2011 49ers Draft Picks: Aldon Smith Video Proves He'll Fit Right in the Bay Area

Aldon Smith, the San Francisco 49ers first round draft pick, seems like he is a guy who will fit right in around the Bay Area, and there's video to prove it.

He was interviewed before his initial press conference as a 49er, and revealed a few things that Bay Area fans might like to hear: He enjoys wearing Giants gear, loves Coach Harbugh's intensity, and he plans on using his versatility in any aspect asked of him with the 49ers.  He seems like a very humble and put together individual, definitely the type of character the Niners want on their squad. Smith says he models his game after guys like Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews, and if he produces like those guys do, every Niner fan will absolutely love this kid.

He showed real character when asked about his Missouri counterpart Blaine Gabbert, who was projected higher that Smith but fell later in the draft. Smith wouldn't comment and said he will do fine wherever he ends up. Class act.

He reportedly was seen rocking a Giants hat in Arizona earlier this year, but stated it was coincidence and it simply matched his shoes that day. I bet he'll be wearing it a lot more nowadays, as Smith is also is a Tim Lincecum fan.  

Smith hasn't spent much time in and around the Bay, and still has to decide where he chooses to live; one interviewer recommended the Marina district (I'm sure he can afford it now). 

Great video, definitely worth checking out:

Aldon Smith Interview - San Francisco 49ers 2011 NFL Draft Pick (via zennie62)

2011 NFL Draft Results: NFC West Graded Highly Once Again

The San Francisco 49ers did pretty well for themselves in the 2011 NFL Draft. They ended up making ten of their initial twelve picks, the difference going elsewhere in one of three trades the team made over three days of the draft. In 2010, the NFC West was up for grabs up until Week 17, and the 49ers themselves were in it until just shortly before then. After the Super Bowl, odds opened up that the 49ers and St. Louis Rams would be jockeying for the division title in 2011, but will those odds change after the draft?

It's certainly possible; much like 2010, all four teams had a strong draft this go-round, with only a few questionable picks here and there. The 49ers are not exempt from that statement, in that there was certainly a head-scratcher or two for San Francisco, but for now, let's focus on the rest of the NFC West and how they fared over seven rounds.

Arizona Cardinals

Round 1: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU (5th overall)
Round 2: Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech (38th overall)
Round 3: Robert Housler, TE, Florida Atlantic (69th overall)
Round 4: Sam Acho, OLB, Texas (103rd overall)
Round 5: Anthony Sherman, RB, Connecticut (136th overall)
Round 6: Quan Sturdivant, LB, North Carolina (171st overall)
Round 6: David Carter, DT, UCLA (184th overall)
Round 7: Demarco Sampson, WR, San Diego St. (249th overall)

Analysis: You can't go wrong with the fifth overall pick in the draft ... or at least, it's hard to appear that you've made the wrong pick until said player sees the field and right now, Patrick Peterson looks like a home run. Aside from the fact that Peterson was allegedly the fifth-rated player on Arizona's board, he is the consensus best corner in the draft and will now join Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to create a truly dominant duo. In round two, Williams is a questionable pick with the way the Cardinals are presently looking as far as running backs are concerned, but it's hard to go wrong with the talent of Williams. I suppose the Cardinals not drafting a quarterback is telling, they want to run the ball next season and Williams can become a feature back in a short amount of time if that's how the Cardinals see him.

The even bigger question mark is Sherman going in the fifth round, as some folks think he can actually be a halfback. It does seem, however, that the Cardinals will count on him as their lead blocker and thus the pick is not a bad one. The best parts of the Cardinals' draft are Sam Acho and Quan Sturdivant in rounds four and six respectfully. Acho is a great pass rusher who can make an impact in his rookie year and Sturdivant has great value at that pick. Housler in the third certainly gives the Cardinals another receiving target, something that they haven't considered a required trait in their tight ends for some time now, but there were better picks at the time and he seems like a reach at this point.

Value: A-, Need: C, Overall: B+

Seattle Seahawks

Round 1: James Carpenter, OL, Alabama (25th overall)
Round 3: John Moffitt, G, Wisconsin (76th overall)
Round 4: K.J. Wright, LB, Mississippi St. (99th overall)
Round 4: Kris Durham, WR, Georgia (107th overall)
Round 5: Richard Sherman, DB, Stanford (154th overall)
Round 5: Mark Legree, FS, Appalachian St. (156th overall)
Round 6: Byron Maxwell, DB, Clemson (173rd overall)
Round 7: Lazarius Levingston, DL, LSU (205th overall)
Round 7: Malcolm Smith, OLB, USC (242nd overall)

Analysis: Seattle's first round was kicked off with a slight reach when they took Carpenter, but he does feel a need and might not have lasted many picks beyond where they took him at twenty-five. After having a surprisingly strong rushing attack in 2010, they're clearly looking forward to building on that next season, and the selection of the big, powerful Moffitt illustrates and accentuates that point. Moffitt will likely start immediately at one of the team's guard spots and he'll make an immediate impact in the running game.

Outside of those first three rounds though, the rest of Seattle's draft is a little bit underwhelming. K.J. Wright could pan out to be a very solid, athletic starter, but he could also come in and contribute nowhere but special teams ... which is not necessarily a bad thing, if not for the fact that he was taken in the fourth round.  Sherman in the fifth round is definitely a solid pick, he could compete for time at the nickel early on, and his high ceiling could earn him a starting job, if the coaching is there. 

Value: C, Need: B+, Overall: B-

St. Louis Rams

Round 1: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina (14th overall)
Round 2: Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin (47th overall)
Round 3: Austin Pettis, WR, Boise St. (78th overall)
Round 4: Greg Salas, WR, Hawaii (112th overall)
Round 5: Jermale Hines, DB, Ohio St. (158th overall)
Round 7: Mikail Baker, DB, Baylor (216th overall)
Round 7: Jabara Williams, OLB, Stephen F. Austin (228th overall)
Round 7: Jonathan Nelson, DB, Oklahoma (229th overall)

Analysis: Despite the fact that the 49ers drafted the player the Rams likely wanted to nap at fourteen in Aldon Smith, they came out very well in this draft. Robert Quinn fell due to a couple different concerns, and the Rams were more than happy to add him to their line. He'll start opposite Chris Long and will be an immediate contributor. It's now Quinn's job to hound Seattle's two newest offensive line picks, and he'll do it with gusto. Kendricks is also a solid pick for a team with no tight ends to speak of, but falling in love with athleticism alone can be a scary thing, and Kendricks has a lot of "boom or bust" about him.

