**Note: no free agent signings or trades mainly because of the uncertainty of the CBA.
1st Round: Robert Quinn DE/OLB
The 49ers are in great position here at the 7 spot. We can go a number of directions whether it be corner (Peterson or Prince although Peterson should be off the board), pass rushing linebacker, or a defensive end. I went with Robert Quinn with the pick. He's got great size, unbelievable instincts, speed and strength. He should be able to play all 3 downs for us on defense. Questions about his character will be magnified during the combine, but the kid made a mistake and is actually a very quiet young man that was raised well by his parents. Trading down for Ryan Kerrigan is also an option.
2nd Round: Jimmy Smith CB
The Jimmy Smith-hype train is moving along and some draft analysts are starting to say that Smith is the 2nd best corner in the draft. This is upsetting as a Niner fan since Smith's availability for us in the 2nd could be in jeopardy. Jimmy is a physical corner that plays man coverage very well. He's also got good size and speed. He won't get a lot of INTs, but he'll compete for the ball on all downs.
3rd Round: Ricky Stanzi QB
This won't be a popular selection for some of you, but I go with Stanzi with our 3rd rounder. He's got prototypical size for a QB, mobile in the pocket, and showed the best evasive skills during the Senior Bowl week. He's also got great accuracy and a decent long ball. Probably the most pro-ready QB in the draft in terms of footwork and mechanics. Great leadership skills. He will need more work in making quicker progressions.
4th Round A: Orlando Franklin OT/OG
Orlando might be off the board by now but it all depends on how he does in the Combine and what position he fits to in the pros. In my mock, he falls and is projected as a guard for our team. Franklin's got great size and long arms. Has gotten some comparison to Leonard Davis.
4th Round B: Sione Fua NT
Fangio gets his NT that he's familiar with. Fua won't start right away especially if we franchise Aubrayo again, or if Ricky Jean-Francois continues to progress. However, Fua is a space eater and will stuff the run. They could find space for him as a DT to give Soap or Justin Smith a breather.
5th Round: Owen Marecic FB
In all honesty, I doubt that Marecic falls here. A lot of teams like those old school type of players. No nonsense, does whatever you want, and physical players. That is Owen Marecic. FB isn't a huge need for us and having Nate Byham playing the H-Back position could help, but we'd be lucky if we were able to get Owen here.
6th Round: Dion Lewis HB
Pipe dream here, but there are a lot of running backs in this draft with more of a prototypical size in the NFL which is why Lewis falls. Lewis is a workhorse type of back that had almost 1800 yards rushing two years ago. A down year this past season due to the level of talent in his offensive line, Lewis still showed his playmaking abilities.
6th Round: Richard Sherman CB/S
Another Stanford player selected by Harbaugh. Sherman got burned a couple times this past season and makes some bonehead plays, but the talent is there and he's got great size. He can also move to safety.
7th rounders: BPA
Alright, have at it
[ Edited by SF69ers on Feb 8, 2011 at 10:44:32 ]
