The San Francisco 49ers are aiming to reload their weapons in preparation for the 2022 NFL season where they will look to have a deeper run in the playoffs. In what seemed to be an obvious move, the team, however, still hasn't traded or released Jimmy Garoppolo whose current contract is still eating up some of their cap space as of the moment.
Nonetheless, the 49ers still have a solid core of players that can compete at a high-level next season. However, they will have to fill the other holes left in the roster through the 2022 NFL Draft. Hopefully, the young talents that they get to acquire can have an impact on their postseason bid next season.
With that said, let's take a look at our San Francisco 49ers 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
49ers 2022 NFL Mock Draft
Round 2 – 61st Pick Overall: Myjai Sanders (EDGE)
The addition of edge rusher Myjai Sanders from Cincinnati should further fortify the 49ers' solid defensive front. He concluded a four-year stint with the Bearcats where he finished with 41 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and five passes defended in his senior season in 2021.
In the Cotton Bowl against Alabama, Sanders generated 10 pressures against a solid Crimson Tide offensive line. His sacks tally doesn't stand out but the amount of pressure that he was able to produce is indicative of his activity in the trenches.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds, Sanders is a long athlete but has to put on more weight in order to keep in step with the stronger defenders in the league. Still, he is a talent that will only beef up the 49ers' defense in 2022.
Round 3 – 93rd Pick Overall: Jalen Tolbert (WR)
The 49ers can nab an additional weapon for QB Trey Lance with the 93rd pick in wide receiver Jalen Tolbert. He is coming off a solid season with the University of South Alabama where he was hailed as the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 after producing 1,474 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Tolbert can play slot and outside receiver and has shown to be a great route runner in the NFL Combine. He still has to work on catching contested passes but his overall skillset can definitely allow him to be a threat in San Francisco's offensive attack moving forward.
Round 3 – 103rd Pick Overall: Nick Cross (S)
After signing Charvarius Ward as their new top CB, the Niners now have to address the safety position with Jaquiski Tartt leaving in free agency. They can find a young replacement in safety Nick Cross from Maryland.
In three years with the Terrapins, he has shown his ability to make game-changing plays and use his physicality to his advantage. Cross isn't exactly a ball-hawk type of safety but his nose for the ball will surely give him an advantage in stopping bigger offensive players in the league.
Round 4 – 134th Pick Overall: Matthew Butler (DT)
Despite having a solid defensive front, the 49ers were still left with a hole after D.J. Jones' departure to the Denver Broncos in free agency. They can address this by selecting defensive tackle Matthew Butler from Tennessee who has been one of the most active defenders in the SEC in 2021.
He recently concluded a career season where he notched 47 total tackles and 8.5 sacks in 13 appearances. Butler's level of experience and style of play can potentially allow him to be a starter for the 49ers' defensive line at some point in his rookie season.
Round 5 – 172nd Pick Overall: Ben Brown (IOL)
Another spot that opened up, this time in the offensive line, would be the left guard position after Laken Tomlinson's relocation to the New York Jets. The 49ers can go for Ole Miss' interior lineman Ben Brown with the 172nd pick in the fifth round.
He gained experience playing in the guard and center positions in the amateur ranks which may help him earn a sizable role with the Niners moving forward. With center Alex Mack already playing at the age of 36, it is only a matter of time before he hangs up his cleats and Ben Brown can be a viable option to fill in the hole when the time comes.
Round 6 – 187th Pick Overall: Jean Delance (OT)
Like Brown, the 49ers can pick up another versatile lineman in Jean Delance from Florida. He played both tackle and guard positions with the Gators and his athleticism will help him match up against the opposing defenders in the league.
The Niners also picked up the fifth-year option in OT Mike McGlinchey's contract but he didn't play quite well in 2021. Drafting his potential replacement in Delance could give San Francisco an additional option if the veteran doesn't live up to expectations in 2022.
Round 6 – 220th Pick Overall: Jerrion Ealy (RB)
Deebo Samuel's desire to cash in for a contract extension after a productive 2021 campaign has caught on a stalemate with the 49ers' front office as of late. Both sides have yet to arrive at an agreement and running back isn't really a position of need but the team can take a gamble at Jerrion Ealy in the sixth round.
The 21-year-old concluded his junior season with 768 rushing yards on 133 attempts and five touchdowns in 12 appearances. He is far from a finished product but the Niners can try their hand at developing him to be a contributor in the backfield moving forward.
Round 6 – 221st Pick Overall: Kalon Barnes (CB)
Heading to the draft, Baylor cornerback Kalon Barnes has significantly improved his stock by showcasing his speed in the 2022 NFL Combine. He clocked in an impressive 4.23 in the 40-yard dash which has definitely caught many eyes in the draft process.
The 49ers can take a long shot and hope that Barnes' football skills can eventually catch up with his physical prowess as he gains more experience in the league. If the experiment doesn't work out then they can at least convert him to a special teamer in the future.
Round 7 – 262nd Pick Overall: D'Marco Jackson (LB)
The 49ers own this year's final draft pick and the title of Mr. Irrelevant can go to linebacker D'Marco Jackson from Appalachian State. The linebacker spot isn't exactly a position of need but San Francisco can take a gamble on a speedy but undersized defender in Jackson.
His smaller frame fits the mold of Niners linebackers and can serve as insurance if they lose either Azeez Al-Shaair and Dre Greenlaw at the end of the 2022 season when they enter free agency.
Follow Us
Subscribe