2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold goes to Browns

By Brad Weiss | Apr 25, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Darnold (14) of the USC Trojans during a college football game between the UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans on November 18, 2017 at the Los Angeles memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 02: Denzel Ward #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

42. . Defensive Back. Ohio State. Denzel Ward. 9. player

The San Francisco 49ers won the coin toss with the Oakland Raiders this offseason, and will get to pick at No. 9 this Thursday. This team is headed in the right direction, and it all began when they traded for Jimmy Garoppolo at the trade deadline last season. Once inserted into the starting lineup, Garoppolo won every game he started, taking the 1-10 49ers on a five-game winning streak to close out the regular season.

This offseason, the 49ers have continued to build up their roster, adding players like Richard Sherman and Jerick McKinnon. They are going to be a tough team to beat next season, and at No. 9, they should look to add another cornerback to the mix. That player should be Denzel Ward, who is the best player at his position in this draft class, and would be an instant starter at the next level.

Ward had to pay his dues during his time at Ohio State, as the school continues to churn out first round cornerbacks. He has the size and speed to be a shutdown guy at the next level, and has that rare ability to press cover, and close on the ball. He also has nice hands for a defensive back, and playing alongside a legend like Sherman will only make him better down the line.

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