SF 49ers Fans: Build Your 2010 NFL Draft BPA Board

There have been numerous articles on this site debating whom the 49ers should select with their 2 mid-first round picks in this month's upcoming draft. I would like to first address the general philosophy for drafting. Much of the debate stems from the 'BPA' (Best Player Available) camp versus the 'Fill Your Needs' camp. Let me start off by saying that I believe in a sort fo hybrid of the two philosophies. I feel a team should draw up their board solely based on BPA and then adjust slightly and only slightly (up to 3 spots ideally at the most) based on the needs philosophy. For example if it is a consensus that the 49ers need a RT and the best available at pick #13 is Anthony Davis whom the 49ers have ranked as the 25th best player on their board then they DO NOT reach to fill the need but if Bryan Bulaga is available and the 49ers have him as 15th best player on the board then they may consider the player at the 13th pick. This also goes the other way. Say for instance that the 49ers have Rolando McClain as the 11th best player they may drop him a couple of spots and pass on him at #13 because the position is not one of need to the team with Willis solidified at one spot and Spikes a credible starter at the other with McKillop a young promising back-up in place for depth.

Now when a team is put in a position where they have a coveted BPA at one of their picks that they do not need (we will use McClain as an example again) then there is also the consideration of trading back and bettering other areas of the draft. An example of this would be if McClain was there at #17. I believe the 49ers could easily take advantage by trading back later in the first round and picking up another 2nd or 3rd round pick depending on how far back the trade takes them. This is what you should do when you find yourself considering 'reaching' to fill a need.

So with my general philosophies explained let us start an exercise of everyone building their top 32 board. Rank players based on all of the personal characteristics of that player and do not consider what the 49ers need. Pretend you are doing this for the Raiders...well maybe not the Raiders you only need a stopwatch to measure 40 times to do that...but for any other NFL team. I will start below with my rankings and if you disagree please also include your rankings so that we can debate them.

1.) Sam Bradford - slightly increased due to positional value

2.) Ndamukong Suh

3.) Eric Berry

4.) Russell Okung

5.) Gerald McCoy

6.) CJ Spiller

7.) Trent Williams

8.) Rolando McClain

9.) Earl Thomas

10.) Dez Bryant

11.) Bryan Bulaga

12.) Dan Williams

13.) Jimmy Clausen

14.) Jason Pierre-Paul

15.) Brandon Graham

16.) Mike Iupati

17.) Derrick Morgan

18.) Devin McCourty

19.) Sergio Kindle

20.) Joe Haden

21.) Maurkice Pouncey

22.) Jared Odrick

23.) Kyle Wilson

24.) Anthony Davis

25.) Ryan Matthews

26.) Jerry Hughes

27.) Taylor Mays

28.) Kareem Jackson

29.) Terrence Cody

30.) Charles Brown

31.) Everson Griffin

32.) Bruce Campbell

Again this is not a draft order or where I think players will go but rather how I have them ranked based on their performance, athletic ability/potential, character, football IQ, etc...I eagerly await your responses.