Following an eventful first week of free agency, we are just 38 days away from the 2019 NFL Draft. National pundits continue to give their predictions for what the San Francisco 49ers will do with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. Here's a list of who draft experts forecast the 49ers to land in our first Mock Draft Monday of the new league year.
Todd McShay, ESPN, Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State
"The Niners will be hunting for pass-rushers this offseason, and getting the best overall player in the class at No. 2 would be a fantastic start. Bosa has length, speed and power from the edge, and it's fathomable that the Buckeye paces San Francisco's defensive line in sacks as a rookie. He's that good."
Matt Miller, Bleacher Report: Bosa
"If the Cardinals select Murray at No. 1, the San Francisco 49ers would be ecstatic. Without having to trade, general manager John Lynch could snag the best player in the 2019 draft class and fill his team's biggest need at edge-rusher.
"Nick Bosa is the top overall player on my big board. He's powerful, explosive, technically sound and productive coming out of Ohio State. Yes, he missed much of this past season with a core muscle injury, but he showed in Indianapolis that he's back to being the dominant pass-rusher we came to expect.
"The biggest key for Bosa will be medicals. If teams clear him after an ACL injury in high school and the core injury this past season, he's a lock for the top overall spot on my board come late April."
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Bosa
"This is a bad-news, good-news scenario for San Francisco. On one hand, an NFC West rival added a dynamic quarterback with the top pick. However, Murray going No. 1 would drop Bosa to the second spot, giving the 49ers the impact pass rusher that they desperately desire."
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Bosa
"This is the best-case scenario for the 49ers, who desperately need a pass rusher and get the best one in this class. Bosa went through all the drills at the combine and his 4.79 40-yard time was better than his brother's from three years ago. Bosa is a game-changer from Day 1."
Ben Standig, NBC Sports: Bosa
"San Francisco needs outside pass rushers after selecting young interior forces in recent seasons. Joey's brother is arguably the front-runner for the number one overall pick despite injuries and his decision to sit out the rest of the 2018 season. This scenario should have John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan doing back flips."
Dan Kadar, SB Nation: Bosa
"San Francisco has made some of the biggest splashes of the offseason. The 49ers tabbed $140 million on Kwon Alexander and Dee Ford, and brought in running back Tevin Coleman, a perfect fit in Kyle Shanahan's offense. But a pass rusher like Bosa could still help the defense. He and Ford could finally solve San Francisco's longstanding need to fix the pass rush."
Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky
"Josh Allen didn't do anything to really help or hurt his stock here in Indianapolis. I'd classify his testing as "fine." Allen is a promising prospect who is still growing into himself as a pass rusher.
"His size and potential off the edge for the 49ers will be hard to pass up as the next best option after Bosa."
Joe Marino, The Draft Network: Bosa
"Arizona drafting Murray at No. 1 is a dream come true for San Francisco because it pushes Bosa right into their lap. EDGE rusher is the 49ers biggest need and Bosa is arguably the best overall prospect in the draft. A healthy Jimmy Garoppolo and drafting Bosa would quickly get the 49ers back on track with its rebuild."
Benjamin Solak, The Draft Network: Bosa
"San Francisco waits with bated breath to see if Kyler/Quinnen indeed do take the top spot, as they've been dreaming of Nick Bosa for months now.
"While the addition and long-term contract of Dee Ford do give the Niners a rusher off of one side, they're entering Year 3 of the Solomon Thomas Experience without much to show for it. Thomas may prove a better fit in a different alignment, and could offer decent trade returns as Bosa slides into the opposite starting spot."
Danny Kelly, The Ringer: Bosa
"Packs power, explosiveness, and agility into a prototype pass rusher's frame; he might just have more upside than his older brother."
Charles Davis, NFL,com: Bosa
"Considered by many to be the best player in the 2019 draft, Bosa is an intriguing mix of size, speed and ferocity. He will team perfectly with Dee Ford and DeForest Buckner to terrorize QBs."
Peter Schrager, NFL.com: Bosa
"Bosa's the most polished pass rusher in this draft, and is widely viewed as the top prospect in this class. San Francisco would be thrilled to see Bosa slip out of the top spot."
Luke Easterling, USAToday.com: Bosa
Joe Tansey, Bleacher Report: Allen
Chris Roling, Bleacher Report: Allen
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Final Tally (15 total)
Bosa - 12
Allen - 3