The Rams played this draft very smart, sticking to their guns and not allowing needs to get in the way of getting really good players, and it paid off in rounds three and four when they drafted Pettis and Salas, both receivers who will fight to the very last for a chance to contribute this season. Both of those picks illustrate the essence of what makes a successful draft, and Sam Bradford gets two weapons. Pettis will contribute from day one and adds a lot of reliability to a group of receivers that are extremely lacking in that regard. Salas will fight for playing time, and he'll pay off if he gets it. The seventh rounders seem like players the Rams would have liked to target as undrafted free agents, but with the uncertain landscape of such things, decided to let them go.

Value: A-, Need: B+, Overall: A-

SB Nation's 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Will the 49ers Jim Harbaugh Reunite with Andrew Luck?

NFL Draft Grades 2011: ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. Gives 49ers a C+

After three days of scrutiny and deliberation the 2011 NFL Draft has come to an end, and the San Francisco 49ers have made their selections. Everyone has an opinion on how their respective teams fared, but one of the most respected opinons is that of ESPN's draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. His formula of grading a team's draft is simple. It's based upon how well each team assessed their needs, and how much value they got with their picks. He then averages the two grades for an overall evaluation. Kiper broke down how he felt the Niners did, and gave them an overall grade of a C+. Now, a C+ is a slightly above average grade, but many a Niners fan might not necessarily agree. Here's what Kiper had to say; you be the judge. 

You'll hear [Aldon] Smith called the first big reach of Round 1, but he wouldn't have lasted long at all past the No. 7 slot where the Niners nabbed him. And beyond the obvious question at quarterback, an outside linebacker who can rush the quarterback was the biggest position of need for this team, and if Smith continues on his developmental path, he could be a star. Jim Harbaugh found a quarterback he can develop with [Colin] Kaepernick in Round 2, but even with the run on quarterbacks, I saw that as a reach. There's a lot of development needed. San Fran did hit on other top needs at cornerback and wide receiver, and got decent value in [Kendall] Hunter for depth at running back. [Daniel] Kilgore also offers a little more depth at guard. It's all about what happens at quarterback in terms of how we judge the success of the 2011 49ers, but I judge this weekend as a relative success. It's just a small worry when your first two picks both have development requirements.    

Needs: B    Value: C    Overall: C+    

I wouldn't necessarily disagree with Kiper's evaluation, but there are a few things I would have to comment on. First of all, I like Aldon Smith, and think Kiper is right to say he wouldn't have lasted much longer if the Niners didn't take him. He is going to be a starter this season, and could be a very skilled one at that. There aren't many rookies that don't have 'development requirements' so I'm not too worried about how Smith will fare in the NFL. As for Colin Kaepernick, I believe he is a work in progress, but not as much work as some people think. He's a big body with speed and has a cannon for an arm; I think he'll be just fine as well. I completely agree with Kiper that the quarterback position will be the litmus test of the 2011 Niners, but that falls on more that just Kaepernick. After all, Alex Smith seems like he will be in the mix again in 2011 for another 'make or break' season, let's see how he does this time around. As for Kendall Hunter and Daniel Kilgore, I think Kiper is spot on with his evaluations there. If either produces more than a little extra depth I think the 49ers would be elated. 

If it were me, I'd probably bump their grade up to a B because I felt good about their decisions, but would have given them an A if they could have nabbed an elite cornerback like Prince Amukamara. But there's no need for shoulda, coulda, wouldas, as it's all behind us now. The 49ers should be confident that they made the right choices; I can't wait to see how all the newest 49ers pan out. 

2011 NFL Draft Results, NFC West: Seattle Seahawks Make 7 of 9 Total Picks on Day Three

As the 2011 NFL Draft has drawn to a close, the San Francisco 49ers' divisional rivals made some good pickups over the course of the draft, but also made a few head scratchers as well. Take the Seattle Seahawks, who only had two picks in the first three rounds, but made up for it on Saturday with 7 picks in rounds 4-7. The names they chose my not be as recognizable to many, but the chances of them finding a diamond in the rough in much for likely than the rest of the NFC West. 

Seattle Seahawks Day Three Picks:

• K.J. Wright, OLB, Mississippi State, 99th overall (4th round)
• Kris Durham, WR, Georgia, 107th overall (4th round)
• Richard Sherman, CB, Stanford, 154th overall (5th round)
• Mark LeGree, S, Appalachian State, 156th overall (5th round)
• Byron Maxwell, CB, Clemson, 173rd overall (6th round)
• Lazarius Levingston, DE, LSU, 205th overall (7th round)
• Malcolm Smith, OLB, USC, 242nd overall (7th round)

The 4 picks the Seahawks had in the 4th and 5th rounds could prove to pay dividends for Pete Carroll, especially since they had a pretty big need for a cornerback and a wide receiver. The 'Hawks game plan looks to be to find great athletes in the later rounds and hope they produce as not many of their picks are stand out names that immediately draw attention to themselves. The 49ers had 7 picks today as well, but 3 of those were in the 7th round and only 2 in the 4th and 5th rounds combined. The Seahawks could have some surprise stars on their squad next season, and some of them likely have been named above.

St. Louis Rams Day Three Picks: 

• Gergory Salas, WR, Hawaii, 112th overall (4th round)
• Jermale Hines, S, Ohio State, 158th overall (5th round)
• Mikhail Baker, DB, Baylor, 216th overall (7th round)
• Jabara Williams, OLB, SF Austin, 228th overall (7th round) 
• Jonathan Nelson, CB, Oklahoma, 229th overall (7th round)

The Rams were without a 6th round pick due to the Mark Clayton trade they had with Baltimore, but made some solid pick ups in the 4th an 5th rounds. Gregory Salas could be a nice compliment to their 3rd round pick, Austin Pettis, and safety Jermale Hines may turn out to be a late round steal. The Rams had a nice draft, and in my opinion did a good job at making picks to make their second year quarterback Sam Bradford be even more efficient in 2011. Good work by Steve Spagnuolo and the rest of his braintrust. 

Arizona Cardinals Day Three Picks: 

• Sam Acho, DE, Texas, 103rd overall (4th round)
• Anthony Sherman, FB, Connecticut, 136th overall (5th round)
• Quan Sturdivant, ILB, North Carolina, 171st overall (6th round)
• David Carter, DT, UCLA, 184th overall (6th round)
• Demarco Sampson, WR, San Diego State, 249th overall (7th round)

I'm still surprised that the Cardinals didn't draft a single quarterback because to me, that is their most glaring need that they have. But they must have other plans in that category, maybe they have an upper hand via a trade that no one knows about yet. But I think their pick up of Sam Acho is absolute robbery at the 103rd pick overall, and fullback Anthony Sherman could definitely help them out in short yardage situations or as a blocker. Wide receiver Demarco Sampson could be provide a late round spark as well as many thought he would go much higher in the draft. Im sure Ken Whisenhunt will catch some flac for not nabbing a QB, but he stuck with his philosophy of taking the best talent available instead of drafting for team needs.

