Pete Prisco Projects the 49ers to Draft DL Darius Robinson in Round 1

I could see the 49ers picking Robinson in Round 1, but only if they see him as a defensive tackle.

The NFL Draft starts tonight, and all the top draft analysts have posted their final mock drafts. Who do the experts expect the 49ers to take?

CBS.com's Pete Prisco projects the 49ers to take Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson with pick no. 31. "When in doubt, the 49ers like to pick defensive linemen in the first round," Prisco writes. "Robinson is an impressive looking edge who can slide inside on passing downs in some situations. He looks like a 49ers player."

I could see the 49ers picking Robinson in Round 1, but only if they see him as a defensive tackle. Because they already signed two defensive ends -- Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos. The 49ers pursued each of them heavily and outbid other teams for their services. I simply don't expect the 49ers to spend their first draft pick on that position as well.

But they definitely could spend their first pick on a defensive tackle. Remember, their first choice this offseason was to keep Arik Armstead on a reduced salary. When he requested his release and found a better offer elsewhere, the 49ers seemed surprised, and then had to scramble to replace him.

Ultimately, they traded a mere seventh-round pick for veteran Maliek Collins, who could be a one-year rental and never has been to a Pro Bowl. He's a stop gap. Which means the 49ers still might want to find a long-term replacement for Armstead, and perhaps that player could be Robinson, although he's awfully light to play defensive tackle full-time.

I don't expect the 49ers will take him.