2T66NPD TUCSON, AZ – NOVEMBER 04: Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Jordan Morgan #77 during a football game between the UCLA Bruins and the University of Arizona Wildcats on November 4, 2023 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, AZ. (Photo by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
• Jordan Morgan has tackle/guard flexibility: Morgan is a smooth-moving prospect whose track and field background gives him natural balance and core strength for good change-of-direction ability.
• A sleeper in Round 3: Houston Christian edge defender Jalyx Hunt is very explosive out of his stance and has decent bend.
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As the 2024 NFL Draft nears, our seven-round team mock draft series continues with the San Francisco 49ers.
Round 1, Pick 31: T Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Morgan is a smooth-moving prospect whose best position in the NFL might be guard. His track and field background gives him natural balance and core strength for good change-of-direction ability. His arm length isn’t elite for offensive tackle play, but it should be adequate. While his footwork is fast, the strides in his kick slide are short. His hand placement, patience and football IQ are all pluses. Though listed at 325 pounds, he lacks density and strength. Bull rushes can overwhelm him if they come at an angle, and though he has the foot speed to stay in front of pass rushers, he doesn’t have the natural strength to redirect their momentum.
Round 2, Pick 63: CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State
It’s impressive to watch a cornerback of Tampa’s size move the way he does. His start-and-stop ability for a player who has more mass and longer legs is well above average. As one would expect, his long arms are excellent for ball production. He ranked in the 98th percentile for forced incompletion rate on passes thrown his way in college. He is physical in coverage but still dives at ankles for tackles quite a bit. His footwork is good in his initial backpedal, but he can get turned around and lose his leverage, at times, leading to separation. If Tampa can clean that up, he can be a very sticky cornerback.
Round 3, Pick 94: EDGE Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian
Though a bit undersized (arm length and wingspan are still great for an edge), Hunt packs a punch. He is strong at contact and can push back OL or even completely erase TEs. He is very explosive out of his stance to go with decent bend. He lacks a well-rounded pass-rush profile, likely because he didn’t really need one to dominate his competition level.
Round 4, Pick 124: WR Brenden Rice, USC
Rice, the son of the most accomplished receiver in NFL history, has a level of football intelligence that sets him apart from most of his peers. There is so much nuance to how he plays the position — much more than you’d expect, even for the more polished receiver prospects. He has a vast understanding of releases, route running and hand techniques. He is a smooth runner who can gain separation at all three levels of the field. He isn’t the most dynamic athlete, so his NFL Combine testing will be big for his draft stock. He also brings special teams experience as a returner.
Round 4, Pick 132: TE Theo Johnson, Penn State
Johnson brings plus size to the tight end position, ranking above the 70th percentile in height and weight. His long arms are an advantage when he is blocking edge rushers and hauling in passes. He has decent build-up and long speed when getting vertical up the seam, but he lacks the difference-making change-of-direction ability, which limits his route tree. He makes his money from an inline spot as a versatile blocker and pass catcher in heavier formations. He is a strong blocker when he targets defenders between the shoulders, but he can sometimes get crossed up (another area where his limited lateral ability shows).
Round 4, Pick 135: LB Marist Liufau, Notre Dame
Liufau is a powerful linebacker at 238 pounds. His first step and speed-to-power ability are imposing, especially as a blitzer. When defending screen and swing passes out of the backfield, he can fly to the ball with a lot of power at contact. That power also shows up when he takes on or sheds blocks. His long speed is likely just average for the position, despite above-average acceleration. He is more comfortable in a downhill role than when retreating in coverage. He has the movement skills to play in coverage, but his instincts and lack of recognition can get him picked on a bit there.
Round 5, Pick 176: S Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State
Oladapo is a team captain and multi-year starter. His size is a big plus, and he has more fluidity in his change of direction than most safeties who try to play at that size. He’s a strong tackler but does fail to wrap up at times. His ball skills are lacking, but he can still play close coverage and be physical in man enough to warrant incompletions and drops. He doesn’t have a ton of ball production, but he’ll be more of a box defender anyway. He is also a good nickel option against tight ends in the slot.
