49ers mock/targets rds 1-4

Pick 13: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa: This is the guy I have wanted for us to get since November and after the Orange Bowl where he did an outstanding job vs Ga Tech DE Derrick Morgan, I became totally sold on Bulaga. I look at Bulaga as a guy who can come in right away and start from day one at RT or even LT (though obviously we would have him at RT) and be a very, very solid player for 10+yrs in the NFL. Maybe not Pro Bowl good but a notch below and I look at him as an offensive tackle version fo Justin Smith; Not flashy but just a good, tough, strong football player who will bring it week in and week out and just be a heck of a football player. He has good size, good strength, good feet, a mean streak, solid fundementals and like I said, even though he came out as a JR I look at him as a guy who can come in and start from day one. Now, if he is gone at 13, I would take Earl Thomas, S, Texas or C.J Spiller, RB, Clemson.

Pick 16-17: Earl Thomas, S, Texas: This kid is a player! Had a solid season as a redshirt freshman at Texas and really came on this past season as a sophmore setting a Longhorns record with 8 ints and had 149 return yds of those INT's. The 49ers could use a big time corner, but with Haden being most likely a top 10 pick and a big dropoff after Haden at corner, Thomas would give the 49ers basically an extra corner with his coverage and playmaking skills at FS and would allow us to move Goldson to strong safety where I think he can be even better. Thomas would give us a much needed ballhawk in the secondary who is a playmaker and despite his size (5'10" 195pds) Thomas is no slouch in run support and has shown he is willing to come up and take on big RB's like he did with Mark Ingram in the Natl championship game. His biggest strength though is his ball skills as he reads and plays the ball well as well as any safety prospect I have seen since Ed Reed and he has great closing speed and instincts and a swagger to him. I really like this kid and I think he can be an Ed Reed type player in the NFL.

Now if Bulaga is gone at 13 and we take Thomas or another non OT at 13, I hope we do not reach for an OT at 16-17 with Bulaga off the board as I assume Anthony Davis and Okung will be long gone. I would not reach on Trent Williams who has 1st rd talent but I just question his desire, passion and work ethic. I wouldn't take Iupati at 16-17, if we could trade down than yes. I would us rather take C.J Spiller or best available. I am a huge C.J Spiller fan. I think Spiller will help a team win an extra 1-3 games as a rookie with his kick-punt return ability and also his playmaking skills as a RB and receiver. Of course a trade down would be great as well if Bulaga is gone at 13 or 16-17 and we could go for a Mike Iupati later in the 1st rd or Bruce Campbell or maybe Trent Williams if it is late 1st rd.

2nd rd prospects: Of course depending on what we do with our two 1st rd picks. If we don't take a tackle with either of those picks, I really like Jason Fox, OT, Miami, FL. I think he will be a very solid NFL RT or even LT. I also like the kid from UMass but he is raw and Kyle Calloway from Iowa I think will be a very solid NFL RT. If we do take an OT with one of our 1st rd picks; I like Javier Arenas, CB-KR, Alabama. Obviously he is a big time KR-PR prospect and I think he will be a solid #3 corner in the NFL. I also like Kyle Wilson, CB-KR, Boise State who is a solid PR and I think will be a very good #3 corner and maybe even a solid #2 corner in the NFL. A couple of safety prospects I like in the 2nd or 3rd... Larry Asante from Nebraska, Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech and Nate Allen from South Florida. Dexter McCluster from Ole Miss a favorite on here is also a very possible 2nd rd target.

3rd/4th rd targets: I have been on the Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan bandwagon for a while but now with a solid Senior Bowl week he may end up as a 2nd rd pick. I also like Colt McCoy and I think he may fall into the 3rd rd. Im also looking at Darryl Clark, QB, Penn State as a 3rd or 4th rd possibility and if LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon is available in RD 3, I would love for the 49ers to take a long hard look at him. Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss is also on my radar as a 3rd or 4th rd prospect. Then there is Colt McCoy. If he is available in the 3rd rd and I don't think it is out of the question, we should absolutely take him and even consider taking him in the 2nd rd.

Oh, not a Taylor Mays fan at all and Tim Tebow....Wouldn't touch him at all! Not even in the 2nd or 3rd rd. What do you guys think of Tony Pike?

What do you guys think?

I think you are right on man, my feelings exactly and prolly most fans. Covers our needs there.

