Before the season begins, it's important to know who to look out for. I'm not going to give you the common people's list, which the media or others may view as the "top" -- but rather, who really to pay attention to.
These are obviously going to change by draft time, but in regards to 49ers' possible targets, let's preview the upcoming draft eligibles and the best likely to be available. Here we go:
OFFENSE
Quarterback:
1. Jake Locker, Washington
2. Christian Ponder, Florida St.
3. Ryan Mallet, Arkansas*
4. Pat Devlin, Delaware
5. Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M
Running back:
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama*
2. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
3. Montel Harris, Boston College*
4. Noel Devine, West Virginia
5. Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma St.
Tight End:
1. Weslye Saunders, South Carolina (his first name is indeed spelled like that)
2. Luke Stocker, Tennessee
3. Jeffrey Anderson, UAB
4. Charlie Gantt, Michigan St.
5. Mike McNeill, Nebraska
Wide Receiver:
1. A.J. Green, Georgia*
2. Julio Jones, Alabama*
3. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame*
4. Jonathan Baldwin, Pitt*
5. DeAndre Brown, Southern Miss*
Tackle:
1. Matt Reynolds, BYU*
2. Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
3. Anthony Castonzo, Boston College
4. Lee Ziemba, Auburn
5. Marcus Cannon, TCU
Center:
1. Mike Pouncey, Florida
2. Stefen Wisniewski, Penn St.
3. Colin Baxter, Arizona
4. Ryan McMahon, Florida St.
5. Zane Taylor, Utah
Guard:
1. Rodney Hudson, Florida St.
2. John Moffit, Wisconsin
3. Benjamin Ijalana, Villanova
4. Justin Boren, Ohio St.
5. Steve Schilling, Michigan
DEFENSE
3-4 Defensive End:
1. Cameron Heyward, Ohio St.
2. Marvin Austin, North Carolina
3. Jared Crick, Nebraska*
4. Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
5. Allen Bailey, Miami
3-4 Nose Tackle:
1. Jerrell Powe, Mississippi
2. Kendrick Ellis, Hampton
3. Phil Taylor, Baylor
4. Anthony Gray, Southern Miss
5. Cory Grant, TCU
Inside Linebacker:
1. Don'ta Hightower, Alabama*
2. Chris Galippo, USC
3. Mike Mohamed, California
4. Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina
5. Korey Williams, Southern Miss*
3-4 OLB:
1. Robert Quinn, North Carolina*
2. Akeem Ayers, UCLA*
3. Von Miller, Texas A&M
4. Jack Crawford, Penn St.*
5. Adrian Robinson, Temple
Cornerback:
1. Prince Amukamura, Nebraska
2. Ras-I Dowling, Virginia
3. Patrick Peterson, LSU*
4. Rashad Carmichael, Virginia Tech
5. Kendrick Burney, North Carolina
Free Safety:
1. Deunta Williams, North Carolina
2. Raheem Moore, UCLA*
3. Robert Sands, West Virginia*
4. Chris Culliver, South Carolina
5. Blake Gideon, Texas*
Strong Safety:
1. DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson
2. Mark Barron, Alabama*
3. Jermale Hines, Ohio St.
4. Ahmad Black, Florida
5. Devonte Shannon, Buffalo
[ Edited by OnTheClock on Apr 29, 2010 at 14:45:05 ]
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Top Five Players at their Position for 2011: Pre-Season Picks
Apr 28, 2010 at 1:48 PM
- OnTheClock
- Hall of Fame
- Posts: 36,347
Apr 28, 2010 at 1:50 PM
- Thorhawk
- Veteran
- Posts: 16,594
Adrian Clayborn
Apr 28, 2010 at 1:58 PM
- ads_2006
- Veteran
- Posts: 56,464
Mike Mohamed and Andrew Luck
Apr 28, 2010 at 2:04 PM
- OnTheClock
- Hall of Fame
- Posts: 36,347
Originally posted by ads_2006:
Mike Mohamed and Andrew Luck
I know everyone loves Luck.. but I'll wait for the first 4 games or so before I bump him up. He sits at #6 on the list for now.
Apr 28, 2010 at 2:48 PM
- miked1978
- Veteran
- Posts: 11,062
Glad to see Christian Ponder high on the list. I think he has the tools to become an NFL QB.
Apr 28, 2010 at 3:04 PM
- jreff22
- Veteran
- Posts: 65,482
Just give me a DT and a CB
Apr 28, 2010 at 3:08 PM
- 49ersalldaway126
- Veteran
- Posts: 14,549
i want a dominate DE opposite of justin smith in this draft either that or an OLB but id perfer a good 3-4 DE
Apr 28, 2010 at 3:28 PM
- SnakePlissken
- Veteran
- Posts: 15,028
Would love to pick up Pat Devlin at the end of the first round (even a trade-up if we thankfully go deep into the playoffs). Devlin probably has the best touch/mechanics of the entire top-5, he's a Joe Flacco waiting to happen!
Apr 28, 2010 at 3:32 PM
- 49oz2superbowl
- Veteran
- Posts: 3,594
Originally posted by OnTheClock:Originally posted by ads_2006:
Mike Mohamed and Andrew Luck
I know everyone loves Luck.. but I'll wait for the first 4 games or so before I bump him up. He sits at #6 on the list for now.
Really? I would think he would atleast be as valued as Pat Devlin. He's got a terrific arm, accuracy, mobility, pocket presence, and leadership. If he improves on last year he should be the clearcut number 1.
Apr 28, 2010 at 3:41 PM
- nipplehead
- Veteran
- Posts: 4,963
Galippo might not even start for SC this year. He's in a dogfight for his spot with Devon Kennard, and right now Kennard has the edge. I think Galippo will end up starting, due to his experience, but it's going to be close.
Apr 28, 2010 at 3:49 PM
- kronik
- Veteran
- Posts: 4,316
That's alot of tarheels. Man, are they gonna actually show some better results on the scoreboard?
[ Edited by kronik on Apr 28, 2010 at 15:49:51 ]
[ Edited by kronik on Apr 28, 2010 at 15:49:51 ]
Apr 28, 2010 at 4:00 PM
- kunged
- Veteran
- Posts: 412
we really need a CB (at least just to inject some youth) and I reckon a Dline or pass rusher with the first two picks.
Apr 28, 2010 at 4:01 PM
- kunged
- Veteran
- Posts: 412
Originally posted by kunged:
we really need a CB (at least just to inject some youth) and I reckon a Dline or pass rusher with the first two picks.
barring any major draft day falls or surprise play from some players this year
Apr 28, 2010 at 7:17 PM
- Dblj55
- Veteran
- Posts: 247
OTC, what is your take on QB Dayne Crist ND? I expect a great season from him, despite recovering from an acl injury.
Apr 28, 2010 at 7:38 PM
- tohara3
- Veteran
- Posts: 28,604
Originally posted by Thorhawk:
Adrian Clayborn