NFL Draft 2011: 49ers Select Curtis Holcomb, DB, Florida A&M 250th overall

With their last pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers have selected defensive back Curtis Holcomb out of Florida A&M with the 250th overall selection. Holcomb is a player who has little to no information about him out in the ether of the internet, but from what I can find, he is a 5’10" 190 pound Junior who has 7 carrer interceptions in his 3 years at Florida A&M, although didn’t accumulate much playing time in his tenure with the university.

I think the Niners probably took Holcomb because the DB position needs lots of help for San Francisco, and Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and General Manager Trent Baalke are almost taking a shot in the dark, hoping that something produces. Holcomb could maybe be a backup if he puts in the work, but could likely be a scout team guy who could make his way on a NFL squad via injury or trade.

NFL Draft 2011: 49ers Select Mike Person, OT, Montana State 239th Overall

The San Francisco 49ers used their second pick in the seventh round to take offensive tackle Mike Person out of Montana State 239th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. At 6’4 299 pounds Person is an average sized offensive lineman who definitely needs to put on some pounds, but is a durable guy who could become a nice addition to San Francisco’s o-line core with Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis.

Person shows the ability to take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’ when it comes to facing up with defenders, and shows a certain amount of tenacity when it comes to keeping defenders away from the quarterback. He needs to do some work with his technique, especially his hand placements, but that can always be tweaked once in the NFL.

Person’s work ethic, determination, and inherent mean streak can make him a late round gem, but it really is up to him as to how much work he puts into his craft. He likely will be a backup with the 49ers.

NFL Draft 2011: Bruce Miller Drafted to Played Fullback, Not Linebacker

CSNbayarea.com’s Matt Maiocco reports that the San Francisco 49ers seventh round selection of DE Bruce Miller was not to play linebacker, but actually to play on the other side of the ball as a fullback.

“I am kind of shocked,” Miller said Saturday in a conference call with Bay Area reporters. “It was hard enough to believe that I’d have a chance to play linebacker. But that was more realistic than fullback.”

To Miller’s knowledge, the 49ers were the only team to have looked at him at the fullback position, especially since he was the Conference-USA defensive player of the year in 2010 with 13.5 tackles for a loss and a 8.5 sacks.

Miller has been in contact with San Francisco’s running back coach Tom Rathman, who feels Miller’s ability to run and hit will help him greatly as he adapts to playing offense again.

Miller played tight end in high school, but never played offense at all at UCF.

NFL Draft 2011: 49ers Select Bruce Miller, DE, University of Central Florida with the 211th Pick

The San Francisco 49ers continue their busy third day at the 2011 NFL Draft by selecting defensive end Bruce Miller with the 211th overall pick. The UCF Junior comes in at 6’1" 254 pounds, he is a bit undersized at the position and doesn’t exactly have an NFL ready frame right now, but that can be worked on with the Niners strength and conditioning crew. He is an intelligent, driven athlete though, and seems to be the type of guy the 49ers are looking for.

Miller does posses some good speed, and gets off the line very well with his initial burst. He’s an instinctive guy who likely will be a situational or backup type player as the 49ers took Aldon Smith at the same position. Miller can definitely bring some competition to the DE postion in the first round, and could earn a spot on the roster with his hard working attitude and drive to get better.

Coming from a similar system to San Francisco’s 3-4 system, Miller will have a good understanding out of the gate. Now the question will be if he can do the work to make it in the NFL.

Here's Miller's NFL Prospect Video via YouTube, I apologize in advance for the music that goes with the video:

2011 NFL Prospect Highlights: Bruce Miller (via UCFVideos)

2011 NFL Draft Results: 49ers Draft Lesser Known But Intriguing Defensive Back, Colin Jones, In Round 6

The San Francisco 49ers just welcomed their seventh pick of the 2011 NFL Draft to the family by selecting Colin Jones with the 25th pick of Round 6 (190th overall). Jones, a 6’, 208 pound safety from Texas Christian University, becomes the third defensive player and second defensive back selected by Trent Baalke and the 49ers front office in this year’s draft. Speaking of Baalke, the 49ers GM looked noticeably pleased to have landed Jones based on his reaction on camera from the war room. Baalke most have more information and stronger opinions on the intelligent, productive Horned Frog because there’s not a whole lot of information out there on Jones. He was not a scouting combine invite, and the myriad scouting outfits out there publishing mock drafts and what not, seem to have passed on spending much time on analyzing Jones’ prospects at the next level. Jones did however run an unofficial 4.32 at TCU’s Pro Day, an impressive time for anybody, let alone a safety.

Jones was very productive on one of the nation’s best defenses this past two years, particularly as a senior in 2010 when he was named a 2nd Team All Mountain West Conference selection. His 80. 5 tackles were the second most on Gary Paterson’s defense, highlighted by his team high 10 tackles in TCU’s impressive 21-19 win over Wisconsin in this year’s Rose Bowl.

It’s awfully tough to make it in the NFL for a myriad reasons, the least of which being that there’s just not always enough room on rosters to see how a guy like Jones might be able to contribute. But for a sixth round pick with speed and smarts (Jones was apparently applying to law school just in case football didn’t work out for him), the 49ers might have found themselves quite a steal in the later stages of the 2011 NFL Draft.

For more reaction to the pick and fan discussion about all of the 2011 NFL Draft’s developments, head on over to Niners Nation throughout the day and rest of the weekend.

NFL Draft 2011: 49ers Add USC Receiver Ronald Johnson In Sixth Round

The San Francisco 49ers continue to add to their offense on day three by making Ronald Johnson out of USC the 182nd pick in the draft, which is in the sixth round. Currently, the 49ers have a decent crop of wide receivers in Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan, and even better receiving targets in tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker, but could stand to get some more speed on the unit. Johnson is a smaller, fast guy who often comes through in the clutch. The speed he brings will be instrumental for the 49ers and their west coast offense.

You don't always expect much in the sixth round of the draft, but Johnson could see the field early on just due to the fact that he brings a different dynamic to the offense that the other receivers don't. His biggest flaw is his lack of physicality though, and that's why he's a spot treatment kind of guy who probably isn't going to be in on every play. He'll get abused by the bigger, stronger cornerbacks in the NFL.

The 49ers have another pick coming up at 190 overall.

