Solid stuff from Michael Ulhorn with the pick and writeup for San Francisco at No. 45. I like how we have folks writing about teams they know something about -- Ulhorn, for instance, is a Bay Area native I believe. Next up: the Denver Broncos for the second time this round, represented once again by Cannon36. - Michael B. -
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Many people are mocking a Corner to the 49ers in the first round. Some even think Patrick Peterson might fall to them (which would be one of the biggest steals in recent draft memory). Others say that unless Gabbert is available, there is no way they pass on Amukamara. I happen to agree that secondary is a big concern for the 49ers. Now I could break a lot of hearts and take Ras I-Dowling with this pick, but I don't think that SF will take someone with a history of injury when they are rebuilding. They need contributors, and really can't afford to miss with this pick. Last year they drafted Taylor Mays who will make a pretty decent SS for years to come. This year I have them taking Rahim Moore, FS UCLA.
Moore and Mays will make a devastating secondary that will scare WR's who decide to go deep (as both can bring the hammer). They will develop together, and I think they will allow the 49ers to get by with the CB's they have for at least another year. Hiring Harbaugh is the start of the turn around for SF, and since they landed their future QB in Blaine Gabbert in round 1, they now help toughen up their secondary.
Moore is a leader who has shown an ability to be a ball-hawk, and is pretty decent in coverage. The NFC West has 1 good quarterback in the division, and he was a rookie last year. This new secondary will pick apart the Seahawks and Cardinals, and could help SF reach the playoffs this year.
Alternative Picks:
Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky: After already selecting their franchise QB, the Niners will look to make their lineup more explosive. It wouldn't surprise me to see them take the top WR available and someone who can stretch the field and handle KR/PR duties.
Ras I-Dowling, CB, Virginia: As I stated above, they need secondary help and Dowling is the best CB available. I do not think he would be a great selection for a team that can't afford to miss on a pick at this point in the draft, but I still have to admit the Niners would be foolish to not consider taking Dowling if they feel he can remain healthy.
Stefen Wisnewski, C, Penn State: The last few years the Niners have done a pretty decent job rebuilding their offensive line. They could still use a franchise center, and getting him to grow up alongside franchise QB Blaine Gabbert can only help both of their development. I am a big proponent of guys who come up together end up challenging each other to perform, and I think this could be a great example of that.
Finally, I just want to note that I do believe the Niners have what it takes to make a run in a few years. This draft would give them (in my opinion) the best Quarterback and Safety in the draft. It is rare a team can grab both of those vital positions without having two first round picks. To this point, I think the Niners are clearly the winner of our draft.
BTSC 2011 Community Mock Draft Selections:
- Carolina Panthers -- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
- Denver Broncos -- Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
- Buffalo Bills -- Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
- Cincinnati Bengals -- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
- Arizona Cardinals -- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
- Cleveland Browns --
'The Snow Cone Machine'A.J. Green, WR, Georgia - San Francisco 49ers -- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
- Tennessee Titans -- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
- Dallas Cowboys -- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
- Washington Redskins -- Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
- Houston Texans -- Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
- Minnesota Vikings -- Tyron Smith, OT, USC
- Detroit Lions -- JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin
- St. Louis Rams -- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
- Miami Dolphons -- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
- Jacksonville Jaguars -- Brooks Reed , DE, Arizona
- New England Patriots -- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
- San Diego Chargers -- Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB, Purdue
- New York Giants -- Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
- Kansas City Chiefs -- Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois
- Indianapolis Colts -- Cameron Jordan, DL, California
- Philadelphia Eagles -- Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
- New Orleans Saints -- Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
- Seattle Seahawks -- Jake Locker, QB, Washington
- Baltimore Ravens -- Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
- Atlanta Falcons -- Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
- New England Patriots -- Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida
- Chicago Bears --Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
- New York Jets -- Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
- Pittsburgh Steelers -- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
- Green Bay Packers -- Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
ROUND 2
- New England Patriots -- Cameron Hayward, DE, Ohio State (33rd overall)
- Buffalo Bills -- Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame (34th overall)
- Cincinnati Bengals -- Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State (35th overall)
- Denver Broncos -- Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois (36th overall)
- Cleveland Browns -- Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois (37th overall)
- Arizona Cardinals -- Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada (38th overall)
- Tennessee Titans -- Andy Dalton, QB, Texas Christian (39th overall)
- Dallas Cowboys -- Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor (40th overall)
- Washington Redskins -- Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh (41st overall)
- Houston Texans -- Aaron Williams, CB, Texas (42nd overall)
- Minnesota Vikings -- Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (43rd overall)
- Detroit Lions -- Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina (44th overall)