Will Johnson and Kenneth Grant would be obvious upgrades on a roster that could use a cornerback and defensive tackle
You’ll hear a lot about how the San Francisco 49ers “need to nail their first two picks” in this month’s NFL Draft. The Niners need to avoid taking a player who is not ready to produce in Year 1. Finding competent starters in the top 50 is a must. If they progress into stars, that’s icing on the cake.
In Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft, the 49ers drafted a pair of defenders from the 2023-24 national champion Michigan Wolverines. In the first round, Robert Saleh gets his Charvarius Ward replacement with one of the top players in the class:
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
There’s well-documented roster turnover in San Francisco right now, and Charvarius Ward is among the departures. Renardo Green has one of the outside starting spots, but what will the 49ers do at the other? Could slot guy Deommodore Lenoir move outside? Will new signee Tre Brown earn the role (and stay healthy)? Or could this be a golden chance to land a potential shutdown CB1 in Johnson?
Johnson missed time last season with a toe injury, and he slid from the top five to No. 12 overall on my Big Board. But the talent is undeniable. He’s big — 6-foot-2 — and his instincts and ball skills show up in the box scores. He had nine interceptions over his Michigan career, including two pick-sixes last season. The 49ers had 11 total INTs a year ago (tied for 19th).
When your worst trait is being susceptible to double moves, it tells me that teams know they cannot get over on you on a typical route tree. That’s the case with Johnson.
He held his own against Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2023 and had a crucial interception against Ohio State in that game that highlighted Johnson’s instincts. He has a chance to be a top-tier cornerback.
We know what position the 49ers are drafting in the second and possibly third rounds, if they don’t take a defensive tackle at No. 11. Sure enough, Kiper Jr. has the Niners filling a need at defensive tackle in the second round.
Derrick Harmon (21st overall), Mykel Williams (23rd), James Pearce (32nd), Oluwafemia Oladejo (35th), and Walter Nolen (39th) were the defensive linemen selected between the 49ers’ picks. Here’s who the Niners chosen at No. 43:
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins were released. Grant would clog up the middle in their place. He’s 6-foot-4 and 331 pounds, and he has explosiveness and good instincts to his game. Hitting on Day 2 picks would help San Francisco replenish its roster and remain a contender in the NFC. Grant has the potential to immediately contribute in a big way.
Grant has a chance to be a top-20 player in this class. He moves abnormally well for a 331-pound man. He also plays hard, which is a quality the 49ers relied upon during Saleh’s first stint at every position, but they’ve strayed away from that in recent years.
Grant is further along as a pass rusher than most of the defensive tackles in this class. I’d play him over a center and watch Grant rack up pressures. He has an apparent mismatch, which makes Grant an enticing prospect. Yes, he plays high. And the instincts/feel could use work, but that’s where Kris Kocurek comes into play.