Thank you Mr. Mayock for the Sanchez affirmation.

Be sure to spell my name correctly on your cashier's check.

Mayock is clueless! These mock drafts mean nothing. I just dont see the niners selecting another QB that early. Dont people remember the A. Smith experiment. Not big on Sanchez....he only started 16 games in college. Not enough games! Wait until later in the draft to get a QB....get skill positions that will allow us to force teams to adjust to our plan. Go niners.

please do not take a QB at 10. Pick a DL or OL or LB that will start right away and be a starter for 10 years

I like Sanchez, and I'd like to see him in a Niners uniform, but I also like Hill, and I don't think a QB is worthy of #10. Pass rusher or OT if we haven't addressed that in FA. Draft a QB later on to sit for a couple years.

who the f.. is mayloser - why his he not a GM?.....men this site is definately has "jumped the shark".....the least you could do MM is bring up mayloser's last yr's prediction to confim he knows what he his talking about....this guy is a joke...he has Everette Brown has the number 5 olb...cmon....men this site is really losing it.

The QB class will be MUCH stronger next year. Getting one early this year would be a mistake, IMHO, especially in light of all the other holes on the team. I'm actually liking the idea of Jenkins more and more. His flexibility would be invaluable.

I'd love to get Rak...not a big fan of the other guys he mentioned. Curry would be alright but he's not the best fit for this defense. I don't want a RT at #10 (too high) and I'm not a fan of Sanchez.

I notice an interesting dichotomy between the national media and local writers who cover the 49ers, and the varying percepttions of the 49ers offensive line. The national media tends to look at the overall sack totals (and maybe they were forced to actually watch one or two 49er games last year) and conclude that the 49ers need to draft a LT. Those closer to the 49ers, people who watch them on a regular basis, tend to realize that LT wasn't a major issue. RT was much more of an issue, as was the interior of the line before Singletary forced a shakeup in the OL in midseason. Mayock seems to echo the national sentiment, but what's interesting is that the tackle who Mayock has available to the 49ers at #10 would be Andre Smith, who would be a tremendous RT prospect. Playing Andre Smith next to Rachal, you have the potential for the type of physical right side of the offensive line that Singletary has been talking about. Plus, Andre Smith would be an outstanding pass protector as a right tackle. To me, Andre Smith would make the most sense of any of the available prospects, if he's available to the 49ers at #10.

I really don't like the pick of a QB at ten. Hill has done well enough to earn a legit shot to be a starter for a full season. It also seems like he has the respect of the locker room which I think is very important to Sing. If Hill started the season I believe that the team would have made the playoffs and Hill may have been a pro bowler. I vote for a mid round pick/project QB.

I think our priorities should be OT, OLB and FS. Hopefully we can find upgrades for two of those spots in FA or give one of our young DB's a shot at FS (Smith!).

Depending on what we do in FA I hope we can also take a look at B.J. Raji in the draft. The very sucussful 3-4 teams have a stud NT and we still haven't found one and it's been a need for a while. That also seems to be a postition that we can only address through the draft because the high end NT's never seem to hit the open market.

If Sanchez is there at 10, and we believe that he's a franchise QB, then we take him at 10. Franchise QBs win super bowls(this years super bowl was the perfect example of it). I can't imagine any QB on this roster being able to drive the length of the field with the super bowl on the line, like both Warner and Roethlesberger did on consecutive drives. Sanchez will have the opportunity to sit for a year behind Hill before taking over, so this would be the perfect situation for him to develop.

Mayock is correct -the 49ers would likely look at Sanchez if he were there ...and then move on(sorry Franchise I know you are big on the kid!)and pick a NT /OT/pass rushing specialist! All this is rather academic as Sanchez will probably be gone early!

I would like to see Hill start the season and hopefully finish as the starter. I do think that the team should draft a Qb but in the mid to late rounds. OL, DL, DB and WR is what this team needs.

SF would be spending left tackle money for a right tackle... again (see Jennings, Jonas) if they draft one at #10. They should draft a tackle later in the draft or sign a mid priced free agent.

I can't stand people who talk about things they know nothing about. Did he seriously say that we should take a left tackle? Shmuck. Shmuck. Shmuck. He blatantly knows nothing about this team other than that it gave up a lot of sacks and alex smith isn't a pro bowler. Matt, I'm slightly disappointed you gave this guy a forum on your otherwise top-notch blog.

I'm right there with you Franchise. BTW - Oneniner - I think Mayock is the best in the business. As per last year? He was one of the only draft gurus singing the praises of Matt Ryan and begging someone to take him early. He was right. Ryan was the franchise QB Mayock said he would be and he had a huge rookie year to prove it.

The only reason Sanchez is even in the discussion of the first round is because Sam Bradford stayed in school! Sanchez is a joke and should have stayed as well. He's half the player Leinart was, and a fifth of Carson Palmer.

