2011 NFL Mock Draft: Full 7-Round San Francisco 49ers Predictions
The San Francisco 49ers front office, scouts and new head coach Jim Harbaugh are currently locked away, planning and plotting their 2011 draft board.
We've done the same.
The 49ers enter an interesting draft in 2011. The team holds the most selections of any team (12), is under new leadership (Jim Harbaugh/Trent Baalke) and has clearly defined needs at quarterback and outside linebacker to address hopefully within the first 50 selections of the draft.
How will top players like Patrick Peterson of LSU figure into the 49ers plans?
Find out inside.
Round 1, Pick 7: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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While we would love to see the 49ers land a quarterback here, none of the first-round talents in the 2011 NFL Draft excite us.
What's to like about Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton that you cannot find in round two for a lower price tag?
It is becoming more likely that cornerback Patrick Peterson, our No. 1 overall player, will fall to the 49ers.
With teams one through six focusing on quarterbacks, defensive tackles and outside linebacker Von Miller, it looks promising that San Francisco could find the best cornerback prospect since Charles Woodson on the board for them.
Round 2, Pick 13: Andy Dalton, QB, TCU
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The 49ers may have to trade up to get him, but we believe they have their sights set on the TCU quarterback.
Andy Dalton is right in the mix as the leader of the second-tier quarterbacks. Joining him are Christian Ponder (FSU), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Colin Kaepernick (Nevada) and Ricky Stanzi (Iowa).
Of the five players in this group, we are infinitely most confident about Dalton's ability in the 49ers' West Coast offense.
Dalton has the mobility, accuracy, football IQ and moxie to step in as a rookie and lead the 49ers.
Round 3, Pick 12: Chris Carter, OLB, Fresno State
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Carter fills an immediate need in San Francisco for a pass-rushing outside linebacker.
In Vic Fangio's 3-4 defense, the pressure all comes from the edge, and Carter is the best pass rusher on the board for the 49ers with their third-round pick.
Carter is no Clay Matthews, but he is an able replacement for free agent and perennial underachiever Manny Lawson.
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Round 4, Pick 11: Robert Sands, FS, West Virginia
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Filling another pressing need on the 49ers defense, the team finds an athletic free safety with excellent range from centerfield in Robert Sands in round four.
Sands is an underrated player in this class. He has amazing size, good speed and has shown ability to come up and play the run as well as drop back in to coverage.
This pick, as well as the team's second selection in round four, could be packaged in an attempt to move back into the first round for a quarterback.
Round 4, Pick 18: Jerrell Powe, NT, Ole Miss
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The 49ers used their franchise tag on nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin before the 2010 season and then saw his play drop off slightly during the year. Franklin will become a free agent as soon as the CBA mess is straightened out and could leave a significant hole in the middle of the 49ers defense. Both physically and literally.
Powe is a perfect replacement for Franklin, and even has a higher ceiling as a pro.
In defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's scheme, it is important for the nose tackle to not only plug the A gap and draw double-teams, but he wants them to get up-field and push the center back into the quarterback.
Powe has the perfect size/speed combination to become the 49ers version of B.J. Raji.
Round 5, Pick 10: Jake Kirkpatrick, OC, TCU
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Jake Kirkpatrick fits the mold of what Harbaugh liked in his centers at Stanford, as a slightly undersized but very intelligent player who can direct traffic up-front.
He also has the benefit of having played with Andy Dalton, so they have built-in chemistry.
Center is the one position of uncertainty on the 49ers offensive line. Kirkpatrick would step in to a competition with David Baas, who has naturally played guard in the past.
Round 6, Pick 9: Cedric Thornton, DE, Southern Arkansas
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The 49ers like their starting defensive ends of Justin Smith and Ray McDonald, but there is a need for depth here. There is also a small chance McDonald will not re-sign with the 49ers as a free agent this summer. Should the team get any inclination that McDonald will not be back, defensive end goes from a depth pick to a priority.
As a sixth-round pick, the 49ers would not expect Thornton to step in immediately, but he does show potential as a five-technique defensive end in the Niners 3-4 scheme.
Round 6, Pick 25: Ryan Whalen, WR, Stanford
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And let the run on Stanford players begin.
Whalen does fill a need in San Francisco for an improvement over Ted Ginn in the slot, but he also knows the Harbaugh offense and can contribute almost immediately in three and four-wide packages.
Whalen will not blow anyone away with measurables, but he is a smart player who has a chance to be productive in the NFL.
Round 7, Pick 7: Henry Hynoski, FB, Pittsburgh
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We would love to see the 49ers land Owen Marecic, the fullback/linebacker from Stanford, but unfortunately, he is not likely to make it to the seventh round.
Henry Hynoski is a great fit for the West Coast offense. He's an able receiver, has been a lead blocker and shows great ability as a short-yardage runner.
He's also one tough hombre.
The 49ers have a long, bright history of fullbacks in the WCO. Guys like Tom Rathman and William Floyd will be happy to see No. 49 running the ball in San Francisco.
Round 7, Pick 8: Bilal Powell, RB, Louisville
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Powell is quietly building a reputation as a late-round sleeper in the 2011 draft class. He was productive at Louisville and avoided the wear-and-tear that many college runners endure.
Powell would not be asked to do much as a rookie. He's a great fit in rotation with Frank Gore and Anthony Davis, though. His ability as an inside runner and receiver make him a very good option in the WCO.
Round 7, Pick 38: Richard Sherman, CB, Stanford
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Using their first of two compensatory selections, the 49ers reach back into the Stanford pool of players to add depth on special teams and in the secondary with Richard Sherman.
Sherman has great measureables and has competed against pro-style offenses in the Pac-10. We like him as a late-rounder who has the talent to make the 49ers final roster.
Round 7, Pick 49: Thomas Keiser, OLB, Stanford
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As we referenced in the opening slide, San Francisco will be smart to draft former players of Harbaugh's in the late rounds of this draft.
Thomas Keiser not only has the advantage of playing at Stanford, but he also fills a need for San Francisco.
Chris Carter was our round three projection at outside linebacker, but it never hurts to add depth in the pass rushing department.
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