Nice synopsis!

I agree about Bulaga, but I really do think you are incorrect about Williams' work ethic and desire. He is renowned for that. In fact, most draftnik articles I read say he's has the most "character" of those OTs striving to work beyond his means like Justin Smith does for DT. I agree Bulaga would be the better versatile OL because he can play both RT and LT with the same skill level.

However, Williams is the best ROT, period hands down, but not as good at LT than Bulaga. Still, I believe that Williams as ROT starts immediately with solid production whereas Bulaga, IMO, would need more seasoning. Williams was a solid beast week in and week out at RT for Oklahoma, that much is certain. Either one would make me happy!

That second pick in the round is the big question mark, huh? Still, we have a great chance to landing another immediate impact starter with it. I can see Spiller starting and exploding at RS and 3rd down back able to play slot or edge as WR. I can see Iupati starting in place of Baas allowing us to have the youngest and strongest starting OL in some time.

In the secondary, I can see E. Thomas start at nickle or dime surpassing T. Brown and R. Smith for the role, but I don't see him unseating Goldson or Lewis, yet.

On the DL and pass rushers, I can see D. Williams taking snaps away from Frankin, but not enough to surpass him. Also, I can see JPP, C. Dunlop and Graham coming in to compete and be third down specialists with Brooks to start, but not take Parys or Mannys spot yet.

Given where we are at S, pass rusher and CB, I think we will draft for these based on BPA.

I really do believe now that ROT will be one of the first two, period. After that, roll those lucky sevens!!!

Choices, choices, choices......

I would add Brandon Graham to your first round list after his great Senior season plus his Senior Bowl performance.

The second round willl still be loaded with talent but I would narrow my focus to the CB/KR's in Arenas and Wilson or D. McCluster.

Apparently you are high on the idea of getting a QB in the 3rd round if McCoy, LeFavour or Snead is available. If they are there at that point, I wouldn't be pissed if we picked up a McCoy or Snead. I would add a good OG at this point in M. Johnson Alabama or John Jerry Ole Miss in this round if the QB's aren't there.

Fourth round would be nice to pickup the best safety available.

Originally posted by m_brockalexander:
Choices, choices, choices......

I would add Brandon Graham to your first round list after his great Senior season plus his Senior Bowl performance.

The second round willl still be loaded with talent but I would narrow my focus to the CB/KR's in Arenas and Wilson or D. McCluster.

Apparently you are high on the idea of getting a QB in the 3rd round if McCoy, LeFavour or Snead is available. If they are there at that point, I wouldn't be pissed if we picked up a McCoy or Snead. I would add a good OG at this point in M. Johnson Alabama or John Jerry Ole Miss in this round if the QB's aren't there.

Fourth round would be nice to pickup the best safety available.

I hope we don't pick up a QB at all. I wouldn't touch Tony Pike. Also Jerry, Michael Johnson in the 3rd would be great.

Originally posted by Jamespowers:
I think you are right on man, my feelings exactly and prolly most fans. Covers our needs there.

Agree nice post.

Originally posted by Gore_21:

I hope we don't pick up a QB at all. I wouldn't touch Tony Pike. Also Jerry, Michael Johnson in the 3rd would be great.

Tony Pike will be a good QB in the league, mark my words. I wouldn't want to pick one up until at least the 5th round.

I like it. Definitely McCluster in the second if he is there.

Thank you for the feedback and positive comments.


Let me ask you guys this, lets say somehow both Anthony Davis and Bryan Bulaga are available at 13, who would you take? Ill also say this, if Bulaga, Davis and of course Okung are gone by the time we pick, I don't think it is worth reaching on an OT and yes I think Trent Williams is a bit of a reach/risk at 13 or 16-17.

Originally posted by PatrickJira411:
Thank you for the feedback and positive comments.


Let me ask you guys this, lets say somehow both Anthony Davis and Bryan Bulaga are available at 13, who would you take? Ill also say this, if Bulaga, Davis and of course Okung are gone by the time we pick, I don't think it is worth reaching on an OT and yes I think Trent Williams is a bit of a reach/risk at 13 or 16-17.

I think Williams would be too if he were to play LT but I think he would fit just right at RT.

Originally posted by PatrickJira411:
Thank you for the feedback and positive comments.