NFL Draft 2011: 49ers Trade Up, Select Daniel Kilgore In Fifth Round

The San Francisco 49ers have showed a willingness to trade and get the guys they want, be it Colin Kaepernick in the second in a huge move, or late in the fifth round when they jumped up to grab Daniel Kilgore, the center from Appalachian State. Currently, their center position is a question mark, with Eric Heitmann coming off an injury and David Baas (who played the position well, despite playing his NFL career as a guard) a free agent. Kilgore is a guy who can play all line positions, but projects best on the interior in the NFL.

Kilgore fits in line with the value at the pick, and can end up developing into a starter with good work ethic and solid coaching. It makes sense to assume the team can envision him as the center for the future, but if Chilo Rachal continues to struggle at the right guard spot, he could definitely make the move over there with time. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and is a solid pick.

The 49ers sent a 6th rounder (174th overall) and a 7th rounder (231st overall) to Green Bay to move up to 163.    

2011 NFL Draft: 49ers Draft Shoeless Colin Kaepernick

2011 NFL Draft Results: 49ers Select Running Back Kendall Hunter In Fourth Round

The 49ers addressed what they feel is a moderate need in the fourth round when they selected Kendall Hunter, the running back out of Oklahoma State. Hunter was a very productive running back in college, and with Frank Gore being injured often and Brian Westbrook not returning in 2011, he can get on the field immediately. The 49ers also may not know what they have with Anthony Dixon, who was drafted in the sixth round in 2010.

Hunter is considered a better talent than a fourth round selection, but he's only 5'7'', and that's probably the main caveat to his draft status. He's a shifty runner and is mostly a different change of pace to Gore and Dixon, something the 49ers haven't gotten for themselves in a quite some time, it seems. Gore is nearing that age where you need to start looking for a replacement, and Hunter has enough upside to be considered more than just a change-of-pace - he could be the future at the position.

Our own Big Cat Country put together a scouting report on the guy:

PROS: Has good bulk for his frame despite being short. Eludes defenders well in the open field and is very shifty. Tough to bring down due to his natural leverage advantage. Shows good vision rushing with the football. Helped himself out at the Senior Bowl by showing excellent technique and work in blocking drills. Patient runner that lets his blocks set up, and when utilized can make plays out of the backfield as a receiver.

CONS: Will get knocked for his lack of height and classified as "small". While very productive, doesn't break a lot of long runs and isn't really a homerun threat. Likely limited to being a third down back and change of pace guy at the next level. Doesn't offer much on the goal line. Despite setting up his blocks, he tends to dance too often and will need to work on getting upfield.

2011 NFL Draft Grades: 49ers Picks Get Polarizing Reactions on Day Two

Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and General Manager Trent Baalke had a very active second day of the 2011 draft, making trades to get both their second and third round picks. And while the San Francisco 49ers obviously feel quarterback Colin Kaepernick and cornerback Chris Culliver are the right men for their respective jobs, others are a bit more skeptical.

CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco gave the Niners second round trade up for Kaepernick a B+ and didn't really sway either way:

<blockquote>They need a quarterback, but this kid might take some time to get on the field. He is a bit raw. But if they hit, they might get a real steal.</blockquote>

Sean Swaby of Bleacher Report Gave the Niners a C, claiming they are filling a 'hypothetical need.'

I probably would give them somewhere in the B+/A-, range but that's just me. I'm definitely leaning more towards the 'real steal' side of Prisco's Analysis, and the 49ers need for a QB is anything but hypothetical.

As for their choice of cornerback Chris Culliver, Prisco gives the Niners a D, claiming that there were better options and a bit of a reach, while Swaby gave them a B, claiming it was a smart move to add the extra pick by trading down.

I agree that there were probably better options, but I also think that Harbaugh and Baalke are trying to stockpile the backend of the draft, hoping to strike gold. I like the strategy, and Culliver could always be better than people think.

Day three will be very intriguing to see how the 49ers decide to use their plethora of picks they have left. If they handle it anything like day two, I think everyone is in for a surprising day.

NFL Draft 2011 Second & Third Round Results: NFC West Surprisingly Low on Drafted QB's

The second day of the 2011 NFL Draft produced a number of surprises, with more than a few coming out of the NFC West. The 49ers traded up and down for their second and third round picks, while the rest of the division came up with a couple of interesting choices.

Arizona Cardinals: Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech (38th overall), Robert Housler, TE, Florida (69th overall)

The Niners leap frogged the Cardinals for the opportunity to nab Colin Kapernick which left Arizona little options with QB’s that they liked. They decided to focus on the other aspects of the offense taking running back Ryan Williams and tight end Robert Housler. Both are solid players who will bring depth to their team, but he Williams pick definitely is questionable. They already have Steve Hightower and Beanie Wells, did they realy need another RB? And in the second round? To each their own I suppose…

St. Louis Rams: Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin (47th overall), Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State (78th overall)

The Rams definitely seem to be attempting to surround Sam Bradford with quality receiving talent, and with both of their picks today they definitely did just that. Kendricks was a solid choice, but I think picking up Pettis was the bigger deal today. He is going to be a slot receiving machine for St. Louis and will definitely make a big impact this season in my opinion.

Seattle Seahawks: No Second Round Pick, John Moffitt, OG, Wisconsin (75th overall)

Pete Carroll isn’t showing too much drafting prowess this year in my opinion, but that likely could be because they didn’t really make any glamorous picks. Two drafted offensive lineman is unusual, but heck, the Niners did it last year, and it is definitely a place of improvement for the ‘Hawks. Their choice to not to make a selection with their second-round pick (No. 57 overall) was intriguing as well, instead trading it with a fifth and a seventh-round pick to the Detroit Lions for a third (No. 75, John Moffit), fourth round pick (No. 107), fifth (No. 154), and a seventh round pick (No. 205). Let’s see if their choice to load up the back end of their draft pays dividends tomorrow, they may have some tricks up their sleeves.

2011 NFL Mock Draft: Chris Culliver Scouting Report Highlights Flaws

Chris Culliver is an average sized cornerback at just a bit above 6 feet tall, and weighs in only at 199 pounds. He could definitely add some bulk, but possesses great speed and recovery skills. He can get caught peeking in the backfield and sometimes seems to have a hard time picking up coverage schemes, but he is developing his skills and will hopefully get better with some work with the 49ers secondary coaches.

He has had some character questions as he walked out of practice at South Carolina due to someone questioning his work ethic, causing him to miss a game with rival Arkansas. He was a great student at S.C. and is intelligent enough to pick up NFL systems relatively easy once he gets with the team. Culliver is a natural athlete, showing going fluidity and ball skills. One of the main gripes people have with him is his aggressiveness, claiming that he doesn’t try to attack the ball enough. The zero interceptions he had last year can vouch for that, and lacks the ability to make big catches for interceptions as well.

