San Francisco 49ers Post-NFL Combine Mock Draft

A few weeks ago I ran my first front page 49er NFL mock draft of the off-season. Also, Drew has run a nice segment on his positional rankings, and is now working on some post combine stuff as well. I decided that there isn't a better time for me to come up with my post combine mock draft.

After the jump I will provide you with my entire 1st round NFL Mock Draft and follow that up with all of my San Francisco 49er picks. 

First Round

1. Carolina Panthers:                       DL                Nick Fairley                          Auburn

I was deciding between Blaine Gabbert and Fairley here. I understand that Fairley's combine weigh-in may be a bit of an issue, he is less than 300 pounds. However, I believe that Fairley will fit perfectly into his frame moving forward. Gabbert would have been a little too much of a reach at #1. Carolina will now be able to mix Fairley up with the myriad of young players they have in the front seven.

2. Denver Broncos:                           DL                Da'Quan Bowers                Clemson

Some have Denver taking Patrick Peterson here, but I just don't see it. As I have talked about before CBs do not go top 5, let alone top 3. Bowers has the ability to dominate games and Denver needs a play-maker in the front 7. Also, the Broncos re-signed Champ Bailey, presumably to play corner; so I doubt Peterson is an option at 2.

3. Buffalo Bills:                                  QB                Blaine Gabbert                    Missouri

I had Buffalo taking Gabbert here with my last mock. If Fairley or Bowersfall to #3, I could see them going with one of the two. However, at this point the Bills will have to go for need. In Gabbert they get a player that has tremendous upside andwho can sit behind Ryan Fitzpatrick for a season or two.

4. Cincinnati Bengals:                     QB                Cameron Newton               Auburn

The situation has changed considerably for Cincinnatisince my last mock draft. It is becoming increasingly evident that Carson Palmer will not be returning to the Bengals next season, so what do they do? Well, you guess it; find a QB. I am not completely sold on Cam Newton at this point, but many believe he will be a top ten pick and Cincinnati will be in the market for a QB.

5. Arizona Cardinals:                        DL                Marcell Dareus                   Alabama

The two top QBs didn't fall to Arizona and they are not going to reach for Mallett or Locker here. Von Miller is a definite possibility at the #5 slot, but i think that Arizona will look to upgrade their defensive line with this pick.

6. Cleveland Browns:                       WR                A.J Green                            Georgia

Green fits perfectly into what the Browns are trying to build on offense

7. San Francisco 49ers:                  CB                 Patrick Peterson                Louisiana State

It isn't just wishful thinking that i have Peterson falling to the 49ers. There are great explanations to why I have the six teams ahead of San Francisco passing up on him. If this is the scenario that plays out, I think it is safe to say that we will all be happy. Peterson is a special talent that will come in an contribute immediately.

8. Tennessee Titans                        DE                 Aldon Smith                        Missouri

It was really between Smith and Robert Quinn with this pick. However, i see Smith as a better fit for Tennessee. He fits better into their system and the scheme they are attempting to utilize. If Fisher were still the coach Quinn would probably be the pick.

9. Dallas Cowboys:                          CB                 Prince Amukamara           Nebraska

Last mock I had the Cowboys going with Tyron Smith here, but their pass defense was absolutely attrotious last season. Terence Newman isn't getting any younger and Jenkins doesn't seem like a #1 corner in the NFL. Dallas could go tackle later in the draft.

10. Washington Redskins:             QB                 Ryan Mallett                        Arkansas

This would seem like a huge risk, that I understand. Although, Ryan Mallett looked really good during the combine and will have a chance to shine during Arkansas pro day coming up. Washington is in need of a playmaker at the QB position, and Daniel Snyder likes to go with the "flashy" picks. It may be a 15-20 pick reach, but someone is going to take a flyer on Mallett, andother than Oakland, who doesn't have a 1st round pick, Washington would be the best option to do so.

11. Houston Texans:                       DE/LB            Robert Quinn                     North Carolina

They could well go with Brandon Harris here, I am not sure they they will select corners in the 1st round in two consecutive seasons. Either way, they are going to get a solid player at 11.

