Bradford might stay in college another year, but he comes out I want him. I really want that DE out of Texas, Orackbo or something.

I don’t know who is even going to declare, but they almost have to stay away from QB in the first round. It’s tempting to say that they need to draft for the offensive line, but the truth is that they’ve spent the most time in recent years ignoring the defensive line while drafting liberally for the offensive line, and the pass rush is by far the most gaping hole on the team right now.

So, in a perfect world, they draft a defensive player who can cause some trouble on the line.

I don’t like picking another QB after a guy like smith. We are too high and I feel its too risky. A 2nd or 3rd rounder to compete with Hill and Smith(assuming he takes a pay cut) would be nice. Normally, they are the first step in a rebuilding stage. I think the niners have a core (gore, willis, staley, lawson, davis) to build off of. Great teams can find starters in all rounds and will made good use with their late picks. I think our best option is to draft Andre Smith or Brian Orakpo. Both fit big needs and have big talent. Another option is to trade down a little, add possibly to a team like Detroit, and have a mid first, and two early seconds to cover more needs, and with tons of talent in this draft, the more picks the better. We could end up with George Selvie, Jason Smith, and Darius Bulter. (thats a starting RT, OLB, and 2CB!)

uh, what about the awful o-line? no point grabbing a rookie qb of the future if he’s just gonna be running for his life.

If he’s still available though. And if he declares (which he is eligible to do given he’s a redshirt sophomore).

I would take him in a heartbeat – he’s a once-in-a-generation receiver prospect with the speed, hands, phsyicality, etc.

As a less flashy pick, I’d take Michael Johnson (I think that’s his name), DE out of Georgia Tech. Anyone who’s watched GTech this year has to be surprised by their performance. Their offense somehow works, but their defense is powerful and it’s headlined by Johnson. He’d definitely help us step up our pass rush.

Hopefully he declares and enough other QBs declare to make him available around pick number 37 or so in the 2nd round.

If OT Andre Smith, DE Michael Johnson, and WR Crabtree are already drafted when the 49ers are on the clock, which is very likely, I would like the 49ers to get one of these guys:

-Brian Orakpo (DE): Big guy at 6’4 258. Superb pass rusher. Very hard working, especially in the weight room. He bench presses 515 pounds and squats 600! Great expolosion!

-Michael Oher (OT): Ideal size at 6’6 332lbs. Long arms and nimble feet. He dominates defenders with his strength. Also, he will open up huge running lanes for Gore to run through.

-Michael Jenkins (CB): Ideal size 6’ 0" 200 lbs.Top rated cornerback in the draft. He gets physical with receivers and uses that size as weapon. Has great playmaking skills.
He is said to have run around 4.3 in the 40 yard dash, which is blazing fast.

What do you think?

from Qb or Wr in first round. We haven’t had much luck with either one in the first round..dare I mention J.J. Stokes and Alex Smith. Shaun Hill can “manage” the game and I think the 49ers can add another playmaker for him via free agency. Our secondary has been exposed badly this year due to the lack of a pass rush..tully bata cain has not helped and Justin Smith is known more for plugging holes and making tackles(which he has done a good at). But we need someone who can help Lawson but I wouldn’t go with a NT; why not give Balmer a chance next year? DE is definetely the way to go in my opinion.

Thanks for your comments. If the draft did start today, the Lions draft first and they definitely need a QB. Next, the Rams draft 2nd overall and they need a WR. Seahawks draft 3rd and they need a RB. 49ers draft 4th and all those players that all of you mentioned will be available. I checked out Orakpo’s highlights and next to Bambam Willis, it’s like Godzilla and Kingkong together. Whew! I agree with ninerfanNVA. Shaun Hill could develop into the 49ers QB for the next 5 years and that Balmer should be given a chance. I also think that the 49ers should draft the best available players instead of drafting for need in certain positions. In the case of the O-line, with Staley, Bass, Heitman, Rachal and either Snyder or Wragge, they could be alright. Maybe the 49ers need a future center and should draft Alex Mack from CAL.

We have the 6th pick (subject to change without notice)
We trade back 2 spots to # 8 and pick up an extra 2nd round pick
We trade back 2 spots to #10 and pick up an extra 2nd round pick
We trade back 3 spots to # 13 with the Eagles and get their 2nd 1st round pick.
We pick either DT B.J. Raji or DT Terrence Cody
On our second 1st round pick we take the best of the OT that is still available.
Andre Smith
Russell Okung
Ciron Black
Jason Smith (Oher will definately be gone)
Eugene Monroe

Then we have 3 great 2nd round picks to get a big running back (we need someone who can bust through the line), a top wide receiver and possibly a future QB

Of course, if we keep winning we may have to settle for only one extra 2nd round pick. Also the other GMs need to be smoking something but this works for me.

I think our needs are NT, LT / RT, OLB, in that order. I’d be happy with a first rounder at any of those positions.
RE: NT
Terrence Cody is the kind of guy we need at NT because of his size and because he draws Casey Hampton, Kris Jenkins-type double-teams, which are absolutely necessary if we’re staying with the 3-4. An upgrade at this position would hugely help our pass rush because if he can draw double teams (as Franklin is clearly unable to do) the opposition can’t scheme Justin Smith out of the game or have a free tackle to pick up our pass-rushing OLB’s.
RE: LT/RT
Snyder is simply not worthy of a starting spot anywhere on the line. He’s a serviceable backup, but nothing more. That means we need to upgrade that position, since Jennings (or Injury McHurt-pants, as I like to call him) is NOT coming back. Smith, Oher or Monroe may still be available, and if I had my pick, I’d probably go with Smith because he’s so strong in the run game.
RE: DE
I can’t figure out these top two DE’s—Michael Johnson and Orakpo. Orakpo seems too light for a 3-4 OLB, and he’s already packed on a lot of pounds to get where he’s at. I’m wary of workout warriors like him because of the Vernon Davis exper-ience/-iment. I can just imagine Davis and Orakpo spontaneously combusting if they ever ran into each other on the practice field. Johnson is another guy who according to reports just doesn’t seem to play up to his measurables. Remember Vernon Gholston? He looked pretty frightening too, but he hasn’t gotten onto the field much this year.

Then QB, CB and Safety are the next positions I’d look to draft for.
RE: QB
It sounds like the Texas QB Colt McCoy would be a no-brainer if he were available, though I don’t think he will be either because he’ll be snapped up by the lions or whomever—or because he won’t even come out. Outside of him, Bradford or Harrell would be options, but I don’t think this is as pressing a need.
RE: CB
Maybe Reggie Smith or Tarell Brown will step into that Harris’ cornerback spot, but if there’s a stud that falls to us, this would be a good position to upgrade at.
RE: S
I’d be happy to get an upgrade at this position. Goldson may come back healthy this year even, but they need someone who a) won’t get beat deep like Roman has so disastrously this year and b) will make a few disruptive plays for heaven’s sake. We know what a difference a Polumalu or a Bob Sanders or an Ed Reed can make for a defense, and our current Safeties are VERY ho-hum.

I’m happy at most of the other positions, really, so it would be tough to convince me that we’d have to look outside of these 6 (!) in the upcoming draft.