Hopefully the Niners saw more in him than whats on paper or on tape, and he can be a solid addition to the Niners.

2011 NFL Draft: 49ers Trade Down for South Carolina Cornerback Chris Culliver

The San Francisco 49ers have selected cornerback Chris Culliver out of South Carolina with the 80th overall pick. The Niners traded their 76th overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the 80th and 182nd pick (6th round) in this years draft. With the trade the Niners now have 3 sixth round picks, and including their 7th round pick, have 7 picks in a 76 pick span. That should prove to be a good time to try and stock up on some of the more under the radar talent.

Culliver can hopefully help the Niners shore up their secondary, but he also can add value to San Francisco in the special teams department, especially in the return game. at a shade over 6 feet tall and a hair under 200 pounds, Culliver is a guy that did not record a single interception for the South Carolina Gamecocks last season, but still managed 34 tackles and a forced fumble.

Interesting pick for the Niners, who opted not to seek a cornerback until much later than many expected, but hopefully they know what they are doing and see some good value in this kid.

2011 NFL Draft: 49er Fans' Reactions to Picking Colin Kaepernick

As a 49ers fan, I am elated with the selection of Colin Kaepenick by the 49ers. I am a Reno native and went to the University of Nevada, so making this pick is even more special for me personally. As for other 49ers fans, there have been some mixed reactions over at Niners Nation. Here’s a selection of some comments made by fans over at NN.

Wow. I feel good about this one. (by Vertigo)

I guess this makes JaMarcus Russell out of the question? (by TryAndCatchVD)

I think fans have a ton to be excited about , not just this year, but for a few years. this is awesome (by whanson)

I’m totally ehh about Aldon Smith but Kaepernick is a good pick (by sanguines)

Alex Smith is our quarterback! (by Typecast)

Kaepernick is our future! (by Runz Piz)

Obviously fans are fired up about this guy, and I think with good reason. If he has time to develop I think he can be a solid addition to the 49ers. The Cardinals still need a QB, and we took Kap right before they had the chance, keeping them out in the proverbial cold. Great trade, great pick, good work by the Niners braintrust.

2011 NFL Draft: Colin Kaepernick Scouting Report Yields Mixed Reviews

The San Francisco 49ers have selected quarterback Colin Kaepernick with the 36th overall pick out of the University of Nevada, and is an interesting specimen when it comes to the football field.

at 6’4" 230 pounds, he is most definitely an athlete, and his leadership qualities are off the charts. He lead the Wolf Pack to one of the most exciting wins in the 2010 NCAA football season with their victory over #3 Boise State. He brings intelligence to the field, and is creative with his feet and his hands. Coming from Chris Ault’s ‘pistol’ offense, Kap will have to do some adjusting to a pro-style system, but if there is anyone able to shape a great QB its Jim Harbaugh.

There are some issues with his skills, his accuracy with the deep ball can be a bit suspect, but his arm strength can not be questioned. He can definitely put on some extra meat, but NFL strength and conditioning coaches are amazing at that. He can make all the throws you need to in the NFL, but has an elongated throwing motion due to his very long arms, something else that can be tweaked with Harbaugh and the Niners coaching staff.

Kaepernick is a humble, motivated player who I think resembles the attitude the 49ers are trying to convey under their new regime. Here is a summary of him from Mocking the Draft:

When it comes to athletic ability Kaepernick is right up there with the likes of Cam Newton. However, like Cam he struggles with the fundamentals of playing quarterback. His abilities will intrigue a team and might lead to an earlier than expected selection. But he is going to need time to develop as his technique is far from NFL ready. Ultimately, Kaepernick is a player with a ton of upside but legitimate question marks.

And another from Walterfootball.com:

The leadership factor weighs heavily into his evaluation and although the second round is littered with failures, he might be an exception. Teams have to love that he might have had a future in baseball (he was drafted by the Cubs) yet stuck with football which clearly illustrates his passion for football.

With a little time, I think Kap can be the best QB the Niners have seen since Jeff Garcia, just make sure not to hold your breath.

2011 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers Select Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick

The San Francisco 49ers saw an opportunity to jump on, and traded up to do so, taking quarterback Colin Kaepernick from the University of Nevada, Reno with the 36th pick overall. Announced by Niners legend Dwight Clark, the 249th selection in the 1979 draft out of Clemson, the Niners gave the Denver Broncos their 4th and 5th round picks for Kaepernick, likely to keep him away from NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals.

The 49ers saw Andy Dalton go to the Bengals and felt it was time to make the necessary move of picking up a great quarterback. As a former Nevada student myself, I am a bit biased here because I love how this kid plays the game. at 6’4" 220 pounds, Kaepernick (affectionately called Kap) is a beast, although he looks a bit skinny. He has top end speed for a QB and has the special ability to extend plays with his legs (a la Mike Vick). He is one of the only players in NCAA history to pass for 4,000 yards and rush for 2,000 yards in a season, and was a large reason why the Wolf Pack had a successful 2010 season, capped by beating #3 Boise State.

Kap was drafted by the Chicago Cubs as a pitcher, but luckily for the Niners decided to go the football route. I’ve seen this kid with my own eyes and he has a straight up cannon and is very accurate with the football. He’s from Turlock, CA and has Northern California roots, and in my opinion was a perfect fit for Jim Harbaugh and the offensive system he wants to run.

This is the most exciting pick to me since the 49ers drafted Michael Crabtree in 2009, and should be a serious contender for the starting position with the 49ers, even if they bring back Alex Smith.

The second round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 6 p.m. (ET) on Friday, April 29th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it – NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it all out at SB Nation’s NFL Hub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft. Lastly, for more San Francisco 49ers coverage, check out our team blog Niners Nation.

Todd McShay, Mel Kiper Second Round Mock Drafts: Colin Kapernick, Brandon Harris Catch 49ers Eye

The San Francisco 49ers braintrust of head coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Trent Baalke made a splash with Aldon Smith in the first round, and now must focus on making the team better in the second. ESPN’s Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. have released their latest second round mock drafts and have the Niners looking to fill separate holes in their roster at this point in the draft.

In McShay’s mock draft, he has the University of Miami’s corner back Brandon Harris headed to the Niners withe the 45th overall pick. CB is definitely a top priority for San Francisco, and Harris is probably the best one left on the board at the moment. If the 49ers nabbed him in the second round, I’m sure they would be elated as he could make an immediate impact next season.

