Draft Wire mock sends Trey Lance and CB help to San Francisco
While buzz around Mac Jones to the 49ers with the third pick grows louder, the Draft Wire is blocking it out to go a different direction for San Francisco in their two-round projections. In fact, developmental projects is a theme over the 49ers’ pair of selections in this mock.
North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance is their pick at No. 3, which is still a realistic option based on reports that the 49ers are still choosing between Jones and Lance.
The Lance selection makes sense for a lot of reasons. He needs time to develop after playing 17 college games and only one last year. The 49ers have Jimmy Garoppolo to work as the starter until they feel Lance is ready. Lance has a ton of experience working in a pro style offense and had a ton of success during his first year as a starter. There may not be a better match to maximize his big-time talent than the 49ers.
San Francisco’s second selection is spent on Kentucky cornerback Kelvin Joseph, which makes a ton of sense given their slew of needs. Joseph fits a pretty specific nook in the 49ers’ roster. He’s a bigger corner with good athleticism and a lot of raw talent. However, he played only 15 college games and had just one year as a full-time starter with Kentucky after transferring from LSU.
The lack of reps is a concern with Joseph, but he’d be stepping into a situation in San Francisco where he wouldn’t need to start right away. Emmanuel Moseley and Jason Verrett figure to be starters on Day 1. Getting time to get NFL coaching and learn the nuts and bolts of the 49ers’ secondary would allow Joseph to fully blossom into the player his skill set indicates he can be.
