As the 2017 NFL Draft approaches, we take a look at how the 49ers might look to replenish a much depleted roster.

By James Jones | @9ernewswriter | Mar 15, 2017, 7:28pm EDT

Now that the NFL Scouting Combine is complete, free agency being in full swing and with the NFL Draft rapidly approaching, it’s time for my San Francisco 49ers, 7-round mock draft 2.0 for 49ersnews This mock was completed using the draft tool at www.fanspeak.com.

What I love about the system they have there is that it’s not merely just conducting one of the 32 NFL teams draft, although you can elect to do just that. They also have an option called “Ultimate GM” which allows the user to conduct business as the GM of their chosen team might.

Users can sign their own free agents before they hit the market, use the franchise tag if they see fit, restructure contracts if need be, sign other team’s free agents once the new league season begins, and finally take part in this years draft.

With the 49ers recent free agent signings, most notably Brian Hoyer, Pierre Garcon, and Malcolm Smith their positions were not as much of a focus for me as they would have been otherwise.

That’s not to say that I wasn’t aware of the importance of continuing to upgrade them but for example, knowing I had a bridge quarterback in Hoyer allowed me to focus on other areas of the team in the earlier rounds, as opposed to reaching for a signal caller to early in this draft.

The following is an off season and a draft that I believe any 49ers fan can be happy with.

Free agent contracts:

Dontari Poe –  DL -5-years, 11,500,000 million 2017 –  2017 Cap Hit, $6,900,000

Gerald Hodges – LB – 2-years, $3,500,000 million –   2017 Cap Hit $2,125,000

Thad Lewis – QB – 1-year $428,000 – 2017 Cap Hit $368,000

Draft trades:

49ers and New Orleans Saints

New Orleans receives:

Round 1: Pick 2

49ers receive:

Round 1: Pick 11

Round 1: Pick 32

Round 2: Pick 10

Round 3: Pick 12
49ers and Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore receives:

Round 1: Pick 32

49ers receive:

Round 2: Pick 16

Round 3: Pick 16

Round 4: Pick 16

49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh receives:

Round 3: Pick 2

Round 4: Pick 16

49ers receive:

Round 2 Pick 30

After I made aforementioned trades, my picks were as follows.

Round 1: (From New Orleans) #11 overall – Leonard Fournette – RB – LSU – I struggled with this pick in that even with moving down with New Orleans there were several players available who could have helped the 49ers. Reuben Foster, Corey Davis, Maik Hooker, and Haason Reddick were just a few players on the board. I simply could not pass on the chance to pair Fournette with Carlos Hyde behind what should be an improved offense.

Round 2: #34 overall –  T.J. Watt – Edge: Wisconsin – Having bested brother J.J.’s combine numbers earlier this month, the younger Watt is an interesting prospect. One who has the untapped potential to grow in physical stature and on field play. With the 49ers being in need of help with their pass rush, Watt should fit in nicely and provide the new coaching staff with a great option off the edge.

Round 2: (From New Orleans) #42 overall – Forest Lamp – OG – Western Kentucky – With many draft analysts predicting Lamp to be taken in the first round, I was surprised to find him sitting there at the 42nd overall pick. Lamp will instantly make the 4th ranked rushing offense better with his Ability to move up and down the offensive line. Look for him to move inside to guard, which might be best suited for his skillset.

Round 2: (From Baltimore) #48 overall – Fabian Moreau – CB – UCLA –  Again another player I fully expected to be gone by this time. San Francisco, if they do in fact move Jimmy Ward to safety will be thin at cornerback. There is no telling yet if Will Redmond (one of Trent Baalke’s All ACL Team members) will even see the field this season. Moreau should challenge for the other starting corner spot opposite Tremaine Brock or Rashard Robinson.

Round 3: (From Pittsburgh) #62 overall – Danny Isidora – G – Miami – With significant upgrades needed on the offensive line I traded up with Pittsburgh in order to secure a player with as much potential as any lineman in the draft. He needs to work on his ability to handle power rushers but his athleticism will play well in coach Kyle Shanahan’s rushing attack, which needs athletic, light-footed guards.  

Round 3: ( From New Orleans) #76 overall – Duke Riley – LB – LSU – With the 49ers needing help and depth on the defensive side of the ball I decided to tap back into the very deep linebacker class in this draft. Riley showed a great deal of growth in his senior season at LSU. He could fill in nicely at the WILL linebacker spot in the 49ers new 4-3 defense.

Round 3: (From Baltimore) #80 overall – Tyus Bowser – Edge – Houston – Bowser didn’t commit to playing football until his sophomore season in high school. As such he is still learning a great deal about how he fits into the sport. His talents are undeniable however with a good deal of explosion coming off the line and his innate ability at pressuring lineman off the edge.
Round 4: #109 overall – Justin Evans – S – Texas A&M – San Francisco is going to be looking for a player who can fill the Kam Chancellor role in their new defensive scheme. At 6’0, 199 pounds, Evans can stand to pack on more weight but you wouldn’t know it from the hits he continuously laid on the opposition. His ability to play deep or at the line will bode well for a team that will be looking for its identity this season.

Round 4: # 143 overall – J.J Dielman – OT – Utah – More offensive line help and depth here. Dielman is athletic enough to function well inside the zone scheme that Shanahan is bringing to the bay area, but he will have to focus on adding more bulk and power if he is going to have longevity at the next level.

Round 5: #146 overall – Kyle Fuller – C – Baylor – The offensive line picks just keep on coming in Round 5. Fuller had a draft projection much higher than this so I was not expecting to be picking him here. The 49ers have had issues at the center position with Daniel Kilgore showing his inability to stay on the field and the team recently releasing former draft pick Marcus Martin this week. Fuller could contribute right away on special teams and potentially coming off the bench.

Round 5: #161 overall -Jarron Jones – DL – Notre Dame – Jones has some concerns over injuries and off the field character issues. His ability on the field is intriguing though as he possesses size, athleticism, and length that could serve him well in the NFL. He has a lot to prove at this level but he’s worth the risk here, especially with so many picks at the 49ers disposal.

Round 6: # 186 overall – Chad Kelly – QB – Ole Miss – I  selected Kelly in my 1.0 mock draft as well, with this same pick nonetheless. As I said then, Kelly has the skill and pedigree to lead scouts to believe that he can become a good NFL quarterback. He needs to improve on his consistency and reduce the amount of turnovers he’s had in college. If anyone can help him there it’s Shanahan and his staff.

Round 6: # 202 overall – Jayon Brown – LB – UCLA – Ran a 4.70 40-yard dash at the combine earlier this month so he shows speed ability but needs to work on his coverage skills if he is going to be anything more than a sub package linebacker or special teamer.

Round 7: #219 overall – Joe Mathis – Edge – Washington – Mathis underachieved through most of his college career, despite being a 4-star recruit coming out of high school. He has shown the innate ability to disrupt the backfield and throw off opposing quarterbacks timing. His sack numbers don’t bear that fact but watch his game film and you’ll see. As one analyst said, “Joe Mathis could be the most well-rounded edge rusher in this class.”

The post 49ers Mock Draft 2.0 appeared first on .