NFL Draft 2011: Marcell Dareus vs. Robert Quinn at No. 7 for San Francisco 49ers

There is no clear-cut best player in the 2011 draft. Speculation is swirling around the top of the draft.

With so many talented defensive players at the top of the draft, the first overall pick could be a number of different defensive superstars.

Then again, there is a huge demand for quarterbacks at the top of the draft. While the supply may be lacking, it seems inevitable that when the 49ers are on the clock with the seventh pick, at least one quarterback will be off the board.

The 49ers are going to have a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive player fall into their lap at No. 7. As the draft approaches and stocks rise and fall, it seems Da'Quan Bowers, Patrick Peterson, Nick Fairley and Von Miller will likely be off the board.

Two intriguing players in the draft this year are North Carolina's Robert Quinn and Alabama's Marcell Dareus.

Robert Quinn was suspended for a year and remains a top prospect in this year's draft. At 6'5", Quinn has ideal length to fit into a 3-4 scheme. He is a relentless pass rusher and big-time playmaker.

Quinn will need to work on his consistency, especially in the run game. He is a force at times, but looks out of sorts when he goes against top-end talent. Like DeMarcus Ware, he may feel more comfortable standing up.

If scouts are looking for a player with upside, they don't have to look any further than Quinn. He has a frame tailor-made for an edge rusher in the NFL. His length, explosiveness and tenacity could make him the most gifted player in the entire draft.

The 49ers are in need of a cookie monster pass rusher. They're average at getting to the quarterback and desperately need a guy who can come off the edge and rack up huge sack numbers.

Quinn may be the answer, especially under newly anointed defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Perhaps the biggest blow to the 49ers' front seven is the potential departure of defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin. While there will certainly be options later in the draft to address defensive tackle, San Francisco may want to replace Franklin with an elite young talent.

Everyone in the league took notice last season when Ndamukong Suh transformed the image of the Lions defense. This season, the most heralded defensive line prospect is Nick Fairley.

Fairley helped Auburn to a national championship. However, scouts aren't thoroughly sold on him—his performance prior to 2010 was lacking.

Fairley was the clear-cut No. 1 defensive tackle on the board when the season ended, but it seems the disparity between he and the next rated DT is not as clear anymore. Marcell Dareus blew up the combine and forced scouts to go back and look at the tape.

Prior to Fairley's fantastic season at Auburn, Dareus led Alabama to a national championship of his own. He has great size and explosion, and excellent football instincts. It is rare when you find a defensive tackle with his sort of pass rushing abilities.

At 6'3" and just over 300 pounds, the fact that he ran a sub-5.0 40 yard dash is incredible. His burst off the line and ferocious play may make teams want to rethink their board. Dareus has been more consistent than Fairley, as he has produced since he was a sophomore.

Although he is built to play interior line at the next level, he played in the five-technique at Alabama. His regression in 2010 had a lot to do with being targeted by offenses. Depite being constantly double-teamed by SEC offensive linemen, Dareus controlled the line of scrimmage.

He has the opportunity to be great against the run, but special against the pass for an interior lineman. The 49ers could have a big hole at DT. A guy like Dareus could fill it in a big way for the next decade.

So which prospect is a better fit for the 3-4 scheme the 49ers are going to put forth next season? Both are going to have to move positions, but both are built to do so with ease.

Imagine a 3-4 front in the future that consists of NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis and Robert Quinn. Then again, a defensive line that is anchored by a guy like Marcell Dareus carries a lot of appeal. If Dareus is soaking up a double-team, Patrick Willis could be getting off the ball free at times. Scary.

Both of these prospects carry a tremendous amount of upside. While it is likely both will succeed under Fangio, it appears as though Dareus is the safer pick. Solid outside linebackers are easier to come by, but they also carry heavier bust potential: see Lawson, Manny.

With Dareus, the 49ers would be getting a guy that would not only be able to maintain their high level of production as a run defense, but also contribute to the pass rush.

Both a rush outside linebacker and stout defensive tackle are needed for a solid 3-4 to work. Take a look at the Super Bowl, for example. Casey Hampton and B.J. Raji coupled with James Harrison and Clay Matthews launched their teams into the Super Bowl.

The 49ers need both, but will regress more if they fail to bring in Dareus. Defensive tackles of his caliber are hard to come by. Since the 49ers don't expect to be drafting in the top 10 next season, it is important they capitalize on having the seventh overall pick.

Passing on an edge rusher is going to be difficult, but failing to draft Dareus is going to blow the door wide open for opposing offenses. Ricky Jean-Francois shows promise, but a rotation with Dareus and RJF could give the 49ers one of the scariest rotations in the NFL.