Marc Ross completed his first ever mock draft and adds to the 49ers defense
With six days left until the NFL draft in Green Bay, mock drafts are finalized and handed in before they are compared to the actual draft, which is expected to have a few curveballs and surprises. The San Francisco 49ers are on the clock with pick 11 unless they move up or down the trade board.
Marc Ross of NFL.com has been in many war rooms during his time with the Eagles, Bills, and Giants, and admits he has never completed a mock draft, nor have front offices and scouts. Ross offered insight into how organizations prepare for the draft by going through likely scenarios for players they like and things they’ve heard from other organizations.
So, how does Ross believe the first round will shake out on the 24th? In Ross’s first mock ever, three quarterbacks will be selected in the top ten. Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, and Jaxson Dart are the quarterbacks, with the Saints taking Dart with the ninth overall pick.
Why is this significant for the 49ers? Any shake-up with three quarterbacks only stands to benefit the team as a premium player will essentially fall into their lap. With needs in the trenches and at linebacker next to Fred Warner, the 49ers would have their choice of many impact players if this scenario comes to fruition.
As for Ross and his thought process for the 49ers, Jihaad Campbell would be the selection at pick 11, and Warner and Campbell would form a formidable duo for years to come in San Francisco.
After losing a number of key defensive players this offseason, including tone-setting linebacker Dre Greenlaw, the 49ers draft Campbell. The Alabama backer is my favorite player to watch in this entire draft class. He’d comprise a spectacular duo with Fred Warner.
It’s important to note that Will Campbell, Armand Membou, and Mason Graham were all off the board with the 49ers on the clock. Campbell would be an excellent addition to the 49ers as a sideline-to-sideline linebacker with great vision as a run defender. A concern for Campbell would be his propensity to bite on play action, but the Alabama linebacker can still be an asset in coverage.
Robert Saleh would be tasked with developing the young linebacker, but the fit would be glove and hand. Campbell would have big shoes to fill with Greenlaw, but under Saleh and Warner’s mentorship would be stellar as a 49er.