On the Clock: San Francisco 49ers

For the next few weeks leading up to the draft, I am going to assume to roll of each NFL general manager and make draft picks based upon need, scheme, and in some cases wants.  I will not make any trades throughout this process but will chime in when I think one is needed.  Each day leading up to the draft I will make a pick and summarize my thought process of why certain teams will go a particular way.  So put this blog in your favorites section and check back daily to see who I will select for each team.  With the seventh pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select…

Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska (6’0” 206 LBS)

"The Truth"

As GM, I had 3 very talented players to choose from; Cam Newton, Nick Fairley, and Prince Amukamara.  Each has their own risk/reward value which is how I analyzed each player. Cam probably has the biggest upside with his big athletic body and cannon arm.  John Harbaugh was probably itching for us to take a QB with Newton’s skill set but there is just too much downside with this prospect. What if he can’t deep coverage? What if he is lazy? What if he gets in trouble with the law again? I can’t put my first year head coach in that position. Nick is similar in talent however is tendency to take plays off is not something a 7^th overall pick should be doing.  I need someone who could make an impact on every play and that is exactly what Prince is capable of.

If I can place "The Truth" at the opposite corner of Nate Clements and then slide Shawntae Spencer to the nickel corner spot then we will be able to improve our pass defense.  Nate is also overpaid and getting older so this could help pave the way for a new franchise corner that the team can trust in.  Nate hasn’t lived up to the hype but hopefully he can provide another solid year.

In the off-season I am going to bring in a veteran QB to compete with the Smith’s.  Vince Young has underrated talent that can be motivated and molded into a impactful QB.  His mobility will fit Harbaugh’s scheme well if he can devote time to learn the playbook.  In the second round I am going to hope that a player like Jabaal Sheard is available to plug in at rush OLB for our 3-4 defense.  If he is I will do a light jog up to the podium.

Tennessee is on the clock…