Players the San Francisco 49ers Should Look To Draft

For the 49ers there are a lot of needs, as I've already written about 2009 Free Agents The San Francisco 49ers Should Look At. There are players they're most likely going to look at, but will look in the draft instead for wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback, safety, defensive end, or defensive tackle. 

For the first round there are four players on the list I believe the 49ers should be looking at, and so far in every mock draft, it's been one of these players. I'm ignoring the one stating Sam Bradford would be drafted by the 49ers because there's no doubt that he's the No. 1 pick. 

First Round:

1. Rey Maualuga, Inside Linebacker: Out of the University of Southern California. He's projected as the No. 1 rated linebacker and he's got all the intangibles to start right away for the 49ers. He could be a version of a young Takeo Spikes and at 6'3" 260 the 49ers would love to have him play alongside Patrick Willis. 

2. Taylor Mays, Safety: Many 49er fans go back to the days where another safety roamed in the secondary out of USC. At 6'4" 225 pounds he will not be around for the 49ers to pick him because in the NFL a safety with that size doesn't come around too often. 

3. Eugene Monroe, Offensive Tackle: There's no doubt besides wide receiver the weakest part of the 49ers' offense has been the offensive line play. Monroe has the size to fit in perfectly with the 49ers who are going to be more run-oriented under Mike Singletary. Monroe is 6'6" 315 pounds. 

4. Alex Mack, Center: I just have to do this maybe it's because I love the California Golden Bears football team, but lately the 49ers have really struck out with not drafting local products. Mack would be a perfect center for the 49ers and it could mean making Eric Heitmann a left guard again where he played before moving to center a few years ago. 

Mack is the best center by far in college football. Mack has excellent size at 6'5" 316 pounds and loves to hit people. He could also be moved to any of the guard spots as well, but I think he's better suited for his natural position of center. 

Second Round: 

1. Clint Sintim, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker: He's projected to be picked somewhere in the first or second round so if he's still avaliable the 49ers should definitely take a look at this pass rushing abilities since he played in a 3-4 system, which is what the 49ers use as well. He had 12.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks this year for the University of Virginia. 

2. Jairus Bird, Cornerback: He's got a solid height of 6'0" and strength at 205 pounds. He's projected as a second round pick and he could fit in with the 49ers as the eventual replacement to the aging Walt Harris. 

3. Kenny Britt: Wide Receiver: Now I highly doubt he will be available because NFL scouts must be drooling over his size at 6'4" 205, but if he's there, he's a player who would definitely get time to showcase his skills and probably be one of the better red zone players for the 49ers. 

4. Herman Johnson, Guard: Again it comes back to the protection of the quarterback and the offensive line. Johnson projected as a second rounder he's 6'7" 349 so he definitely adds size to the line. 

Third round: 

1. Ramses Barden, Wide Receiver: What hurts him is he's from a small school, but that's not necessarily something bad because there are a lot of players from smaller schools who have successful careers. It may be a little early too look at him in the third round, but he's someone the 49ers could develop.

What makes Barden interesting for NFL scouts is his size. He's 6'6" 225 pounds and has solid speed. So he's definitely a player the 49ers should look at, and especially could be used in goal line situations.

2. If Alex Mack is not avaliable the 49ers could go for another Pac-10 guy in Max Unger who's not as strong as Mack, but he's a solid center. He's 6'5" 300 so he's got size to be a solid center.

3. Zach Follett, Outside Linebacker: Another local product the 49ers need to look hard at. Follet is outstanding at coming off the edge and he proved it again this year. He had 74 tackles an amazing 17 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.

He's listed at 6'1" 240 and fits well in the 3-4 scheme Cal employed this year. He's ranked No. 9 for linebackers coming out and projected to be a third or fourth round pick. 

4. Michael Hamlin, Clemson: He's an intriguing player who would allow the 49ers to draft Maulaluga instead of Mays. At 6'3" he's got excellent height for a safety. The only thing he'll need to work on is his strength. He's also a four-year starter for Clemson. He ended this season with 91 tackles and six interceptions. 

Fourth round:

1. Worrell Williams, Inside Linebacker: He fit very well in a 3-4 system which he thrived in. He's a big hitter he's 6'2" 250 so he's got the size to play the inside position. Another local guy who could make an impact with the team. He would also make it so the 49ers could draft a guy like Taylor Mays in the first round as well. 

