2011 NFL Mock Draft: San Francisco 49ers 2011 NFL Draft Targets for Every Round

The San Francisco 49ers enter an offseason full of hope. With the hiring of new head coach Jim Harbaugh, many 49ers faithful are looking toward the 2011 season with optimism.

The starting point for a successful 2011 (and beyond) is the 2011 NFL Draft.

A strong class by Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke will result in a strong franchise. Should the 49ers miss on early picks, losses will follow.

Until the Collective Bargaining Agreement is signed, there will be no free agency or player trades. This leads us to believe the 2011 NFL Draft class will be heavy on needs and light on project players.

With this in mind, let's take a look at the 49ers needs for the 2011 NFL Draft, and the players who fit those needs in each round.

San Francisco 49ers Team Needs

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 02: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers passes against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

1. Quarterback

Alex Smith is currently a free agent, but it appears the 49ers want to bring him back for at least one more year.

Whether Smith is back in 2011 or not, the 49ers need a quarterback more than any other position. 

2. Outside Linebacker

The pass rush in San Francisco was atrocious last year. In the 49ers' 3-4 pressure scheme, they need to find players with speed who can aggressively pressure the quarterback off the edge.

This will be a primary need heading into the offseason. 

3. Defensive End

Justin Smith enjoyed another Pro Bowl year, and we do like the upside of Ray McDonald, but the team needs to get better here while also getting younger.

A defensive end could be drafted as early as Round 1 if a player falls to the 49ers. 

4. Cornerback

Nate Clements will most likely be cut as a salary cap casualty this offseason, leaving a gaping hole at cornerback.

The team is not high on Shawntae Spencer or Tarell Brown as a No. 1 corner. Should a marquee player fall in the first round, the 49ers must consider him.

5. Wide Receiver

The team is set with Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan on the outside, but an upgrade is needed at slot receiver. The 49ers could also look to improve their kick/punt return options through this pick.

6. Free Safety

Starter Dashon Goldson is a free agent this year, and while it seems like he will return in 2011, the 49ers need to add depth and speed to their secondary.

Some would tell you an upgrade over Goldson is welcome too.

7. Center

A young offensive line has been built in San Francisco through the last three drafts, but center has been overlooked.

Expect a late-round pick to be used on a center who can grow with the 49ers' new quarterback.

Round 1

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 13: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers runs through the defense of the University of Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at Tiger Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the

Pick No. 7

*We can assume here that Cameron Newton, Nick Fairley and A.J. Green have been drafted.

Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama

Cameron Jordan, DE, California

Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

Robert Quinn, OLB, North Carolina

Aldon Smith, OLB, Missouri

Ryan Kerrigan, OLB, Purdue

Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (FL) 

Round 2

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29: Quarterback Christian Ponder #7 of the South Team is hoisted into the air while celebrating after passing for a touchdown to wide receiver Jeremy Kerley #84 against the North Team during the fourth quarter of the Under Armour Se

Pick No. 13 (No. 45 Overall)

Jake Locker, QB, Washington

Andy Dalton, QB, TCU

Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State

Titus Young, WR, Boise State

Stefen Wisniewski, C, Penn State

Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa

Corey Liuget, DE, Illinois

Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple

Marvin Austin, DE, North Carolina

Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor

Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia

Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona

Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

Brandon Burton, CB, Utah

Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

Johnny Patrick, CB, Louisville

Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia

Davon House, CB, New Mexico State

Quinton Carter, FS, Oklahoma

Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA

Round 3

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 09: Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack looks to pass the ball against Boston College during the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park on January 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Pick No. 12 (No. 76 Overall)

Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada

DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma

Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State

Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State

Shane Vereen, RB, Cal

Owen Marecic, FB, Stanford

Vincent Brown, WR, SDSU

Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State

Tandon Doss, WR, Indiana

Jerrel Jernigan, WR, Troy

Randall Cobb, WR/KR, Kentucky

Allen Bailey, DE, Miami (FL)

