Offense or defense? NFL.com's mock drafts predict 49ers' first-round pick

Three NFL Media analysts have recently released their mock drafts, projecting the potential moves of each team in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The San Francisco 49ers hold the No. 31 overall pick, marking their first Round 1 selection since 2021.

The latest mock draft comes from Charles Davis, who has San Francisco addressing the offensive line, strengthening a unit that showed inconsistency last season. Davis predicts the 49ers will choose former Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton with their first selection.

"The 49ers' offense will flourish as long as HC Kyle Shanahan is diagramming plays, and this agile former tight end has a chance to plug in immediately at right tackle," Davis wrote.

Although Guyton didn't allow a sack last season, he did permit a career-high 12 pressures while earning a Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade of 72.9.

Bucky Brooks delivered his mock draft a couple of days ago and foresees the 49ers addressing the defensive side of the football by selecting former Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins.

"The 49ers' glaring need on the island makes Wiggins an ideal candidate for this spot," Brooks wrote. "The slender speedster displays the footwork and instincts to flourish in the team's zone-based scheme."

Wiggins earned an impressive 83.9 coverage grade in 2023 with the Tigers. Opposing quarterbacks managed only a 44.4 NFL passer rating when targeting the young cornerback. He allowed just 18 receptions for 176 total yards and a touchdown on 41 targets last season.

Lastly, Chad Reuter projects four rounds deep with his selections. He also predicts the 49ers will address the defensive backfield by choosing former Rutgers cornerback Max Melton.

"Melton's plus athleticism (4.39-second 40, 40 1/2-inch vertical, 11-foot-4-inch broad) and aggressive coverage make him an easy choice for the 49ers, who desperately need to upgrade their secondary," Reuter wrote.

Opposing quarterbacks recorded a 65.7 NFL passer rating when targeting Melton in 2023. The cornerback has snagged eight interceptions over the last three seasons.

Reuter does have the 49ers addressing the offensive line in the second round, projecting former Washington tackle Roger Rosengarten as their pick at No. 63 overall. In the third round, he has San Francisco selecting former Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, the brother of current 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.

San Francisco currently has three selections in the fourth round, where Reuter has the team choosing former Texas A&M guard Layden Robinson, former TCU tight end Jared Wiley, and former Notre Dame running back Audric Estimé.