Full 2012 San Francisco 49ers Mock Draft

The San Francisco 49ers find themselves in an fortunate position no matter what happens this postseason. For the first time in a while they are going to be able to draft for best player available rather than need. After all, their 13-3 record showed us that they are not only talented but extremely deep at a myriad of different positions. 

Once a team is able to make the jump from having to draft for need to being able to go after the best player available, their draft board is opened up a great deal and success during the process is enhanced. Just look at what the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers have been able to do over the course of the last few seasons. 

Today, I am going to give you my first full San Francisco 49ers mock draft of the season. Of course this is going to change once the Senior Bowl is played, pro days are held and the NFL scouting combine is completed. 

It should still be fun nonetheless. 

Positions the 49ers Will Not Have to Address

Running Back

The pick of Kendall Hunter has given San Francisco a running back of the future and enabled them to be able to look elsewhere when it comes to the draft. Right now the 49ers have a tremendous amount of depth behind Frank Gore with Hunter and Anthony Dixon. 

Full Back

This is where the 49ers won the day in terms of scouting during the 2011 NFL Draft. I personally believe that Bruce Miller is a Pro Bowl in the waiting and a prototypical west coast offense fullback. In fact, he reminds me a great deal of Tom Rathman. Additionally, Nate Byham, who I view as a h-back type, will be returning next year after missing the entire 2011 season due to injury. 

Offensive Tackle

While many of us were surprised that Joe Staley made the Pro Bowl roster, the San Francisco 49ers appear set at the tackle position. Staley along with Anthony Davis have improved a great deal as the 2011 season has progressed. Alex Boone is a future starting tackle in my opinion and just signed a contract extension. San Francisco also draft Mike Person in the seventh round last season. 

Guard

It does appear that Chilo Rachal will not be back with the 49ers next season and Adam Snyder is set to be an unrestricted free agent. On the surface it would seem that this is a position of need but that is just on the surface. 

Mike Iupati has played lights out in his first two seasons in the NFL and will be a good one for a long time. San Francisco used a fifth round pick on Daniel Kilgore, who the coaches are extremely high on at this point. Another thing to take into consideration is the possibility that San Francisco can move Anthony Davis inside and insert Alex Boone into the starting lineup. In fact, I envision a scenario in which they really contemplate this switch in the off-season. 

Inside Linebacker

Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman are the best 1-2 combos at the linebacker position in the NFL and will be for the foreseeable future. Larry Grant played extremely will when Willis went down for a few games earlier this season. While Grant is set to be a free agent, he wants to return to San Francisco in 2012. There is absolutely no reason to address this position. 

Corner Back

Carlos Rogers will be retained by the 49ers this off-season, I can almost assure you that. So, their No. 1 corner situation is settled heading into 2012. Tarell Brown has also increased his productivity and consistency over the duration of the season. 

The main reason why I believe San Francisco will not address the corner position is the fact that they already have three young corners in the roster and a late first round selection for a mid-tier prospect really doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. 

Chris Culliver is more than ready to take over as a full time nickel back in 2012. Tramaine Brock seems like a really solid project at this point and I am extremely high on Curtis Holcomb, who missed his entire rookie season. 

Even if the 49ers retain the services of Carlos Rogers, which is likely, the more likely scenario would be them going after a veteran free agent to man the No. 2 corner position as an upgrade over Brown. 

Special Teams

Andy Lee and David Akers. Nothing else needed here. 

First Round: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

Scouting Report

Translates extremely well to the 3-4 defense as a pass rushing outside linebacker. Has the ability to beat offensive tackles with speed on the outside or bull rush them with hands down. Unbelievably strong upper body strength and great initial pass rush move. 

Not extremely strong in coverage and may lack the necessary size to take on double teams. Needs solid inside backers and defensive ends in order to utilize his amazing talent. 

Need

I completely understand that the San Francisco 49ers drafted someone by the name of Aldon Smith in the 2011 draft. All he did this season was break the franchise's rookie sack record with 14 this season.

That said, 3-4 defenses are built from the front seven on. San Francisco had the best front in the entire league this season but that doesn't mean that they can't add more talent there. Additionally, selecting in the bottom of each round affords teams the ability to draft best player available rather than need.

A linebacker group with Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Aldon Smith and Upshaw would cause even more fits for opposing offenses next season and make the 49ers secondary better just by its existence. Much better of a value pick than going after a second tier corner or tweener wide receiver prospect.  

