With The First Pick
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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Super Bowl LII and Senior Bowl Edition

By Maxwell Ogden

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 27: Baker Mayfield #6 of the North team throws the ball during the first half of the Reese's Senior Bowl against the the South team at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 27: Baker Mayfield #6 of the North team throws the ball during the first half of the Reese's Senior Bowl against the the South team at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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42. . Guard. Notre Dame. Quenton Nelson. 10. player

It was difficult to pass over Tremaine Edmunds at this stage of the 2018 NFL Draft. Finding a another three-down linebacker to pair with Reuben Foster would be true to San Francisco 49ers form, but there’s a new priority in the Bay Area.

With Jimmy Garoppolo establishing himself as the new face of the organization, nothing matters more than finding players who can keep him upright.

One could argue against this pick, and I truthfully wouldn’t have much opposition to the points they raise. But while Edmunds is one of the most compelling linebackers in this class, Garoppolo is a franchise-level talent who needs protection.

Joe Staley and Trent Brown are as solid a duo of tackles as any in the NFL, but with Brandon Fusco soon to come off the books, San Francisco needs a new interior anchor.

Quenton Nelson qualifies as such, with the combination of strength and toughness that San Francisco is going to need moving forward. The 49ers are expected to run a balanced offense with Garoppolo, Matt Breida, and, potentially, Carlos Hyde.

It’s rare that guards come off the board this early, but the 49ers need an interior lineman, and Nelson is the perfect prospect for this franchise.

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