Kiper Jr. has the Niners choosing Nevada’s quarterback Colin Kapernick in his latest mock. I think he would be a great choice for the Niners has he brings NFL skills with his size, cannon arm, and top notch speed, although some feel he is a project pick for San Francisco. Harbaugh is great at developing QB’s, and in my opinion Kap just needs some polishing instead of full bore retooling. He’d be a great addition to compete for the starting position.

The second round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 6 p.m. (ET) on Friday, April 29th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it – NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it all out at SB Nation’s NFL Hub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft. Lastly, for more San Francisco 49ers coverage, check out our team blog Niners Nation.

2011 NFL Draft Grades: 49ers Pick Aldon Smith, Mixed Opinions Abound

The San Francisco 49ers are set for the second and third rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft today, but there is still a lot of looking back going on about their first round pick, DE Aldon Smith. Some folks love the pick, others hate it, but either way Smith is a guy who does have serious skills and definitely makes the defense better in my opinion. But who cares what I think, here’s what others are saying.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com thinks that the 49ers dropped the ball by not picking a quarterback in the first round, and that Aldon Smith is overrated.

Brain Galliford at SB Nation gave the 49ers a B with their pick, but seemed to be waffling a bit and easily could have graded them worse.

Tim Kawakami feels that the pick leaves the Niners open to critique by not going with a bigger name with their first pick.

Over at our 49ers blog, Niners Nation, resident 49ers draft expert James Brady loves the pick, and explains why you should too.

Gwen Knapp of the San Francisco Chronicles feels that Smith wasn’t worth the 7th pick overall, and what the Niners should have done instead.

Chris Trapasso at Bleacher Report feels that the Niners fans shouldn’t panic, but shouldn’t be incredibly stoked on the pick either.

The second round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 6 p.m. (ET) on Friday, April 29th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it – NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it all out at SB Nation’s NFL Hub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft. Lastly, for more San Francisco 49ers coverage, check out our team blog Niners Nation.

NFL Draft 2011: 49ers Second Round Mock Features Curtis Brown

Although we are already well into the 2011 NFL Draft, that does not mean mock drafts are officially done. Upon completion of the first round, folks at SB Nation put together a mock draft for the second round. The upside is it gives us something to analyze, the downside is that with no trades it is guaranteed to fall on its face. After yesterday’s draft day insanity, we are once again reminded of how little we really know (Prince Amukamara and Cameron Jordan, anybody?)

45. San Francisco 49ers: Curtis Brown, CB, Texas. After passing on Prince Amukamara in the first round, the 49ers still desperately need corner help. Brown is an underrated prospect.

SB Nation decided that Curtis Brown was the choice here as the 49ers need for a cornerback still exists after one day of the draft. The 49ers do have a big need at corner, but also are likely to have some interest in the various quarterbacks hanging around after day one, including Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick. The SB Nation mock includes Dalton, Kaepernick, and Ryan Mallett.

I actually wouldn’t be surprised if the 49ers moved up at some point today. They’ve got the picks to make a small move, and with some intriguing names still out there, we could see a trade at some point.

NFL Draft 2011 First Round Results: NFC West Has Strong Draft With Patrick Peterson, Robert Quinn

The San Francisco 49ers shocked a lot of people when they took Aldon Smith, the outside linebacker out of Missouri, with the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Shocking or not, the fanbase itself mostly calmed down after the initial confusion, when they realized that he was a good player, not much of a reach, and a definite fit in San Francisco's 2011 defense. Smith is a great pick for San Francisco, at least in this writer's opinion, but the 49ers weren't the only ones to do well in that regard - the rest of the NFC West fared pretty well on top of that. Below, we'll look at the rest of the division, their picks, and some analysis.

Arizona Cardinals draft Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU with fifth overall pick

This could not have went better for Arizona ... well actually, it probably could have. Von Miller out of Texas A&M was probably their dream pick, but by their own admission, Peterson was the fifth highest player on their board, meaning that they would have preferred Miller, Marcell Dareus, Cam Newton and A.J. Green to Peterson. What they would-have-but-couldn't do aside, Peterson is the consensus best player on the board and strengthens an already strong secondary. The NFC West will struggle to keep up with passing on them at this point. The pick is a solid 'A'.

St. Louis Rams draft Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina with fourteenth overall pick

Conventional wisdom says that the Rams would have liked to get Aldon Smith, but in lieu of him, Quinn is another very solid pick. Quinn is a top ten player who has fallen for a few different reasons, but the Rams figure they can get past that and add him to an already strong pass rush. They'll need it, with the 49ers and Seattle investing heavily in offensive line picks in recent years. Quinn will play opposite Chris Long and start from day one, in all likelihood. A solid 'A' pick as well.

Seattle Seahawks draft James Carpenter, OL, Alabama with twenty-fifth overall pick

The weakest of the NFC West draft picks at this point, but that doesn't mean it's a bad pick. Carpenter is the lesser-known tackle prospect, but he fits in most positions on the line, and could even play the interior in Seattle. Maybe he's not a first-round talent in a better draft for offensive line, but this year, he's a first round talent who is perceived as a reach here, but in reality probably wouldn't have lasted much longer. The only negative is the fact that there are unquestionably better prospects, but I guess you can't argue with the fact that they're going out to get their guy. Carpenter is a little raw and will need a bit of time before he can step into the lineup. This pick is a 'B' just because the fact that the Seahawks had other needs and the other tackles still available.

NFL Draft 2011: 49ers OLB Aldon Smith Scouts Inc Scouting Report

Since the 49ers first round is done for now, pending a potential trade back into the first round, it seems like a good time to start poking around scouting reports on the newest member of the 49ers, OLB Aldon Smith. The 2011 NFL Draft left some 49ers fans with their heads shaking, but Aldon Smith is an intriguing pass rush talent.

For starters, let’s take a look at the ESPN Scouts Inc Scouting Report. It’s hidden behind a paid wall but I’ll pull out some of the important details for you.

Pass Rush: It sounds like he can play too tall at times and can struggle versus bigger offensive tackles. That can be a problem, but in the 3-4 he will have either Justin Smith or Isaac Sopoaga working to open up some holes for him to bust through.

Versus the Run: He’s got some solid athleticism, although not the quickest first step. “He shows quick feet and excellent change-of-direction skills on double moves and delayed twists. Perfect example comes when he smokes first-round LOT prospect Nate Solder (Colorado) with outside-in move in 2010. He has a more powerful club move than expected (see: sack from DT position vs. Illinois, 2010).”

Versatility: “Flashes ability to rush the passer from inside. Also shows decent fluidity for his size when occasionally dropping into underneath coverage. Best-suited to play RDE in an even front but also has potential to play ROLB in a 3-4 or in a hybrid role.”

