By Robert Rousselle (Contributor) on January 17, 2011
This is my extremely early edition of the 2011 San Francisco 49ers Mock Draft. The only major position of need for the 49ers is at quarterback. I can see the 49ers taking at least two quarterbacks in this draft.
The bad thing about this draft is there are no elite/clear cut number one quarterbacks.This is a draft where the 49ers currently have only one on their roster, David Carr.Here is my round by round selections for the 49ers. I took into account where players should be when the 49ers select in each of those rounds.
Round 1, Pick 7: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
In my opinion, No. 7 is too high for any of the quarterbacks in this draft.
If there is a rookie wage scale then it might be easier to draft a QB.
Amukamara is probably the best cornerback prospect in the draft.
Patrick Peterson has better upside because of his athletic ability and return ability, which means he will probably be drafted earlier. However, Prince was better coached at Nebraska and can start right away for the 49ers defense.
Round 2, Pick 13 (45th Overall): Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
Here is where I believe the 49ers can find their quarterback of the future. Ponder has all the tools to succeed in the NFL, but will need to check out medically. It would be nice to pick him up in the third round, but because quarterbacks are valued more than any other position, he might not be there in the third.
If the 49ers go with a quarterback with this pick, they will definitely look for a veteran in free agency or via trade (ex. Kevin Kolb, Josh Johnson) to start for a year or two while this future quarterback develops.
Round 3, Pick 12 (76th Overall): Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh
Each year Frank Gore has an injury. A replacement for Gore is a priority in this draft.
I like Anthony Dixon, but they desperately need a running back to fit their West Coast offense.
Dion Lewis will probably not be drafted that high because of his size. If he does make it to the third round, the 49ers should snatch him up.
He is similar to the guy he succeeded at Pittsburgh, LeSean McCoy.
Round 4, Pick 11: Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina
Please note I quit writing overall pick because there will be compensatory picks awarded after the 3rd round that haven’t been determined yet.
This is about the spot where I can see the 49ers looking for a pass rusher unless there is someone they like in the first three rounds.
Bruce Carter has first round athletic ability but had ACL reconstruction surgery on his left knee in December 2010. his reminds me of O’Brien Schofield who was in a similar injury situation last year and was selected in the fourth round by the Arizona Cardinals. He played well when he finally made it onto the field. T
Even with the potential loss of Manny Lawson to free agency, the 49ers have Thaddeus Gibson waiting in the wings. Adding Carter would give the 49ers two young outside linebackers to add to the future rotation.
Round 4, Pick 18 (from San Diego): Andy Dalton, QB, TCU
I could see the 49ers taking another quarterback in the middle rounds, such as Andy Dalton. Andy doesn’t wow you with his athletic skills, but he is a proven winner and great decision maker. He is someone who could eventually become a solid starter or good number two quarterback in the NFL down the road.
Round 5, Pick 10: Rashad Carmichael, CB, Virginia Tech
The fifth round is where we could see the 49ers trying to pick up a play making cornerback in Rashad Carmichael.
Round 6, Pick 9: Ryan Winterswyk, DE, Boise State
You can never have enough line depth, see New York Giants.
Winterswyk might be able to move to outside linebacker. If he could add another 20 to 30 pounds, he could play defensive end in the 49ers 3-4.
Round 6, Pick 25 (from Seattle): Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech
Since this is basically an extra pick, the 49ers might as well pick up an athlete who could be a quarterback in the Michael Vick mold or turn into a wide receiver/ returner type, see Joshua Cribbs. Harbaugh witnessed Taylor first hand in the Orange Bowl. He knows that Taylor is too talented to pass up if he is here at this point in the draft.
Round 7, Pick 7 (from Detroit): Zane Taylor, C, Utah
The 49ers have invested many picks lately in the early rounds of the draft on offensive lineman.
This draft is looking like a weak draft for offensive lineman in the early rounds.
Look for them to add some offensive line depth in the later rounds of this draft.
Round 7, Pick 8: Jeff Maehl, WR, Oregon
The 49ers don’t have a pure slot receiver who can make the catch on third and six. I guess Ted Ginn was supposed to be that guy but there is always a 50 percent chance he won’t make the catch.
Whenever I watched Oregon on TV, Maehl caught everything thrown his way.
When Oregon needed a third down reception they always looked his way.
I do like Dominique Zeigler, who is already on the team as a slot guy, but it would be nice if he had some competition.
Undrafted Free Agents
Anthony Gray (pictured), NT, Southern Mississippi - Someone who could develop behind Franklin and Jean Francois.
Derrick Locke, RB, Kentucky - Another smaller back who would fit into a West Coast offense.
Lazarius Levingston, DE, LSU - Someone to develop along the defensive line. He’s also from the SEC which the 49ers like.
Junior Tui’one, OLB, Utah - A outside linebacker to bring in to try and earn a spot on the practice squad.
Scott Lutrus, ILB, UConn - Injuries might mean he will be an undrafted free agent.
Anthony Gray (pictured), NT, Southern Mississippi - Someone who could develop behind Franklin and Jean Francois.
Derrick Locke, RB, Kentucky - Another smaller back who would fit into a West Coast offense.
Lazarius Levingston, DE, LSU - Someone to develop along the defensive line. He’s also from the SEC which the 49ers like.
Junior Tui’one, OLB, Utah - A outside linebacker to bring in to try and earn a spot on the practice squad.
Scott Lutrus, ILB, UConn - Injuries might mean he will be an undrafted free agent.