5 Players Trent Baalke Should Target in the Draft

The sting of Sunday's loss still lingers but 49ers fans should not waver. This was a successful season, win or lose. 

Talking about the loss and the crucial mistakes that brought this misfortune, will only further the pain. A silver lining for all the hopeful fans: the San Francisco 49ers should return to this stage come next season. 

This is a young and upstart 49ers squad that will only get better with a now more proper offseason and valuable postseason experience. Do not fret 49er fans. 

While it's hard to leave behind this magical season, Trent Baalke understands that the upcoming offseason will be a major factor in the 49ers continued development.

Remember the Kansas City Chiefs or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010? St. Louis Rams ring a bell? Those squads entered 2011 with high expectations after promising seasons in 2010 but all three teams finished with disappointing results.

The commonality? All three teams heavily relied on their success in 2010 to continue in 2011. It's a different year, with different teams. Teams will have adapted to your success and you in turn, will become the hunted, not the hunter.

The 49ers obviously enjoyed greater success than the three teams mentioned above, but you get my drift. This is a team that must be ready for the heightened expectations and limelight that came because of their extraordinary 2011 season. 

Trent Baalke will have his hands full in free agency but should have a more clear cut plan on draft night.

Here are five players that the 49ers should consider in the 2012 NFL draft. 

Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz is a very polished prospect and is coming from a school known for growing successful offensive lineman. He is sound in pass protection and run blocking. 

He has the intelligence to pick up blitzes and make calls from under center. Konz should fit well with an athletic offensive line looking for a stable figure to put everyone where they should be.

While the left tackle position gets all the limelight, the center position serves as the brain of the offensive line. Konz should be an immediate starter. 

Jonathan Goodwin is also getting up there in age and is coming off a rather disappointing season—for his standards, at least. 

The 49ers could use an upgrade at this position. 

David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The 49ers desperately need to improve the interior of their offensive line and DeCastro would do just that. Chilo Rachal was awful and should receive his notice papers as soon as possible.

Adam Snyder played well but the line could still use an upgrade if available. 

DeCastro may not be available for the 49ers in later stages of the first round but if he slips, the Niners should pounce on the Stanford product. 

He has all the tools to become a dominant guard in the next level and should be an immediate starter day one. 

DeCastro and Mike Iupati could form one of the more nastier duos at guard. This pairing could be similar to what the New Orleans Saints possess with Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks. 

Dontari Poe, DT/NT, Memphis

This is not a huge need but the 49ers will need to address this spot sooner than later. Nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga shifted from defensive end to nose tackle in Roman's 3-4 scheme and played well in his transition. 

Sopoaga will turn 31 in September and also becomes a free agent in 2013. The 49ers must find a replacement for the veteran and will have slim pickings if they decide to wait after this season. 

Nose tackles don't grow on trees but this year, there are several talented prospects for the 49ers to consider. Dontari Poe is one of them. 

He weighs in at 350 pounds, but is pretty athletic for someone of this size. He is not much of a pass rusher but the 49ers can take comfort in knowing that he takes up massive amounts of space––a requisite quality that a 3-4 nose tackle must possess.

Poe would dominate in Fangio's 3-4 scheme with his ability to collapse the pocket and occupy multiple defenders.

The only concern is his conditioning. Poe will have to maintain his weight and show coaches that he can at least be a three-down player in this league.  

Poe, if selected, would likely sit a year or two behind Isaac Sopoaga and Ricky Jean-Francois. The 49ers could also use Poe in situational downs if needed as they did with 2011 first-round sensation, Aldon Smith. 

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Sanu is rising up draft boards and could be long gone before the 49ers selection in the first round. 

The Rutgers product would be a perfect addition to Roman's West Coast scheme.

Sanu is still an unpolished route runner but he has the speed to gain separation in the NFL. The 49ers desperately need playmakers around Alex Smith and Sanu would be a welcome addition. 

He could also contribute in special teams and would likely fill in as a KR/PR if Ted Ginn Jr. departs in free agency. 

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick's draft stock is likely falling after his run in with the law. Why should the 49ers turn their attention to a troubled cornerback? 

Just like nose tackles don't grow trees, the same sentiment can be applied to cornerbacks. Kirkpatrick has the tools to become an elite cornerback in the NFL. 

He has the physical intangibles to start his career in the slot and then should work his way up to becoming a top corner. The Alabama product also has experience playing in a 3-4 system under Nick Saban. 

While raw, the potential is there. Trent Baalke took a similarly gifted athlete in Chris Culliver in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft and it all worked out for the best.

Culliver showed bursts of potential and I can see the same for Kirkpatrick under the tutelage of Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. 

Kirkpatrick is hands down the best cornerback prospect in this draft and Trent Baalke would be giddy if the Alabama corner back dropped this far.