2012 NFL Draft: Make or Break Draft for San Francisco 49ers

With the 2012 NFL draft approaching, the San Francisco 49ers should understand the importance of this year's draft.

Why? The 49ers are coming off their first winning season (13-3) since 2003 and for them to take that next step, it is imperative that Trent Baalke and Co. walk away with a successful draft. 

The 49ers are loaded on defense, but their issues on offense have hindered their Super Bowl chances.

Free agency was kind to the 49ers, but they now must complement their signings with excellent draft selections. 

Super Bowl-contending teams usually have short windows. The Niners must jump on this chance to improve their team. 

If the Niners fail to succeed in this draft, expect the Niners to fall back to the pack. 

Divisional Gap Is Closing

The NFC West is still considered the little brother to the other conference's divisions but that may soon change. 

The Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals are coming, and fast. They are molding their teams under the 49ers formula: great defense in combination with a strong running game. 

Between the two, I would have to say the Seahawks present the biggest challenge. While I dislike the Matt Flynn move, anything is better than what they had under center. 

The Seahawks defense should be a scary thought for Niners fans. Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas have stabilized a once-laughable secondary. 

Their defensive line is improving after adding a strong interior presence in Jason Jones through free agency. 

In this passing league, having a strong secondary will give the Seahawks a edge most teams lacks. 

Image Restoration

A once-historic franchise, rich with tradition––a wining one at that––fell off in the last decade. 

It saddened fans to see a team once led by Bill Walsh and players like Joe Montana and Steve Young, to coaches like Mike Nolan and lame-duck quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan. 

After stabilizing the front office with the in-hire of Trent Baalke, and then the coaching staff, with energetic head coach Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers now have a steady group of decision makers. 

The 49ers image has finally been restored. Free agents would have balked at signing with the Niners, let alone for one-year deals, but winning changes everything. 

If the Niners return to being an average NFL team, free agents may again steer clear of the Bay Area. 

Quarterback Controversy?

The 49ers may have a quarterback controversy on their hands if they return to mediocrity next season.

The Niners re-signed Alex Smith to a short-term deal for a reason. They believe in 2011 second-round draft choice Colin Kaepernick. 

Colin is the future at quarterback for the 49ers and if Alex Smith and the team regresses next year, watch out for the former University of Nevada product.  

I believe Alex can lead this current group to the Super Bowl, but the Niners must give him the weapons to flourish. Randy Moss and Mario Manningham will prove to be useful, but the Niners need a young stalwart at the receiver position from the 2012 NFL draft to be an immediate contributor this season. 

If a quarterback controversy ensues, the 49ers Super Bowl chances will have decreased significantly.