My seven-round 49ers mock draft (with trades)

We can admit it now that the NFL Draft is a few days away:

This isn’t as much fun as last season.

The 49ers’ first pick isn’t until Day 2, and if they are drafting in the first round come Thursday, it’s likely because they just shipped off Deebo Samuel, who was the team’s offense in 2021.

For a team that’s likely to pick a variety of linemen and depth pieces, this draft certainly lacks the zeal of last year’s quarterback-led draft.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a bit of fun.

There’s anything but a consensus about what the Niners will do in this draft, but here are my best guesses on what happens once San Francisco is on the clock:

49ers trade picks No. 61 and 93 to Chicago

Round 2, Pick No. 48:

Jalen Pitre, Safety, Baylor • The 49ers still need a few things on the defensive side of the ball. The two top priorities need to be strong safety and nickel back.

So in this scenario, the 49ers move two draft picks to land one player who can do both jobs.

Pitre is the kind of player that can line up anywhere. A willing and capable tackler who showed serious chops as an edge rusher, and a ballhawk with incredible play-recognition skills in the backfield, Pitre is the kind of player who defies definition and makes something happen on every snap. Put him on the field and reap the benefits.

Round 3, Pick No. 105: Deangelo Malone, EDGE, Western Kentucky

• He’s a little short and a little thin, but this guy has crazy burst off the line and better-than-expected strength for his frame. He’s 15 pounds away from being a force, but in the meantime, he’s a great fit for Kocurek’s “no brakes” defensive line.

Round 4, Pick No. 134:

Dohnovan West, C, Arizona State

• This spot was previously held by one of my favorite players in this draft, Wake Forest tackle Zach Tom, but with the notso-subtle hint from John Lynch Monday that Alex Mack will soon announce his retirement, the Niners' need for a new man in the middle takes precedence.

West didn't test off the charts and he could have problems with powerful defensive tackles, but he's a clever player who moves with grace along the line. He's a great fit for the 49ers' wide-zone system.

His high-school wrestling background (a requisite for me for interior offensive linemen), shows in his handwork. West never had a holding penalty in college and flags of any sort were exceptionally rare.

This is a good class for centers. In other drafts, West might have gone off the board in the top 100. The Niners get a bit of luck and find their center of the present and future here.

Round 5, Pick No. 172:

Matt Araiza, P, San Diego State

• I think that Araiza, relative to his peers at his position, is the best player in this draft. He could come into the league and immediately be the top player at his position.

What other player in this draft can make the same claim?

For crying out loud, his nickname is the Punt God. He's legitimately the best punter in the draft since Michael Dickson in 2018.

Yeah, he'll be an upgrade over Mitch Wishnowsky.

And while this isn't a “need” for the 49ers, it is undoubtedly a great opportunity for the Niners to continue to improve their special teams this offseason — a priority for the team.

My only concern is that he might not be there at 172. I would legitimately draft him in the top 100 — he's that much of a weapon.

I have been assured he should be available in this range, though, so here he is. Round 6, Pick No. 187:

Daniel Bellinger, TE, San Diego State • Bellinger is a true blocking tight end who can help take some of the load off George Kittle, who had to spend too many snaps inline last season to help the Niners run the ball.

Bellinger is plenty athletic, but he's in no way shifty. He showed great catch skills for the Aztecs and his strength makes him a viable threat for yards after the catch, but he will need to be schemed open to be an all-around tight end. There's just not much TE1 upside.

But that's OK, because he's an outstanding TE2 for a team that's lacked one for years.

Round 6, Pick No. 220:

Matt Waletzko, OT, North Dakota

• He’s a project — there’s no doubt about that — but Waletzko has the kind of size and athleticism that cannot be taught.

At 6-foot-7, 312 pounds, Waletzko ran a 5.03-second 40-yard dash with an incredible 1.7-second 10-yard split. His 9-foot5 broad jumped showed up on tape, too — he bursts off the line. His arms are so long he will never be beaten to the punch. His play strength needs work, but the Niners will likely have the ability to give him time.

I have a feeling he'll be worth the wait. Niners trade Pick No. 221 to Denver for a 2023 sixth-round pick

Round 7, Pick No. 262:

Jason Poe, OG, Mercer

• He’s anything but a ready-made player, but Poe can move in a way that a 300-pound man simply should not.

Picking him here gives the 49ers some more time to develop Poe into a true offensive lineman, but I wouldn't be surprised if Kyle Shanahan found a way to turn Poe — a former fullback — into a gadget player in the Niners' run game in 2022.