2012 San Francisco 49ers Mock Draft: Looking at CBS Sports Recent Selections

Just two days away from the 2012 NFL draft, let the final mocks present themselves for the San Francisco 49ers and 31 remaining teams.

CBS Sports has been running continuous mock drafts leading up to the actual NFL draft beginning on Thursday. Rob Rang and Dane Brugler, two of the six analysts contributing to this endeavor, published the most recent selections on Monday. They selected for the first and second rounds.

All four picks for the 49ers are different and should generate ample response from the blogosphere.

With that said, let me offer my evaluation of Rang’s and Brugler’s 49ers mock draft picks for 2012.

Rob Rang

Round 1 (No. 30): Amini Silatolu, Offensive Guard, Midwestern State

This selection for the 49ers by Mr. Rang is a reach of considerable proportions. He believes it’s a gamble that could provide huge dividends. But I disagree.

Compounding the argument that Silatolu’s appropriate value lies in the middle of the second round is the assortment of players still on Rang’s board at the time of this pick.

Nick Perry, Kendall Wright, Coby Fleener, Stephen Hill, Peter Konz and Janoris Jenkins, among others, are higher-rated prospects. ESPN and the National Football Post are just two among those ranking Silatolu below these players mentioned.

The Niners do have a relative need at right guard. On the other hand, it pertains more to depth and not to immediate need. General manager Trent Baalke and head coach Jim Harbaugh believe in Daniel Kilgore, Alex Boone and Mike Person. They’ll bring in another G/C for competition purposes at the position.

Silatolu is a tough, mauling run-blocker with great athleticism. He still emerges from a small school and has durability and character concerns.

With Perry potentially being the next Aldon Smith, Fleener the next great tight end, and Konz’s value as an immediate guard and future center, taking Silatolu is rather confounding.

Grade: F

Round 2 (No. 61): Brian Quick, Wide Receiver, Appalachian State

Rang redeems himself by drafting Quick with the No. 61 overall selection.

Another small-school prospect, the 6’4’’, 220-pound receiver is the complete package for the most part. He possesses the elite measurables and is ultra-competitive. He is a fluid underneath route-runner for his size and catches the football at its highest point.

Quick will come into the NFL with the big-play ability, but needs polish with blocking and other aspects of his game. If he realizes his earlier career potential, Randy Moss would be the perfect man to mentor him in all nuances of the wide receiver position.

Some could argue that this is a reach with guys like A.J. Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson (CB) still on the board, but I believe Quick brings good value and bolsters the Niners WR corps.

Grade: A-/B+ (depending on his Year 1 impact)

Dane Brugler

Round 1 (No. 30): Kevin Zeitler, Offensive Guard, Wisconsin

I have stated in a previous evaluation that Zeitler will become a solid O-line starter in the NFL. He comes from a pro-style system in Wisconsin and is a tenacious competitor. He earned an above-average grade in many categories as well. 

I have also articulated that he brings better value in the top of the second round.

This pick is not a reach to the extent of Amini Silatolu, but is a reach nonetheless. David DeCastro, Cordy Glenn and Peter Konz are the only guards worthy of a first-round selection in this 2012 class, and all were indeed taken in Brugler’s mock.

That still doesn’t entail the 49ers reaching for Zeitler at No. 30 overall—they were/are in position to draft best player available. Janoris Jenkins, Coby Fleener, Stephen Hill, Doug Martin and even Chandler Jones were all still on Brugler's draft board.

Brugler should have gone in another direction.

Grade: D (he still could be an immediate starter)

Round 2 (No. 61): Jamell Fleming, Cornerback, Oklahoma

I’ll endorse the pick of Jamell Fleming when placing it in the vacuum of cornerbacks already selected in this mock draft. Superior CBs in Trumaine Johnson, Josh Robinson and Jayron Hosely were drafted above the Oklahoma CB.

Fleming’s instincts, ball skills and contributions in run support are particularly noteworthy. He has legitimate speed and agility, to boot.

I see the Oklahoma product matching up adequately against big NFL receivers in due time.

Concerning value, for those clamoring for a running back outside of Robert Turbin in subsequent rounds, Chris Polk, LaMichael James and Isaiah Pead were available. The 49ers do not require an immediate replacement at RB or CB, though, so drafting Fleming or one of those backs as BPA (best player available) would be solid moves by Baalke and Co.

Grade: B+