San Francisco 49ers Draft Strategies for the 2011 NFL Draft

Although we love our Chargers, another California team is making news regarding the upcoming 2011 NFL draft.

This year the San Francisco 49ers are looking to cover their two biggest issues on the team which is the quarterback position and the cornerback position. With the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft, the San Francisco 49ers have a great opportunity to fill their needs, however, the big issue is which players are going to be there after the first six picks.

The San Francisco 49ers have a quarterback in Alex Smith and he has the support of his head coach John Harbaugh. However, the fans and the people of San Francisco don’t have the same support for Alex Smith after seven seasons of missing the playoffs, six of which Alex Smith was the main quarterback leading the team.

With that in mind, the 49ers have a dilemma because the team also needs a defensive back and they only get one pick. With the two starting cornerbacks they have right now,  Nate Clements and Shawntae Spencer, age and speed is becoming a concern. Nate Clements is 31 this season and Shawntae Spencer is 29. The 49ers  have an opportunity to address this with the seventh pick in the first round of the NFL draft.

The biggest concern the 49ers have is what is their biggest need?

Many NFL mock drafts have Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert, the two best quarterbacks in the draft, coming off the board before the fifth pick. The 49ers don’t want to reach for an undistinguished quarterback who has not yet proven himself. With Prince Amukamara and Patrick Peterson, the two best defensive backs being available at the seventh pick in most mock drafts, the 49ers have the opportunity to cement the future of the cornerback position, and most importantly have more options in defensive schemes.