Matt, what are your thoughts about the McCloughan/Smith connection? It's clear that the GM believes Smith will be a good QB in this league. Do you see McCloughan's faith in Smith as a factor that may lessen the chance of an early QB selection in the upcoming draft? I assume that Singletary 's lack of commitment to Shaun Hill as a starter means Smith will have a shot to start as well (assuming he returns). Thoughts?

He said we should take a "tackle". I have heard Mayock give a glowing review of Staley in the past on the left side. We are in dire need of a right tackle, how is that a stretch for Maycock to suggest we take a tackle? I think if you were handicapping which position we will take with the 10th pick: Right Tackle would be top of that list. Is it the right thing to do? We shall see…… We sure got a lot of value out of Staley as a late first rounder, but then again that pick costs us a #7 pick the following year. I could see us going OLB, but when was the last time a rookie DE that converted to OLB made ANY impact in the NFL? It doesn’t seem to “click” until year 2 or 3 for these guys. A RT pays dividends right away.

Why is everyone ripping on Mayock? Mike in SF #2 is absolutely right. Last year when tons of projected first round picks started dropping to later rounds, Mayock was right on top of things all along. I think maybe upwards of 80% of the top 100 players on his board last year actually ended up being picked in the first 100 picks. Making bold claims about the draft is about as far from a science as things can get, but Mayock knows his stuff. If you listen to anyone about the draft, forget McShay, forget Kiper, listen to what Mayock has to say.

Look, last year showed that we can win without a stud QB. This organization has not shown the ability to develop a QB. So why draft one early?

I will be pissed if we go into next season with no improvement in the 1st Round in major problem areas that have yet to be improved upon since the Nolan era: pass rush and coverage. Sure, the offensive line has improved as well as the receiver corps, but we all know that improvement in those areas with the #10 won't kill us as much as a suspect QB prospect in the same position in the draft.

Traj

StevenG,

Actually, if you think about it, with the hiring of the new QB coach and recent talk of Smith by the organization, McCloughan and Singletary must believe that Alex still has a chance to be solid.

I believe that they think Smith just needs the appropriate support structure which has never been here because of Nolan as well as the exodus of many OCs during that former era.

Personally, I would like to see Alex be given a chance again, but we do need a backup plan with another QB outside of Shaun Hill in a draftee or FA pickup.

Traj

Great blog matt, keep Mayock comming. Anybody that knows anything about the draft knows that Mike is one of the best and his record speaks for itself. On NFL network he breaks down players game film bringing a great new perspective.

BPA = BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE. Let's learn to trust in our scouting and personnel departments. They get paid to go through all of this stuff, and let's assume they are all better at it than any of us. While my (unprofessional) opinion is that the team should not be looking for another quarterback because of the lesson we are supposed to have learned from the Alex Smith pick a couple years ago, if the decision makers decide that the player on the board who represents the best use of that #10 pick just so happens to be a quarterback, then that is who the team should take. Obviously, you tie more money up in a rookie quarterback's contract than that of another position so theoretically there is a little more at stake, but who is to say that if we were to draft a tackle, he can't be a bust too? Alex Smith has thus far not worked out the way anybody wanted (I will refrain from using the "B" word). But it's not as if we are the first or only team to burn a high draft pick, even the first overall pick, on a quarterback who did not work out. How do the Titans feel about Vince Young right about now? How do the Texans feel about David Carr these days? Just include the Niners in an already substantial list of teams who have wasted high draft picks on a quarterback. Live, learn, and move on. I am excited about the draft. I have a feeling we will get an outstanding player at #10 and a steal in the early second round. The draft class this year seems particularly deep.

I absolutely agree they need to bring someone in (3rd or 4th round pick maybe), but my question was whether they will grab a QB early. The positive comments from the 49ers organization regarding Smith have primarily come from the GM; the same GM responsible for draft selections. I personally don't think they will grab a Stafford or Sanchez, but I was asking for Matt's opinion since he spends his not-so-free time hanging around with the 49ers brass. :)

Mayock is the man, no doubt the best in the biz ! If you watched the draft on NFLN last year, he was calling out the picks before the pick and practically nailed every one correctly in the 1st round. He knows what is going on.

cmon Mike - almost everyone knew Matt Ryan was going to be a good nfl plater...he spemt 4 yrs in college....how come i never heard this guy predict a 7th rounder would be a pro-bowler?........Matt Ryan won the 2007 Manning Award awarded to the nation's top quarterback , beating out eventual Heisman winner Tim Tebow and eight other finalists for this year's award: Erik Ainge (Tennessee), Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), Colt Brennan (Hawaii), Chase Daniel (Missouri), Dennis Dixon (Oregon), Graham Harrell (Texas Tech), Pat White (West Virginia) and Andre' Woodson (Kentucky). He also was named "Eagle of the Year" alongside BC's first ever individual champion Kasey Hill......anyone could have predicted he was going to be a success in the nfl......

