2011 NFL Mock Draft: A Full 7 Rounds For the San Francisco 49ers

A once proud franchise, the San Francisco 49ers are far removed from the glory days of the 80s and 90s.

Head Coach Mike Singletary has been fired. A new general manager, head coach and quarterback will be brought in to resurrect a team with five Super Bowl trophies.

The key to the 49ers turn around will be the 2011 NFL Draft. With needs at almost every position, what can every 49er fan hope for this coming April?

First Round: Ryan Mallett, Quarterback, Arkansas

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FAYETTEVILLE - SEPTEMBER 25: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks passes the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Alabama won 24-20. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Get

Rebuilding the 49ers will take successful drafting for the next few seasons. The team must get off to the right start by finding their franchise quarterback in the 2011 Draft.

Much like the pick of Sam Bradford has changed expectations in St. Louis, Mallett will bring hope to San Francisco. Now he must deliver.

On offense, there is talent with Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis; not to mention a talented young offensive line. All that is missing for the 49ers is a quarterback who can utilize the talent around him. 

Second Round: Aaron Williams, Cornerback, Texas

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AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: Cornerback Aaron Williams #4 of the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The talent at cornerback has gone downhill fast in San Francisco this season.

Nate Clements was once a Pro Bowl cornerback, but this season, he looked over-matched and slow. A move to nickelback or free safety could be coming soon. Tarell Brown has promise, but he gambles too often and can be beat deep.

Aaron Williams is not a proven cover man. He will not step in and dominate. He does bring much needed height, speed and athleticism to the position for San Francisco. He also has the talent to develop in to a quality starter.

Third Round: Jeremy Beal, Outside Linebacker, Oklahoma

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Jeremy Beal #44 and Jamarkus McFarland #97 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrate a quarterback sack against the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty

To regain their dominance in the NFC West, the 49ers must get better at pressuring the quarterback. This has been a problem for the 49ers since they moved to a 3-4 defense under Mike Nolan.

Beal, a very talented edge rusher, should be available in the third round only because he is not a well-rounded outside linebacker. He has the size, speed and ability to be a very good pass rusher in the 3-4.

Fourth Round: Kenrick Ellis, NT, Hampton/Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State

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LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Wide receiver #2 Austin Pettis of the Boise State Broncos tries to avoid cornerback #21 Rashad Carmichael of the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Imag

Building a solid franchise in the NFL is all about finding depth in the middle rounds of the draft, but also about uncovering hidden gems that other teams pass on. Here we find two players with the potential to start in the NFL.

Ellis is a big, strong, space-eating tackle with the body type and mentality to line up over the center 45 times a game and go to war.

Pettis is the type of slot receiver more and more NFL teams are using with great success (Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, Jordan Shipley, etc.).

Both players bring immediately value to a 49ers team that is lean on talent.

Fifth Round: Jake Kirkpatrick, Center, TCU

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: Jake Kirkpatrick #76 of the TCU Horned Frogs gets ready to hike the football in the first half against the Boise State Broncos during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glendale

We love players who can step in as rookies and contribute, especially on the offensive line.

Kirkpatrick has been flying under the NFL radar slightly this season, but he is a quality center who comes from a pro blocking system. The only knock you will hear is that he has not faced the best talent the NCAA has to offer.

In the fifth round, Kirkpatrick is a steal.

Sixth Round: Derrick Locke, RB, Kentucky/Ryan Jones, CB, NW Missouri State

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LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 13: Derrick Locke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball while defended by Johnell Thomas #98 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the game at Commonwealth Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won

Thanks to a trade with Seattle for Kentwan Balmer, the 49ers have two picks in round six. Now is the time to load up on players who can contribute on special teams, add depth and/or develop in to starters.

Derrick Locke does not have the skill set to be a featured back, but he does have speed and good hands. He will be a great replacement for Brian Westbrook, and let Anthony Dixon slide in to the No. 2 running back position. He could also help with kick returns.

Ryan Jones is a development type player at cornerback. He has good size and speed, but he has not been tested by NFL level receivers.

Seventh Round: Nathan Enderle, QB, Idaho/Dejon Gomes, FS, Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - SEPTEMBER 11: Idaho Vandals quarterback Nathan Enderle #10 tries to elude Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive tackle Baker Steinkuhler #55 and Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive tackle Jared Crick #94 during first half action of their game at M

A trade with the Detroit Lions gives the 49ers two picks in the final round of the draft. 

Bill Walsh had a philosophy that you should always draft at least one quarterback each year. His logic was that you can then develop this quarterback with no pressure to play him and later use the player as a starter or trade him away.

Enderle does not look like an NFL quarterback on paper, but when given the chance to watch him play, you come away impressed with his talent. His statistics are not jaw dropping, but remember, he is playing at Idaho with little NFL talent around him. Watch Enderle throw at the NFL Combine and you will be impressed.

Gomes is a project at free safety, but he will provide immediate depth and a warm body on special teams.