For the 49ers there are a lot of needs, as I've already written about 2009 Free Agents The San Francisco 49ers Should Look At. There are players they're most likely going to look at, but will look in the draft instead for wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback, safety, defensive end, or defensive tackle.
For the first round there are four players on the list I believe the 49ers should be looking at, and so far in every mock draft, it's been one of these players. I'm ignoring the one stating Sam Bradford would be drafted by the 49ers because there's no doubt that he's the No. 1 pick.
First Round:
1. Rey Maualuga, Inside Linebacker: Out of the University of Southern California. He's projected as the No. 1 rated linebacker and he's got all the intangibles to start right away for the 49ers. He could be a version of a young Takeo Spikes and at 6'3" 260 the 49ers would love to have him play alongside Patrick Willis.
2. Taylor Mays, Safety: Many 49er fans go back to the days where another safety roamed in the secondary out of USC. At 6'4" 225 pounds he will not be around for the 49ers to pick him because in the NFL a safety with that size doesn't come around too often.
3. Eugene Monroe, Offensive Tackle: There's no doubt besides wide receiver the weakest part of the 49ers' offense has been the offensive line play. Monroe has the size to fit in perfectly with the 49ers who are going to be more run-oriented under Mike Singletary. Monroe is 6'6" 315 pounds.
4. Alex Mack, Center: I just have to do this maybe it's because I love the California Golden Bears football team, but lately the 49ers have really struck out with not drafting local products. Mack would be a perfect center for the 49ers and it could mean making Eric Heitmann a left guard again where he played before moving to center a few years ago.
Mack is the best center by far in college football. Mack has excellent size at 6'5" 316 pounds and loves to hit people. He could also be moved to any of the guard spots as well, but I think he's better suited for his natural position of center.
Second Round:
1. Clint Sintim, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker: He's projected to be picked somewhere in the first or second round so if he's still avaliable the 49ers should definitely take a look at this pass rushing abilities since he played in a 3-4 system, which is what the 49ers use as well. He had 12.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks this year for the University of Virginia.
2. Jairus Bird, Cornerback: He's got a solid height of 6'0" and strength at 205 pounds. He's projected as a second round pick and he could fit in with the 49ers as the eventual replacement to the aging Walt Harris.
3. Kenny Britt: Wide Receiver: Now I highly doubt he will be available because NFL scouts must be drooling over his size at 6'4" 205, but if he's there, he's a player who would definitely get time to showcase his skills and probably be one of the better red zone players for the 49ers.
4. Herman Johnson, Guard: Again it comes back to the protection of the quarterback and the offensive line. Johnson projected as a second rounder he's 6'7" 349 so he definitely adds size to the line.
Third round:
8 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Sayre Bedinger 6 months ago
I think the Niners would be wise to add Eugine Monroe in round one. Didn't they allow the most sacks in the NFL? Monroe would be an instant upgrade, plus there are guys like Levi Jones out there that San Fran could throw money at too. What happened to Joe Staley? Havn't heard much about him since he was drafted.
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Steven Resnick 6 months ago
I believe Staley got hurt or lost his starting job. I think he just got beat out by Chilo Rachel who is a favorite of Mike Singletary.
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Thrashard 340 6 months ago
Staley was fine. Jonas Jennings never stayed healthy and the 49ers rotated between Adam Snyder and Barry Sims at RT. Snyder is a valuable swing man. Sims was just horrible.
The biggest reason for all of the sacks was that J.T. O'Sullivan holding onto the ball too long. The sack total was down significantly after the team switched to Shaun Hill and a more ball control offense.
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Dave Finocchio 6 months ago
Staley started all 16 games for the Niners this year, and played pretty well.
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Steven Resnick 6 months ago
Interesting maybe pro-football-reference.com hasn't updated that yet it only had him starting 5.
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George Duryea 6 months ago
Not only did staley start all 16 games, he is arguably the best LT in the West and will be a pro bowler in the next few years. Right Tackle is the hole on the O-line and should not be the primary concern entering the draft. The high number of sacks are directly related to Mike Martz's style of offense. Drafting priorities are, in order: Pass Rush, Pass Rush, Safety, Did I mention Pass Rush, Right Tackle, or, briefly: Pass Rush, Safety, Tackle.
If Mays drops to 10th he'd be the right move, and I've seen a couple of Mock Drafts with us taking him (though it is WAY too early to put any stock in those since we haven't had the Combine, Free Agency, the end of the Season...). Pass Rush would be the only other acceptable option this high in the draft.
Right tackle is rarely a position drafted in the first round, and you NEVER draft a center that early, especially with two already on the roster, a Vet and a Young Guy (Wallace), the second Center taken last year, and that was in the 4th round. The first center taken last year was 59th overall. You do not waste a first round draft pick, much less the 10th overall pick, on a center. In regards to Monroe, he's likely to be gone by the 10th pick. No mock has him lower than 7th. Potential Franchise Left Tackles are commonly being taken early of late because they do not have a history of being busts and can be starters often within a year.
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robert stokes 6 months ago
Without a doubt free safety is the position to look at. Taylor Mays is the perfect man for the job. 3 games lost bcuz of the deep ball patriots, dolphins and cowboys.
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Thrashard 340 6 months ago
I like your suggestions for WR and QB in the later rounds. I don't think the Niners view WR as a critical need to warrant a selection in the 2nd or even 3rd rounds. Interesting take on offensive line with Alex Mack. Heitmann was underrated as a center last year. Martz had acknowledged Heitmann as the best center he's ever had. The scenario you describe would basically relegate Rachal or Baas to the bench. Both are strong run blockers. If Mack were to be drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round it would be more likely for BPA. Depth at center was addressed last year when the team drafted Cody Wallace in the 4th round and teams generally do not carry 3 centers on the roster. As RT is the most glaring need on the offensive line, I think the team may use a top 3 pick there, depending on free agency.
I like that you suggest pass rush (Clinton Sintim) in the second round. This is a strong possibility (although the candidate may be different) if the Niners do not draft Orapko or have trouble finding a free agent upgrade. I like the Taylor Mays pick. It fills a need and the free agent crop of safeties is not a good one this year.
The 7th round TE Hill is an unlikely subject. They do not need another pass catching TE. The Niners have Walker and Davis. The Niners keep Bajema around specifically as a blocker.
Overall, good post. I like the research that you did on the college prospects. I would've liked to have seen some 2nd or 3rd round prospects at RB. The Niners will continue to address depth for Gore. He didn't play full season for the last two years.
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