12. Minnesota Vikings:                    CB                 Brandon Harris                  Miami (F)

If Houston selects Quinn here you can flip the picks because the Vikings will jump on Quinn. That said, Antoine Winfield isn't getting much younger and the Vikings don't have much young talent at the corner position. Another option would be if Gabbert or Newton fall to 12.

13. Detroit Lions:                             LB                   Von Miller                            Texas A&M

Detroit needs a pass rusher, and Miller is the BPA at a need position. .

14. St. Louis Rams:                         WR                Julio Jones                        Alabama

St. Louis wouldn't ask for a better scenario than Jones falling to them. They need a receiver to go with Sam Bradford in the passing game, in Julio Jones they get that.

15. Miami Dolphins:                         OT                 Tyron Smith                       Southern California

Miami could go many different directions with the 15th pick. They need a QB, RB, OT, G, DL, LB, CB and S. This is a team in transition, but in order for any QB to succeed they need to have decent protection; and at this point Miami's offensive line leaves a lot to be desired.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars:               DE                 J.J. Watt                             Wisconsin

NFL Network has Watt listed as the 3rd best defensive end in the draft, and I didn't understand why. However, after i watched clips of him during the last week, now I know. Watt is a solid player that has a great motor. He also fits a need position for Jacksonville.

17. New England Patriots:              OT                 Anthony Castonzo            Boston College

With six picks in the first 3 rounds New England can afford to go BPA withevery selection; they won't with the 17thpick. New England needs to upgrade the offensive line position, and after the 1st round tackles there is a nice drop-off. Look for them to go need first, and BPA later.

18. San Diego Chargers:                LB                 Akeem Ayers                     UCLA

Larry English has not panned out and Shawne Merriman is no longer on the roster. Those two variables mean that San Diego will look pass rush here. They get 2nd best natural OLB in the draft in Ayers.

19. New York Giants:                       OT                 Nate Solder                       Colorado

The Giants have a need in the secondary, but the top three corners are off the board here. Look for them to continue what they have attempted to build over the seasons; a strong foundation on both lines. Now that the defensive line appears set New York will go tackle at 19.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers          DE                 Cameron Jordan             California

Tampa Bay's pass rush was horrible last season, it could be in fact the primary reason they didn't make the playoffs. Cameron Jordan will add a nice amount of pass rush opposite Gerald McCoy.

21. Kansas City Chiefs:                 DE                  Ryan Kerrigan                  Purdue

Kansas City needs to upgrade the pass rushing position even if Tamba Hali returns. This selection of Kerrigan rectifies the situation to some extent

22. Indianapolis Colts:                    S                    Rahim Moore                    UCLA

Bob Sanders is out, and the rest of the Colts safety core doesn't look too great. Rahim Moore is by far and away the best safety in the draft.

23. Philadelphia Eagles:                G                    Mike Pouncey                    Florida

Michael Vick could not even escape the horrible Eagle offensive line play last season. In fact, he was almost murdered on multiple occasions. Philadelphia is not going to invest 50-75 million on a QB and leave him hanging against the pass rush.

24. New Orleans Saints:               RB                   Mark Ingram                      Alabama

Pierre Thomas, Corey Ivy and Reggie Bush. are not the answer for the Saints running game. New Orleans playoff loss to Seattle showed me something. It showed me that the Saints need a primary running back to help take the load off of Drew Brees

25. Seattle Seahawks:                   DT                   Stephen Paea                   Oregon State

At this point Jake Locker would be just too much of a reach for Seattle and they need upgrades almost everywhere on defense. Paea will work real nice opposite Brandon Mebane.

26. Baltimore Ravens:                   CB                   Aaron Williams                  Texas

Chris Carr, Fabian Washington and Josh Wilson do not scare opposing offenses. Baltimroe is going to need to upgrade at this position during the off-season. The problem is that they don't have a whole lot of money to invest in a top tier free agent CB. So, they go with the next best option.

27. Atlanta Falcons:                        TE                   Kyle Rudolph                      Notre Dame

It has been noted that Atlanta wants to give Matt Ryan more offensive weapons. Tony Gonzalez is nearing the end of his great career, and there is not a better player for Rudolph to learn from. Take it from someone that has watched every Notre Dame game over the last couple seasons, Rudolph is a special talent.

