2011 NFL Mock Draft Database: 49ers Draft Predictions 1.1

Super Bowl XLV and the 2010 NFL season have joined the 2011 Senior Bowl in our rear view mirror and we're 100% into NFL Draft season. The 49ers have been teed up for a little while now, but the final members of the NFL get to now focus fully on the 2011 NFL Draft. I've updated our 2011 NFL Mock Draft Database of 49ers first round picks and it's slowly getting more and more regular among the participating mocks. Some still aren't updating every week and if some of them continue to not update I'll remove them and add other mocks.

Two weeks ago I posted version 1.0 of the 2011 NFL Mock Draft Database and Blaine Gabbert and the quarterback position dominated the discussion. Gabbert was predicted for the 49ers in 10 of 30 mocks with Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara tied for second in 5 of 30 mocks. The QB position was selected in 13 of 30 mocks and cornerback was a close second at 10 mocks.

This newest version of the mock draft database has seen a bit of a reversal as the quarterback position has lost some momentum. Cornerback currently leads the way in 12 of 30 mocks, with quarterback listed second in 9 mocks, and outside linebacker a close third. I've converted Robert Quinn and Von Miller strictly to OLB instead of OLB/DE since they would play OLB in the 3-4. Blaine Gabbert remains the most frequent draft choice but his quantity has decreased to seven, with Prince Amukamara and Patrick Peterson still tied but now with six mocks predicting their selection.

What does all this mean? Absolutely nothing! In reality it shows people starting to maybe recognize the quarterbacks in this year's class leave a little something to be desired. The team could do a lot with a cornerback or outside linebacker and I stick with my belief that these quarterbacks just aren't worth a high first round pick. I wish they were because the 49ers obviously need a young QB of the future. But they aren't.

At this point, the only thing between now and the NFL Combine at the end of the month will be Pro Days for various players. There are no trades and no early March free agency without a new CBA, so the NFL Combine and Pro Days are the primary events that can impact mock drafts.

I've attached a brief poll to see how people would react to a few of these possible selections. I know a lot of folks love Patrick Peterson and Von Miller so I've kept them out of the poll for now.