The 2016 NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone, and while we may know more about the top prospects in this year's draft, we are still two months away from learning who the San Francisco 49ers will select with the No. 7 overall pick.
While in Indianapolis, ESPN draft expert Todd McShay took a few minutes to speak with 49ers.com about who he projects San Francisco will take on April 28.
In his most recent mock draft, McShay has the 49ers drafting Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. The 6-foot-2 wideout caught 82 passes in 2015 for 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns just a year removed from a gruesome leg injury.
McShay provided an intriguing NFL comparison for the potential top-10 pick.
"I think he's a Dez Bryant-type player," McShay said. "I think he's physical. I think he's great when the ball is in the air, and I think he's got a chance to be a really good player."
The headlines in Indianapolis regarding Treadwell predominantly surrounded his absence from the 40-yard dash. Treadwell explained to the media that he wanted to "do what's best for him" and wait to run until his pro day.
Some analysts see Treadwell's speed as a potential downside. A 4.50-second 40-time would cement his draft status but there are worries that a time over 4.70 seconds could hurt his stock.
McShay doesn't share those concerns.
"I just think he's a really good football player," McShay said. "I was at Dez Bryant's pro day in Lufkin, Texas several years ago and he didn't workout that well. These workouts can be way overrated."
Only adding to the unknown of San Francisco's first-round pick are the question marks for the teams that select ahead of the 49ers: mainly, the Dallas Cowboys. With the fourth pick, Dallas could opt to take their quarterback of the future who also provides immediate insurance in case Tony Romo gets hurt like he did in 2015.
The Cowboys could also take a win-now mentality and draft a top defensive prospect to help their chances of winning a Super Bowl in 2016. There's a very real chance that Dallas becomes a total wildcard and could affect who the 49ers hope to take at No. 7.
"I was asked what the most interesting pick in the draft is, and I said exactly that: No. 4," McShay explained. "Dallas has to make a tough decision. Long term, do they solidify the (quarterback) position so they don't go through the Vinny Testeverde, Drew Bledsoe days that the organization went through? But then they are passing on a player that can help them win now if Tony Romo stays healthy.
"It will be interesting to see what they do. Certainly for San Francisco and 49ers fans, that's a critical spot."
Fortunately for the 49ers, there will be no shortage of quality players worthy of their top-10 selection, especially on the defensive side of the football. UCLA linebacker Myles Jack, Ohio State pass-rusher Joey Bosa and Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner are just a few of the names that the 49ers could land in the first round.
"This draft is really loaded on the defensive front," McShay said. "If it's not a quarterback, it wouldn't surprise me at all if it's a defensive front seven guy and then maybe attack the wide receiver need later (in the draft).
