49ers' top five draft needs

[NorCal49ers]

49ers' top five draft needs

49ERS' TOP FIVE
DRAFT NEEDS
TIGHT END
The reason: Three 49ers tight ends combined for 17 catches, the lowest production from the position in the league last season.
Then there's this: Eric Johnson is on the mend, but he missed two years because of injuries around his 82-catch season in 2004, a team record for a 49ers tight end.
Desperately needed: A big, fast, reliable target for Alex Smith, capable of stretching the middle of the field and making the tough catch in a crowd.
The prospects: Vernon Davis, Maryland; Leonard Pope, Georgia; Marcedes Lewis, UCLA; Joe Klopfenstein, Colorado; Dominique Byrd, USC.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
The reason: Lost starting outside linebackers Julian Peterson and Andre Carter to free agency, softening the edges of an already-mushy defense.
Then there's this: The 49ers had the second-fewest sacks (28) in the league but nearly half (12 1/2) were produced by linebackers.
Desperately needed: A fierce, physical presence eager to attack the line of scrimmage in run support, with the strength and smarts to defeat pass blockers on the blitz and pressure the quarterback.
The prospects: A.J. Hawk, Ohio State; Ernie Sims, Florida State; Manny Lawson, North Carolina State; Chad Greenway, Iowa; DeMeco Ryans, Alabama.



More follow the link:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/football/nfl/san_francisco_49ers/14414559.htm

[DIEHARD9ER]

U only listed 2??????????????????????and we have more than 5.....

[socaljeff]

U only listed 2??????????????????????and we have more than 5.....

Thats why he said to follow the link... :tung:

[_Jerden]

7his draft will just fall into our laps, Vernon Davis, Mario Williams, AJ Hawk, Huff, D'Brickashaw. We are the sixth pick and we are certainly getting a high quality player of need. One QB will be picked in the top five.
:sflogo: With Vernon we hope Norv Turner can build a foundation in our offense with a solid O-line paving paths for Gore/Barlow and giving Smith a chance to throw the ball to Bryant, Arnaz, Johnson and Davis. I like the look of Gore/D'Angelo though. Davis will become a versatile playmaker giving defensive coordinators nightmares.
:sflogo:Mario Williams is a beast and he has 9er Hall of Famer Young to play with along with Emanuel to coach him. Nolan was given Suggs in the draft and got him the rookie of the year and to the pro bowl the next.
:sflogo:We have a Hall of Famer in Mike Singletary who is also an excellent coach. Give him AJ Hawk. Thomas Howard, Sims or Greenway would still make me happy at 22nd. Davis has had success with getting linebackers sacks and to the Pro Bowl. If our defense gets linebackers, a DE and DT we could switch to 4-3 and smother the run and QBs.
:sflogo:Nolan also coached Ed Reed to 9 interceptions and 7 interceptions the year before, Huff is much better than that guy. Wasn't there and HBO show following Reed in his first training camp.

Future Hall of Famer Larry Allen could give D'Brickashaw some fire in his bad self and we could have an elite LT. Baas could switch to center.

[Mr Spoons]

I can't help but look at the players listed as "Prospects" for LB, DE and OT and think that the person who compiled this article didn't really have a clue about what they were talking about....

[UserName]

I can't help but look at the players listed as "Prospects" for LB, DE and OT and think that the person who compiled this article didn't really have a clue about what they were talking about....

exactly what i was thinking. he listed 4-3 DEs and even a couple who are projected to be 3-4 OLBs like Kamerion Wimbley. Does he not know that Wimbley as a DE in a 3-4 system would just leave him on his back all day long? What an *****.