Buzz By The Bay

With another month left for pro scouts to further dissect prospects before the NFL draft in April, making an accurate mock draft now will work about as well as USC’s recruitment of Reggie Bush would have without the tricked-out Escalade. A lot will change over the next few weeks with injury updates and team pro days, and to be honest, any mock you read before the ides of April will probably leave you irritated and unsatisfied. But damn, they’re fun to read.

So without further ado, here’s my wildly optimistic, seven-round San Francisco 49ers mock draft. It comes admittedly just as much from a fan’s perspective as a general manager’s, but hopefully there’s enough actual insight regarding positional needs and draft stock sprinkled in that each pick might actually be feasible.

Round 1 (13) — Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

Finding another offensive tackle to complement Joe Staley has become San Francisco’s most pressing need. The line has been inconsistent for years, and the lack of depth became even more apparent when Staley went down and missed significant time last season. Coach Singletary cannot afford to mess this pick up, and if he strongly prefers a specific lineman over another when he’s selecting at 13, he'll likely opt to take his guy with the first selection rather than wait.

With Russell Okung and Bruce Campbell probably off the board, the best value picks will be Oklahoma’s Trent Williams and Anthony Davis of Rutgers. The scouting report on Williams suggests that although he was a first-team All-American at left tackle for the Sooners, he projects better as a right tackle in the NFL due to his lack of size. Though this arrangement could work out fine with Staley protecting Alex Smith’s blindside, this is an awfully high slot to select a RT. Davis, whose size and quickness make him the better overall athlete, was said to have looked sluggish at the combine and to have interviewed poorly. According to other sources at Rutgers, he allegedly also struggles with weight control and work ethic issues. With Singletary at the helm, this probably won’t be much of a tough choice at all.

Round 1 (17) — Earl Thomas, S, Texas

A lot of people would love Spiller here if he’s still around — myself included — but running back just isn’t the greatest need. Then again, it's hard to turn down an athlete with Chris Johnson-esque quickness from a big-time program, especially if he falls farther than he should. It's like Megan Fox jumping into a married man’s lap – you shouldn’t but you probably would.

Yes, there are arguments that taking Spiller here is a good move. He would be the lightning to Frank Gore’s thunder in a league that is starting to practically mandate the use of a two-back system. Plus, with the emergence of Dashon Goldson late last year, the Niners might be able to get away with holding off on playmakers in the secondary. Lastly, there’s the anemic return game, which Spiller could easily alleviate in just one season.

The fact is, San Francisco had an atrocious pass defense last year. On a team where Patrick Willis and Co. gave up the fourth-lowest points per game (17.6) yet had the 21st-ranked pass defense, the secondary was clearly the weakest link. Especially in a division that features the pass-happy Arizona Cardinals, the 49ers will need a strong upgrade here if they want any shot at a post-season berth. The team could really use a replacement for the aging Michael Lewis, but either corner position could afford an upgrade as well. Joe Haden would be a terrific fit, but even with his sub-par 40 time at the combine, I’m guessing he’ll be gone before the Niners select. For this reason, my pick is Texas safety Earl Thomas, who might be a bit undersized, but is great in coverage and against the run. He is easily the best safety available after Eric Berry, and while Thomas might not do as much for the return game, there are lots of great returners to be had later on.

It will take a lot of discipline to avoid taking Spiller if he’s there at 17. That being said, I’ll be the first to buy his jersey if they do.

Round 2 (49) — Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU

Yeah, he’ll probably be gone here, but a fall to 49 isn’t that ridiculous. Initially thought of as a late first-round talent, the four-time All American has dropped to the middle of the second in more than a few mock drafts because of issues with his size and technique. Though he compiled 26.5 sacks over his past two seasons, the knock on Hughes is that his overaggressive nature leads to false steps, causing him to suffer in coverage, especially against play action.

Regardless, Hughes is a solid athlete who plays with a mean streak, and could provide the 49ers with the playmaking pass rusher they desperately need. Other edge rusher possibilities include Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri and Penn State’s Navorro Bowman. Sure, the last two are far more likely to be around at this point than Hughes, but then again, there's a reason I don't get paid for doing this.

Dark Horse: Colt McCoy, QB, Texas. No one not named Tim Tebow has a more uncertain draft position this year than McCoy. Reports range from him landing in the bottom of the first round all the way to a day two selection. If he’s around here, Singletary better think long and hard about whether Alex Smith can really run this offense better than an intangible-rich, high character QB who boasts a 70.6 completion percentage.

Round 3 (80) — Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas

My apparent Longhorn fetish aside, Shipley would be a great pick for the scarlet and gold. Likely around this late because of injury concerns (did not once play in all 12 games throughout college), his small stature (6-0, 190 lbs), and a poor combine showing (40 in the 4.6’s). However, there’s plenty to like about the Texas star.

Winner of the hands competition at the 2010 College Football All-Star Challenge in Miami, Shipley had a monstrous senior year, during which he was second in the NCAA in receptions, fourth in yards, and seventh in TD receptions. He would be the perfect complement to playmaking threat Michael Crabtree as a possession receiver and the Niners’ No. 2 wide out. Furthermore, Shipley is a capable kick/punt returner, who could have an immediate impact on special teams.

Round 4 (114) — Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, CB, Indiana (Pennsylvania)

Compared most frequently to former Tennessee State corner Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie, Owusu-Ansah is a small school name with prime-time game. Though overlooked by pro scouts due to his lack of experience against elite competition, Owusu-Ansah has been shooting up draft boards after a wonderful combine, and has the size (6-0, 207 lbs) and speed (4.47) to develop into a solid corner at the next level. He has great hands and closing speed, with the only known area for improvement being his physicality.

He is also one of the best returners in the draft, and teamed with Shipley could energize San Francisco’s very dormant special teams. While he was once a second day drafterthought (I’ll let the cleverest among you figure that one out), the 49ers will be lucky to still find Owusu-Ansah available in the fourth round.

Round 5 (147) — O’Brien Schofield, OLB, Nebraska

An excellent pass-rushing defensive end at Nebraska, Schofield projects as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. He probably would have gone a few rounds higher if he hadn’t torn his ACL in the Senior Bowl. Not a bad gamble for a fifth-rounder.

Round 6 (185) — Trindon Holliday, WR, LSU

Sure he’s tiny at 5-5 and 164 lbs, but size hasn’t limited the likes of Darren Sproles and Leon Washington. Holliday was by all measures the fastest man in college football last year — and a dominant returner — though his diminutive stature will cause far too many teams to pass on him come draft day. Regardless, I’d certainly take a 6th round flyer to see what a man with speed like this could do in space for the 49ers.

Round 6 (209) — Chris Hall, C, Texas

The versatile blocker anchored a national powerhouse line for four seasons. He settled at center after his junior year, but played all five offensive line positions during his tenure. He was a second-team All-Big 12 selection for the second year in a row, and could provide important depth at guard and center.

Round 7 (228) — Chris Chancellor, CB, Clemson

Chancellor has decent speed but lacks great size. He led a Tigers secondary that boasted the 11th ranked pass defense in the nation. Given the time to develop, he could turn into a serviceable backup cornerback.