San Francisco 49ers Mock Draft: NFC Champions select the most underrated player in the draft

49ers add depth at linebacker, another playmaker in late rounds of 2024 NFL Draft

San Fransico drafts another linebacker in the fifth round which should give the 49ers some much-needed depth at the position. Behind Warner, Greenlaw, and Campbell the team has no one who has shown they are capable of getting playing time. Their top backups Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Ezekiel Turner, and Curtis Robinson are best on special teams and 2023 sixth-round pick Dee Winters only played 60 snaps last year.

"I would say I’m an excellent communicator. I understand my responsibilities. I do my job at a high level. I have great awareness and play recognition. I’m great in coverage. I can play in the box, between the tackles, and in space. I’m a sideline-to-sideline guy. I’m a three-down defender."

Ford via The Draft Network

Jaylan Ford who made my All-Underrated team would be outstanding value in the fifth round. He does a great job of diagnosing plays which has helped him account for over 100 tackles each of the past two seasons. He also has good versatility and could play either inside or outside linebacker.

The 49ers add more depth at the wide receiver in the sixth round. With this selection, they add a player who could fill a Deboo Samuel type role

Texas A&M’s Ainias Smith is one of the more versatile players in the 2024 NFL Draft. He started his career off as a running back switching to receiver in 2020. He also has plenty of experience returning kicks averaging 13 yards on punt returns this season. He would be a multi-dimensional weapon in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.