NFL Draft Grades 2010: The San Francisco 49ers Complete Report Card

The draft is over and the grade for the San Francisco 49ers is clear: BB (black and blue).

This draft had Mike Singletary's finger prints all over it and he has most definitely brought some of his old "Black and Blue" division back to San Francisco.

This is not your father's 49ers and no one is going to use the word finesse to describe this team or its draft.

Round One Pick (11): Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers A-

After meeting with Davis, Singletary and company had no worries about his commitment level or character issues.

The team wanted Davis and Davis wanted to be a 49er.

Davis has unlimited potential and, at 6'5" 330 lbs, could become Joe Staley's opposite "bookend" for years to come.

Some question that the trade the 49ers made to move up two spots to get him was unnecessary, but nevertheless, the team fills their biggest need.

Round One (17): Mike Iupati, G, Idaho, A

Many believe Iupati has the potential to be an All-Pro guard in the NFL. There are questions of whether or not he can successfully transition to tackle, but in San Francisco he may not have to.

Iupati weighs in at 6'5" and 331 pounds. More importantly he brings attitude, a mean streak, and nastiness, that the 49ers have been missing on their O-line for a long, long, time.

Frank Gore is really loving this draft.

Round Two (49): Taylor Mays, S, USC B+

I had said previously that if the Seahawks passed on Mays and took a safety, he would fall to the second round.

What I didn't anticipate was that he would fall all the way to the 49ers' at pick 49.

His lack of coverage skills have been well documented and that is why he gets a B.

But this is a great value pick, and Mays has a chip on his shoulder and feels betrayed by Pete Carrol.

The 6'3" and 223 pounds Mays will be looking to prove himself .

Whether it is at safety or linebacker remains to be seen, but no one can argue Mays' big hit ability.

An endorsement by 49ers' great Ronnie Lott can't be bad either.

Round Three (91): Navorro Bowman, LB, Penn St. C+

The team traded down for Bowman and picked up an additional sixth round pick in this year's draft and a fourth round pick in next year's.

I had to give this pick a C+ because I thought the team had more pressing needs for a pass rusher and a corner back.

Some guys still on the board I thought the team might select were, Everson Griffin, Brandon Ghee, Corey Wooton, and Ricky Sapp.

However, Bowman was rated right around the area most of these players were and was once even projected to go in the late first round.

Character issues (which, unlike Mike Nolan, Singletary seems to relish mentoring these guys) and his projection as a 4-3 linebacker only, caused him to drop in the rankings.

But make no mistake, Bowman can play.

Bowman can drop back in coverage, come up in run support, and has a nose for the ball...almost sounds like Julian Peterson.

Hey here is an idea: Move Mays to linebacker and move Bowman to safety?

Round Six (173): Anthony Dixon, RB, Miss. St. B+

At long last the 49ers finally have a power running back!

Dixon can do it all...run, catch, and unlike Korey Sheets and Thomas Clayton, he can block.

The only knock on the big guy (6'1", 233lbs) is his lack of top-end speed.

But that didn't slow him down at Mississippi State where he owns school records in rushing (3,994), attempts (910), and touchdowns (42).

Michael Robinson might want to start packing his bags.

Update Alert! The team has just announced the signing of un-drafted free agent LeGarrette Blount! This is going to get interesting!

Round Six (182): Nate Byham, TE, Pitt A

This grade might be a bit self-serving, but if you don't toot your own horn once in awhile, no one else is going to do it for you.

In my seventh round 49ers' mock draft I had Byham going to the 49ers in the seventh round—off by a round but I will take it.

Here's what I said then:

"His lack of quickness will make Byham a late round selection, but the team needs a blocking tight end and the late rounds is where they will find one.

Byham is 6’4” and has been listed anywhere from 250-265 pounds. The team will be looking for someone to compete with newly acquired Tony Curtis who has battled injuries most of his career."

And then there is this quote courtesy of Matt Maiocco's Instant 49ers:

"I like to bloody noses," he said. "I don't shy away from contact. I go into the hole to hit somebody. I'm trying to inflict pain. I'm not just there to get in somebody's way."

Is this a Mike Singletary guy or what?

Round Six (206): Kyle Williams, WR, Arizona State A

Kyle Williams is a guy you may not have heard of— but he could be the sleeper of this draft.

He ran a blistering 4.3 40-yard dash at his recent pro-day and the 49ers will be looking to harness that speed in the return game along with recently acquired Tedd Ginn Jr.

But this could be the slot receiver the team has been looking for as well.

I found this excerpt form CBSSports.com:

Route running: Owns the foot quickness to be a two-way threat from the slot. Stops quickly and gets a good angle on inside routes. Hesitation on stop-go routes freezes defenders and allows him to explode past. Will be a major threat on crossing routes at the next level. Will need work on his hand play near the line as he will be challenged within the five-yard area. Good burst to the ball when it's in the air."

One thing that Williams has that some of the other 49er receivers do not is good hands and game changing speed that make him a threat to take it to the house every time he handles the pigskin.

BTW...Is it just me, or is Matt Millen a complete idiot?

Round Seven (224): Phillip Adams, CB, South Carolina St. C+

Another pick best described as a sleeper, Phillips had been quietly moving up draft boards and some boards even had him going as high as the fourth round.

Phillips apparently has good size for a corner, he has been described from being anywhere between 5'10" and 6'1" and between 185 to 190 pounds.

Phillips ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at his pro-day, but more importantly is his ability to play press coverage.

Phillips had 11 interceptions (two for touchdowns) in his four years at South Carolina State and was also used as an effective return man.

The 49ers add another physical player that Mike Singletary covets.

One last gripe: What was with the "Cosby Show" dance that ESPN had the players doing during their profiles?