28. New England Patriots:            DT                   Phil Taylor                           Baylor

We all know how New England likes to stack up at certain positions, and defensive line is one of them. Currently the Patriots have Vince Wilfork and Ron Brace to man the 3-4 NT position. However, one is getting up there in age (Wilfork), and the other one continues to under perform.

29. Chicago Bears:                        OT                   Derek Sherrod                   Mississippi State

If Chicago doesn't upgrade at the tackle position Jay Cutler is going to be killed. Their offensive line play bordered on horrific all season long, and Sherrod is the perfect fit for them at 29.

30. New York Jets:                         DL                   Corey Liuget                       Illinois

I thought about Titus Young or Leonard Hankerson here because Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith are all slated to be free agents. I just don't see the Jets reaching for either. Running the type of defensive scheme that New York runs, i see Liuget being a perfect fit for them.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers:                OT                   Gabe Carimi                      Wisconsin

Flozell Adams is pretty much done and Pittsburgh really has no one to replace him. Gabe Carimi looks to be the type of player Pittsburgh loves to draft. He isn't flashy, doesn't have the best athleticism, but all he does is get the job done at the end of the day.

32. Green Bay Packers:                OT                   Demarcus Love                Arkansas

Green Bay did draft Bryan Bulaga last season, and that worked out pretty good for them. I look for the Packersto find another book end to help protect their Super Bowl winning QB.

Entire San Francisco 49ers Mock Draft

1. CB- Patrick Peterson                        Louisiana State

I honestly believe that Peterson will be available to the 49ers at #7, and if he is, it would be a no-brainer. Peterson would immediately come in and be their #1 CB and an immediate game chaning type of player.

2. QB- Jake Locker                                Washington

Some may question why Locker would fall to the 49ers in the 2nd round, but i see him going the way of Jimmy Clausen in this draft. Locker did not have a great supporting cast at Washington, but he has not done much this off-season to warrent a higher selection. That said, I think he is going to be one heck of an NFL QB.

3. RB- Shane Vereen                            California

We all know my feelings about Vereen, I would love to have him here. However, I went up and down the player rankings to find a pass rusher over Vereen. The problem is I couldn't find one that would be available here worth a 49er selection.

4. LB- Casey Matthews                         Oregon

The ultimate BPA available pick. San Francisco doesn't have a need for another ILB with Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman on the roster. That said, you cannot pass up on a talent like Matthews in the 4th round.

4. LB- Chris Carter                                 Fresno State

Continuing with my west coast theme is Chris Carter. Listen, I didn't watch many Fresno State games; however, I have seen a nice amount of Carter in tape and this guy can get to the QB.

5. CB- Chris Rucker                              Michigan State

San Francisco needs to come out of this draft with two solid corners. Grabbing Patrick Peterson with the 7th pick is great, but they need to follow that up with another pick later. I don't understand why Rucker is slotted to go in the 5th, I believe he is much better than that.

6. WR- Terrance Tolliver                      Louisiana State

I juggled with the idea of drafting Vincent Brown in Casey Matthews slot, but I couldn't justify it. Tolliver will never be a #1 or #2 WR in the NFL. But, what he can do is make the big plays and contribute on special teams.

6. FB- Stanley Havili                              Southern California

Owen Marecic continues to jump up the draft boards, and at this point is most likely a 3rd or 4th round pick. With a nice amount of solid FBs in the draft it would be hard to justify picking him that high. Stanley Havili represents both need and value in the 6th.

7. DE- Pernell McPhee                         Mississippi State

Fits perfectly into a 3-4 scheme. At 280 LBs, McPhee has the size to succeed in the NFL. That said, does he has the character and passion to? Time will tell!

7.  S- Tejay Johnson                             Texas Christian

Johnson continues to be projected as the 7th round pick, and that I do not understand. I watched this guy make play after player for TCU the last two seasons. He may not be flashy, but dude sure can play.

So tell me what you think? I believe that this mock would be awesome for the 49ers. Is it wishful thinking? I don't think so, I can justify each and every selection. If San Francisco could find a pass rusher in the 3rd round and go RB later, I wouldn't be against it. Getting Peterson and Locker with their 1st two picks solidifies two major areas of concern moving forward.