With just a month until the NFL Draft, we’re all busy completing mock drafts and connecting the dots between meetings with franchises, needs, and prospects. Former New York Jets GM, Miami Dolphins EVP, and current ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum has released his latest mock draft, with Florida State University defensive tackle Braden Fisk selected with the 31st pick. I asked Tannenbaum to elaborate on his thought process, and he explained, “It’s been five minutes since the 49ers signed a defensive lineman,” before getting into the discussion. . Tannenbaum pointed to Chris Kocurek’s time in Miami and the 49ers’ successful development of defensive linemen.
No draft discussion would be complete without speculating about Brandon Aiyuk’s situation with the 49ers.
Tannenbaum spoke about John Lynch and the 49ers having to go through a process of “what player is a have to have” and “what player is a nice to have.” Tyreek Hill was mentioned as a player who “graduated” from “have to have” to “nice to have” for the Chiefs. Tannenbaum also mentioned Jed York’s comments about Brock Purdy’s impending contract extension while mentioning a plan to possibly trade Deebo Samuel next season to afford Aiyuk and Purdy.
On Thursday, Fiske was medically flagged and received “the worst medical grades from the group of players that worked out. A source characterized the grades and reports as ‘ugly.’”
