San Francisco 49ers 2023 Mock Draft: Who do the Niners take?
With only a few weeks to go, the 49ers have 11 draft picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. here's how SF could use those selections in a mock draft.
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With less than a month to go, the San Francisco 49ers are gearing up for a big draft weekend at the end of April. Equipped with the second-most draft picks this year (11), the 49ers could restock for another deep playoff run, hoping a few selections could start down the line.
Below is a full list of the 49ers’ 2023 draft picks:
- Round 3, Pick 99 (compensatory)
- Round 3, Pick 101 (compensatory)
- Round 3, Pick 102 (compensatory)
- Round 5, Pick 155 (via Miami Dolphins)
- Round 5, Pick 164
- Round 5, Pick 173 (compensatory)
- Round 6, Pick 216 (compensatory)
- Round 7, Pick 222 (via Denver Broncos)
- Round 7, Pick 247
- Round 7, Pick 253 (compensatory)
- Round 7, Pick 255 (compensatory)
And while general manager John Lynch could move up in this draft for a player the team likes, they could also use another youth reset on the depth chart. So without further ado, here is Sactown Sports’ first mock draft for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Alabama TE Cameron Latu had visits this week with the #Cowboys and #49ers, per sources. The Crimson Tide’s all-time record holder for receiving TDs by a tight end, Latu is a name to watch as the draft approaches.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 6, 2023
Round 3, Pick 99 – OT Blake Freeland
College: BYU
The 49ers need offensive line help after the departure of OLs Daniel Brunskill and Mike McGlinchey in the spring. That means general manager John Lynch will look for an alternative, cheaper offensive tackle in the draft early.
And that starts with BYU’s Blake Freeland.
Freeland is a freak athlete, recording a sub-five-second 40-time at the NFL Combine. He also produced a 1.68 10-yard split allowing him to get off the line in a hurry.
He’s a work in progress though.
Despite maintaining an 87.9 run-blocking PFF grade in 2022, he has yet to become an all-around OT, meaning he’ll need some time to develop. But at 6’8″, 302 pounds, San Francisco will take the attributes over the polish here.
Run-Game coordinator Chris Forester has another project in The Bay.
Round 3, Pick 101 – TE Luke Schoonmaker
College: Michigan
Maybe a bit of a surprise, given the 49ers already have three tight ends on the roster, but coach Kyle Shanahan loves to have additional blockers on offense. He also loves TEs that can catch, making Michigan’s Luke Schoonmaker the pick here.
Schoonmaker was a consistent contributor in Ann Arbor, racking up 637 yards on 54 receptions. He also had seven touchdowns to his name. Running a 4.63 40-time, the Connecticut native has the speed to be effective in the open field at the next level. He’s also a willing blocker that doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty.
All those traits make him a prime candidate to excel in San Francisco.
Round 3, Pick 102 – DE YaYa Diaby
College: Louisville
The 49ers got exposed in the interior during the NFC Championship game in January. They’ve already addressed that in a major way, signing defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a four-year deal. Now they need reinforcements.
Louisville’s YaYa Diaby has the raw athleticism that San Francisco covets, running a 4.51 40-time at the combine. He also has a 1.56 10-yard split, using his agility to get off the line of scrimmage.
His production on the field also speaks for itself, recording 94 total tackles, 19.5 TFLs and 10.5 sacks in three seasons.
The Red & Gold have a tendency to turn NFL-ready athletes into functionally-sound linemen. Diaby can be another exciting piece for coach Kris Kocurek to mold in the coming seasons.
Round 5, Pick 155 – DL Moro Ojomo
College: Texas
Back to picking in the fifth round, the 49ers keep adding defensive-line reinforcements.
Texas’ Moro Ojomo is a versatile player by nature, able to play all across the defensive line. That’s right up San Francisco’s alley.
His 40-time was solid for an interior defensive lineman (5.04), and so was his 10-yard split (1.77). But Ojomo uses power over everything to get into the backfield.
His production increased each season, finishing with a 90.6 PFF grade in his fifth year. He racked up 95 total tackles, 13.5 TFLs and five sacks for the Texas Longhorns. He also has a relentless motor, never giving up on the play.
And the craziest part: He’s still only 21 years old.
Round 5, Pick 164 – CB Anthony Johnson
College: Virginia
The 49ers have a type at cornerback: Long, physical, and someone who can tackle in the open field. Virginia’s Anthony Johnson checks all of those boxes.
Johnson was incredibly productive in college, finishing with 139 total tackles in five seasons. He was also great in pass coverage, successfully defending 30 passes and seven INTs. Playing for Louisville before Auburn, Johnson has the experience to play in the NFL.
He didn’t test very well though.
Recording a 4.63 40-time at the combine, the Florida native’s stock could drop with speed concerns. The 49ers can look past that however, relying on his skills as a true cover-man at the next level.
Round 5, Pick 173 – LB Owen Pappoe
College: Auburn
Losing Azeez Al-Shaair in free agency, it’s time San Francisco finds another young & cheap linebacker to mold.
Auburn’s Owen Pappoe can fill the void seamlessly.
Pappoe has a nose for where the ball is at all times, able to locate and break on the ball-carrier quickly. His 4.3-speed helps with that, recording a 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine last month. Those numbers flash when you watch the film.
In four seasons, Pappoe racked up 256 total tackles. He also had eight sacks, 15 TFLs, seven passes defended and three forced fumbles. Playing like a bat out of hell, the Auburn alum would be a good fit for the sub-linebacker role with the Red & Gold.
Round 6, Pick 216 – K Jake Moody
College: Michigan
Moody was one of the best kickers in college football the last two years, scoring 272 points in that time span. He was also perfect from PATs, hitting 148 in his collegiate career. Moody’s one blemish was field goal percentage in his final season, hitting only 29 of 35 field goal attempts.
That’s 82.9%, not amazing. The previous season: 92%.
If Moody wants to be a reliable kicker in the NFL for the next 10 to 15 years, he’ll need to improve on his accuracy. Besides that, the 49ers have every reason to use one of their late-round picks on the 23-year-old rookie, costing them a cheap deal for a few seasons.
Round 7, Pick 222 – S Trey Dean III
College: Florida
Round 7, Pick 247 – G B.J. Wilson
College: Quincy
Round 7, Pick 253 – OLB Shaka Hayward
College: Duke
Round 7, Pick 255 – CB Al Blades
College: Miami
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