Inman’s mock draft: 49ers add edge rusher barring trade up for offensive tackle

SANTA CLARA — Compiling a mock draft remains a studious yet silly endeavor. I may never again repeat my 2018 success, when I nailed seven of nine picks to open that year’s NFL Draft, including the 49ers’ choice of Mike McGlinchey. Here’s to this year’s boom-or-bust selections:

1. Chicago Bears

QB Caleb Williams, USC

This is a way better team than Justin Fields inherited as a 2021 first-round pick. Other No. 1 overall picks from USC were Ron Yary (1968), O.J. Simpson (1969), Ricky Bell (1977), Keyshawn Johnson (1996), Carson Palmer (2003).

2. Washington Commanders

QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

Adam Peters, fresh off the 49ers’ farm, picks a multi-dimensional franchise quarterback for Dan Quinn’s head-coaching encore (and Kliff Kingsbury at offensive coordinator).

3. New England Patriots

QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

Mitchell Trubisky (2017 first round, Bears) nor Sam Howell (2022 fifth round, Commanders) offer inspiration as North Carolina quarterbacks in the NFL. Did you know the 49ers drafted one, in the 17th round in 1967 (Danny Talbott)?

4. Arizona Cardinals

WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

The Cardinals should trade down to a quarterback-needy team, but, for this exercise, Harrison is the new target for Kyler Murray (or bust).

5. Los Angeles Chargers

WR Malik Nabers, LSU

Jim Harbaugh must coach up a new receiver for Justin Herbert after trading away Keenan Allen.

6. New York Giants

WR Rome Odunze, Washington

Daniel Jones might not be long for the Giants’ quarterback job, but they need more offensive weapons regardless.

7. Tennessee Titans

TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

The Napa product gets his wish and can start his NFL career in Nashville.

8. Atlanta Falcons

DE Dallas Turner, Alabama

New coach Raheem Morris better tell his new pass rusher not to hit Kirk Cousins in practice.

9. Chicago Bears

DE Jared Verse, Florida State

Adding a pass rusher and a quarterback with two picks in the top 10? Smart way to do business.

10. New York Jets

OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

The draft’s best offensive lineman is snatched up to protect Aaron Rodgers’ repaired Achilles.

11. Minnesota Vikings

DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA

The Sacramento native was UCLA’s first-ever winner of the Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award.

12. Denver Broncos

QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

Other quarterbacks Denver took in the first round: Tommy Maddox (1992), Jay Cutler (2006), Tim Tebow (2010), Paxton Lynch (2016)

13. Las Vegas Raiders

QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington

QB is the No. 1 need, though they could pick the first cornerback, or honor Al Davis by reaching for 4.2 speedster Xavier Worthy.

14. New Orleans Saints

DT Jer’Zahn Newton, Illinois

Most envision an upgraded tackle to protect Derek Carr, but the Saints really need D-line help.

15. Indianapolis Colts

OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

Anthony Richardson needs a new bodyguard, otherwise 39-year-old Joe Flacco must play QB.

16. Seattle Seahawks

OT Troy Fautanu, Washington

They shop local to beef up their O-line, even if they need to McCaffrey-proof their defense.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars

CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

As he did a decade ago with Jimmie Ward, GM Trent Baalke hits the MAC for a defensive back.

18. Cincinnati Bengals

OT JC Latham, Alabama

This 6-foot-6, 342-pounder can learn in the shadow of former 49ers tackle Trent Brown (6-8, 370).

19. Los Angeles Rams

OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State

Job description: Go block Nick Bosa’s path to Matthew Stafford (or Jimmy Garoppolo).

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

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WR Brian Thomas, LSU

Brandon Aiyuk stays with the 49ers, so it’s Thomas over Adonai Mitchell (both born Oct. 8, 2002).

21. Miami Dolphins

DT Byron Murphy II, Texas

Christian Wilkins’ exit to the Raiders created a vacancy for Murphy to fill in Miami.

22. Philadelphia Eagles

CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

The Eagles’ defense could have used him to thwart Brock Purdy and the 49ers last December.

23. Minnesota Vikings

CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama

The Vikings’ defense can use him to practice against ex-49ers backup QB Sam Darnold.

24. Dallas Cowboys

OT Amarius Mims, Georgia

Will Bill Belichick be coaching Dak Prescott and this right tackle by November?

25. Green Bay Packers

OT Tyler Gutyon, Oklahoma

Left tackle David Bakhtiari’s release keeps the Packers’ line revolving to protect Jordan Love.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

C/G Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

Former Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen retired in February, so Baker Mayfield gets a new snapper.

27. Arizona Cardinals

CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

Just go best-player-available with every Cardinals pick as they try to catch up in the NFC West.

28. Buffalo Bills

WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas

With temperamental target Stefon Diggs off to Houston, Josh Allen gets a new receiver to target.

29. Detroit Lions

CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

Pro tip: Don’t let a deep pass ricochet off your facemask and into Aiyuk’s comeback-keying hands.

30. Baltimore Ravens

G Jordan Morgan, Arizona

Blocking for Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson could make Morgan look like a rookie steal.

31. 49ers

DE Chop Robinson, Penn State

Presuming they don’t trade up for an offensive tackle, their revamped D-line adds Robinson’s edge-rushing get-off rather than Darius Robinson’s versatility.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

WR Xavier Worthy, Texas

The fastest man in NFL Combine history (4.22-second 40-yard dash) can chase what Patrick Mahomes throws.

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