First, the one without trades. I really see the top seven falling this way unless someone trades up in front of us for a player they really want.
1 Car Gabbert, QB
Jimmy Clausen is not the answer at QB and you don't get a chance at nabbing one picking first that often. Franchise QB trumps DT everytime. Gabbert over Newton.
2 Den Dareus, DT
Peterson and Bowers were in heavy consideration, but with their new 4-3 D they need a run plugger at DT who can also rush the passer. Dareus is the perfect fit over Fairley.
3 Buf Newton, QB
Again, franchise QB trumps all and they are in need of one to groom after Fitzpatrick. He can learn and sit a year or two with Gailey mentoring him. It will be he or Miller at #3.
4 Cincy Green, WR
Since both QBs are gone, they go with their next immediate need in WR with both TO and Ocho-I-Don't-Know-o being question marks, they need a true #1. A truly safe pick for them.
5 AZ Miller, OLB
It was between Peterson and Miller, but they already have DRC as their #1 corner with no #1 pass rusher in their newly revamped Pittsburg-style 3-4. With no QB in the mix, this is also a no-brainer.
6 Clev Bowers, DE
This was between Peterson, Jones and Bowers, but they drafted a #1 corner last year in Haden and have no true 4-3 DE. They have Hassaquoi and Robiske at WR with a greater need at DE. They choose their future pass rusher.
7 SF Peterson, CB
Holy moly, Batman! One of the top two players of this draft falls right into the 49ers laps. They get their shutdown corner and return specialist a la Deon Sanders. Given the size of our opponent's #1 WRs like Fitz and Williams from Sea, we now have a 220 LB CB who can press and cover with incredible recovery speed. What a gift!
8 Tenn Fairley, DT
They need a QB, DT and DE and Fairley is the BPA, period. He will make the fan base remmember their beloved Haynesworth. Fairley starts from day one.
9 Dal Amukamara, CB
It was between T. Smith the OT and Prince. BPA won out on this one too taking care of one of their glaring needs. He too can be stuck in as a day one starter.
10 Wash Jones, WR
This pick takes care of huge need of theirs on the offensive side of the ball. Sure, they could grab Quinn to pair with Orakpo, the sack master for an incredible tandem, but Jones would be too valuable for Grossman and Shanny's next QB project.
11 Hou Quinn, DE/OLB
Phillips is turning cartwheels as a result of Quinn's fall out of the top 10. He fits perfectly as their LOLB and the 3-4 like Merriman. A potential top five talent slips and lands in Houston.
12 Minny Locker, QB
Their need at QB is too great and they reach a bit for Locker, but feel safe that he can be that franchise QB for the team. A new regime needs a new franchise QB and Frazier gets his man.
13 Det T. Smith, OT
With no true CB worth it at this point, they go with their next glaring need and nab the best OT in the draft with oodles of potential. Quick feet and hands will serve him well protecting "Glass Shoulder" Stafford at QB.
14 StL Wilkerson, DT
These guys threw items at the TV when Washington took Jones. Heck, they may still go after him with a trade up if they feel this can happen because Jones would be a perfect pick for Bradford and McDaniel's offense. Since he's not there, they go with a powerful DT to improve their run D which is also a deep need.
15 Mia Ingram, RB
With a deep need at RB with Ronnie Brown's injury history and Williams being old, they turn to the dynamic rusher from Alabama. Fits perfectly with their offense.
16 Jax Kerrigan, DE
Man, they need a pass rusher still. Very sad that Harvey didn't pan out as well. Now they get that relentless rusher who can pair with Alualu inside for a formidible tandem to rush the passer.
17 NE Watt, DT/DE
Oh look at that! They get another Richard Seymour. These cats just know how to draft and manuever. He can step in immediately as the quintessential 3-4 LDE. At 17, he's a steel!
18 SD Taylor, NT
They need an NT and take the skyrocketting Taylor who at 333, reminds people of BJ Raji and Dan Williams. Another perfect fit for Manusky's D.