2. Kraig Urbik, Guard: Like stated earlier the 49ers have a problem and it's the offensive line. Urbik would bring size at 6'6" 330 and could work his way in as a starter later in the season. 

3. Jaron Gilbert, Defensive Tackle: He could be a surprise pick he's a local guy from San Jose State so the 49ers could definitely take a look at him. He had 47 tackles, an astonishing 21.5 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. 

4. Morgan Trent, Cornerback: Again the 49ers will need to develop a corner who will be able to take over eventually for Walt Harris. Trent has good size for a corner at 6'1" and 190 pounds. He had 41 tackles this season and three interceptions and was one of the bright spots for Michigan this year.

Fifth Round:

1. David Johnson, Quarterback: There's no secret the 49ers need a young quarterback to groom. Alex Smith hasn't worked out and it looks like it is Shaun Hill's spot to lose. Johnson could be developed for a few years and then take over as the 49ers quarterback. 

He's got pretty good size for a quarterback at 6'3" 220 and he did throw for 3,866 yards and 43 touchdowns for Tulsa. More importantly he has the arm strength to make it in the NFL: His average pass attempt for Tulsa was 10.3 yards. 

2. Curtis Painter: Another solid quarterback and it's hard to believe but he threw for more yards in a season than Drew Brees did. Now, he had a miserable '08 season, but his '07 season was excellent. The problem was the coach not the quarterback. 

The 49ers could definitely look at him because of how well Drew Brees has done in the NFL. Painter is 6'4" 225 so he has excellent height to play the position. 

3. Ian Johnson, Running Back: His statistics have gone down over the past two years because of the offense run at Boise State, but he still has the ability to be a valuable weapon. He could develop into a solid backup for Frank Gore and the eventual replacement of Gore in a few years. 

4. Travis McCall, Fullback: Now that the 49ers are going back to a run the ball type of system, the 49ers need a fullback. McCall has excellent size at 6'0" 260 pounds and he can block. He's not one to touch the ball, but he could help lead the way for Gore to have an impressive season next year and make sure Gore gets his fourth straight 1,000-yard season. 

Sixth round: 

1. Steve Rehring, Guard: He's 6'7" 330 and would add size to the 49ers' front line, something sorely needed. I know these late round picks really don't get much of a chance, but with his size he could very well get it. 

2. Garrett Reynolds, Offensive Tackle: At 6'7" 310 he would again add height to the line and some size to it. He started 48 consecutive games and was a All Big-East first-teamer. He could get a chance as well.

3. Mike Thomas, Wide Receiver: He could come in as a punt/kick returner for the 49ers to replace Allen Rossum. He has the potential to be a solid third receiver because he runs excellent routes and has good hands. Also, considering he was able to catch 75 passes for 834 yards is impressive considering the Pac-10 has some of the best corners in college football. 

4. Patrick Turner, Wide Receiver: Size wise at 6'5" 225 he's the best available of a projected sixth-rounder because he has the ability to cause mismatches due to his height and strength. I don't know how he's fallen so far, but I believe it had something to do with being overshadowed by a transfer from Arkansas and the three running backs USC employed. 

Seventh Round:

1. Jaison Williams, Wide Receiver: He's got the size to play in the NFL at 6'5" 240 pounds. He'll be a possession receiver and if the 49ers are able to develop him, he could become a solid receiver who can be utilized on third down and in the red zone. His problem was lack of consistency at the University of Oregon. 

2. Mike Teel, Quarterback: Another interesting prospect. He's got good size and could become a decent backup quarterback/emergency starter. Had a slow senior year which cost him.

3. Drew Willy, Quarterback: He's got the height and the ability to read defenses well, only throwing five interceptions this year. His only problem is he may need to bulk up just a little bit. If he got to 225 he could make it as a starter after being groomed for a few years. 

4. Darius Hill, Tight End: The 49ers could use a better receiving tight end than Billy Bajema. Hill again has height at 6'6" but he's only 235 so the 49ers could also use him as a receiver as well.

I realize it is the draft and there are surprise picks, but these are the choices I've come up with which would help the 49ers in some of the areas needing improvement.