San Francisco 49ers: Final 7-Round 2018 mock draft
With the draft just a day away, we make our final predictions for who the San Francisco 49ers will pick with their nine selections across seven rounds.
The San Francisco 49ers are in a very advantageous position heading into the 2018 NFL Draft.
With an array of teams around them seemingly interested in either using their first selection on a quarterback or trading up to do so, the Niners should be able to have their pick of some top-tier defensive talent at nine overall.
They have nine picks in total to bolster a team that looks ready to contend for the playoffs and go defense heavy as we try to predict what the 49ers will do in our final seven-round mock.
Round 1, Pick 9: Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College
A linebacker makes sense — one of Roquan Smith or Tremaine Edmunds would likely be available — while safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James and tackle Mike McGlinchey have all been connected with the 49ers at this spot.
But the 49ers can no longer continue to ignore the most glaring need on their team. They cannot have another season with just 30 sacks if they want to be successful and Harold Landry has arguably the best skill set of any edge rusher in the draft.
He can dip and bend round the edge and win inside with quickness and, contrary to what some believe, he can get his hands into the pads of pass protectors and drive them back with power.
The 49ers do not have anybody on the roster who can do all that but they do have a defensive staff that got a lot out of their rookies in 2017. Robert Saleh and his colleagues should be able to get Landry back to his 2016 form and give the Niners a devastating presence off the edge.