The 2012 NFL Draft is on its way and most of the analysts seem to agree that the San Francisco 49ers will be looking for first-round help in the form of a wide receiver in some form or another. There is a new suggestion for the Niners that involves a draft prospect from within the Pac-12.
The latest mock draft from Draft Tek suggests that the 49ers might use their overall No. 31 pick to draft Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Juron Criner as the penultimate selection in the first round. Here is what Draft Tek 49ers analyst Tim Hudson has to say:
This week it's Criner to the rescue for the 49er passing woes. Vernon Davis is a great asset, but a WRF on the roster will open passing lanes for Davis and ensure better matchups for the offense. There are those who knock Criner for his lack of straight-ahead speed and weakness off the line against press coverage, but here at DraftTek we see great value in Criner. Going into 2011, Criner was a borderline 1st round pick and managed 75 catches for 956 yards and 11TDs this season despite a 4-8 Arizona record, losing time in the summer with a mystery illness , and suffering an appendectomy in week 2. Criner possesses elite body control and ball awareness, and is a great target for Alex Smith. He recorded play of the week catches twice: This vs UCLA , and this vs Toledo. Combine that with his blocking ability and you've got a complete WRF to stand-out in the 49er corps.
It is certainly no question that the 49ers want to shore up their receiver depth and Criner is an option that will almost certainly still be available late in the first round.
For all news and information regarding the San Francisco 49ers, please visit Niners Nation. To find out more about Criner or the Arizona Wildcats in general, head on over to Arizona Desert Swarm. For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, you can always check out Mocking the Draft.