ROUND 1
Peter Konz Center from Wisconsin
Why SF should draft him: Konz provides depth and versatility on the O-Line. He will start at RG and move in to the Center position as Jonathan Goodwin's contract slowly wicks away. Konz is a natural center with tremendous production.
Why SF should NOT draft him: In front of SF in the draft order are the Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers. Both these team have aging Centers and will likely draft Peter Konz before SF (Baltimore moreso than GB). I don't see SF giving up future picks to move up to 27 (New England).
Coby Fleener Tight End from Stanford
Why SF should draft him: Fleener is a matchup nightmare for any team and is a step in the right direction when attempting to resolve SF's offensive Red Zone concerns. Having Fleener will make SF's schedule less intimidating. Drafting him also means we don't have to cover him...at least in real games.
Why SF should NOT draft him: As a tight end, Fleener is not much of a blocker. He gets in the way of defenders more than he blocks. Tight end is not a position of need for SF and would be a reach at #30 if viewed from this lens. With Andrew Luck as his QB, Fleener did not get as many receptions as you'd like in a 1st round-rated tight end. Over the past 3 years he accumulated 83 receptions, which is average at best for tight ends.
Kevin Zeitler Guard from Wisconsin
Why SF should draft him: Kevin Zeitler is the most proven guard behind David DeCastro and fills a need for SF at pick #30. Kevin Zeitler played in a run first offense and has tremendous production in college. He is also a gym rat that has the type of strength and power that translates into his plays on the field.
Why SF should NOT draft him: Zeitler does not provide much versatility in that he will only play the Guard position. If the aforementioned names are available SF will likely select a Center with versatility or a tight end with dangerous potential. If Amini Silotolu is available at #30 as well as Zeitler, SF will be tempted to trade down into the early 2nd round. Though Silotolu is less developed, he has a higher ceiling than Zeitler, but also has more potential to be a bust.
Stephen Hill Wide Receiver from Georgia Tech
Why SF should draft him: Stephen Hill is an athletic specimen at the WR position combining size (6'4" 215 lbs) with tremendous in-line speed 4.36 sec, 40-yard dash. Hill showed dependable hands and body control at the NFL combine and would add depth and competition to an already accomplished pool of WRs in SF.
Why SF should NOT draft him: Stephen Hill produced small scale results at Georgia Tech compiling only 45 receptions in 3 years of football at the collegiate level. Hill's best attributes are his height and speed, which already exists on SF's roster, Ted Ginn Jr. and Randy Moss. Hill has limited YAC (Yards After Contact) ability that is necessary in the West Coast Offense.
Janoris Jenkins Corner Back from North Alabama
Why SF should draft him: Janoris Jenkins is an every down player, that has the great ball skills and even better anticipation. Jenkins has the physicality to play press and support the run on early downs. In the past 3 years, only 2 CBs have been able to consistently shutdown AJ Green and Julio Jones at the college level. One of them was Patrick Peterson drafted 5th overall by the Cardinals. The other player was Janoris Jenkins.
Why SF should NOT draft him: Jenkins is undersized, measuring only 5'10" and will struggle when defending taller WRs in Red Zone scenarios as demonstrated in the Senior Bowl. Jenkins brings with him a lot of question marks about his character and extracurricular activities. Though Jenkins will be an upgrade to the secondary, it is not a position with tremendous need.
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Bob Jarman
Was a very good article.
Apr 25, 2012 at 10:25 PM
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Tempt
I hope you're having fun. You will all be wrong.
Thank you and have a nice day.
Apr 25, 2012 at 7:29 PM
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Collin
Here's to the draft!! I'm looking forward to watching Alex play this season. He's got everything to lose. With stakes so high, he's gotta be better than last. Been a fan since the beginning. His uncertain future with the Niners is no joke though. Any other team and he'd be unemployed right now.
Apr 25, 2012 at 6:25 PM
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Jake
Hey Bob, why crows?
Apr 25, 2012 at 6:16 PM
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Bob Jarman
Well maybe I was seeing something different with T. Brown and since he's our guy I hope you all are right and I'm wrong... seems to be the consencus. But, with Alex, He had different scemes and coaches etc etc, I don't think he was ever comfortable or completly knowledgeable due to all the changes he had every year. We'll see what happens this year, but I feel pretty good you all are going to eat some crow when it comes to alex. I'm trending forward on what happened and Jasper you are trending back which is always the easier road to take. Go alex and go niners!!!! Remember what I said about alex cause I'm gonna remind ya at the end of the season.
Apr 25, 2012 at 4:29 PM
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kane
I'm totally digging this article. I don't want go against any of the guys in this article. I want them on our team!
Apr 25, 2012 at 4:12 PM
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JasperD
To Bob: I think it's a bit of reach to say that Alex will do better this season and the next. Lucky for him, the Niners are still willing to embrace his lack-ofs and invest in the (debatable) skills he may have. I predict this is his last season as starter unless magic happens and we win a championship under his leadership. I don't doubt him. I'm critical because he's had way too many chances to grow and display. And yes, T. Brown was freaking awesome last year.
