2011 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers analysis and prediction

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 07:58

WHERE THEY NEED HELP: Secondary, quarterback, outside linebacker

ANALYSIS: As bad as the quarterback position was last year, new coach Jim Harbaugh appears to be willing to give Alex Smith another opportunity. If they draft a quarterback, it will be in the second round if someone like Jake Locker or Andy Dalton of TCU is available. The 49ers will run a 3-4 and will need an outside linebacker. Von Miller will be off the board at that point. The 49ers will address that position in free agency or late in the draft. The secondary gave up 25 passing touchdowns and was victimized by the deep pass. That will be the first area that Harbaugh will address with this draft

WHAT THEY SHOULD DO: Draft cornerback Patrick Peterson, L.S.U. Defensively, Peterson has been called by many experts to be the best defensive player in the draft, and he fills a glaring need. If he is off the board, address the defensive line either with a defensive lineman between Nick Fairley, Robert Quinn or Da’Quan Bowers.

WHERE THEY ARE EXPECTED TO USE THE FIRST PICK: Cornerback Patrick Peterson, LSU

2011 NFL MOCK DRAFT WITH TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS AND PREDICTIONS

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2011 NFL DRAFT TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS AND PREDICTIONS