With The First Pick
Fansided

49ers 7-round 2020 NFL Draft mock with seven hours to go

By Nicholas McGee

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 14: Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after pulling in a touchdown reception against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 14: Henry Ruggs III #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after pulling in a touchdown reception against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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STARKVILLE, MS – SEPTEMBER 29: Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs runs with the ball as Jabari Zuniga #92 of the Florida Gators defends during a game at Davis Wade Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS – SEPTEMBER 29: Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs runs with the ball as Jabari Zuniga #92 of the Florida Gators defends during a game at Davis Wade Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Round 3, Pick 76 – Jabari Zuniga, DL, Florida

The Niners aren’t exactly short of athletic phenoms on the defensive line, but they shouldn’t turn their noses up at adding another, particularly not one of Zuniga’s versatility and potential.

A high ankle sprain restricted Zuniga’s impact in his final season with the Gators. However, when healthy, he can be dominant from multiple spots on the defensive line.

Florida deployed him on the interior and off the edge and, while the latter position stands out as a better fit, Zuniga terrorized guards and tackles alike with his burst off the snap and tremendous power.

The rip move is the primary weapon in Zuniga’s pass-rush arsenal, the development of which could see him grow into a premier pass rusher in the NFL.

Zuniga’s versatility would help him get on the field early in his career on pass-rush downs for the 49ers, and he could expect to be used similarly to how Florida utilized him in college. San Francisco frequently rotates Arik Armstead between the edge and the interior and the likelihood is the Niners would take advantage of Zuniga’s talents in the same way.

The addition of Zuniga would be a welcome relief to Nick Bosa, who had to carry a heavy load on the edge in the second half of the 2019 season as injuries to the likes of Dee Ford and Ronald Blair took their toll.

What Zuniga needs is to harness his flashes of dominance consistently. The 49ers’ depth on the defensive line would be even scarier if he were to do that for San Francisco.