NFL Draft 2011: 49ers Surprise Folks Drafting OLB Aldon Smith From Missouri

While most 49ers fans were expecting a Missouri football player at the seven pick, very few were expecting it to be outside linebacker Aldon Smith. Most folks figured Blaine Gabbert would end up being the pick, in spite of thoughts that he was a bad choice. Well, the 49ers did not in fact like Gabbert enough to take him at seven.

The 49ers do need an upgrade in the pass rushing department, so Aldon Smith is not a terribly shocking pick. At the same time, one has to wonder if the team could have moved back to get him. Of course, a team needs a partner to move back and it is possible nobody wanted to move back with the 49ers.

The folks at Mocking The Draft are intrigued by his pass rushing skills. Although he seems to lack a defined position, he’ll get a crack at rushing the passer from the OLB in the 49ers 3-4, and also probably the DE spot when they mix in some 4-3.

Here is there “Final Word” on Smith:

Final word: Smith was a sensation as a freshman, but was slowed as a sophomore due to fractured right leg. That caused him to miss the first three weeks of the 2010 season. On the year, he had 48 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

Still, Smith is ready for the NFL. He’s so intriguing because few possess his ability to get after the passer. In the 4-3, Missouri used him on the inside and outside with good results. If he develops more power, he should be a terror as a 4-3 defensive end. If not, he might work better as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

NFL Draft 2011: Falcons Acquire Browns Pick To Select Julio Jones

The Atlanta Falcons have apparently acquired the Cleveland Browns first round pick to then select Julio Jones at the number six position. The Browns acquire the 27th overall pick and the Falcons 2nd, 4th and 2012 1st and 4th round picks. That is quite the bounty of picks.

Patrick Peterson just went off the board to the Arizona Cardinals so it remains to be seen what exactly the 49ers will now do with the seventh pick. The first six picks thus far have been Cam Newton, Von Miller, Marcell Dareus, A.J. Green, Patrick Peterson, and now Julio Jones.

This would seem to leave the 49ers with several options. They could draft Blaine Gabbert, Prince Amukamara, or Robert Quinn. They could surprise some folks and grab a defensive lineman like J.J. Watt or Cameron Jordan. Or maybe they decide to trade down. It’s really a crap shoot at this point particularly with Blaine Gabbert sitting there for the 49ers. Maybe they deal down to the Redskins?

NFL Draft 2011 News, Rumors: Adam Schefter Reporting 49ers Will Not Select Blaine Gabbert

The rumor mill is reaching a fevered pitch as we are now getting contradictory reports about everything and everybody involved in the 2011 NFL Draft. Although I have not been watching ESPN (I’ve got the NFL Network on for my coverage), @walterfootball tweeted a little bit ago that Adam Schefter reported the 49ers were not looking to acquire Blaine Gabbert with the seventh overall pick.

At this point, it’s impossible to tell what is a smokescreen and what is reality. Trent Baalke and Jim Harbaugh have spoken with the media plenty over the last few months, but I have to think they’ve kept their cards close to the vest. This late burst of Gabbert love from the media could be the 49ers attempts to get another team interested in the pick, it could be reality that the 49ers are actually interested, or it could be somewhere in the middle. Nobody can say with any certainty what the 49ers actually want to do outside of the 49ers draft room.

NFL Draft 2011: Patriots Talking Trade With Browns, Could 49ers Emerge As Partner?

According to Aaron Wilson, (and others) the New England Patriots are interested in moving up in the draft to acquire the services of Robert Quinn, the defensive end out of North Carolina. They've apparently talked to the Cleveland Browns about moving up to the sixth overall pick to do so, and have a plethora of early picks to make that trade. The Patriots currently have the 17th and 28th pick in the first round, as well as the 33rd pick in the second round. A trade up into the top ten would likely cost them the 17th pick, and one of the other two mentioned, likely the 33rd pick, which is the first in the second round, from the Carolina Panthers.

It's an interesting scenario for the San Francisco 49ers, as Quinn could be a target of their's, but we've already heard talk about potentially moving back if one of their top players aren't available at seven. The 49ers appear to want one of Von Miller, Patrick Peterson or Marcell Dareus at number seven, and in lieu of them, would like to trade back a little bit and acquire ammunition to get the quarterback they want later on in the draft.

If Quinn (or any other player the Patriots could be interested in, like Cal's Cameron Jordan) is available at seven, it would make an awful lot of sense for the 49ers to deal for picks 17 and 33, giving them prime position to get one of the better cornerbacks and quarterbacks available in the draft. Players like Colin Kaepernick, Andy Dalton, Jake Locker, Jimmy Smith, Brandon Harris, Johnny Patrick and Davon House could be there at those positions, and the 49ers would be filling two immediate needs at that point.

Just something to think about.

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28thand SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it - NFL mock drafts draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it all out at SB Nation's NFLHub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft. Lastly, for more San Francisco 49ers coverage, check out our team blog: Niners Nation.

NFL Draft 2011: San Francisco 49ers Picks In Todd McShay's Seven Round Mock Draft

Draft day is here, and mock drafts are pouring out in an effort to be read one last time before teams go up and make their picks. It's likely that absolutely nothing comes from most of this, mock drafts don't account for so many things, but they are entertaining reads and the only thing to sustain a great number of us throughout this long and arduous offseason. Well, ESPN's Todd McShay has just released his seven-round mock draft, so now we're going to see how the 49ers stacked up in it.

First round, No. 7 (7th overall): Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Second round, No. 13 (45th overall): Jabaal Sheard, OLB, Pitt
Third round, No. 12 (76th overall): Joshua Thomas, CB, Buffalo
Fourth round, No. 11 (108th overall): Shane Vereen, RB, Cal
Fourth round, No. 18 (115th overall): Dwayne Harris, WR, East Carolina
Fifth round, No. 10 (141st overall): Jeron Johnson, S, Boise State
Sixth round, No. 9 (174th overall): Owen Marecic, FB, Stanford
Sixth round, No. 25 (190th overall): Jerrell Powe, NT, Mississippi
Seventh round, No. 8 (211th overall): Garrett Chisolm, OG, South Carolina
Seventh round, No. 28 (231st overall): Derrell Smith, OLB, Syracuse
Seventh round, No. 36 (239th overall): Alex Wujciak, ILB, Maryland
Seventh round, No. 47 (250th overall): Kris Durham, WR, Georgia

Overall, I'd give this draft somewhere in the range of a C- all the way to a B- because there are some solid late round picks, but the beginning of the draft doesn't necessarily shape up. McShay has the 49ers selecting a corner in the third who projects as a sixth round pick, ahead of some very solid guys like Curtis Brown, Davon House and Brandon Burton. It really doesn't make sense, and the consensus also seems to be that the 49ers aren't terribly interested in Gabbert at seven, but that's not a big knock, it's just not the likliest of scenarios.

