NFL Draft News: 5 players the 49ers might select in Round 1

5 players the 49ers might draft in Round 1

KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 23: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) looks to throw the football in action during an NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs on September 23, 2018, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 01: Quinnen Williams #92 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after sacking Jake Fromm #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs (not pictured) in the first half during the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. Quinnen Williams

Williams is the only natural defensive tackle on this list, but that’s a pretty big need for San Francisco. They moved DeForest Buckner inside last season, but he doesn’t have a quality partner to work with on the interior. Williams could slide in and start for San Francisco right from the get-go.

He isn’t a great pass rusher, but Williams can make a lot of plays on the inside due to his suddenness. That’s going to help the Cardinals suffocate opposing rushing attacks more than it will augment their pass rush, but he can collapse the pocket on third down sometimes too.

Williams has as much natural talent as any defensive lineman in this draft, but his lack of demonstrated ability to sack the quarterback is going to work against him. He’s not a guy who projects to post double-digit sack totals during his career.

That probably means the 49ers will look elsewhere at No. 2, but depending on how they feel about their current personnel it’s possible they will fall in love with Williams. Like Allen, he won’t fall out of the top five. He’d be a good value pick at a position of need for San Francisco.