Let me ask you guys this, lets say somehow both Anthony Davis and Bryan Bulaga are available at 13, who would you take? Ill also say this, if Bulaga, Davis and of course Okung are gone by the time we pick, I don't think it is worth reaching on an OT and yes I think Trent Williams is a bit of a reach/risk at 13 or 16-17.

I am curious. Why do you think Williams is a reach when the average placement I have seen for this kid is around the teens especially given his production in college as a RT.

Given, I see Bulaga as a better all around tackle prospect, but I just don't see him now getting to us at #13. Either one would be fine with me.

At #13, I would choose in this order if Bulaga and Davis are not there:
Top Ten
Haden--Don't think he will drop, but could given needs.
Spiller--I think this guys slips out of the top 10 still
JPP--Lethal as a pass rusher who could immediately improve the squad but raw

Top15
Iupati--In terms of ability, sheer power and strength, and versatility he's the best OL, but raw
T. Williams--Best ROT prospect with versatility to play LT if need be
Thomas--Center fielder who would move to FS and Goldson to SS.
D. Williams--Best NT prospect who could give Franklin a run for his money
Graham--Just a monster off the line even at around 6 foot.
Dunlop--After combine, he will be in the mix


Still Pat, you have to admit that is one nice list to choose from either way we cut it and we get two of those bad boys!!!

I will also throw out Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech as a possibility in the 2nd rd if he is available. At 6'0" 235pds he would give us the big, bruising back Singletary craves? Plus he could play some FB and we could have him and Gore in the backfield at the same time. Just throwing it out there....


I see PFW has us taking Jimmy Clausen. I seriously, seriously doubt he would fall that far but I would take him if im the 49ers but I wouldn't touch Sam Bradford with either of our 1st rd picks and I wouldn't touch Tebow at all, not even with our 3rd or 4th rd pick, maybe a 5th or 6th rd pick but obviously he will be gone by then.

I got a question for you guys, would you rather have Javier Arenas or Dexter McCluster in the 2nd rd?

Originally posted by PatrickJira411:
I will also throw out Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech as a possibility in the 2nd rd if he is available. At 6'0" 235pds he would give us the big, bruising back Singletary craves? Plus he could play some FB and we could have him and Gore in the backfield at the same time. Just throwing it out there....


I see PFW has us taking Jimmy Clausen. I seriously, seriously doubt he would fall that far but I would take him if im the 49ers but I wouldn't touch Sam Bradford with either of our 1st rd picks and I wouldn't touch Tebow at all, not even with our 3rd or 4th rd pick, maybe a 5th or 6th rd pick but obviously he will be gone by then.

I got a question for you guys, would you rather have Javier Arenas or Dexter McCluster in the 2nd rd?

Means we can finally get rid of Micheal robertson...

Originally posted by ninertico:

Originally posted by PatrickJira411:
Thank you for the feedback and positive comments.


Let me ask you guys this, lets say somehow both Anthony Davis and Bryan Bulaga are available at 13, who would you take? Ill also say this, if Bulaga, Davis and of course Okung are gone by the time we pick, I don't think it is worth reaching on an OT and yes I think Trent Williams is a bit of a reach/risk at 13 or 16-17.

I am curious. Why do you think Williams is a reach when the average placement I have seen for this kid is around the teens especially given his production in college as a RT.

Given, I see Bulaga as a better all around tackle prospect, but I just don't see him now getting to us at #13. Either one would be fine with me.

At #13, I would choose in this order if Bulaga and Davis are not there:
Top Ten
Haden--Don't think he will drop, but could given needs.
Spiller--I think this guys slips out of the top 10 still
JPP--Lethal as a pass rusher who could immediately improve the squad but raw

Top15
Iupati--In terms of ability, sheer power and strength, and versatility he's the best OL, but raw
T. Williams--Best ROT prospect with versatility to play LT if need be
Thomas--Center fielder who would move to FS and Goldson to SS.
D. Williams--Best NT prospect who could give Franklin a run for his money
Graham--Just a monster off the line even at around 6 foot.
Dunlop--After combine, he will be in the mix


Still Pat, you have to admit that is one nice list to choose from either way we cut it and we get two of those bad boys!!!

Agree, we are gonna have a choice of two very good players in the 1st round. Hopefully we can get three starters in rounds one & two.

Good post, a great read! So many things can happen on draft day that it is nice you've taken the "if not/then" approach to your mock. I'll be interested to see if you change it around a bit after the combine!