Getty Gallery: 3/6
No. 3 San Francisco 49ers: DE Rashan Gary, Michigan
The Niners' poor record is largely a product of losing Jimmy Garoppolo for the season. The Niners have their quarterback so they can focus on filling in some of the other holes on the team. San Francisco has been known for their defenses over the years and this is a good draft to replenish their unit to try to get back to competing for NFC West titles.
Rashan Gary is one of a handful of players in the running to be the No. 1 pick. Gary was once a top high school recruit heading into Michigan. His production did not always match the expectations and will likely be the reason he is passed over for a player like Bosa at the top of the draft.
Here's how The Athletic's Dane Brugler described Gary's outlook heading into the draft.
"The former No. 1 recruit out of high school, Gary is an explosive athlete in a 6-5, 280-pound frame," Brugler explains. "The New Jersey native, who grew up a half hour from the Meadowlands, didn’t quite have the All-American career in Ann Arbor that many expected, but his shortcomings were primarily due to injuries. While he needs continued technique work, Gary’s blend of power and athleticism is exceptional."
Gary gives the Niners another young athlete to add to the core Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch are building. San Francisco was happy to upset the Seahawks in Week 15, but it did drop them from the top draft pick down to No. 3 with two weeks remaining on the schedule.
No. 4 New York Jets: OT Jonah Williams, Alabama
Sam Darnold has had an up-and-down rookie season, but the former USC quarterback has started to find his footing in December. Now that the Jets have their quarterback, it makes sense for them to get a top offensive lineman to help protect their QB1 for the next decade.
Jonah Williams is the favorite to be the top offensive lineman taken in the draft. Williams has a large lead on the field with a few months to go before the draft. Alabama head coach Nick Saban knows talent and discussed why he believes Williams is one of the top offensive linemen in the country.
"I think he is one of the best players (in the country) at his position," Saban told AL.com. "I don't get to evaluate everybody else so it's hard to make comparisons, but I think he's a smart player, always knows what to do, how to do it, why it's important to do it that way. Prepares very well for every game. I think he's playing more and more physical. He's always been really, really athletic. I think the combination of those things has helped him continue to improve and play at a little higher level."
It will be worth watching whether the Jets opt to go with Williams or one of the many top defensive players still on the board.