Breaking Down Top Plug-and-Play Draft Starters for San Francisco 49ers

With the 2015 NFL draft closely approaching, it's time to dig in and find out which young prospects could make an immediate impact at the next level.

Ideally, we would want to focus on the San Francisco 49ers' needs; and believe me—they have plenty holes to fill. However, let's instead shift our attention to the plug-and-play prospects. Regardless of where they are selected in the draft, plug-and-play players are ready to start day one. 

Many will probably expect guys like Kevin White and Amari Cooper to dominate this list, but remember we're focusing on players who can start day one with the 49ers. Receiver is certainly a need, but no receiver prospect in this draft is starting over Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. 

Let's get started!

Danny Shelton, NT, Washington

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I love Ian Williams and Glenn Dorsey as starters. Both guys served as starting nose tackles the last two years, and each did a fantastic job. However, if general manager Trent Baalke can somehow get his hands on Danny Shelton with the 49ers' first-round selection, he should run to the podium. 

The moment Shelton steps on the field, he will immediately become one of the premier run-stoppers in the NFL. Not to mention, he's an underrated pass rusher despite his 338-pound frame. 

Shelton's athleticism and girth remind me of Haloti Ngata. Some might think he's overrated due to his inconsistent tape, but I doubt that will deter teams from Shelton. In all honesty, I don't expect Shelton to fall out of the top 10 draft selections. 

Again, the 49ers don't necessarily need Shelton, but he becomes an instant starter if Baalke falls in love with his potential.

Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

The addition of Trae Waynes would fill a huge need for the 49ers. Tramaine Brock should return as a starter after missing most of last season with a toe injury, but the 49ers still need another outside corner. 

Jimmie Ward, the 49ers' first-round selection last year, should continue as the slot corner. He'll eventually move to safety, but the addition of Waynes won't affect Ward's playing time next year. 

There are some other interesting corner prospects to consider, but if you want an immediate impact player, Waynes is your guy. In my eyes, he's the only corner in this year's draft worthy of a first-round selection.

I liken Waynes to both Antonio Cromartie and Joe Haden. Waynes plays with the physicality of a player like Haden but has the hips and fluidity of a long corner like Cromartie. 

If Waynes is the 49ers' first-round selection, he should be the immediate starter opposite Brock.

Brandon Scherff, OT/OG, Iowa

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The offensive line needs some work, and the addition of Scherff would be a great start. After the disaster that was last season, the 49ers could use a physically imposing plug-and-play guard like Scherff to aid quarterback Colin Kaepernick in his progression. 

The loss of guard Mike Iupati will be felt in the running game. Scherff, like Iupati, could struggle as a pass protector at the next level. Though, I think Scherff's struggles as a pass protector were due to his position in college. 

Scherff played tackle at Iowa but should move inside to guard at the NFL level. 

Brandon Thomas should give Scherff some competition at left guard, but ultimately, the Iowa product should win the job. Simply put, Scherff is the better prospect of the two.

If Thomas experienced some playing time in his rookie season, then I would have a different answer, but they're both basically coming in as rookies. 

La'el Collins, OT/OG, LSU

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La'el Collins is by far the best run-blocking lineman in the NFL draft. Like Shelton, the moment Collins takes the field, he'll be one of the best maulers in the NFL. 

Some believe Collins can play right tackle, though I have my reservations. Collins may be a year or two away from playing tackle at the NFL level, but as an interior lineman, he's a plug-and-play prospect. 

Collins will bring some nastiness back to this offensive line. With his length and physical attributes, Collins is an absolute bully as a run-blocker. 

If you pair Collins with Joe Staley, Daniel Kilgore, Anthony Davis and Alex Boone, the rest of the NFC West should watch out. We're likely talking about the most physically imposing offensive line in the entire league. 

Paul Dawson, ILB, TCU

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Paul Dawson won't go in the first round, but if Baalke selects the TCU product, he'll definitely be a starter alongside All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman. 

Look, I like Michael Wilhoite as a stopgap, but Dawson is just too talented to bench. We're talking about a downhill linebacker with elite-level coverage skills. 

Dawson is physical and will thump opposing running backs, but what makes him special is his ability in coverage. He can cover backs and tight ends, which makes him an ideal complement alongside Bowman. 

Remember, Wilhoite is a subpar coverage linebacker. Recently retired Patrick Willis usually covered the opposing team's best tight end or back in coverage, which left Bowman with the freedom to make plays. 

Dawson isn't Willis, but he has a complementary skill set that should work nicely alongside Bowman.