2011 NFL Draft, 50 in 50: Corey Liuget - DT - Illinois (6 of 50)

It's really unclear at this point as to whether or not the 49ers need to upgrade on their defensive line in the 2011 NFL Draft. Isaac Sopoaga, Aubrayo Franklin, Justin Smith, and even Ray McDonald have all done a terrific job up to this point. All four of them have a specific job to do in that front, and they all do it exceptionally well. But for the sake of argument, we will take a look at a few defensive linemen coming in to the league as rookies anyway.

Some folks feel as though Isaac Sopoaga is not holding up to standards at his specific position. But mnay fail to realize that his sole purpose over on the left side is to open things up for the guys behind him. He is very good at drawing double attention and his power allows him to push and move guys around very well.

Many don't know if Aubrayo Franklin will be back pending the outcome of what is going on with the Collective Bargaining Agreement. But if he is, I don't expect that his play will drop of any. If the Niners retain Franklin, then they won't have to search for another nose tackle for another year or so.

The biggest push for a defensive end comes at the defensive end position in where Justin Smith is at. Some fans think it is time for the Niners to begin looking for a replacement since defensive linemen (particularly in a 34 defense) take much longer to develop. But people have to keep free agency in mind as well.

Corey Liuget may be one of the better defensive linemen headed in to the 2011 Draft, so without further ado, let's look at some of his accomplishments below.

As you notice in the video, Liuget is a good space eater and has the ability to get after the quarterback or runner very well. However, he has played in a 43 defense for his entire collegiate career which makes things much easier to move around and get after ball carriers, especially at the college level.

Ohio State had one of the better offensive lines in the nation. Plenty of times in this video, Liuget showcases that he can shed blocks with the best of 'em. This is one thing that should be considered when evaluating his potential as a 34 defensive end.

His technique and understanding of the game is well below par. He has a great swim technique and in some ways reminds me of Warren Sapp in that specific regard. He jams up traffic at the line more than the 101 at rush hour. Overall, Liuget is being considered as a top prospect because of his very high ceiling.

Here are a look at Luiget's stats over the last few years:

Summary: Luiget is one of the more intriguing prospects at defensive line coming in to the NFL. It will be very interesting to see where and what he winds up playing at the next level considering that he is extremely versatile in his skill-set. If somehow, someway he feel to the 3rd round, would the 49ers be wise to select him if possible? Very interesting question.

PREDICTION: 2nd - 3rd Round. There is a slight possibility that Luiget could be reached on in the 1st.