Henry Ruggs III, Alabama Crimson Tide. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers will have one of the strangest drafts in the NFL this spring. Here is their latest 2020 NFL mock draft. Who will they end up taking?
The 2020 NFL Draft will be something for the San Francisco 49ers. After picking No. 2 overall this time last year, a ton has changed for the NFC West team. They landed elite superstar pass-rusher Nick Bosa with that No. 2 pick, as well as representing the NFC in Super Bowl 54. Though they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs down in Miami, there is a lot to like about this 49ers team.
However, we’re looking at one of the strangest potential drafts in the NFL for 49ers general manager John Lynch. Though he has two first-round picks to work with, after having traded defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for the No. 13 overall selection, San Francisco does not have a pick in the second, third and fourth rounds this year. Unbelievable.
Though they have your typical seven picks in the draft, five of them will be of the day three variety. With that in mind, the 49ers absolutely have to nail their two first-round picks, especially the one they traded for with the Colts. If either of their two first-round picks busts, this will not be a good look for Lynch as his team tries to stay atop the always competitive NFC.
Primary draft needs for the 49ers are at cornerback, offensive tackle and at wide receiver. Secondary needs include guard, an additional wide receiver and a backup quarterback. They could also use some help along the defensive line and at tight end in the latter part of the upcoming draft. Here is the latest 2020 NFL mock draft for the reigning NFC Champion 49ers.
First Round
13
Henry Ruggs III
WR Alabama Crimson Tide
By losing a wide receiver they traded for last season in Emmanuel Sanders, it wouldn’t comes as much of a surprise for the 49ers to use the No. 13 overall pick they got in the Buckner trade with the Colts on a wideout. A guy that is worth considering with this top-15 pick has to be Henry Ruggs III of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Though his college teammate Jerry Jeudy may have been more productive in college, Ruggs absolutely lit it up at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis back in February. Jeudy might already be off the board by the time the 49ers are on the clock at No. 13. At 6-feet and 190 pounds, Ruggs could become Jimmy Garoppolo’s new favorite target outside of the numbers.
31
Jeff Gladney
CB TCU Horned Frogs
With cornerback as the 49ers’ most pressing need entering the draft, look for them to address it with their own pick at No. 31 at the end of the first round. Though they could find a defensive back at No. 13, the 49ers will be getting considerably more value by taking a proven veteran out of the Big 12 in Jeff Gladney of the TCU Horned Frogs with this late, first-round selection.
Gladney is 6-feet and 183 pounds. He played in 44 games for Gary Patterson during his five years in Forth Worth. Gladney amassed 146 total tackles and six for a loss of yardage. He had 37 career pass breakups in the Big 12, as well as five interceptions and 128 yards. Gladney doesn’t have to be the best player in this 49ers’ secondary right away, so this could be a good get for them.