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What is the 49ers draft strategy?
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I had mentioned earlier that the 49ers could use a wide receiver in this off-season. And for good reason too. The 49ers' current best wide receiver is contemplating retirement. And last year's big free agent signing might not be re-signed by the team. But if the 49ers do draft a wide receiver, they may do it because of fear.
Looking at many mock drafts that have been released by various websites, it makes sense for the 49ers to draft the best player available. Even though they need help at the pass rushing position, they also could consider a quarterback at the #10 pick. But then there becomes a problem for the team.
Let's assume that Georgia's Matt Stafford does go #1 (or anywhere in the Top 9), and the 49ers have USC's Mark Sanchez available, would the 49ers draft the quarterback? There is a great chance that the 49ers could draft Sanchez and have him compete for the starting quarterback job. And with all that, Shaun Hill could once again be overlooked.
However, as much as it looks really nice that the 49ers could draft a very talented quarterback, they might be afraid to pull the trigger. If they take Sanchez, then they will feature two first round quarterbacks on their roster (assuming they do retain Alex Smith).
But drafting Sanchez does mean that the Alex Smith experiment was a failure. No organization wants to send that message to the fans: their #1 draft pick was the wrong one. In that 2005 draft, Smith was not the only choice the 49ers had to make. Even though the draft was thin on talented quarterbacks, the 49ers could have selected Aaron Rodgers or beefed up another position that was in need. But instead, Smith was chosen and has been labeled a bust.
That's a terrible feeling any team wants to avoid. And with Sanchez available, the 49ers might not be ready to admit that Smith was a mistake. But with Sanchez available the 49ers avoiding him, the 49ers may be forced to draft an exciting player at the wide receiver position.
I had mentioned before about Florida's Percy Harvin as one of my favorites, but the draft looks to provide a couple other wide receivers that can change the identity of the offense. Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree and Missouri's Jeremy Maclin are two outstanding wide receivers that have been predicted to be both in the Top 10.
With two receivers on the team that might not return, the 49ers could try to find an explosive player in the draft to fill that need. But also, there are tackles and pass rushers available in the draft that the 49ers cannot ignore. And all of these drafts could be possible with Mark Sanchez still available in the draft.
Why would they avoid Sanchez? Imagine the confidence of Smith if he had to battle with Sanchez this off-season. It's less of a hassle for the team to deal with, less of a media-infested situation. The things a franchise could just to avoid looking foolish.
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