Niners Nation
One pick is a luxury pick, but the 49ers address the trenches
Speculation is rampant as the NFL draft approaches. The first round could be in for a big shake-up if two or three quarterbacks are selected in the first ten picks. The San Francisco 49ers will choose a premium defensive or offensive player at pick 11. Depending on how the board falls, a potential shake-up benefits the 49ers as a premium player may fall into their lap.
According to Bleacher Report’s latest three-round mock draft, the 49ers will use their 11th pick on a luxury player on offense.
Tyler Warren from Penn State would be the selection forming the best tight end duo in football. Dame Parson of BR explains the selection.
Why in the world would the San Francisco 49ers draft Penn State tight end Tyler Warren when George Kittle is already on the roster?
Well, Kittle turns 32 later this year and is in the last year of his current contract.
In the short term, the two will be a blast to watch playing alongside one another with a creative mind like Kyle Shanahan figuring out how to use Warren all over the formation, as the Penn State Nittany Lions coaching staff did.
In the long term, the Niners will have a dynamic playmaker at tight end for a long time coming.
“Warren will benefit from being schemed open by one of the league’s best play designers in Shanahan,” Parson said. “By pairing Warren with Kittle, the Niners’ weapons around Brock Purdy will immediately impact and make life so much easier on the quarterback.
“Warren can handle some of the manufactured touches left behind by the Deebo Samuel trade. This selection also creates the league’s best tight end duo for 12 personnel packages.”
Filling in for Deebo Samuel is an interesting task for Shanahan and the 49ers. A potential shift to a two-tight-end passing attack could be the remedy. Still, the pick of Warren feels like an oversight of filling other potential needs.
With pick 43, the 49ers fortify the offensive line by selecting Josh Conerly from Oregon to provide offensive tackle depth and as the future of the position. Trent Williams is likely in his final season in 2025 and Colton McKivitz could depart in free agency next offseason.
T.J. Sanders of South Carolina is the third pick in the mock, giving the 49ers some punch on the defensive line. Kris Kocurek will have fun developing the young Sanders and grooming him for the future.
With the three picks, the 49ers address the present and future with Warren and Sanders as instant contributors and Conerly waiting in the wings for the future.
