NFL Mock Draft 2012: San Francisco 49ers Full 7-Round Projections

In 2011, the San Francisco 49ers put on a marvelous campaign.

They produced 13 wins in the regular season—their first winning season since 2002—en route to the NFC Championship Game. Intelligent selections in the 2011 NFL draft by the 49ers front office contributed to this success.

Many believe (myself included) that the Niners were just a wide receiver away from a berth in Super Bowl XLVI. If only Alex Smith had another weapon on the outside, things might have turned out differently, these pundits would say.

Upgrading the offensive line and cornerback depth are crucial needs as well.

This 2012 NFL mock draft projects the full seven rounds of players selected by GM Trent Baalke and Co. that will help produce another auspicious campaign for the San Francisco 49ers.

Perhaps even the chance to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLVII.

Round 1: Mohamed Sanu, Wide Receiver, Rutgers

The most glaring need for the 49ers is the wide receiver position.

Fans that still retain the painful memories of the NFC Championship Game against the Giants recall the pathetic stat sheet compiled by the wideouts: 1 REC, 3 YDS, 0 TD.

Ouch.

Michael Crabtree, Kyle Williams and—gulp—Brett Swain were simply inadequate on their own. The team lacked a viable threat outside of tight end Vernon Davis.

Here is where Mohamed Sanu enters the picture.

The 6’2’’, 215-pound All-American out of Rutgers possesses the size and speed (4.57 seconds in the 40-yard dash) to operate as a legitimate downfield weapon in this West Coast offense. Perhaps even more impressive is his value as a reliable underneath possession receiver, displayed by his 115 catches in 2011 (school and Big East records).

Paired with Crabtree, Davis, Delanie Walker, a healthy Josh Morgan and another wideout acquired through free agency, Sanu will fortify a quality wide receiving corps for the 49ers.

Taking Sanu with the 30thselection satisfies a need and is a great value pick.

Round 2: Chase Minnifield, Cornerback, University of Virginia

Predicting the 49ers selection in this round was much more difficult than the first. Both cornerback and offensive guard were quality value picks at No. 60.

In the end, I believe the Niners will take first-team All-ACC cornerback Chase Minnifield over right guard Kevin Zeitler of Wisconsin.

Minnifield is the son of a former Pro Bowl corner for the Cleveland Browns, which shows his immersion in this skill position from an early age. He learned sound discipline and the art of the cornerback position from his father in this regard.

His correct diagnoses of wide receivers’ routes early on and knowledge of his assignments displays his high football I.Q. He possesses tremendous ball skills (13 career INT) and is solid in run support.

He also has the size and instincts to play effectively in press-man or zone coverage.

This is a highly decorated, intelligent, ball-hawking defensive back that will execute as a shutdown corner opposite of Carlos Rogers (that is, if re-signed).

The 49ers should be very excited over this possible cornerback tandem.

Round 3: Amini Silatolu, Offensive Guard, Midwestern State

It should be of no surprise to anyone that the 49ers were deficient in pass protection overall in 2011 (allowed a combined 51 sacks in the regular and postseason).

This was a product of both the group being better skilled in run support and the dearth of offensive weapons for Alex Smith.

After having already addressed the WR position in the first round, the 49ers will select OG Amini Silatolu in the third.

Silatolu was recognized as one of the foremost offensive linemen in NCAA Division II, finishing runner-up in the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year award voting.

Despite playing in a lower division, he has shown exceptional abilities in pass protection. He is balanced, quick off the line and can absorb and redirect power rushers at an above-average level. He is a tough blocker that also operates effectively as a pulling guard in the run game.

Kevin Zeitler was an intriguing option in the second round, as he helped anchor a Wisconsin O-line that was one of the most formidable units in college football. However, he was not as capable in pass protection as Silatolu—lacked that initial quickness—and both have comparable measurables.

Silatolu may not start initially for the 49ers in 2012, but will soon help give Smith time to throw in the pocket and provide solid depth behind Adam Snyder and Mike Iupati.

Round 4: Trevor Guyton, Defensive End, California

As unfathomable as it may be, Justin Smith will not play forever. There is a need for depth behind his right defensive end position, as well as for left DE Ray McDonald.

Trevor Guyton is a durable five-technique player in a 3-4 defensive front that will benefit greatly from playing behind these two stalwarts. He is certainly not an immediate starter or a heralded sack artist, but is an instinctual, tireless player that will provide good run support and mesh well with the 49ers' blue-collar mindset.

During his final year at Cal in 2011, he registered 10 tackles for loss and led the team in forced fumbles and fumble recoveries.

For the 49ers in 2012, Guyton will help solidify the NFL’s best defense against the run and spell McDonald and the ageless Smith if the need ever arises.

Round 5: David Molk, Center, Michigan

Draft experts project David Molk being selected anywhere between the fourth and sixth rounds. I foresee him being on the board for the 49ers in the fifth.

This team needs a two-year developmental prospect that will replace the incumbent and fellow Michigan grad, Jonathan Goodwin.

Molk is tenacious, relentless and often plays beyond his purported abilities. He is slightly inconsistent, but can pick up blitzes and stunts in pass protection and as a run-blocker.

He was a Rimington Trophy Award finalist as the nation’s best center, was a durable four-year starter and is a top-five center according to ESPN’s draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr.

The 49ers will be pleased with Molk’s fantastic work ethic as he bulks up into a NFL-caliber center come 2014.

Round 6: Kellen Moore, Quarterback, Boise State

At this point in the draft, the Niners have satisfied their most pertinent needs.

They can now take a gamble on a potential franchise quarterback for the future. (I do not necessarily see it this way, however.)

Out of the late-round QB prospects available, including Russell Wilson and Case Keenum, I believe Baalke will select Kellen Moore out of Boise State.

Moore is a football-lifer that learned the nuances of this position in early childhood.

He has won at every stage of his career, proving critics wrong and setting NCAA records in the process. He is an accurate and hard-working, blue-collar guy that would fit relatively seamlessly in Harbaugh’s West Coast system. 

Moore has incredible upside as such a late-round pick. He will learn the 49ers offense and compete with backup Colin Kaepernick while Alex Smith plays out his expected new contract.

Round 7: Olivier Vernon, 3-4 Outside Linebacker, Miami (FL)

The 49ers will select Olivier Vernon of Miami (FL) with their final pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

He is a developmental prospect that showed explosive abilities consistently during his sophomore year (10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks) and at times during his junior season.

He played as a defensive end in college, but possesses the athleticism and quickness to provide coverage as a 3-4 OLB in the NFL. He fares well against the run, has good lateral range and is a reliable tackler.

His six-game suspension in 2011 stemming from accepting illegal benefits from a booster might be evidence of some character issues.

However, Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio run a tight ship and will eliminate any of Vernon’s character flaws. They will further harness his athletic abilities and help him make the transition to outside linebacker, a depth-needy area for the team.

I also considered the safety position for the 49ers final selection, but low-end prospects such as Jerrell Young and Tysyn Hartman would not qualify as good value picks.

Vernon will be especially useful in 2012 if Ahmad Brooks leaves via free agency.