Every year, roughly one to two months prior to the NFL Draft, the league will announce the awarding of compensatory draft picks to teams as reimbursement for the loss of highly performing players, as well as for the loss of coaches or front office personnel of color that promote into head coach or general manager positions with other teams. These picks can range anywhere from the third round, down through the seventh round and are awarded based on the salary of the individual the team lost, as well as awards earned, and playing time in the case of players.
I wanted to preface this piece with that information because San Francisco has done something I do not believe has been accomplished since the introduction of compensatory picks in 1994, they were awarded a record seven compensatory picks this season, three third round selections, picks 99, 101, and 102, a pick in the fifth round, pick 173, one in the sixth, selection 216, and two selections in the seventh, picks 253 and 255.
I believe these picks will fundamentally alter how the 49ers approach the draft this season. The reason for this belief is that prior to a couple weeks back, San Francisco’s first selection in the draft was in the fifth round, pick 164. Now, they have three picks roughly 65 selections higher, a draft-altering change. This kind of infusion of draft capital now opens up several possibilities for the team. They could package up two or more of these new picks to move up into the second round or, if they are content waiting, as they may feel in a better position to acquire additional picks by trading down in this year’s draft, or out of a pick for selections in future years.
In the event that the 49ers opt to hold their picks, let’s take a closer look at both who and what positions they may target with one or more of those late third-round picks. Please, bear in mind, a lot can change over the course of three rounds, this exercise will be mainly speculative given the fluidity of the draft. Players that look as if they may be available later in the third round may be long gone if a team is higher on them then expected. Additionally, moves made by San Francisco, or even other teams, may impact the needs of the 49er as they currently sit.
Provided San Francisco keeps their picks, and everything remains relatively the way I expect it (Spoiler Alert: It will not), the most glaring needs facing the 49ers are tight end, edge and offensive line depth.
Thankfully for San Francisco, most of the needs they have are essentially depth-based. Starting with tight end, no one would dispute, they have one of the most dominant players in the league in George Kittle. However, when Kittle has been forced to miss games, those tasked with filling in have not exact been all that productive. Two of those players, Ross Dwelley and Tyler Kroft, remain available deep into free agency, implying the 49ers may not be interested in resigning one or both of players. In the event that both players are no longer in the future plans of the team, San Francisco does have some options, especially with a tight end class as deep as this year’s class.
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 23: San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) runs after a catch during the NFL professional football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers on October 23, 2022 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Bob Kupbens)
The first option at tight end could be Cameron Latu – Alabama, a player who has a high upside but has failed to get the kind of traction some other prospects at the position have gotten. That said, he may be a reach at this pick but, just barely. Latu’s game is eerily similar to that of Kittle when he came out of college, a quick weapon that could be targeted down the middle but one that could use just a bit more work on his blocking skills. Latu is probably the closest analogue to Kittle at this range, even though they may be reaching just a little.
The second option is similar in a lot of ways to Latu and may be a similar stretch, that being Josh Whyle – Cincinnati. Whyle is a touch less athletic than Kittle or Latu but, as a receiver he plays the position in a very similar manner. Whyle has a big build and could easily be incorporated into San Francisco’s offense as an option, especially in the red zone. Where he may falter some is in his blocking which, while not horrible, is middling compared to other prospects in the class.
Another option available to them, should tight ends come off the board a bit slower than expected, is Luke Schoonmaker – Michigan. Truthfully, I think the 49ers may just miss the opportunity to select him as Schoonmaker’s draft stock has been moving up the closer we get to the draft. Schoonmaker is a tight end that can effectively do anything asked of the position. He is one of the better blockers at the position in this class and it would not take much to get him prepared for what he will face in the NFL. He is also very physical and adept route runner that find ways to get open. If he is available, I would have a tough time imagining San Francisco opting not to select him.
There is one more option but, it is stretch. In the unlikely event that Sam LaPorta – Iowa falls to them, of even if they find a way to trade up to select him, this would be an amazing selection for the team. For those who do not know, Kittle also attended Iowa, just as LaPorta did. This selection would be fitting as both players not only would have some camaraderie based on a shared past but, Kittle would serve as the perfect mentor to LaPorta given how closely their styles match up. This would be a dream scenario for the 49ers, although I expect LaPorta to be off the board roughly a full round before they get a chance to pick.
So, what about an edge rusher?
With three picks in rapid succession, San Francisco could choose to select any of the positions I mentioned in any order without much fear of losing their intended targets. When it comes to edge rushers, three players could be likely targets.
The first, Byron Young – Tennessee, is a quick strike rusher that explosively gets off the ball and into the backfield. He has demonstrated impressive flexibility around the edge but, he is a bit smaller than your typical NFL edge rusher which may give the team pause. The second option is K.J. Henry – Clemson. Henry is more of your traditional edge rusher with a bigger, more powerful, and solid build than Young but, he is also less flexible and not as solid against the rush than him as well. The final edge rusher they might consider is Isaiah McGuire – Missouri. McGuire is essentially a mix of the prior two gentlemen I mentioned, he is quick off the snap and has the type of size you expect from the position. He is quick to identify the play and attacks the ball accordingly. However, he can get tangled up with blockers more frequently than the other two and must work on his counter moves to work himself free.
Need Edge talent outside the 1st?
KJ Henry #Clemson 6’4 255
Former 5 star recruit
Can play play the run/rush the passer well. Heavy Hands.Spoke to 1 scout who thinks the gap between Murphy+ Henry is less than most think
Check him out @ Senior Bowlpic.twitter.com/Mf7I42gTcR
— Jared Tokarz (@JaredNFLDraft) January 31, 2023
As far which of these players San Francisco may be eyeing closest with this pick, it is anyone’s guess if I am being honest as all three hold a lot of promise. However, if I had to venture a guess, I would lean, ever so slightly, to McGuire being the pick as the team could develop him a over the next couple season and with his upside, which could be greater than either Young or Henry, he could be a problem waiting to happen for the rest of the league.
The final position of need is essentially three positions in one, or five if you contend that modern day offensive linemen are ultra-specialized down to which side of the formation they can play, and there are a host of options available here since the 49ers are able to return four of their five starting linemen. The one they were unable to retain was Right Tackle Mike McGlinchey. McGlinchey, who was a free agent at the end of last season, ended up signing with Denver, leaving a void that, while noticeable, is not unfillable by any means.
Once you get towards the end of the third-round in the NFL Draft, players are expected less to be immediate staters and more to be ready to start. There is a difference here as one implies a need, the other implies a want or desire. In this case, San Francisco could, ultimately, be aiming for either side of that difference.
Blake Freeland's Combine Performance:
Vertical Jump: 37" (Highest Ever by OL)
Broad Jump: 10'0" (1st)
40 Yard Dash: 4.98s (2nd)
10 Yard Split: 1.68s (1st) pic.twitter.com/YwZnTKU8vw— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 5, 2023
So, there you have it, a much longer piece than the others in this series thus far, however, also a piece that had a lot more ground to cover as well. Ultimately, while I believe these three positions will be the three San Francisco targets with their third-round picks, I would not be shocked if they picked them in any of the possible orders. If I had to place likelihoods of these positions being the three selected, I would place that likelihood at 95 percent with the outstanding five percent being assigned to a possible cornerback selection, which is another, less pressing, need.
San Francisco is in the unenviable position of not being able to select until late in Day Two. That said, few teams can boast the team they are able to field due to the sacrifices they have made. If they play their cards right in this draft, they could come away with even more starters or, at worst, some very valuable depth that can fill in without much drop in production.
