With just $2.8 million in dead cap compared to a little over $25M in savings, the 49ers might feel encouraged to move on from Jimmy Garoppolo in the offseason. And, sure, injuries have hampered a relatively sizable portion of Jimmy G's time in the Bay Area, but he's also proved to be somewhat limited even in Kyle Shanahan's QB-friendly offense.
In this mock, San Francisco starts over at quarterback with a younger, cheaper option. Inside the top five, the Chargers make a surprising selection of an offensive lineman who's ascending boards after his sturdy play early this year.
OK, let's get to all the picks. Just a reminder, the draft order is based SportsLine Super Bowl odds after Week 10.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
The biggest question is now this -- will Lawrence leave Clemson if the Jets have the first overall pick? Contrary to popular opinion, I think he will.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
There'll be a new head coach in Jacksonville in 2021, and he'll get to begin his coaching career with the uber-talented Justin Fields at quarterback.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Joe Burrow has played well in his rookie season, and he has a fine complement of receiving options. Sewell would provide the security Burrow needs to win from the pocket, one that's been constantly collapsing during the quarterback's rookie year.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Going a little off the radar -- it's still early -- with Vera-Tucker, a former top recruit who thrived at guard in 2019 and has looked the part at left tackle for the Trojans in their first two games. Dan Feeney and Forrest Lamp are free agents in 2021 and the future of the left tackle spot is uncertain right now. Vera-Tucker's positional versatility plays a role in him going this high.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Von Miller can hit free agency in 2021 -- club option -- and will be coming off a serious injury after his worst professional season. Denver moves on from a franchise legend by drafting Paye to pair with Bradley Chubb up front.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Washington needs a jolt of offensive firepower, and Wilson is a tremendous playmaker with a quick release who sends rockets all over the field. He's an athletic quarterback too.
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From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 7
The Dolphins have to strengthen the interior of their offensive line, and Davis is a people-moving mauler with a sturdy anchor.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
 
Trey Lance
QB
NFL Draft
• 6'3"
/ 221 lbs
Can't get over this match. It's perfect. Lance sits for a season, and the Panthers can let Teddy Bridgewater walk after the 2021 campaign.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Farley has the twitch and size to go early in the first round, and the Falcons desperately need to reconstruct the secondary.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
While it's mostly been against lowly NFC East competition, Daniel Jones has probably done enough to earn one more season as the Giants quarterback before the club makes a long-term decision on him. Given Golden Tate's age, New York should pick a receiver to pair with Darius Slayton.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
How about a freak of nature on Dallas' defensive line to help the secondary via the pass rush? Rousseau had 15.5 sacks as a redshirt freshman and is a towering presence with serious athletic gifts.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
I can't quite figure out the Lions. Right when it looks like they're one of the worst teams in the NFL, they win a game. Either way, if Matt Patricia somehow manages to not get fired, he'll look for another man-to-man perimeter cornerback, and Surtain fits the mold.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Kyle Shanahan might be smitten with Trask, who wins with smarts and accuracy over high-level quarterbacking traits.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
The Bears go the experienced prospect route with Mond, a former dual-threat recruit who's matured into one of the best pure pocket passers in college football.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
The Eagles are in need of an overhaul in many key areas, and Parsons will be the key cog in the defensive side of the rebuild. He's a supreme athlete who makes plays at all levels of the field.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Smith before Jaylen Waddle? It could happen. And while Waddle would provide the Patriots the explosiveness the team needs, Smith would acclimate quicker to the intricacies of New England's offense because of his stellar route-running ability.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Basham seems like a Mike Zimmer type -- long, powerful, and plays with a relentless motor. Minnesota needs more pass-rushing pop.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Waddle lands with Tua in Miami, and suddenly the Dolphins are not fun to cover down the field given their varying areas of talent at the receiver spot.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
With Oweh and Garrett, the Browns would boast two dynamic athletes at the edge position for a long time.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
Building for the future on the offensive line is a must for the Raiders. Smith can be inserted into either guard spot and maul in front of Josh Jacobs.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
The Titans have a good corner in Adoree' Jackson, he just needs a running mate on the other boundary. Kendrick can be that guy.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
This is the prudent decision for the Colts with Anthony Castonzo likely playing in his final season. Slater has positional versatility and locked down the left tackle position in 2019 for the Wildcats.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Campbell is a tall, highly athletic cornerback who'd thrive in Buffalo's zone-based scheme.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Ossai has probably played his way into the first round this season as a pure edge rusher. The Cardinals need to get better on the outside of their front seven.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 25
Darrisaw looks like the complete offensive tackle prospect, equipped with power and nimble footwork.
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From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 26
After a solid 2019, Cosmi simply needed to get stronger to dominate. And he's done that. He gets the task of protecting Lawrence for the Jets.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Another tight end for Lamar Jackson to pair with Mark Andrews in Baltimore. Expect plenty of heavy tight end packages in 2021 and beyond if Pitts is the pick.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
I want to see Vita Vea next to a penetrating three technique next season. Barmore is that type.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Bateman has a possession receiver body, but has deceptive YAC talent. He can become the reliable No. 2 in Green Bay's offense.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Samuel and Minkah Fitzpatrick would create play after play in Pittsburgh's blitz-happy defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
With Jameis Winston set to start for a bit, let's go in a direction other than quarterback for the Saints. They have Deonte Harris, but why not add another speedy, YAC weapon to the offense?
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Bashaud Breeland is set to hit free agency, so the Chiefs will likely need another physical man-coverage specialist on the outside.
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