The 49ers nailed their first-round pick on Thursday, selecting Florida’s Ricky Pearsall, my favorite receiver in the draft.
But why stop the good times now?
The 49ers still have nine picks remaining, and with dozens of high-level prospects remaining on the board, San Francisco’s goal of rebuilding their roster depth in this draft looks more attainable than ever.
With Day 2 (rounds 2 and 3) set to get underway at 4 p.m. Pacific, here’s a quick look at the Niners’ ideal order of events on Friday.
Step 1: Trade up.
Nos. 63, 124, and 251 to Miami for picks Nos. 55 and 158
The Niners might be able to wait for the prospect they want. But with nine picks over the next two days, San Francisco should make a move up, divest themselves of at least one pick (they’re probably going to have to cut a player or two they select this weekend anyway), and ensure they land the top players they targeted.
Plus, the Niners need to rid themselves of pick No. 124 — the pick acquired for Trey Lance. It’s a cursed selection and cannot be used by the 49ers under any circumstance. Let Miami figure out what to do with it.
Step 2: Take Washington tackle Roger Rosengarten No. 55 overall.
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Like Pearsall, Rosengarten is a player who was well-known in college but started the draft process generally overlooked. On arguably the best offensive line in college football, he protected Michael Penix’s blind side and did an outstanding job. His mobility and tenacity match what the Niners need and value at tackle. He can be the right tackle of today and the left tackle of tomorrow.
Initially a deep-sleeper Day 3 prospect, in the last few weeks, he’s risen up draft boards across the league. Again, like Pearsall, his tape created its own buzz. If he moves past pick No. 52 — the Rams — the Niners need to pounce, even if that’s a bit overaggressive. Rosengarten could fall to No. 63, but why risk it?
Step 3: Trade up again.
Trade picks Nos. 94, 135, and 215 to Atlanta for picks Nos. 79 and 197
The Falcons are drafting at No. 74. They’ll probably want space between selections. The Niners can pay a sixth-round pick premium for the right to move up 15 spots.
Step 4: Take Kansas State left guard Cooper Beebe No. 79 overall
How do I say this without sounding weird?
Whatever, I’ll say it: Beebee is a spectacular beast. Just a big ol’ country boy with no neck, throwing dudes around like hay bales. He’s a hoot.
He was also the best guard in the country last season, bar none.
Just as the Niners needed a tackle for the present and the future, they need a guard who can hold the line on either the right or the left side — the current crop isn’t getting the job done. Beebe might be squatty and wide, but he moves as well as any guard in this draft and has an innate understanding of angles and leverage. K-State’s entire offense was “50.” As in, “Find where No. 50 is and run behind him.”
It worked, too.
A guy who can get to the second level and destroy is a dream player for Kyle Shanahan’s offense. A solid (and certainly stout) guy in pass protection is needed. Beebe is both.
This is a steal of a pick.
Two other thoughts on the NFL Draft
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• Bash the Falcons for taking Michael Penix No. 8 all you want; I think it was a genius move.
First off, there’s no such thing as a redundancy at quarterback in the NFL. Two is one, and one is none, the old saying goes. And Penix was my No. 1 quarterback in this class.
Second, Kirk Cousins has two years of guaranteed money, and he’s coming off an Achilles tear at age 35. Penix will play the second half of his rookie contract.
Third, the Falcons are rightly betting that they will never be able to draft a quarterback like Penix again. This team is talented. They don’t have glaring needs. So they had to take the shot at the quarterback now, lest they wind up in a scenario where they’re rebuilding after two years (or less) of Cousins and needing a quarterback to replace him. In that situation, you’re desperate and paying a premium for a free agent (like they just did with Cousins) or trading up in the draft to land a kid you don’t know will be able to handle the job in Year 1.
By drafting Penix, the Falcons now have a highly capable backup and their quarterback of the future. Both are great things to have. In due time, this will look like transcendent thinking.
• The Raiders cannot be taken seriously.
With all the holes that team has, tight end was not one of them. The organization took one at No. 35 last year, and he was fine!
Brock Bowers might have been the best player in college football, but for a team with a good, young tight end to take a tight end at No. 13 overall is draft malpractice. The Raiders will push that Bowers isn’t a tight end, that he’s an “offensive weapon.” When you’re having to redefine positions to explain a first-round pick, you failed the test.
If this were 1965, I’d say Bowers was a great pick. But the era of two tight ends on the field is over, and it’s not returning. Sure, you can put two tight ends on the field these days, but one must be a blocker. Congrats, you just wasted either the No. 13 or No. 35 overall pick on a blocking tight end, Raiders.
The Raiders have perhaps the best 1-2 punch of tight ends in the league.
The Raiders also have the worst roster in the NFL.
The Raiders are covered at tight end — what a room! — so it’s too bad they still need four offensive linemen, three receivers, two running backs, two defensive linemen, four linebackers, five cornerbacks, and three safeties.
Oh, and a quarterback — they need one (or two, or three) of those two.