19 NYG Castonzo, OT--Greater need at OT over BPA
20 TB Jordan, DE--BPA and can be moved inside, too.
21 KC A. Smith, DE/OLB--Replaces Vrabel
22 Ind Solder, OT--Great pick at OT for Manning's backside
23 Phi Sherrod, OT--They so need an OT and Sherrod fits the WCO
24 NO Luiget, DT--A perfect fit at DT which is one of their needs
25 Sea Mallett, QB--Best arm and already played under center
26 Bal J. Smith, CB--Drops a bit because of character, fits their D
27 Atl Clayborn, DE--A bargin at #27 and would pair with Abraham
28 NE Pouncey, OG/OC--A versatile OL and takes care of need
29 Chi Heyward, DT--Just a solid DT with a great motor.
30 NYJ Harris, CB--With Cromartie going, they need a CB.
31 Pit Carimi, OT--They need a corner, but Carimi is BPA who fits a need.
32 GB Ayers, DE/OLB--Will play opposite of Matthews. Whooowee!
AND, now the one with trades...
Tico's Trade Down Mock
1 Car Gabbert
2 Den Dareus
3 Buf Von Miller
4 Cincy Peterson
5 AZ Quinn
6 Clev Green
7 Minny Newton
SF trades #7 for Minnys #12 and #43 and Frazier jumps at a chance to land Newton, a potential franchise QB. Since Gabbert, Peterson, Dareus, Miller and Quinn were taken all before we could land any of the elite players on Baalke's board. Therefore, the trade down for a second and still in the top 12.
8 Tenn Fairley
9 Dal Amukamara
10 Wash Bowers
11 Hou Jordan
12 SF Watt
Well, there you are. We land a top 12 prospect who will immediately come in and compete for the starting LDE for which Watt would be a perfect fit. Noted as the best 3-4 DE in this draft. It would be Watt or Jordan for sure if this trade scenario happened. I could even see the 49ers reaching just a bit for Kerrigan, but Jordan and Watt are better value for sure. Great move to land that extra second for our future QB.
13 Det T. Smith
14 StL Jones
15 Mia Ingram
16 Jax Kerrigan
17 NE A. Smith
18 SD Taylor
19 NYG Castonzo
20 TB Clayborn
21 KC Pouncey
22 Ind Solder
23 Phi Sherrod
24 NO Wilkerson
25 Sea Locker
26 Bal J. Smith
27 Atl Houston
28 NE Heyward
29 Chi Luiget
30 NYJ Harris
31 Pitt Carimi
32 GB Ayers
Second Round
43 SF Brooks Reed, DE/OLB
It will be a gift if Reed is still there at #43. Rising up boards within the last two months could probably propel him into the top of the second or maybe into the first. However, most still have him pegged around the 40s. Therefore, he projects to us with our traded pick from Minny. Reed's combine rivals that of #5 pick, Von Miller especially in the short shuttle. Given Harbaugh and Fangio saw Reed over the last year in the Pac-10 and the 08' and 09 tape, they know him very well. He will be a force on the edge who can cover, too. Perfect!
45 SF Collin Kaepernick, QB
Wow! Kaep must have impressed Harbaugh! He's has unlimited upside and would need some seasoning from Harbaugh to start. I expect Alex Smith to compete for the starting position along with Kaepernick, but will start because of his experience. Kaep can sit for a year to learn and grow. Ponder, Dalton and Mallett all go in the top of the second allowing the 49ers to grab one of the ones on their QB board. Since Ponder and Dalton are gone, Kaepernick and Stanzi are left. Stanzi's a third rounder so Kaep it is!
In three picks we addressed our top four needs. The fourth need is a CB which I believe will come from FA if we can't land Peterson. I believe the 49ers will press hard for Nnamdi Asomoghua(sp?). If not, there will be a plethera of CBs in the third waiting to be had.
That's a dream draft right there...and I just woke up! Bummer!
The other trade scenario is where the 49ers trade back into the first for their QB if Ponder is still there at #28, IMO. SF trades #45 and #76 for NE's #28. Doubt it, but we have traded with them before to get in front of all the QB needy teams at the top of the second. Since we already have an extra second, we would have to give up our third to get there. So rather than have the #7, #45, and #76, we would have #12, #28 and #43. That's not bad at all.
Hey Baalke!
LOL
