Feb 22 Pre Combine 7-round Mock

One more mock before the risers and fallers in the Combine change all prognostication.

Take a WR in the first round? Hold up there partner, this mock has the 49ers playing the possum and scooping up WRs in the late rounds.

Same as my Feb 13 mock, this mock uses www.nfldraftscout.com for the estimated round a player is taken. Unlike last time, this mock assumes Ahmad Brooks is not retained as was recently rumored by one of the Matts... either Matt B or Matt M.

Returning free agents: Alex Smith, Carlos Rogers, Dashon Goldson, Adam Snyder, Josh Morgan, Larry Grant, Blake Costanzo, Madieu Williams, CJ Spillman

Gone: Ahmad Brooks, Chilo Rachal, Moran Norris, Reggie Smith, Tavares Gooden, Ted Ginn Jr, Brett Swain, Justin Peele

The mock is after the jump...

1.30 OLB/DE Andre Branch, Clemson, 6-4 260 4.77

Most mocks have the 49ers taking a WR with this pick. If they let Ahmad Brooks go, then another rush OLB becomes the high priority and this draft is not deep enough to wait. Nick Perry would be the best case scenario at the 30 spot, but unlikely to fall so Branch is the best value that suits a need. Aldon Smith will move to the strong side replacing Brooks full time and Branch would platoon with Parys Haralson in 2012.

2.62 OG Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin, 6-4 315 5.28

I was unsure about this pick in my last mock, but after reading the comments and rereading the scouting reports we should be happy to get Zeitler supporting the right side of the line.. Other choices are Iowa State Kelechi Osemele or highly regarded small school product, Amini Silatolu from MIdwestern State. Snyder moves into a backup/utility role.

3.94 CB Brandon Boykin 5-10 183 4.44

Boykin is a total beast and had a great Senior Bowl until he broke a bone. He'll recover quick enough to retain a high draft position. If we miss on Boykin, there are a ton of other CBs that should still be on the board; Josh Norman, Trumaine Johnson, Micah Pellerin, Coryell Judie. Certainly Omar Bolden should still be there. I really like Trumaine for his versatility to play CB or FS, and to cover the big WRs.

4.126 WR Jordan White, Western Michigan, 6-0 215 4.54

This is where it gets interesting... Jordan White was the most productive WR in D1 football last year. He's still undervalued at his current projected draft position. Not only that, but there still may be a number of decent WRs on the board like Ryan Broyles, Jeff Fuller, Marvin McNutt, Marvin Jones, Tommy Streeter, Dwight Jones, Gerrell Robinson, and possibly Joe Adams although he'll probably scorch his 40 at the Combine and shoot up the board. Any one of these guys could be a suitable addition to the 49ers along with a free agent like Meachem, Royal, Manningham, or some other reasonably priced pro. I'm not subscribing to the rumors of the 49ers landing Mike Wallace and therefore giving up a draft pick.

5.157 WR Jeff Fuller, A&M 6-3 220 4.52

The 49ers can double up on WRs and go right back to the same talent pool in the 5th by getting someone like Jeff Fuller who is dropping or possibly Gerrell Robinson for a big red zone target. Fuller is a bit of an enigma as he didn't seem to meet expectations of what he is capable of this past year. He sure has the "measurables" though.

6.189 RB Edwin Baker, Michigan St, 5-9 210 4.49

I think I had Baker in my last mock too. He'll come in to push Dixon and potentially be good enough to spell Gore in the power game between the tackles with Hunter still playing the change of pace role. If not Baker, then Terrance Ganaway, Lennon Creer, Darrel Scott, or Bryce Brown are all solid power running options in the late rounds.

7.221 CB/FS D'Anton Lynn, Penn State 6-0 205 4.5

I was gonna drop Damaris Johnson from Tulsa on y'all at this spot as a diminutive and speedy KR/PR to replace Ginn, but thought additional defensive backfield depth would be better. (Look Damaris up on www.fanaticalfootballfield.com). D'Anton provides versatility to backup either FS or CB spots. He's pretty smooth and fast from what I've read on him.