These top prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft have been connected to the San Francisco 49ers in recent mock drafts.
Jamie Newberg of Scout.com: "They could go in a number of different directions from pass rusher, to linebacker, to cornerback, offensive line or wide receiver. They added wide receiver Torrey Smith via free agency. Here, they add another wide out and the top player on the board in wide receiver Kevin White. There's still a need at this position and it gets bolstered in a big way with the additions of Smith and White."
Mel Kiper of ESPN: "Armstead to San Francisco would be a good balance of hitting an immediate need and the 49ers adding yet another player with high upside they can develop -- it's an area they've succeeded in consistently. The 49ers are staring at a situation where Ray McDonald is gone and Justin Smith is likely to follow -- and even if Smith continues to play it shouldn't be a ton of snaps. They do add Darnell Dockett, but he's 34. Armstead is big, powerful, athletic and raw, and while he won't be great right away because he's inconsistent and hasn't truly locked in a defined role, he's physically ready to help and should be able to provide a spark as a rotation player on the line."
Charley Casserly of NFL.com: "Goldman helps the 49ers rebuild their defensive line."
Brian Baldinger of NFL.com: "The 49ers lost Mike Iupati to Arizona, but can replace him with a plug-and-play."
Rob Rang of CBS Sports: "The 49ers aren't likely to become more aggressive on offense with defensive-minded head coach Jim Tomsula taking the reins. Peters comes with some off-field baggage as he was kicked off the team by Washington in November, but he has since made amends with his former coach and will be allowed to participate in the school's Pro Day on April 2. Physical, athletic and a ball-hawk, Peters is a top-20 talent."
Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated: "There is no better option to fill a starting role out of the gate than Waynes. Yes, that includes Marcus Peters. Waynes played both the boundary and field sides at Michigan State, so San Francisco could trust him anywhere."
Eddie Brown of U-T San Diego: "Torrey Smith is a nice addition... but Strong's ball skills are second to none in this class."
Patrick Willis and Chris Borland retiring has shifted the attention in San Francisco to inside linebacker, but replacing starting cornerback Chris Culliver is also a concern. GM Trent Baalke has been known to gamble on traits before and few athletes check off more boxes than Jones, a four-year starter with experience at corner and safety who is known for his work ethic and demonstrated remarkable athleticism in workouts." -Rob Rang of CBS Sports
"Edging towards the draft certain players tend to drop, and this time it's DT Danny Shelton. Not that the 49ers are complaining. Shelton goes a meaty 6-foot-2, 340 pounds and has the power to control the line of scrimmage, but also shows lateral quickness and balance to make plays on the move. Constantly requiring double teams and is yet still a pass-rush threat, Shelton is purpose-made for the 3-4, and is one of the best nose tackle prospects to come out in the last 5 years." -Draftek.com
"The 49ers lost two starting cornerbacks this offseason, as Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox have moved on to different teams. This has created a massive void at the cornerback position, which will need to be addressed early in the 2015 NFL Draft. Kevin Johnson made a big leap in this mock draft recently. Contacts we have in various front offices have advised us to move Johnson up, so don't be surprised if he goes in the top 20." - Walter Cherpinsky of WalterFootball
Although Justin Smith has yet to announce his plans for the 2015 season, many experts believe the San Francisco 49ers will look to this year's draft to find his replacement – whether that be eventual or immediate.
The player most frequently connected to the 49ers should they address their defensive front with the 15th overall pick is Oregon's Arik Armstead.
A physical freak, Armstead stands 6-foot-7, weighs 292 pounds, owns a massive wingspan and has the potential to get even bigger as a pro. At the NFL Scouting Combine in February, he ran a 5.10-second 40-yard dash, recorded a 34-inch vertical jump and tallied 24 reps at the bench press.
Ranked by NFL.com as the 15th overall prospect and second among defensive linemen, Armstead has drawn comparisons to Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowler Calais Campbell.
Still, despite his pro-ready stature, Armstead is considered a raw prospect whose high ceiling will dictate where he's drafted.
"Projection-based prospect with elite size and the traits to become a dominant run-stuffing defensive end in an odd front," NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in a recent scouting report. "Armstead has the explosiveness off the snap and in his jarring punch to gain early advantages and control offensive linemen."
"Armstead is a fast riser but is still very raw. He will need patience and coaching and must become a more effective pass-rusher at some point."
Part of the reason that Armstead is not a finished product is because he spent his first two years at Oregon as a two-sport athlete (basketball).
In his first season as a full-time football player last fall, Armstead finished the year with 16 quarterback pressures, 2.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. He missed the better part of four games with an ankle injury.
At the combine, Armstead said that he believes his versatility will benefit him greatly at the next level. The lineman played all over the defensive front for Oregon and, if drafted by the 49ers, would likely serve in a similar role as Smith in San Francisco's 3-4 defense – playing outside on running downs and moving inside on passing downs.
With former defensive line coach Jim Tomsula now at the helm in San Francisco, drafting an impact player up front could be an attractive option for the 49ers.
"I feel I'm the best defensive lineman in this draft," Armstead said. "I have a unique skillset, and with coaching, I can develop a lot more and turn myself into one of the best defensive linemen in the league."
For more on the Oregon product, enjoy these recent social media posts.
