Most mock drafts have the 49ers going for a cornerback with their first-round selection. It's the team's most glaring need. After using three No. 1 picks on defensive linemen Solomon Thomas, Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner, the 49ers could use some help with a top-flight corner.
But when the 49ers start scouting the talent at the NFL combine this weekend in Indianapolis, guards Quenton Nelson of Notre Dame and Isaiah Wynn of Georgia also are sure to get plenty of attention.
With a new quarterback in place in Jimmy Garoppolo, an upgrade to the guard position could help protect that investment and make the offense more efficient. At best, the guard play of the 49ers in 2017 was inconsistent without first-round pick Joshua Garnett and a group that mainly consisted of Brandon Fusco, Zane Beadles and Laken Tomlinson.
Nelson is considered the best guard of the draft, with ESPN's longtime draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. likening him to former Seahawks standout Steve Hutchinson, who could wind up in the Hall of Fame.
It’s possible, too, that Nelson could even be taken before the 49ers draft at either the ninth or 10th slot in the first round (the order will be determined by coin flip Friday).
Wrote ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner, of Nelson and the 49ers: "Considered the most pro-ready offensive lineman (and, perhaps, player) in the draft, Nelson is a 6-foot-5, 325-pound wrecking ball. Given the 49ers’ need at the position, the combine will be very important in helping them determine how Nelson would fit in their outside zone-running scheme. While Nelson has the agility to succeed in any system, if he tests well in some of the speed and agility drills, it would anwer key questions about how he might fit in coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Though if he does well, he might not last until the Niners’ pick."
Georgia's Wynn, meanwhile, is smaller than Nelson at 6-foot-2 and 302 pounds, and would transition from being an all-conference tackle to guard, where he played in previous seasons for the Bulldogs. The website Drafttek.com projects the 49ers taking him with their first-round selection with Nelson arleady off the board.
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"Realistically, Wynn may be more of a trade-down target for the Niners," wrote Brett Clancy of Drafttek. "But as a plug-and-play starter with Pro Bowl potential at a critical position of need, San Francisco could do worse with the 10th pick. As an added bonus, Wynn's athleticism and experience at tackle make him an upgrade over Zane Beadles as an emergency tackle if the injury bug bites again in 2018."
