Players the San Francisco 49ers Should Look To Draft

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: 

1. Ramses Barden, Wide Receiver: What hurts him is he's from a small school, but that's not necessarily something bad because there are a lot of players from smaller schools who have successful careers. It may be a little early too look at him in the third round, but he's someone the 49ers could develop.

What makes Barden interesting for NFL scouts is his size. He's 6'6" 225 pounds and has solid speed. So he's definitely a player the 49ers should look at, and especially could be used in goal line situations.

2. If Alex Mack is not avaliable the 49ers could go for another Pac-10 guy in Max Unger who's not as strong as Mack, but he's a solid center. He's 6'5" 300 so he's got size to be a solid center.

3. Zach Follett, Outside Linebacker: Another local product the 49ers need to look hard at. Follet is outstanding at coming off the edge and he proved it again this year. He had 74 tackles an amazing 17 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.

He's listed at 6'1" 240 and fits well in the 3-4 scheme Cal employed this year. He's ranked No. 9 for linebackers coming out and projected to be a third or fourth round pick. 

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