2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen top first round

By Brad Weiss | Sep 6, 2017

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 19: USC (14) Sam Darnold (QB) passes the ball during an NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins on November 19, 2016, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. USC defeated UCLA 36-14. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins passes the ball against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Josh Rosen

Quarterback, UCLA

The San Francisco 49ers had a very successful 2017 NFL Draft, as they fleeced the Chicago Bears into trading up in the No. 2 spot. With their first round pick, the 49ers selected defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, who could prove to be a cornerstone of the organization for years to come. However, they did not do enough to be an actual contender this season, and will likely find themselves picking atop the first round once again.

While the team did a nice job bringing in defensive players to build up their future, they are still missing the key ingredient needed to be a player in the NFL. That ingredient is a starting quarterback, which is the direction they should go next April with their first round pick. There are a bunch of good quarterbacks to go after, but one that plays his college ball in California may be the answer.

Josh Rosen got off to a hot start for UCLA this season, orchestrating one of the best comebacks in the history of college football. Down 44-10, Rosen threw for nearly 300 yards in the fourth quarter alone, leading the Bruins to a 45-44 victory over Texas A&M. He has not stated whether or not he will enter next April’s draft, but he certainly will not last long if he does.

The 49ers have a new head coach and general manager in place, as John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan both inked six-year deals with the organization. They are great football guys, and should have the 49ers organization back in the right direction before long. However, they need that franchise quarterback if they want to get back to the glory days, and Josh Rosen just may be the savior they need in the Bay Area.

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