San Francisco 49ers: 5 Areas They Must Address in the 2012 NFL Draft

49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh and team management will have much to address in the 2012 NFL Draft after Year One.
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The 2011 San Francisco 49ers have looked very good in Year One of the Jim Harbaugh era.

No one could have anticipated how this team, assembled primarily by the former regime of Mike Singletary, would fare with Harbaugh.

No matter what happens the rest of the way, the 49ers' performance after 13 games en route to an NFC West division title for the first time in nine years has been a lift to the franchise.

The wins have been great, ranging from easy, surprise blowouts to close, narrow nailbiters that San Francisco managed to lose in previous years due to poor fourth-quarter game management.

The losses, however, have exposed deficiencies that the 49ers will need to eventually address in the offseason, via a full training camp, free agency or the draft. Or a combination of all three.

So which areas do the 49ers need to take a close look at to avoid a sophomore slump for Jim Harbaugh and Co.?

1. Quarterback

The faith of Jim Harbaugh in Alex Smith has led to a resurgence in San Francisco's 2011 quarterback play. Is that enough?
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49ers starting quarterback Alex Smith has exceeded all preseason expectations of how well he'd play under the guidance of head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Smith has never completed passes for a higher percentage or had a higher professional passer rating. But to win a Super Bowl, you more often than not need a gunslinger like Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or Tom Brady than a Trent Dilfer.

So the big question is if the 49ers brass feel Smith—a former No. 1 overall draft pick—with his skill set and leadership combined with injury questions and talent ceiling can reach that type of passer status? The tone out of Santa Clara isn't an overwhelming yes. Rather, they're content with Smith this season and taking a wait-and-see approach.

Smith is on a one-year contract. San Francisco drafted backup Colin Kaepernick out of Nevada in the second round in 2011. The comfort level from the coaching staff in throwing Kaepernick to the wolves is mixed. Maybe with a full offseason?

Harbaugh's former Stanford pupil Andrew Luck is available, but San Francisco may not have the pieces to trade with the Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams or Minnesota Vikings to get him. And given the Red and Gold's success in 2011, their first-round pick in 2012 will be towards the tail end, meaning Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III from Baylor will be off the board. USC's Matt Barkley and Oklahoma's Landry Jones are also slated for the first half of the opening round.

But will someone like Houston's Case Keenum or Boise State's Kellen Moore be there or close enough for the 49ers to move up a few spots to get? And are they anymore the future quarterback than Kaepernick?

Free agency could maybe yield Jason Campbell, Matt Hasselbeck or even Peyton Manning?

2. Wide Receiver

49ers wideout Michael Crabtree held out after being drafted for more money. To return to San Francisco, he'll need to step up to earn it or demand less the next time around.
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49ers starting wide receiver Michael Crabtree is a good, not great, receiver at this stage of his early career. There were much higher aspirations for the former Texas Tech superstar, with visions of a game-changer rather than a simple chain-mover. Crabtree has been injury-prone, an average at best route runner with inconsistent hands yet an ability to go over the middle.

Braylon Edwards has disappointed, primarily for his injuries sustained all season that have made his services unavailable and made the 49ers much more one-dimension than head coach Jim Harbaugh would like.

Ted Ginn Jr. and Kyle Williams are not the answers.

In the 2012 NFL Draft, Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon is a can't miss prospect. But he'll go top-five and the 49ers likely won't move up for a wide receiver after their recent Crabtree experience.

Notre Dame's Michael Floyd, South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery or Baylor's Kendall Wright might be good fits for the 49ers offensive scheme.

3. Offensive Line

The 49ers offensive line still needs work.
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Yes, the 49ers spent two first -round picks on offensive lineman in Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati.

But with a 10-year vet in Johnathan Goodwin and San Francisco mainstay Joe Staley, the 49ers may want to think about another stud guard or tackle to help maximize the short window for tailback Frank Gore.

The Red and Gold will likely not go running back in the first round, content with Gore, 2011 draftee Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon, along with someone in free agency or later in the draft.

Matt Kalil of USC would be a no-brainer, but he'll be long gone for the 49ers. As will Harbaugh-favorite Johnathan Martin of Stanford.

Riley Reiff of Iowa, Stanford's David Decastro, Georgia's Cordy Glenn are available if San Francisco can swap picks to move up a tad. But the likely players to be available late in the first round are Florida State's Zerbie Sanders and Kevin Zeitler of Wisconsin.

4. Defensive Line

49ers defensive end Justin Smith can't do it alone.
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Without All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis, San Francisco's defense doesn't look as stout. This put pressure on the defensive line to create more pressure on the quarterback to save the secondary from having to defend longer than they can. As well, the intermediate routes become more open because of the linebackers having to add to the pass rush or cover tight ends on out-routes.

Justin Smith is a one-man army. But Ray McDonald, Isaac Sopoaga and Ricky Jean Francois aren't suitable sidekicks.

North Carolina's Quinton Coples is a beast, and likely a top-10 selection. Dontari Poe of Memphis could be some that falls late if things go right. But the 49ers can look to add Penn State's Devon Still or Clemson's Brandon Thompson.

Between Willis and NaVorro Bowman, the Niners should go for D-line or secondary if they decide that the first-round pick should be toward their defense.

5. Secondary

49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers has been a pleasant surprise, while safety Reggie Smith has been hit-or-miss.
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The secondary has surprised the 49ers coaching staff and NFL with their success in 2011.

As mentioned for the defensive line, the linebackers have help veil where the secondary needs improvement and helped San Francisco maintain a top five defensive league ranking. But as Patrick WIllis' absence has proven, the secondary is vulnerable without that help up front.

Carlos Rogers, Chris Culliver and Tarell Brown have played well and will continue to improve at corner. But Dashon Goldson, Reggie Smith and Donte Whitner have been inconsistent.

LSU's Morris Claiborne and Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick will be playing in the BCS college title game and will be off the board by the time the midway point of the first round is finished.

Crimson Tide safety Mark Barron may fall to San Francisco late in the first round, as could North Alabama corner Janoris Jenkins.

But Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard may be a nice selection for Jim Harbaugh and Co., following the mindset taken in 2011 with former Missouri linebacker and defensive rookie of the year nominee Aldon Smith, as well as with what brother John Harbaugh is doing in Baltimore with their top-rated defense.