The SB Nation blogger NFL Mock Draft continues to roll along as Mocking the Draft rolls out three picks per day. I submitted the 49ers pick earlier in the week and after some reflection, decided to go with Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill. I actually picked him over Stanford tight end Coby Fleener, which I'm sure will cause some rancor among the faithful. Head after the jump to view a rundown of the first round to date, so you can decide if I made a truly egregious error.
The 49ers are in a position where they have some flexibility in the position they address with that first round pick. There are some question marks in the starting lineup, but for the most part, most starting roles are filled. The biggest question mark at this point, for the fans, would be the right guard position. It is entirely possible the 49ers draft an interior offensive lineman and have that person battle with Daniel Kilgore for that starting spot. The loser could then potentially be the primary backup for the guard and center positions. Given how this draft played out, that might have justified selecting Wisconsin center Peter Konz. Kevin Zeitler would have been an intriguing pick, but he went one spot ahead of the 49ers.
In looking at Stephen Hill, I found myself thinking about the 49ers plan with Aldon Smith. The 49ers brought Smith in and had him focus on one thing during games his first year: rushing the quarterback. He worked on other aspects of the game in practice and he received some additional snaps where he wasn't rushing the QB, but he was a pass rush specialist his first year.
The 49ers have quite a few receivers on the roster, but they don't have a lot of long term options. Michael Crabtree is the only receiver signed past 2013 at this point. Mario Manningham could potentially end up a long term option, but with a fairly limited two year deal, it remains to be seen how that will play out.
Could the 49ers bring in Hill and look to him as a basic stretch the field guy? There are plenty of aspects to the game he has to work on to become a long term option in the NFL, but for that first year, is it the worst thing in the world to have a guy who can focus on winning those deep battles? It seems like a great opportunity to slowly work in a guy who could be a great long term option for the team.
I provided some thoughts on the pick, and Dan Kadar of Mocking the Draft added in his own insight. What do you think of the pick, and what would you have done differently with No. 30?