There’s no correct way to do a mock draft, but longtime San Francisco 49ers beat writer Matt Barrows certainly had the right idea in the Athletic’s NFL beat writer mock draft.
We’ve typically seen either an offensive or defensive lineman going to the 49ers in one-round mock drafts. There was recently an exception for Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, who fell to San Francisco in a Daniel Jeremiah’s latest projection.
Barrows eschews all of that to grab the best player available at a sneaky position of need that has plagued the 49ers since Kyle Shanahan took over as head coach. With the No. 11 pick, Barrows selected Penn State tight end Ty Warren.
Via the Athletic:
Yes, there are bigger needs along San Francisco’s offensive and defensive lines, but Kyle Shanahan would have a hard time turning down a chess piece like Warren. With one versatile weapon, Deebo Samuel, likely on his way out and another, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, approaching his 33rd birthday, Shanahan could be craving someone he can line up all over the field. That Warren is big and physical enough to play inline also could save George Kittle some of those snaps and prolong his career. For years, the 49ers have been eying an Aaron Hernandez-Rob Gronkowski-like personnel group. A Kittle-Warren duo? That would drive defensive coordinators mad.
While it’s true Kittle has had a career resurgence with quarterback Brock Purdy under center, they’ll need to find his long-term replacement sometime in the near future.
Warren was sensational for the Nittany Lions where he was utilized all over the place on offense. He’s a good blocker and turned into an outstanding receiving threat in his final season. Warren posted 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. He also notched 26 carries for 218 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
If they believe Warren can get anywhere close to what Kittle has been as a pro while also offering a dual TE threat they’ve never had with their All-Pro, it’s easy to see Shanahan and the 49ers talking themselves into this selection even if it doesn’t check the boxes atop their list of needs.