Everyone always talks about their draft crush. Let’s flip the script today and discuss a player you hope the 49ers don’t draft in the 1st round.
The San Francisco 49ers have made it clear where their needs are and which positions they’ll address in the upcoming NFL Draft. Defensive tackle, cornerback, edge rusher, linebacker, left guard, and offensive tackle are all priorities.
During Tuesday’s owner’s meetings, head coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear that the 49ers build through the defensive line. He reminisced over the 2019 group, calling that unit one of the best in the history of the NFL. Shanahan essentially put his cards on the table and asked the rest of the NFL to call his bluff.
With that in mind, as we’re turning to NFL Draft mode, let’s start with a question about the first round.
Who is one player you want to see the 49ers avoid in the first round at all costs?
If the 49ers look at this class and decide, “Hey, there aren’t any impact players, let’s play it safe and select an offensive lineman,” you couldn’t fault them. Not only is tackle a need, perhaps as soon as this year but certainly in 2026 and beyond, but players like Will Campbell, Armand Membou, and Kelvin Banks, “safe” picks, would be instant upgrades with higher floors than many give them credit.
I feel the same about cornerback. If Will Johnson falls, he has the pedigree that would lead you to believe he’ll be a star. East Carolina’s Shavon Revel, coming off a serious knee injury, is nipping at Johnson’s heels and is a top 15 talent.
It would be tough to go wrong at defensive tackle. Mason Graham and Walter Nolen are sub-300 pounds, but they are the top two defensive tackles in their own tier. Either would be a home run with Nick Bosa on the edge.
However, the edge rusher is where we draw the line and where this class has the biggest “bust” potential, despite what the draft community believes. There are a few players I’d steer clear of in the first round.
Penn State’s Abdul Carter would need to do something unthinkable during the next month to fall to No. 11. He’s going in the top five. The only other player I’d take in the first round is Marshall’s Mike Green. That’s crazy to think about when you consider how head over heels most are for James Pearce from Tennessee or the Texas A&M and Georgia duo. I was left underwhelmed when I watched most of these SEC pass rushers.
Campbell and Membou are Orlando Pace and Walter Ogden if these prospects are considered first-rounders.
Pearce fell victim to mock drafts from last summer. He was projected as the No. 1 overall pick. I was shocked, despite his production, as the plays that you would think make a player a top pick were few and far between. That did not change in 2024. In fact, it tailed off considerably. Pearce looks like a player you take in the middle of the second round. The Vic Beasley vibes are high with Pearce, and that is not a compliment.
The player closest to a first-rounder is Mykel Williams, but he falls into the Arik Armstead bucket for me. Good player. Solid player. It’s going to make your run defense immensely better, which is what the 49ers need, but it’s far from a sack merchant, and you’ll be lucky to get first-round production as a pass rusher out of him. Arik went in the first round, but he’s more of a top 50 type of player. That’s not bad; it’s just not a player you take at No. 11.
My answer is Shemar Stewart. He’s a tremendous specimen who can run down just about anybody and plays hard, just as you’d want from a top pick. But I don’t think Stewart knows what he’s doing. Furthermore, I don’t believe he’ll get better at any of the things you want to see, like freelancing, coming up with a pass rush plan, or winning consistently 1-on-1, anytime soon.
Yes, he had an extraordinary workout at the NFL Combine. But we’re not talking about a redshirt sophomore who is still developing. This is a player who has played for three seasons, yet never amassed more than two sacks in a season. Not all sacks are created equally, but too many reps on film make Stewart look more like a third-rounder than the third edge rusher in the class.
I would not draft Stewart in the top 50, let alone No. 11 overall. Who is your answer? Scroll down and share your thoughts with us in the comments. Sign up for your account to comment now!