Very true. This could all be an academic exercise, since Sanchez will likely be wearing a Chefs uniform on day one {sniff, sniff}.

At that point, I'm in agreement it's BPA at 10 – preferably a Tackle with a mean streak when something is said about his mother, or a DE/OLB who will force quarterbacks to have happy feet in the pocket for a change.

Dan,

I have to agree with you on taking an OT. Although OT is not a sexy pick the 49ers need to make a bold move & solidify the O-line finally. Andre Smith definelty would improve our O-line instantly & give Sing what he wants and that is a physical dominance of running the ball. Sanchez on the other hand scares me in the fact that he's only played 16 games as a starter, sounds very familiar (A. Smith) 49er fans doesn't it?

Matt,

For the upcoming draft, how many picks do we have and can you post our picks round by round?

Thanks.

The 9ers should take a tackle at 10 or trade the pick. The QB class is weak and thats being generous. Franchise, mark this day on your calendar and come back to it in 3 years. My prediction is Sanchez will have no success in the NFL. If he is starting and throws more TD's than Int's in his 3rd year, I'll buy you lunch. The guys stock is high because of 1 game where he shredded a defense that basically didnt guard his receivers.

Marked.

I prefer a nice steak sandwich for my lunch menu, so let me know of a good place in the Houston area. I like to book my Southwest flights early.

Or if Sanchez is still donning the headset and clutching a clipboard like David Carr, then I'm happy to treat to fish tacos in San Diego.

PLease let history teach us a lesson here...No QB's, unless a rare specimen, should be taken that early. I'm sure Stafford and Sanchez will be good QBs in the future, but we have more pressing issues as we all know by now. Both sides of the line need to be addressed early, and as Mayock said, there are some premier guys in this draft class. I would rather see a quality veteran QB in FA, especially if we keep A.SMITH

Anybody who thinks Sanchez is a first rounder has brain damage. The guy is not that good. Who is this Maycock guy anyway? Never heard of him,and if he is so great why doesn't he have a title as GM some place?
John David Booty is way way better than this guy Sanchez. One game and people think that this guy is legit..What a train wreck..

Alabama OT?!?!? the way Utah ripped apart the Alabama O line..in the whatever bowl..sieve..The game wasn't even close..everytime the bama QB went back to pass he was being pummeled! Before during and after his throws.
What a joke!!

My response: The 49ers have their own pick in every round, plus an expected two compensatory picks. Those compensatory picks will be announced as a later date. So the 49ers' draft should look something like this:

First round: No. 10 (No. 10 overall)
Second round: No. 11 (No. 43 overall)
Third round: No. 10 (No. 74 overall)
Fourth round: No. 11
Fifth round: No. 10
--possible compensatory pick
Sixth round: No. 11
--possible compensatory pick
Seventh round: No. 10

The compensatory picks can't be traded.

--Matt M.

I pray that Sanchez gets picked up in the top 9, cause that means that a top tier talent will drop just a little more, and we may get our hands on a player we wouldn't have before.

--Dom

I'm a big fan of USC football and I think Sanchez has a world of natural talent, but his maturity level is questionable and I think he proved that by not staying at USC for another year. The way to go might be trade back to about 18-20 and pick up Oher for RT or even wait for round 2 and Britten of Ariz., of course all that goes out the window if Andre Smith from Alabama is still there at 10. With Smith, Rachal and Staley they could become a dominant line for years.

"Anybody who thinks Sanchez is a first rounder has brain damage. "

He may not be a first round talent, but there's almost no doubt (at least in my mind) that someone will draft him there.

"who the f.. is mayloser - why his he not a GM?.....men this site is definately has "jumped the shark".....the least you could do MM is bring up mayloser's last yr's prediction to confim he knows what he his talking about....this guy is a joke...he has Everette Brown has the number 5 olb...cmon....men this site is really losing it."

19er, you used a form of "loser" three time in your short post. When it comes to the admonition of "loser" you certainly know of what you speak.

john from HB - Andre Smith was suspended for that game for talking to an agent. That's why they got to the qb.

There's a reason why Pete Carroll at USC was upset that Sanchez is coming out, and I think that has to do with Sanchez lack of preparedness for the pro game. Heck, we don't even know how he's do with a full college season under his belt. There is no way he is ready for the NFL. The only reason he is coming out is because the QB class is so weak and there are teams that are desperate. If we pick Sanchez at number 10 it will be a huge mistake.

Franchise, now I know why you like Sanchez so much. He's from your neck of the woods. Well, I'll take the fish tacos. I haven't been to SD in a while so you'll have to pick the place.

That's even better, not only was bama and their team over rated and their o line a sieve, their number one OT has an IQ of deep fried catfish...you tell me if you still think this is a good move. you want a liar and a cheater and somebody who puts himself above everyone else?

