SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Kyle Shanahan can’t go wrong with wide receiver from his alma mater

Hook ‘em.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch’s pre-draft presser on Monday was a treasure trove of hints about the team’s draft intentions. His words were clear: ‘We need some players to come out of this draft because they’re going to be playing next year and into the future.’ This statement underscores the team’s strategic planning and sets the stage for our draft analysis.

Playing the role of Lynch in our SB Nation mock draft, a scenario played out where the decision wasn’t difficult. The first-round players in the trenches were all off the board. Nine offensive linemen were drafted, and six defensive linemen were selected.

The 49ers have met with three cornerbacks who are projected to be drafted on Day 1, but only Nate Wiggins is available. The Niners have also had a Top-30 visit with BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia. The third option, Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, was my final choice.

Wiggins, the best cover cornerback in the draft, stands out despite his 173-pound frame. But we can’t draft an outlier at 31. Suamataia, at 21, is a promising offensive tackle with room to grow. His 324-pound build and natural talent make him a strong contender. His cousin, Penei Sewell, recently became the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL, which doesn’t make this decision any easier.

There are no projections for Mitchell. He helps the 49ers today, tomorrow, and for the next five-plus years. The offense stalled in the Super Bowl, and a big reason why was wide receivers not beating man coverage. Mitchell fixes that problem, as he can run away from anybody and is a much more polished route runner than many would lead you to believe.

Some question Mitchell’s effort, but I see an ultra-competitor. If there are injury or character concerns teams are privy to that we aren’t, then it’d be understandable why Mitchell falls out of the first round.

But the production argument is laughable. I can think of three clips off the top of my head where Aiyuk is open in the end zone but wasn’t targeted. He can play any role, whether as a blocker, running off coverage down the field, winning a jump ball, getting open on third & 4, or running 15-yard crossing routes.

Mitchell brings more to the table than the other two prospects we considered. There’s no pressure on him to be “the guy” in Year 1. Best of all, he heightens the ceiling of an already ruthlessly efficient offense in 2023.