They get good value in Marecic in round six and even better value in Powe directly after him. Vereen is also a huge talent for the fourth round, so the 49ers are doing well in that regard. It's not a bad draft by any means, but it's one that doesn't necessarily line up well and make sense for the 49ers on all fronts. 

NFL Draft 2011: 49ers Work Out Louisville CB Johnny Patrick, Still Considering Prince Amukamara?

Although the NFL Draft is starting today, that hasn't stopped teams from working out players right up until the last minute. National Football Post is reporting that the 49ers conducted a last minute workout with Louisville cornerback Johnny Patrick earlier this week. They previously had dinner with him following his Louisville Pro Day workout. The 49ers have a big need at the cornerback position, so it is not surprising they are wining and dining cornerbacks as they have been doing with quarterbacks.

In somewhat related news, SB Nation released their final 2011 NFL mock draft of the year and as has been par for the course, they once again have Prince Amukamara projected to the 49ers:

7. San Francisco 49ers: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska. San Fran would be leaving serious talent on the board with this pick, but Amukamara is a clean, potentially elite talent at a huge position of need for the 49ers.

Amukamara is an interesting talent as he has moved all around draft boards. Bill Parcells actually had him ranked higher than Patrick Peterson and there are arguments to be made that he's a very valid pick at number seven. The 49ers have cornerback options through the first three rounds, while also considering their quarterback and pass rushing needs. It should make for a crazy few days of drafting.

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it - NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it all out at SB Nation's NFL Hub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft. Lastly, for more San Francisco 49ers coverage, check out our team blog Niners Nation.

2011 NFL Mock Drafts: Mel Kiper, Mike Mayock, Rick Gosselin All Projecting Blaine Gabbert To 49ers

The 2011 NFL Draft is under ten hours away and final mock drafts are pouring in as we speak. Some fairly prominent college and NFL analysts have provided mock drafts and for many of them, Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert is suddenly becoming the pick to make for the 49ers. Among others, ESPN’s Mel Kiper, NFL.com’s Mike Mayock, and Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning News all believe the 49ers grab Gabbert.

Mel Kiper

I picked Peterson to fall to this point in my previous mock draft, but I don’t think he gets there this time around. He offers too much trade leverage. This time, I think Gabbert lands here. While Jim Harbaugh has taken the dignified route and stated how much he wants to work with Alex Smith, I think it’s pretty fair to assume the Niners will be looking for a long-term solution for their new coach. Harbaugh’s track record says he should have confidence he can turn Gabbert’s solid skill-set into something at the NFL level. Like Newton, this isn’t a quarterback you want starting games in 2011, but if San Francisco is patient, Gabbert is a player it can build with.

Mike Mayock

I was thinking corner or rush lineman initially, but the quarterback is there in this scenario. There’s a new regime in San Francisco, so the 49ers are going to have to turn things around. Gabbert is my top-rated quarterback. I love the marriage of Gabbert and coach Jim Harbaugh.

Rick Gosselin

Jim Harbaugh is a quarterback maker — first Josh Johnson at the University of San Diego and then Andrew Luck at Stanford. In his first year as head coach of the 49ers, Harbaugh wants a quarterback he can build a team around.

In looking at their rationales, they all think this is the guy for the 49ers long term plans. While some folks (including myself) are not completely sold on that, we also don’t know where Gabbert fits into Jim Harbaugh’s philosophy on quarterbacks.

Coach Harbaugh has discussed his philosophies on the quarterback position, most notably at his introductory press conference. When asked about specific characteristics he looks for in a quarterback he mentioned "Athletic instincts, accuracy, timing, decision making, leadership, intelligence…" These aren’t exactly shocking comments, but they’re still worth considering as we assess the 49ers draft board heading into this afternoon’s first round.

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it - NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it all out at SB Nation's NFL Hub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft. Lastly, for more San Francisco 49ers coverage, check out our team blog Niners Nation.

NFL Draft 2011: Jim Harbaugh, Trent Baalke Looking To Start Anew For San Francisco 49ers

The 2011 NFL Draft starts tonight at 5:00 p.m. pacific, and the San Francisco 49ers will be picking shortly after that, barring some kind of trade. Currently, they hold the seventh overall pick in the first round and stand a chance to land an elite talent in this draft. Day one includes the first round, day two (Friday) includes rounds two and three, while day three will house the latter rounds four, five, six and seven. There's still an air of uncertainty hanging over all of this in regards to the lockout and the non-CBA, but the draft will go on as planned and we can only hope that it will, you know, stick at this point.

San Francisco has a league-high twelve picks in the draft, including picks in each round, with multiples in rounds four, six and seven. They'll be looking to push themselves over the edge in the NFC West and take control over a division that has no clear favorite, in Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke in their first season as head coach and general manager, respectively. Their picks are below:

1. First round, No. 7 (7th overall)
2. Second round, No. 13 (45th overall)
3. Third round, No. 12 (76th overall)
4. Fourth round, No. 11 (108th overall)
5. Fourth round, No. 18 (115th overall)
6. Fifth round, No. 10 (141st overall)
7. Sixth round, No. 9 (174th overall)
8. Sixth round, No. 25 (190th overall)
9. Seventh round, No. 8 (210th overall)
10. Seventh round, No. 30 (230th overall)
11. Seventh round, No. 38 (238th overall, compensatory)
12. Seventh round, No. 49 (249th overall, compensatory)

They're in a position to fill most of their needs, or at least appear to at face value. Conventional wisdom leads one to believe that the seventh overall pick is early enough for the team to draft one of the top players at a position of need. Their significant needs are at the quarterback, cornerback and outside linebacker positions - and it stands to reason that one of those positions will feature an elite talent at seven.

There's talk that the 49ers might be interested in trading down if there's not one of the top guys there (essentially Von Miller, Patrick Peterson and Marcell Dareus) and maybe one of the quarterbacks being available. The consensus seems to be that the 49ers would rather trade back with a team like the Washington Redskins who would want one of those quarterbacks, which would give them ammunition to move back into the first round to get another player, like one of the quarterbacks they like, but don't want to draft at seven.

It will be interesting to see what happens, smart money is on the 49ers having a good draft, at least on the top end, but they can go so many ways. With Baalke and Harbaugh handling this draft, nobody knows just how it will go, or how they have evaluated the talent on the roster to this point. Maybe there's guys they don't like that we are missing? That's the fun in it!

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it - NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it all out at SB Nation's NFL Hub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft. Lastly, for more San Francisco 49ers coverage, check out our team blog Niners Nation.