NFL Mock Draft 2012: San Francisco 49ers Seven-Round Predictions

Mock draft time.

The 2012 NFL draft is only weeks away now, and the San Francisco 49ers are in excellent position to take the best player available when it's time to pick.

The first round is always a crap shoot. You can't accurately predict who teams are going to draft, and just when you think you have things figured out, another surprise pick messes with your entire board.

That won't stop me from trying. Here are my favorite players who should be available when the time comes for the 49ers to select.

First Round: Stephen Hill

Stephen Hill, Wide Receiver, Georgia Tech

Randy Moss may very well be exactly what the 49ers need right now, but at 35 years old, he's not going to last long.

Hill has the potential to become just as dangerous as Moss.

At 6'5" and 215 pounds, he's a physical freak of nature who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds at the scouting combine earlier this spring.

Although Georgia Tech isn't exactly a pro-style offense, its emphasis on the run actually makes Hill perfect for the 49ers, who also like to run first as a general rule.

Hill can learn the nuances of running all the different routes in the tree. He can also learn how to read zones. 

He possesses the physical tools that are unteachable and desired by every offensive coordinator in the league, and the 49ers would be thrilled to see him fall to them at the bottom of the first round.

Second Round: Jared Crick

Jared Crick, Defensive End, Nebraska

One look at Crick and all I can think about is that he's Justin Smith's clone.

Crick would be looking at a first-round grade if not for a torn pectoral muscle that knocked him out of the 2011 season. He's a relentless worker in the trenches that perfectly fits the 49ers' 3-4 scheme.

Crick isn't known for his speed or acceleration, but he was an effective pass-rusher in college. In his first two years as a starter, he totaled 19 sacks to go along with 32 tackles for loss and 26 quarterback hurries.

Blessed with a motor that doesn't quit, power, excellent technique and leadership, Crick fits the mold of the blue collar worker Jim Harbaugh is so fond of.

He will be an absolute steal here at the bottom of the second round.

Third Round: Markelle Martin

Markelle Martin, Free Safety, Oklahoma State

When I see Martin play, I'm reminded of a young Dashon Goldson.

Martin is a rangy center fielder that is a perfect fit to sit behind Goldson for at least a year. He possesses elite athleticism and is explosive at the point of attack (see photo for evidence).

Martin loves to separate receivers from the ball, and he will be excellent once he's developed a bit of discipline and better technique. He instinctively takes good angles in coverage, though he can be tricked at times.

In run support, Martin displays both good and bad tendencies. He is capable of laying out just about any running back but fails to wrap up properly at times, resulting in missed tackles.

He'd be a great find here in the third round.

Fourth Round: Senio Kelemete

Senio Kelemete, Offensive Guard, Washington

The 49ers are thin at the guard position, and Kelemete has the potential to become a dominant man in the trenches given the proper coaching and strength training.

He's a raw prospect and a bit undersized, but those deficits won't last forever.

Kelemete is an athletic guard who can move well in space, making him an ideal fit in the 49ers power running scheme that requires both guards to pull on a regular basis.

One of the things he struggles with is pass protection, so it would be a shame to see him get thrown in to the wolves before he's ready to compete.

Still, he's a worthy developmental prospect, and the 49ers will continue to look for a veteran to compete with Daniel Kilgore for the starting right guard spot on their opening day roster.

Fifth Round: Philip Blake

Philip Blake, Center, Baylor

Jonathan Goodwin still has another year or two left in him, but the 49ers should be looking for his replacement now. Chase Beeler is currently on the roster, but he's undersized and needs to improve on his strength before he can be considered a candidate to replace him.

Blake isn't ready to start right away, but then again, he won't need to. He is strong, stout, powerful and smart. 

Blake is a diamond in the rough. He isn't polished yet, so it can be hard to recognize his brilliance, but I have no doubt he'll become an excellent NFL center in a couple of years.

Sixth Round: Brandon Taylor

Brandon Taylor, Strong Safety, LSU

After solidifying the free safety position with Martin, the 49ers can use their sixth round pick to take Taylor. They will groom him to become Donte Whitner's eventual replacement, and in the meantime he can pitch in on special teams.

Taylor is an athletic, tall safety with good pursuit. He loves to hit and oftentimes can be found in the backfield before running backs have a chance to cross the line of scrimmage.

Taylor isn't a natural deep safety, and he has trouble getting turned around sometimes due to his stiff hips. That shouldn't be much of an issue in San Francisco, though, as Whitner has similar limitations that they manage to scheme around.

Taylor is a steal here in the sixth round, and the 49ers will be thrilled to pick him up.

Seventh Round: Desmond Wynn

Desmond Wynn, Offensive Guard, Rutgers

The 49ers already drafted one guard, but depth at this position is a real concern after losing Adam Snyder to the Arizona Cardinals and letting Chilo Rachal go wherever someone will have him.

Wynn is an athletic prospect with a ton of upside, but past injuries to his knee, head and shoulders have derailed any chance of getting picked in the first couple of days.

Coming from a spread offense, Wynn is good in pass protection and could even be an emergency tackle. He is also a talented run blocker, though he needs to develop more explosion at impact.

Wynn is a risk because of his injuries, but his upside is spectacular. Taking him here at the bottom of the seventh round makes him worth the risk.

Thank you for choosing Bleacher Report for all your NFL and 49ers news, reaction and analysis. Stay tuned as we get closer and closer to draft day.

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