NFL Draft 2011: Schedule Should Point 49ers Towards Prince Amukamara

If there was any doubt about what position should be first on the 49ers’ wish list come draft day, it became clear this week when San Francisco got a look at their schedule.  

In the first six games, the 49ers will face three of the NFL’s premier physical specimens in Dez Bryant, DeSean Jackson and Calvin Johnson. 

The 49ers’ alleged top corner Nate Clements has proven he no longer has the physical tools to match up with the league’s elite pass catchers, not to mention that both Dallas and Philadelphia also feature big play threats Miles Austin and Jeremy Maclin at the other wideout spot. 

Suffice to say San Francisco needs help in the secondary immediately and this should have Harbaugh and co. looking for a cornerback rather than, say, a quarterback with their first pick. 

The fact that the 49ers need a player who can contribute right out of the chute also strengthens the case for taking Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara. 

Amukamara didn’t miss a game in four years with the Cornhuskers and was described by 49ers’ color commentator (and former elite corner) Eric Davis recently as the most NFL-ready DB in the draft. It should be noted that Davis says player’s names for a living so he may be swayed by the pun potential of a guy named Prince. 

LSU corner Patrick Peterson remains higher on most draft boards than Amukamara on the strength of his sheer talent, but he is less polished than Prince and might require San Francisco to trade up a few spots to secure him. 

Conversely Amukamara may be someone San Francisco could land if they moved a few spots back from No. 7. 

Harbaugh and co. should also keep the schedule in mind as they formulate what to do with the rest of their 11 picks. 

This season San Francisco will face seven teams in who rank in the top 15 in pass protection according to FootballOutsiders.com, which should underscore the need for adding another pass rusher. 

The 49ers will also run up against some of the league’s most physical defenses in Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants. 

San Francisco will need to add another rusher to keep Frank Gore from getting beat beyond repair in those games and more help on the offensive line to contend with the like of James Harrison and Justin Tuck would be wise. 

It would be shorted-sighted and stupid for the 49ers’ brain trust to make all of their draft decisions looking at this year alone. For example, if both Peterson and Amukamara are gone at No. 7 (which might cause Mel Kiper’s head to explode), San Francisco shouldn’t reach for another corner that early. 

Unlike previous years, when teams could fill immediate needs with free agency and take fliers with their picks, this draft will be about getting impact players who can contribute immediately in the win/loss column. 

As painful as watching the 49ers’ QBs has been over the past few seasons, it will be just as excruciating to watch DeSean Jackson high-step into the end zone 15 yards in front of Clements. 

Using a top pick on a QB, or any player not ready to play immediately, will only earn the 49ers a trip back to the top 10 in next year’s draft.