2010 NFL Draft: Why Jimmy Clausen Is Not a Good Pick For The San Francisco 49ers

According to ESPN's Todd Mcshay's latest mock draft, the San Francisco 49ers will take Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen with one of their two-first round picks in the 2010 NFL Draft.

This prediction has many 49er fans in a tizzy due to the fact that they truly believe that former No. 1 pick Alex Smith is now their offensive leader behind center.

After thinking about this possible selection a bit, it occurred to me that a 49ers pick of Clausen would be a ridiculous decision since those two-first round picks would be better served filling more important holes on their roster.

The following are several reasons to not pick Clausen in the first round on April 22.

Alex Smith's Resurgence

Smith made heads roll in 2009, since he performed admirably, and many still believe that he is the future of the franchise.

Having pretty much been given the reigns for the 2010 season, Smith still has much to prove, but that cannot be done with the addition of another quarterback in the first round.

David Carr as a Third Stringer?

Carr was brought in and signed to be the backup quarterback for 2010, but bringing in a top-tier prospect would move Carr back to being a third stringer, which makes no sense, unless Clausen would be the third backup for a year and then become the starter in 2011. Where would that leave Smith then?

Adding Clausen Would Create a Quarterback Controversy.

If Smith excels in 2010, then where does that leave Clausen?

Since he would be getting a mid-first rounder salary, one would say that he would be the new future of the franchise.

Even if Smith works out, then he would still probably be the odd man out down the road, not to mention how much his presence on the roster alone would stir up a quarterback rivalry in the locker room and among fans as well.

Their Offense Line and Defensive Secondary are Bigger Needs.

Going into the draft, many believe that adding another lineman and either a cornerback or safety (or both) is the best picks for the team in 2010 and beyond, not quarterback at this point in time.

It's Better to Draft a Quarterback in the Later Rounds to Develop if the Smith Experiment Fails Once Again.

In a logical sense of drafting, the 49ers should be looking at a quarterback in the later rounds, if they do at all, in order to develop him just in case Smith falls flat in 2010.

Clausen's Cocky Attitude Would Not Be Acceptable With Singletary in Charge.

Even though Head Coach Mike Singletary has shown that he can control heavy egos in the NFL (Vernon Davis), adding another player like Clausen may mess up the chemistry that the team has right now.

The 49ers are on the brink of becoming a possilbe contender in the NFC West and all it can take is one bad mindset to throw the whole thing off, especially if that came from the most important position on the team too.

In closing, if (and that a big if) the 49ers choose Clausen then they would be taking a step back at the position since a first round pick at quarterback means that there is no confidence in any of the other players at the position and any team needs one, not two possible quarterback options at the position in order to have a clear cut leader.

Just ask the Cleveland Browns how having two possible starters worked out for them the past three years when they had both Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson.

It didn't work at all and by the way, both are no longer on the Browns anymore.

If the 49ers want to take a step back then pick Clausen, if not, take another player who fills an immediate need.