2021 NFL Draft: Recap and analysis of every pick for all 32 teams

1 (3): Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

The 49ers kept it somewhat a mystery, but in the end, they went with pretty much everyone’s gut feeling after they made the blockbuster trade to move up. Trey Lance is going to be the most fascinating athlete to play in Kyle Shanahan’s offense since Robert Griffin III ran it with his father Mike in Washington years ago.

2 (48): Aaron Banks, OL, Notre Dame

This team needed help on the interior line, and Aaron Banks will help provide it. He was an All-American in 2020 and is absolutely massive. You typically see teams like San Francisco target lighter linemen, but Banks is a mauler at 6-foot-5, 325 pounds.

3 (88): Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State

San Francisco traded up to get Trey Sermon to fill their hole at running back. Sermon is an ideal type of player to pair up with Trey Lance with his combination of power and burst at the line of scrimmage. He can pass protect and be a solid outlet as a receiver.

3 (102): Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan

Ambry Thomas will help the 49ers replenish some of their depth in the secondary after free agency, and I think he gives them a future top nickel corner. This is a great value beyond the top 100 picks.

5 (155): Jaylon Moore, OL, Western Michigan

You always love to see offenses based in a zone-blocking scheme take shots on talented linemen late, and that’s what the 49ers did here with Jaylon Moore. A converted tight end and defensive lineman, Moore progressed well and showed nicely as a pass protector. He is nice depth and upside and will get to learn from an all-timer in Trent Williams.

5 (172): Deommodore Lenoir, DB, Oregon

I liked Lenoir as one of the better tackling cornerbacks in this draft. He was more productive early on at Oregon but he’s been dependable as far as health goes and he will contribute right away on special teams.  This is a good risk/reward proposition.

5 (180): Talanoa Hufanga, S, USC

If Hufanga learns how to play a little faster, he’s going to be a steal. He tested well at USC’s pro day but he didn’t show the same type of range at USC as you expect from someone who picked off four passes this past season. With four forced fumbles in the last two years as well as 13 tackles for loss, I think this guy will find his way in the NFL one way or another.

6 (194): Elijah Mitchell, RB, Louisiana

Averaging over six yards per carry in four years at Louisiana, Mitchell showed impressive speed at his pro day with a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash. That kind of speed along with his 41 career touchdowns make him a really exciting late-round option with big upside for the 49ers, who are going to run the rock quite a bit with Trey Lance.