Let’s dive into one final mock draft of the offseason before we dive into the 49ers’ 2024 campaign, shall we?
A first-round projection from our friends at the Draft Wire offers an interesting talking point that will surround any discussion about San Francisco’s future. The pick at No. 31 for the 49ers is Florida State edge rusher Patrick Payton.
Payton is listed at 6-5, 210 pounds which doesn’t necessarily scream ‘NFL edge rusher,’ but that’s something we’ll sort out closer to the draft once he goes through the height/weight portion of the pre-draft process. He has played 28 games across three years at Florida State, and has 12.0 sacks with 20.5 tackles for loss. If he improves again in 2024, there’s a chance he’ll go much earlier than 31st overall.
All of that is mostly beside the point though since so much changes about the draft throughout the college season. What’s intriguing from the 49ers’ standpoint here is that they’d pick an edge rusher in Round 1 instead of addressing some glaring needs on the offensive line (and potentially in the secondary).
However, it stands to reason that San Francisco would rather go that route while addressing the offensive front elsewhere in the draft. They’ve shown time and time again during the John Lynch-Kyle Shanahan tenure that they’ll prioritize their defensive line and play makers in the first round. The only time they strayed from that was the selection of right tackle Mike McGlinchey at No. 9 overall in the 2018 draft. Without a pick inside the top 10, we can almost guarantee the 49ers will go with defensive line or offensive playmaker.
This season could certainly change that. If Colton McKivitz struggles again at right tackle, or if Trent Williams decides to retire, or if rookie Dominick Puni struggles to make any mark as an offensive tackle, the 49ers might be forced to maneuver and get into the range where they can take an offensive lineman in Round 1.
For now though signs point to another offensive weapon or defensive lineman for the 49ers in the first round of the 2025 draft, making the Payton projection a good one given where we are on the calendar.
