The 2021 NFL draft could be among the most fascinating ever if the college football season winds up getting impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the 49ers have Super Bowl aspirations that’ll keep them from looking ahead to next year’s draft, it’s still worthwhile to keep tabs of the college football landscape.
The Draft Wire posted an early two-round mock draft that highlights a couple of interesting things for the 49ers. San Francisco’s picks include South Carolina cornerback Israel Mukuamu with the No. 31 overall pick, and Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell with the No. 63 selection.
Since these players haven’t played a down of their final college seasons yet, we’ll hold off on the breakdown and instead consider the positions San Francisco targets in the mock.
Given the contract situations on the 49ers’ roster, it stands to reason cornerback will be their biggest need in the 2021 offseason. None of their top four corners are under contract beyond 2020, and Richard Sherman turned 32 this offseason. Even if either Ahkello Witherspoon or Emmanuel Moseley plays himself into a long-term deal, there’s still likely to be a vacancy on the other side. There’s also a chance K’Waun Williams’ market rises above the 49ers’ price range.
By not addressing their looming cornerback issues in the 2020 draft, San Francisco is likely to make it their top priority next year. That player could certainly be Mukuamu, a 6-4, 205-pound behemoth who has five interceptions through two college seasons.
Running back also has a high probability of being a position the 49ers tackle in the draft. Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson Jr. are all due to hit free agency next year, and San Francisco hasn’t drafted a running back since 2017 when they used a fourth-round pick on Utah’s Joe Williams.
It wouldn’t be a surprise at all to see the 49ers break their three-year streak without selecting a running back, but it would be a surprise to see them use a second-round pick on a position where they’ve had so much success with undrafted free agents.
Gainwell is an intriguing prospect though based on his production as a redshirt freshman. Last year he racked up 1,459 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on just 231 carries. He also hauled in 51 catches for 610 yards and three touchdowns. Another season of production like that and Gainwell may not even last to the 63rd overall pick. Even if he does, there’s a much higher likelihood the 49ers scoop up a running back on Day 3 than in the second round.
[vertical-gallery id=656594]