2012 NFL Draft: 5 Big Names the San Francisco 49ers Must Avoid

With no looming lockouts in sight, the upcoming offseason will remain undisturbed. We can expect full training camps, free agency (in its entirety) and the usual draft chatter. 

San Francisco 49ers fans are heading into the upcoming offseason with optimism, something Niner fans should cherish. It was only one season ago when the 49ers organization seemed as dysfunctional as their quarterback situation. 

With the stability that Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke bring to the table, in addition to the resurgence of Alex Smith, 49ers fans should enjoy a drama-free draft. At least, we can only hope so. 

The 2012 draft has been deemed as one of the more deeper classes and rightfully so. This draft is surprisingly diverse after many pundits believed the 2012 class to be quarterback heavy.

This should be an interesting draft, nonetheless. The 49ers can go in many directions with their first-round selection, but they should avoid a few of these hyped names. 

Alshon Jeffery (WR)

Alshon Jeffery was once considered a first-round lock, but his draft stock is slipping. At 6'4", 229 pounds (yeah, right), he has the ideal physical tangibles to become a dominant number one receiver. 

His speed is the only aspect of his game that I doubt. If Jeffery runs the 40-yard dash in the mid 4.40s, I can envision several clubs at the end of the first round who would be interested in the young wideout.

The 49ers need a strong wideout to pair opposite Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan, but the question marks with his speed leave little to desire. I just don't see Jeffery fitting in a West Coast scheme where speed matters.  

Ryan Tannehill (QB)

The 49ers will likely pass on Tannehill, but anything is possible with Baalke manning the front. Trent Baalke has acted rather quietly on draft night in the last two years. 

I would be the first to say I didn't expect Aldon Smith to be the selection at seven in the 2011 draft, nor did I expect Baalke to select two offensive linemen in the first round in the 2010 draft. 

Who's to say Baalke wouldn't select a quarterback? I doubt he would, but if so, Tannehill is not the right prospect to take a chance on. 

Tannehill has too little experience at quarterback for my liking. While he did have a solid senior year, his decision making is questionable at best.

He has the arm strength and mobility to thrive in the West Coast, but I doubt he is a day one starter. I also believe in Baalke's 2011 second-round selection, Colin Kaepernick. He should be the quarterback of the future for the 49ers.  

Michael Floyd (WR)

Floyd is talented, but his speed and off-the-field issues should scare interested teams.

The 49ers desperately need another playmaking receiver, but Floyd leaves much to desire. His speed is an issue, which is strike one. Plus, he has had off the field issues. That is strike two. 

Too many strikes for a first-round selection. The 49ers should pass on selecting Floyd if he is available at the end of the first round. 

Mark Barron (S)

Barron was part of that talented Alabama secondary, but his off-the-field issues will scare off teams. My issue lies with his skill set. 

While some believe Barron is the best safety prospect in the 2012 draft, I see major flaws in his game. Barron seems more like a strong safety at the next level, despite his first-round tag. 

If I'm taking a safety in the first round, I want a playmaking free safety manning my backfield. The 49ers have a safety in Dashon Goldson that plays well at or near the line of scrimmage, so drafting Barron wouldn't make sense. 

Goldson is a free agent but the 49ers will likely re-sign the veteran. 

Janoris Jenkins (CB)

I'm torn over this selection. Jenkins reminds me of a young Asante Samuel, but his off-the-field issues have overshadowed his remarkable playmaking ability. 

I still expect Jenkins to be a first-round selection, but he may drop. At 5'9", Jenkins lacks the prototypical size teams covet in top corners. He is physical at the line, so that makes up a little for his size deficiencies. 

Despite his talent, the 49ers should pass on selecting the Gator product if he indeed drops in the draft.