DeForest Buckner (Photo : Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers could choose between two University of California prospects in Jared Goff and Myles Jack in the draft night, according to the latest NFL mock draft.
After a measly campaign last season, winning only five games, the 49ers have plenty of work to do this offseason, including choosing a rookie that could help the franchise turn things around in this year's draft class.
The 49ers will have the chance to pick at No. 7, and several NFL rumors have San Francisco selecting a quarterback in the draft. Goff has been one of the prospects most mentioned as a possible pick for the 49ers, and according to Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jason Cole, the 21-year-old seems to be the "best options" if he is still available when the team selects.
Gil Alcaraz IV of Spin Zone believes Goff has all the tolls to become a franchise quarterback, although there are still flaws in his game. But with the 49ers' star quarterback Colin Kaepernick facing an uncertain future with the team, San Francisco "can't afford" to ignore the need to fill the position.
Goff, in most mock draft scenarios, is projected to be drafted before the 49ers get the chance to pick. If Goff indeed gets drafted by either the Cleveland Browns or the Dallas Cowboys, who hold the No. 2 and No. 4 picks, respectively, selecting a defensive end in Oregon's DeForest Buckner is also an intriguing option for the 49ers, reports Niners Nation Timor Domini.
"There is no question the defensive line position is an area of need for the 49ers. With the health of Ian Williams and Glenn Dorsey in question, as well as both of their contracts ending in 2016, the 49ers depth, and the future of the position, is in desperate need of bolstering," Domini wrote.
Buckner offers a perfect combination of size and athleticism, recording 10 career pass deflections and a total of 164 tackles in the past two seasons. The Ducks DE is considered one of the best defensive end talents in the class and would fit the "exact mold [Trent] Baalke and Chip Kelly prefer for their DE position," as Domini noted in his other mock draft analysis.
The need to acquire a quarterback seems to be the primary objective of the 49ers to complement in Kelly's offensive schemes. Buckner would be a worthy alternative if in case San Francisco miss out on Goff or other QB prospects.
