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2010 49ers Paradise Draft Field
Welcome to the 49ers Paradise Draft Field. Your one stop location for NFL Draft 2010 News! This page will be constantly updated and will include real-time updates on draft day. Be sure to follow the draft directly from 49ers Paradise.
The 49ers traded up from the 13th overall pick, packaging it with the 4th round pick to trade with Denver.
The trade itself is somewhat skeptical as they leapfrogged Miami who was not believed to be interested in
a tackle, and the 49ers seemed to be the trigger point for a series of trades in the first round.
The pick originally belonged to the Bears. The 49ers needed to improve their offensive line this season,
they hope that Davis will be able to step immiediately and start on either side at tackle. Joe Staley's
ability to play either side gives the team some flexibility with Davis. Some say Davis is better suited
for the right side of the line, but drafting him so high could mean the team has their sights set on the left
side of the line for him. There are some comitment issues that surround Davis, and this may have been
evident with the lack of positive expression from him after he was drafted.
Davis has very good size and strength. He's quite atheltic but sometimes depends on his overall size rather
than technique to get the job done. He will need to learn to get deeper and play with leverage to excell
in the NFL regardless of what side of the line he plays on. He will also have to learn to get off the snap
faster.
The 49ers went all offensive line in the first round, selecting offensive guard Mike Iupati 17th overall.
Iupati has very good size for a guard, and was regarded as the best guard in the draft. That being said,
drafting a guard so high is always considered a risk, as there are often good talents in the mid rounds.
Iupati is a power blocker, that can dominate his opponents. He needs to watch his hands though, because
holding penalties could be a problem with him in the NFL. The 49ers have historically liked Samoan players
and so Iupati should have no trouble adjusting to the team. Iupati has good balance and control making
his power that much more lethal. He has long arms that he knows how to use, and is quick in short distances.
Though quick, Iupati may struggle when pulling across the line, and when getting down field; this may
present an interesting challenge for Frank Gore.
Round 2, Pick 49
Taylor Mays, 6'3", 230lbs, S, USC
It was not surprising that the 49ers went defense to start the second day of the draft. The selection of Taylor Mays was a pretty easy one at safety, especially with QB Jimmy Clausen coming off the boeard one selection earlier. Had Clausen been there, the 49ers may have dealt down, or been forced with a tougher choice than they likely would have predicted in this years draft.
The 49ers will hope Mays can challenge for a starting safety spot next to Dashon Goldson. He is an all around athlete with size and strength. He may be slightly better suited for te strong safety position because the knock on him is his ability to cover; though he is capable in tracking the ball when it is in the air. The 49ers defense lends itself well for a safety like Mays who can get into the box, and defend the run. Mays sometimes compensates for technical errors with his athleticism, the 49ers will expect him to improve his game smarts and angles.
Round 3, Pick 91
Navorro Bowman, 6'0", 234lbs, LB, Penn State
The 49ers used their 3rd round selection to stay on another defender, linebacker Navorro Bowman. Bowman is a good middle round
pick at a position that the 49ers need to continue to feed depth to. He is tough and moves across the field well, and is
pretty quick. As he moves into the NFL he'll have to get better at taking on blocks and getting to the man with the ball.
Bowman is an instinctive player and that will help him get on the field in some situation perhaps as early as this season.
More than anything though, the 49ers need to make sure the pipeline of talent stays deep at the linebacker positions in their
3-4 system. There are some character issues with Bowman, but like with Davis - the 49ers believe that Mike Singletary can
whip any player into shape.
Round 6, Pick 91
Anthony Dixon, 6'1", 233lbs, RB, Mississipi State
The 49ers used their first of 3 picks in the 6th round on runnning back Anthony Dixon. Dixon was one
of the best backs left on the board at this time of the draft, and fills a need the 49ers have been working
to fill for some time - hard inside runner that can complement Gore. Dixon will have his work cut out
for him as the 49ers roster is heavy already in the offensive backfield though.
Dixon would have been considered a decent pick in the 4th round, but he continued to slip and represents
good value in the 6th round. He was very productive in college against tough competition and is just a very
powerful plaer. He has good balance, and can pound the ball. The 49ers will try and work him into
short yardage situations, and its easy to see him and Gore in the backfield at the same time. Dixon
is not the fastest back by any stretch of the imagination, but he does have good enough hands to catch the
ball out of the backfield.
The 49ers continued to add depth to their offense with the selection of tigh end Nate Byham. Although
the team believes Vernon Davis is among the best blocking tight ends in the NFL, they really want a
true blocking tight end on the team. Delanie Walker who backs up at tight end is very much in the
mould of Davis. Byham on ther other is a true blocking tight end and his value will be consistent
with the bigger/stronger/tougher approach the team has been taking this draft.
Byham does not project well as a pass catcher - which should not be all that surprising for a guy
who will play primarily as a blocking end. He does not have top end speed, but does get off the snap well.
When he does have the ball in his hands (which are actually quite good) he is tough to bring down.
Decent value for the 6th round, but given depth at tight end will have to fight to stick on the roster.
The selection of Williams is to add competition to the kick and punt return spot. This move highlights
that Mike Singletary is not content with Ted Ginn being handed a position as the teams top return man.
Ginn will now face competition from rookie Williams.
Williams is an undersized receiver with good speed. He has a fair bit of development to do in his
route running. Initially that will not be the 49ers concern, and Williams gets in gear quickly which
is more important for a return man. His rawness as a receiver though will make it hard to make the roster
on what of the deepest parts of the squad. The team has Crabtree, Morgan, Hill, Jones, Ginn, and Zielger.
The team will not keep 7 receivers, infact it may only keep 5. Ziegler is a guy they like, but will
have to show major improvement to fend of Williams. Ginn will see significant competition as a return
man, though no doubt the edge goes to Ginn for a deep threat because he gets off the line better.
Round 7, Pick 224
Phillip Adams, 5'10", 192lbs, CB, S. Carolina State
The 49ers added some depth to the defensive backfield with their final pick of the draft selecting Phillip Adams.
Adams comes from a small school, but demonstrates maturity and patience in having to make it to the NFL the hard way.
Adams has played both corner and safety, but performed better at corner. This fits better with the 49ers plans
having just drafted an additional safety.
Adams is a cover corner, and is happyto go man with anybody. He has good instincts and can locate the ball in the air to
make big plays. He had 11 interceptions through four years, two returned for touchdowns. Expect Adams to push for a
roster spot by demonstrating his press coverage. He will however have stiff competition for a roster spot at the bottom
of the 49ers defensive backfield squad.