Kenrick Ellis, NT, Hampton

Sam Acho, OLB, Texas

Dontay Moch, OLB, Nevada

Jeremy Beal, OLB, Oklahoma

K.J. Wright, OLB, Miss. State

Curtis Brown, CB, Texas

Shareece Wright, CB, USC

Round 4

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 11: Linebacker Mason Foster #40 of the Washington Huskies celebrates with Willis Wilson #29 after tackling quarterback Ryan Nassib #12 of the Syracuse Orange and causing a fumble on September 11, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Wash

Picks No. 11 and 18 (Overall Number To Be Determined)

Pat Devlin, QB, Delaware

Delone Carter, RB, Syracuse

Bilal Powell, RB, Louisville

Jamie Harper, RB, Clemson

Jacquizz Rodgers, RB/PR, Oregon State

Jeremy Kerley, WR, TCU

Niles Paul, WR, Nebraska

Greg Little, WR, North Carolina

Terrence Toliver, WR, LSU

Kristofer O'Dowd, C, USC

Lawrence Guy, DE, Arizona State

Jarvis Jenkins, NT, Clemson

Jerrell Powe, NT, Mississippi

Mason Foster, OLB, Washington

Thomas Keiser, OLB, Stanford

Chimdi Chekwa, CB, Ohio State

Korey Lindsey, CB, Southern Illinois

Rashad Carmichael, CB, Virginia Tech

Round 5

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes walks off the field after defeating the Missouri Tigers in the Insight Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (

Pick No. 10 (Overall Number To Be Determined)

Ricky Stanzi, QB, Iowa

Stevan Ridley, RB, LSU

Evan Royster, RB, Penn State

Stanley Havili, FB, USC

Rob Housler, H-Back, Florida Atlantic

Ronald Johnson, WR, USC

Greg Salas, WR, Hawaii

Cecil Shorts III, WR, Mount Union

Dwayne Harris, WR, East Carolina

Tim Barnes, C, Missouri

Ian Williams, NT, Notre Dame

Sione Fua, NT, Stanford

Chris Carter, OLB, Fresno State

Brandon Hogan, CB, West Virginia

Curtis Marsh, CB, Utah State

Chris Rucker, CB, Michigan State

Jalil Brown, CB, Colorado

Round 6

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29: Quarterback Greg McElroy #12 of the South Team is tackled by Ryan Kerrigan #91 and Joe Lefeged #26 of the North Team during the second quarter of the Under Armour Senior Bowl January 29, 2011 at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala

Pick No. 9 and 25 (Overall Number To Be Determined)

Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama

Taiwan Jones, RB, Eastern Washington

Dion Lewis, RB, Pitt

Charles Clay, FB, Tulsa

Ryan Whalen, WR, Stanford

Courtney Smith, WR, South Alabama

Tori Gurley, WR, South Carolina

Edmund Gates, WR, Abilene Christian

Jake Kirkpatrick, C, TCU

Brandon Fusco, C, Slippery Rock

David Carter, DE, UCLA

Ricky Elmore, OLB, Arizona

Wayne Daniels, OLB, TCU

Chykie Brown, CB, Texas

Kendric Burney, CB, North Carolina

Mario Butler, CB, Georgia Tech

Will Hill, FS, Florida

Round 7

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 13: Derrick Locke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball while defended by Johnell Thomas #98 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the game at Commonwealth Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won

Picks No. 8 and 30 (Overall Number To Be Determined)

Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M

Da'Rel Scott, RB, Maryland

Derrick Lock, RB, Kentucky

Alex Green, RB, Hawaii

Henry Hynoski, FB, Pittsburgh

Darvin Adams, WR, Auburn

Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan

DeAndre Brown, WR, Southern Miss

Aldrick Robinson, WR, SMU

Mark Dell, WR, Michigan State

Chris Neild, NT, Virginia Tech

Marcus Gilchrist, CB, Clemson

Jason Teague, CB, TCU

Justin Rogers, CB, Richmond

Devon Torrence, CB, Ohio State

Chris Culliver, FS, South Carolina

Eric Hagg, FS, Nebraska