Second Round: Josh Chapman, NT, Alabama

Scouting Report 

The 49ers go with two consecutive Alabama Crimson Tide defensive players here. Josh Chapman anchored one of the best rush defenses in the entire country this season and continues to impress with his ability to take on double teams and act as a gap filler up the middle. He is surprisingly flight of foot for such a big man and has solid upper body movement. These two things will only enhance his productivity in the NFL.

Need

Isaac Sopoaga has performed exceptionally well switching to the net tackle position this season and is a primary reason the 49ers had a record breaking rush defense in during the regular year. However, he isn't getting any younger and teams with great 3-4 defenses have rotational players all along the front of their unit.

With Sopoaga, Ricky Jean-Francois, Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, Ian Williams and Chapman the 49ers would have a strong basis for being able to keep their players fresh and continue to dominate the front.  

Third Round: Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State

Scouting Report 

Much better pass protector than run blocker but has the ability to improve on the ladder if he gains weight moving forward. Brewster has anchored the Ohio State line for a while now and continues to impress with his leverage up the middle. 

Need

One of the most underrated free agent signings in the entire league this past off-season was Jonathan Goodwin. While many 49ers' fans questioned San Francisco not retaining David Baas, the former Saints' center provided a major upgrade over him along the interior of the 49ers offensive line.

San Francisco also currently has Chase Beeler on the practice squad, who I project to be a starter down the line but once again there is absolutely no reason why San Francisco shouldn't look to upgrade the future in the draft. With solid picks over the last couple seasons they have put themselves in the situation to be able to have drafts like this. Go after the best player available and have a full roster from 1-to-53.

Fourth Round: Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M

Scouting Report 

The Texas A&M wide receiver has seen his stock drop from a first round lock to the middle rounds over the course of the 2011 season. He hasn't been as productive as in previous season but did come up big when Ryan Tannehill started to show himself for the Aggies.

Because of Fuller's size and catching ability he projects to be a great red zone threat at the next level. The Aggie' receiver refined his route running skills this season and can beat bump and run coverage at the line. He battles for the ball in the air and uses his frame to fend off opposing defenders. 

Could be more consistent, which is one of the reasons that his stock has dropped. 

Need

While Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams have improved a great deal this season, the 49ers do have a need at the wide receiver position moving forward. Specifically, they need a physical type receiver that they had hoped Braylon Edwards would be. 

Jeff Fuller doesn't translate to being a No. 1 receiver at the next level but the 49ers already have that in Michael Crabtree. Additionally, the likely return of Joshua Morgan means that they can coach Fuller up and ease him into the lineup.

Fifth Round: Ladarius Green, TE, Louisiana Lafayette

Scouting Report

Big time athlete that can break defenses down the field. at 6'6", Green has the ability to make plays in the red zone and dominate against smaller linebackers and defensive backs. Playing at a small school will probably hurt his draft stock but he translates extremely well to the next level. 

Not the greatest blocker in the world and tends to struggle when asked to perform that task. 

Need

I didn't forget about Nate Byham, who missed the entire 2011 season due to injury. I still think that he is one of the best blocking tight ends in the league. 

As evidenced with what the Packers and Patriots have done on offense, you cannot have too much of these type of players. Harbaugh and Co. would move Byham to the h-back/reserve fullback position and insert Green into the third tight end role.  

Sixth Round: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

Scouting Report

Extremely smart football player who makes the rest of his secondary teammates better. Fully understands complex assignments and has instincts you cannot teach. 

Harrison Smith will only play strong safety at the next level because he doesn't have anywhere near the coverage ability to play the free position. 

Need

Dashon Goldson, C.J. Spillman and Madieu Williams are all set to be free agents. While I do think the 49ers will make a strong push at retaining Goldson, it is far but assured that he is going to return. Smith would add some depth to a position that might be without it moving forward and projects to be a late round steal.

Seventh Round: Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

Scouting Report

As far as football IQ goes Kellen Moore is the best prospect in the draft. However, his physical limitations have led many to believe that he doesn't translate to the NFL. Comparisons of Josh Huepel has been thrown around but I just don't see that. 

What I do see is a player that anticipates the play pre-snap, understands where to put the ball, and can play in a variety of different offenses. Imagine a more talented Colt McCoy.

Need

Moore would come in and compete with Scott Tolzien for the No. 3 quarterback position behind Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick.