs at the point of the catch.

He’s probably a mid-to-late round target though, so the 49ers might want to trade back if he’s the guy.

Nov 14, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Carl Lawson (55) walks on the field prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Carl Lawson

EDGE, Auburn

If Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett is off the boards at No. 2, and the 49ers still want to add an elite pass-rusher, they could do worse than target Auburn edge rusher Carl Lawson.

Lawson already has 6.5 sacks and eight tackle for a loss over eight games this season, and he’s capable of holding his own and setting the edge against the run.

If there is a major concern, it might be Lawson’s ACL injury from 2014. But his play this season has suggested anything but a setback.

So if San Francisco moves down a few spots, netting draft compensation in return, Lawson could wind up being the next integral piece.

Oct 15, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams (7) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Williams

Wide Receiver, Clemson

See slide No. 8 regarding the 49ers’ need for an early round wide receiver. And now turn your attention to Clemson wideout Mike Williams.

At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Williams looks the part of the next Kelvin Benjamin or Mike Adams. He’s big, physical and might even be faster that USC’s JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is considered the best receiver in this NFL Draft.

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Williams suffered a neck fracture at the tail end of 2015, which might put a lot of doubts into scouts’ minds. But he’s answered back with 578 receiving yards and four touchdowns for the Tigers this season, which should put most of those worries to rest.

The 49ers probably wouldn’t want to use a top-10 pick on a guy like Williams, who will likely be around late in Round 1 or, perhaps, early in Round 2.

But let’s say the latter applies. San Francisco uses its first-round pick on an aforementioned target and, possibly, lands its next top-tier receiving talent with the team’s second pick of the NFL Draft.

It wouldn’t be a bad strategy.

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