Apr 25, 2012 at 4:04 PM
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Bob Jarman
You make some good points and naturally you seem to be more knowledgeable on 49er issues than I am. Harbaugh has spoken on competition being important at all positions this year and perhaps that's what his plan is with Johnson to put the onus on the other Qbs. All players give up plays on defense, but I thought Terrell gave up more than his share. Niners were still vulnerable in the air last year. But I might have to conceed the CB issue to you since the niners seem to agree with you more than I by the moves they've made. We'll see. But, I'm still standing strong with Alex being the guy the next 2 and probably 3 years. I read a story by Troy Aikman, he stated how Alex had a better second year than he did and they both had Norv Turner as their offensive coordinators. Only difference was alex in his third year had the coaching revolving door begin and Troy had Norv there as his OC through their superbowl winning years. Troy thought if perhaps alex had kept Norv as his OC we might have seen a different Alex. With Alex I tend to go with the new trend I'm seeing and that is he's flourishing under Harbaugh rather than the old trend most would take Alex having problems winning.
Apr 25, 2012 at 3:16 PM
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Bob Jarman
In response to my last. I thought I might be reaching with Kaepernick, I want to see the niners do something aggresive because now is their best time to win a superbowl. Most everything is in place. I think they will make a move somehow and not stay pat at pick 30, what I don't know. Niners need to make moves towards winning now. I don't agree with you, I think alex is the niners starter for certain the next 2 years and perhaps three. I see Alex having a better year than last year and I feel just about 100% certain of that. Johnson got a 2 million dollar contract for 2 years and he will make this team. If he's to be the third string QB, which I agree, he won't pass Kaep on the QB rank. I think the niners made a mistake. That money could of gone towards a more immediate need. That's why I thought the niners might not have as much confidence in Kaep. But, not only you, many others tell me I wrong with that assumption on Kaep. Also, I don't think niners shored up their CB position enough. Tarrell brown will be a bit of a weak link I think. I could be wrong on that, but don't feel real good about one CB spot.
Apr 25, 2012 at 2:26 PM
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bob jarman
Niners should trade Kaepernick to move up to somewhere early in the first round who'd be interested in taking Tannehill. Niners got Johnson and 2 million is too much fora third string QB. Trade up with Kaep, then trade down once or twice and package to get quality players who can play NOW! The iron is hot and we need to strike now for the superbowl. RG, CB, RB, Safety and DT. We could package to possibly get these 5 players in the first four rounds and all would be quality players. May end up giving up a 2nd, 3rd or 4th rd pick or picks next year, but will pay off now with strong depth in the draft at several of the afore mentioned positions. Superbowl NOW!!!! Bold moves, but it could work!
Apr 25, 2012 at 11:43 AM
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Inspector Clouseau
While I agree with your assessment here, it would be surprising if any writers were able to predict what this current group of coaches is planning. I predict the 49ers select RB Doug Martin. Do the 49ers really need a new RB this year? No. Is Doug Martin awesome? Yes.
Apr 24, 2012 at 4:55 PM
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Mike
Zeitler and Jenkins are the only players from this list that make sense. Stephen Hill has done nothing and Fleener is a luxury pick. If we strengthen the O-line, that plus another year under Harbaugh would improve the offense a lot. If you draft defense, you strengthen the unit that got you this far in the first place. There are a lot of quality WR's we can get in the middle rounds that will strengthen that unit and provide plenty of competition. I personally would love to see us draft Missouri TE Michael Egnew in the 4th if he is still available. Look at his numbers from two years ago when Gabbert was there. Prior to last season he was being talked abouit as the best TE in college football. The quarterback play at Mizzou dropped off, not Egnew.
Apr 24, 2012 at 4:40 PM
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Napoleon
I'll admit, i see the offensive line as the most important part of an offense, a bad o-line ends a drive down field real quick. but the niners have been drafting o-linemen in the first and second rounds for the past few years now (Staley, Davis and Iupati in the first) and i have never seen a drastic improvement come from their addition. also our o-line isn't broken (needs improvement definitely) but our red zone efficiency and scoring in general is down right laughable. a fast first round TE to compliment our most productive receiver (Davis) is the only decision that makes sense, then maybe a center or right tackle in the 2-4th round.
Apr 24, 2012 at 4:03 PM
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Matt
I've seen a couple defensive players mentioned at this pick. Most recently Reyes...why were they not included? Do you feel it is a forgone conclusion an offensive player is the pick?
Apr 24, 2012 at 3:47 PM
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Napoleon
the niners are garbage in the red zone, we protect alex well enough that adding a new lineman in the first round would be silly to say the least. Fleener lining up opposite to Davis is a combo that will make the top teams in the league piss themselves. if Fleener is on the board at 30 and we don't take him... well it'll be Smith vs Rodgers style mistake all over again
Apr 24, 2012 at 3:40 PM
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Steven
I would go none of the above in the first round.
I would go DL for sure. The DL is aging, thin and an injury away from problems. Keep the line solid
Apr 24, 2012 at 3:32 PM
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Nick S.
Give me Stephen Hill over Coby Fleener every day of the week.
Apr 24, 2012 at 2:39 PM
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e de mex
jenkins is an every down player?? i never heard of a CB who could only play on 1 and 2 but had to come out on 3rd down or who could only play on 3rd down.. crack me up with this experts.
Apr 24, 2012 at 2:29 PM
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will
..so basically the only options are the guys the beat writers have written about.
Apr 24, 2012 at 2:24 PM