In A Perfect World: San Francisco 49ers 7 Round Mock Draft
By Dan Viens
This week I’ll be taking a look at specific draft needs for the 4 NFC West teams. My objective is to find fits in each round that match team needs, as well as accurate projections for that player’s value. My first criteria is, of course, my own opinion, because sharing and debating opinions is a big part of what this site is all about, right? However, as a reference, I’m using Rob Rang’s overall prospect rankings from cbssports.com, as well as those of the nationalfootballpost.com, because….that’s just the kind of geek that I am.
My only other rule here is that I will be cross-checking the mocks I’m doing for each NFC West team so I’m not projecting the same player to different teams.
And remember, check the title…. this is “In A Perfect World” so my objective here is to formulate a perfect draft day scenario for each club.
Please, leave comments, opinions, critiques, criticisms….. and if you’re on Twitter follow me at @HawkCoug08
Here we go!!!
(Update: I started this series before yesterday’s announcement of compensatory draft picks. I chose to use the draft order as it was set prior to those picks being awarded.)
Round 1: (30) Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
Just about every mock draft has the 49ers taking a WR here. It makes sense right? How many years now have we heard cries of “We need weapons!” from 49er fans?
But here’s my thinking:
- Most of the elite WR prospects are gone by now
- WR is one of the deepest positions in this draft, with some experts estimating as many as 40 draftable wideouts
- The signing of Mario Manningham provides a clear upgrade at that position
- Fleener is the best player at his position, and obviously Harbaugh knows him as well as anyone
- Pairing an elite pass-catching tight end together with Vernon Davis gives Alex Smith the best chance to succeed.
Smith’s strength is not to drive the ball down the field. By adding Fleener you create matchup nightmares for opposing clubs. His stock is rising, but some of the recent projections of him going in the Top 15 are a little unreasonable. Besides, this is In A Perfect World. The 49ers would be ecstatic if Fleener were still available here.
Round 2: (62) Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State
Quick is raw, and obviously didn’t face the highest level of competition at App St., but he’s a physical marvel who’s shooting up draft boards, and has a chance to be a #1 receiver if developed properly. He’s 6′ 4″ 220 lbs with possibly the best hands in the draft and a huge catching radius thanks to his long arms. I’ve seen projections on him anywhere from high 2nd round to the 4th or 5th, but I think his upside will appeal to Harbaugh. Big time potential.
Round 3: (94) Trevor Guyton, DE, California
When Ray McDonald was hampered with a hamstring injury late last season, it exposed a lack of depth up front. Guyton is solid value in this spot as a guy who played the 5-technique and NT in Cal’s 3-4. He could contribute right away in SF’s similar system.
Round 4: (126) Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
The 49ers paid big money to bring back Carlos Rogers, and they have all 11 starters returning on defense, but depth is needed at the corner position. Hosley is a smaller CB, but he is equally adept at playing man or zone and would serve as an excellent addition to the nickel package. He also brings some value as an option in the return game should Ted Ginn Jr. go down.
Round 5: (158) BJ Coleman, QB, Tennessee-Chattanooga
Played two years at Tennessee before transferring, looks the part of NFL QB and has one of the strongest arms in the draft. Extremely hard worker, he’s a little mechanical in his delivery but would be a worthwhile project for Harbaugh. I’m not a big Colin Kaepernick fan, which is why I believe drafting a developmental quarterback late in this draft is a good move for the 49ers.
Round 6: (190) Desmond Wynn, OG, Rutgers
Mocking offensive linemen is sooooo boring, but after losing Adam Snyder to free agency the 49ers could use some depth inside. They like 2011 draftee Daniel Kilgore, but Wynn is equally adept in the run and pass games and has future starter potential.
Round 7: (222) Shawn Loiseau, ILB, Merrimack
It was tempting to go with another WR here, but the position is so deep I think equal value can be found in what is sure to be a large pool of UDFA’s available. So instead, the 49ers add another ILB. Larry Grant is a RFA with a 7th round tender, and hasn’t re-signed yet. Loiseau shined at the East-West Shrine game and is one of those small-school, hard-working, do-whatever-it-takes-to-make-the-team players that Harbaugh is sure to love.