Thanks for the update, with a draft pick in every round at that spot we should be able to move around on the draft board and hopefully pick up a couple of starters for this year.

With sings intent to run more and gore maybe facing some durability issues as he gets order i dont know if we need a flashy speedy 1000 yard running back but more of a big bruising brandon jacobs type of runner. Is there a back out there that fits that description?

yea. 3 time !!!.....obviously you do too, since it takes one to know one....

Ok, I have a new best-case scenario. Draft Jenkins at 10 and move him to FS. With his talent he could be the next Ed Reed back there. One more step to recreating the '00 Ravens D.

Second-best would be Oher. Two first round talents at tackle could anchor a great ball-control offense for a decade, and it wouldn't hurt the passing game either.

a qb at the number 10 pick is not worth it. Sanchez not worth it we need a OL of a pass rusher. maybe in the 3rd round we can get john parker wilson who had a great season and an even better senior bowl game. i still say shaun hill is our guy for right now. until he proves he cant win game then we can switch it up. but as far as sanchez goes it completely not worth it.

dan in seattle, I agree with you. First priority, draft one of the top RT. Having one of the best offensive lines in the league would be worth the draft pick and the salary. Instead of a big ? QB or WR, we would have a kick-anybody's-butt offensive line.

Shootme you are dead on. The motor city seems desprate enough to take the guy. SC didn't cut it lose this year because of their QB. They played it close to the vest a few games because of their QB. Coach Carrol almost admits that. Sanchez is a great kid, an amazing young man OK. I love the guy, but not in the first round.2 years riding pine behind a veteran is what he needs.

I'd really like to see the 49ers draft a QB! But I don't think a real NFL prospect that's at least a 99% cinch is available this year for the 49ers!
Besides the 49er coaches and front office have NO ONE who has a clue when it comes to picking a solid winner at that position! Besides the team has decided to stay with the emphasis on defense, like the last how many years? The choice at HC proves that!
WHAT A SHAME!

I like Sanchez! But he reminds me of a car I had a few years ago! It started up all right! It took to the road ok! It steered well! The AC and heater worked! The radio played! It would be hitting on all cylinders!
But there was just something about it that didn't seem right! The engine would keep going! But there still was that something that didn't seem right! Something about it just sounded out loud everytime I drove it...Don't trust me! And then it happened!
That's how I summed up Sanchez's playing the position! He'd be going along alright. He'd be moving the team down the field! He'd be hitting on all cylinders! And then it happened! INTERCEPTION! FUMBLE! ANOTHER INTERCEPTION! MISCOMMUNICATION IN THE BACKFIELD! MISCOMMUNICATION WITH THE RECEIVER! RECEIVER WIDE OPEN BUT BAD PASS!
And then there was the Oregon State game!

Something that too many NFL analysts don't seem to get is that in Shaun Hill and Alex Smith, we have two veteran QB's. Many have given up on Alex...but, the McCloughan's, Singletary's, Norv Turner's, and Jimmie Raye's of the world haven't. So, drafting Sanchez just doesn't make sense on several fronts. First, he really should've gone back for his senior season at USC. He could've arguably been the #1 pick in the 2010 draft. Second, until McCloughan's convinced Alex doesn't have what it takes, he's not apt to spend 1st round dollars on another QB now.

Some of Mayock's rankings seem odd...like Alex Mack as 3rd best C. Apparently he didn't watch the Sr Bowl...because Mack was the only guy able to stand up to the pass rush. He's a real stud...and will start for some NFL team soon. Ranking Andre Smith ahead of Oher's laughable...Smith was exposed big-time at the Sr Bowl. But, it's just one guy's opinion...which is mostly what all mock drafts are at this point, anyway. With the combine and FA yet to come, there'll be a lot more movement on draft boards.

Mayock is the best in the business.

Take a O Tackle or a Nose Guard. Unless an amazing athlete falls into their lap.

If Singletary wants to play smash mouth football he has to have a smash mouth line. He doesn't! We still have the worst O Line at giving up sacks. Don't let the end of the season seduce you. Until I see an entire season of actual stats I remain skeptical. There isn't one Pro Bowler on either side. McNolan never accomplished that in four years. Without the horses the wagon goes nowhere!

Matt,
Knowing how super next years class of QB's will be, how does anyone recommend drafting a Qb for the 49ers. Get a veteran in FA, keep Hill and Smith then next year draft one of the stud Qb's coming out next year. We need a RT and #10 if we can't get Gross. We need a pass rusher at #10 if we can't get Peppers. Start signing our free agents that we need back like Rossum.
P.S we should all pray that Asomugha doesn't get franchised and would like to jump across the bay so he could stay on the west coast. (I think a little tampering is in order)

-J

Fooch is the best in the business!!