Well, the San Francisco 49ers now have 15 picks heading into April's annual NFL Draft. Obviously they're not going to use all those picks on players. As the defending NFC Champions, there is no way that 15 rookies make the roster. Heck, both of San Francisco’s top two picks in the 2012 draft (A.J. Jenkins and LaMichael James) were pretty much redshirted last season.
On that note, I am not into the game of projecting trades in my mock draft. So, I am going to work under the false guise that San Francisco will actually utilize all of its 15 picks.
Note: The first two picks are from my two-round mock draft last week.
First Round Jesse Williams, Defensive Tackle, Alabama
The 49ers are thin at defensive tackle with both Ricky Jean-Francois and Isaac Sopoaga set to hit free agency. They acquired the 34th pick from the Kansas City Chiefs in the Alex Smith trade, which enables them to hit hard for best player available. At this slot in the first round, Williams represents both value and need. He will be able to come in immediately and play an important role as a rotational run stuffer. Moving forward, the massive defensive tackle translates into being one of the best interior linemen in the NFL.
Second Round Eric Reid, Safety, Louisiana State
Talking about value at a need position, Reid is a top-20 pick that falls to the top of the second round due to needs earlier in the draft. With Dashon Goldson hitting free agency and not exactly fitting San Francisco's need for a cover safety, Reid can come in and be a day-one starter. Reid has exceptional play-making skills and would become an immediate starter in '13 next to either Donte Whitner or Goldson, both of whom are strong safeties at this point in their careers. Any time you can get an immediate upgrade in the second round, it has to be considered a win.
Second Round Margus Hunt, Defensive End, Southern Methodist
As much as Hunt might have struggled in the Senior Bowl, there is a reason for that. He was tasked with playing in a 4-3 defense when everyone knows his best fit is as a 3-4 defensive end. Speaking of that, San Francisco needs to find a replacement for Justin Smith sometime in the near future. Hunt's combine performance solidifies his status as one of the highest upside defenders in the draft.
Third Round Brandon Jenkins, Linebacker, Florida State
If it wasn't for an injury-plagued '12 season, Jenkins would have easily been a first-round pick. The talented linebacker fits San Francisco's scheme to a T and will be able to come in as its third outside linebacker behind Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks. I honestly can't find a better fit in this entire mock draft than Jenkins to the 49ers. The question is, will he last to the early third round?
Third Round Tyrann Mathieu, Cornerback, Louisiana State
As you will find out on eDraft Sports Radio tomorrow (if you don't listen you are bad at life), my cohorts Nick Slegel and Matthew Erickson as well as myself, indicated that Mathieu's best fits are the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks and these San Francisco 49ers. It goes without saying that all three of those teams can handle the troubled young cornerback due to exceptional foundations within the organization.
Mathieu goes to the 49ers here for a multitude of reasons. First, they need immediate upgrades at cornerback after their trio of "starters" struggled through the end of the regular season and into the postseason. Second, Mathieu fits a need as a nickel/slot type that can come in and push Chris Culliver for playing time. Finally, he represents ridiculous value here. If it wasn't for those off-field issues, the LSU product would have been a top-25 pick. Despite being small in size, Mathieu plays like a hard-hitting safety and could transition to free safety if he adds 20 pounds or so.
Third Round Markus Wheaton, Wide Receiver, Oregon State
With the recent news that Randy Moss will not be returning to the 49ers in '13, they now have one healthy and consistent receiver on the roster, Michael Crabtree. It remains to be seen when Kyle Williams and Mario Manningham will be back on the field after suffering serious injuries in 2012. Needless to say, the 49ers will be adding a veteran receiver on the free agent market and likely go in this direction somewhere in the draft. San Francisco really needs that deep threat to go with Crabtree on the outside. On that note, Wheaton runs the best deep routes in the draft and can beat defenders with a solid second move. He should be able to add what Jenkins didn't this past season.
Fourth Round Khaled Holmes, Center, Southern California
Jonathan Goodwin may be the most underrated center in the entire NFL, but he isn't getting any younger and has a contract set to expire following the '13 season. With this many picks, San Francisco can afford to look to the future at one of the most important positions on the football field. Holmes fits their scheme to a T and is as athletic as they come. He is damn good as a pull blocker and doesn't struggle going up against larger interior linemen. This is a great value pick at a need position.
Fifth Round Le'Veon Bell, Running Back, Michigan State
Why not? San Francisco may be stacked with Frank Gore, LaMichael James and Kendall Hunter at running back, even undrafted 2012 rookie Jewel Hampton intrigues me. That being said, with so many picks, San Francisco can afford to take best player available later in the draft and Bell represents extraordinary value. If San Francisco trades away a few of its picks, which it will, running back becomes a long shot in April's draft.
Fifth Round Matt Scott, Quarterback, Arizona
Scott was one of the most impressive quarterbacks at the combine this past week, but it wasn't enough to push him past the mid rounds. The Arizona product can come in and become a project quarterback behind Colin Kaepernick and Scott Tolzien. He can run the read option and seems to fit what San Francisco is looking for in a No. 3.
Sixth Round Ricky Wagner, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin
It wasn't too long ago that Wagner was considered a first-round prospect. But struggles during his senior season in Wisconsin and less than stellar performances at the Senior Bowl and combine have dropped him a great deal in the draft. With Leonard Davis getting up there in age and becoming a free agent, San Francisco will need to find another swing tackle. Wagner would be a good fit behind Joe Staley and Anthony Davis, the best starting tackle tandem in the NFL.
Sixth Round Bruce Taylor, Linebacker, Virginia Tech
Taylor projects to play inside in the NFL, but doesn't really stand out at great deal on tape. He is a solid tackler and can be utilized in coverage. He’s pretty much a career backup, but that's what San Francisco is looking for behind NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis. It looks like Larry Grant will get a starting gig somewhere, which is richly deserved. In addition, Tavares Gooden is set to become a free agent later this month. All of a sudden, San Francisco is extremely thin at inside linebacker.
Sixth Round Duke Williams, Safety, Nevada
Again, San Francisco looks to add depth here. After picking up Eric Reid earlier in the draft at free safety, it will attempt to find a backup strong safety and special teams player later in the draft. Williams has coverage limitations, but is a physical force with great athleticism. A project pick and someone who could come in and fill a C.J. Spillman-type role.
Seventh Round Dustin Hopkins, Kicker, Florida State
It goes without saying that David Akers will be released relatively soon. He is set to make over three million dollars in '13 and had one of the worst seasons for a kicker in the NFL this past year. Hopkins is the consensus No. 1 kicker available, so he may be gone by the seventh. If so, San Francisco can easily afford to use either a fifth or sixth on him. Expect this to happen.
Seventh Round Jasper Collins, Wide Receiver, Mount Union
Well, Cecil Shorts did a mighty fine job for the Jacksonville Jaguars this past season after being selected in the fourth round of the 2011 draft out of Mt. Union. Collins, who possesses nearly as much upside, gives the 49ers a late-round project to sit at No. 6 on the depth chart or on the practice squad.
Seventh Round Joe Kruger, Defensive End, Utah
Paul Kruger's younger brother has not received a great deal of play heading into the draft, but he would be a mighty fine late-round add for any team. Overshadowed by teammate Star Lotulelei with Utah, Kruger put up a nice junior season with six sacks and numerous tackles. As a 6'7", 280 pound defensive end, he fits the 49ers 3-4 scheme perfectly.