Pro Football Draft Network | 2012 Pro Football Draft Analysis

1st Round (#7) DE Aldon Smith, Missouri

2nd Round (#36) QB Colin Kaepernick, Nevada

3rd Round (#80) CB/S Chris Culliver, South Carolina

4th Round (#115) RB Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State

5th Round (#163) G Daniel Kilgore, Appalachian State

6th Round (#182) WR Ronald Johnson, USC

6^th Round (#190) S Colin Jones, TCU

7^th Round (#211) DE Bruce Miller, Central Florida

7^th Round (#239) OT/G Mike Person, Montana State

7^th Round (#250) CB Curtis Holcomb, Florida A & M

Analysis of Notable Selections:

Aldon Smith: The 49ers decided not to reach for a quarterback (Jake Locker or Blaine Gabbert) and instead go for a pass rusher.  Manny Lawson (1^st Round, 2006 NFL Draft) never did develop into a disruptive pass rusher.  San Francisco only had 36 sacks in 2010 and a Charles Haley-like outside linebacker is badly needed.  Aldon Smith has pass rush skills, but also comes with some legitimate concerns.  Smith will have to be converted into a 3-4 outside linebacker after playing defensive end at Missouri.  He possesses the raw athleticism to make the transition, but how are his instincts for playing linebacker?  In addition, Smith has to learn to play with more leverage and power in his hands.  His injury-plagued redshirt sophomore season also raised some eyebrows.  The Niners are taking quite a leap of faith that Aldon Smith can be a big-time pass rusher in the NFL.  Smith will be compared to Robert Quinn for years to come.  The fact that the 49ers long-time rival (the Rams) selected Quinn to rush the quarterback makes the comparison even more compelling.  St. Louis will ask Quinn to play defensive end in their 4-3 scheme.  Quinn also has the raw athleticism to be converted into an outside linebacker in the 3-4.  San Francisco thought that Aldon Smith was a better fit for them.  

Colin Kaepernick: Alex Smith clearly is not the future quarterback of the Niners.  Kaepernick is a project who will test Jim Harbaugh’s ability to develop a quarterback.  The former Nevada star has a terrific arm and possesses excellent speed.  He also is a hard worker who will study his craft.  However, Kaepernick is very raw and his accuracy on deep passes is suspect.  San Francisco had to take the chance in the 2^nd round that Kaepernick in 2-3 years might be the long-term answer at quarterback. 

Chris Culliver: Nate Clements played poorly last season and at 31 appears to be in decline.  San Francisco could use help at the cornerback position.  Culliver had mediocre production at Clemson.  He played mostly safety and cornerback and also returned kicks.  Culliver has good size (6’ and 200 lbs) and sub-4.4 Forty speed.  The 49ers hope that Culliver’s athleticism translates into production on the field in the NFL.  This was another speculative draft pick based upon potential upside.

Kendall Hunter: Frank Gore is 28 and Brian Westbrook is 31.  A young running back to help spell Gore was needed.  Kendall Hunter is a shifty back who is strong for his size (5’7” and 199 lbs).  He was a solid choice in the 4^th round.  Hunter can learn from Westbrook how to improve his blocking and receiving ability. 

Bruce Miller: The former defensive end from Central Florida will be converted into an outside linebacker.  Miller is a fine 7^th round selection.  He lacks an explosive first step, but plays hard and was productive in college.  Miller will be a factor on special teams and has a chance to be a good backup.  That is exactly what a team is looking for from a late-round draft choice.         

2011 NFL Draft Grade: C+

Bottom Line: Jim Harbaugh has the skills to be a quality head coach in the NFL.  However, no coach can be successful without good players at key positions.  San Francisco already has paid a steep price when Alex Smith proved to be a mistake as the number one overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft.  Harbaugh has to develop Colin Kaepernick into a quality pro quarterback or the Forty Niners will continue to sputter.  San Francisco took on quite a bit of risk with the prospects that they drafted.  Aldon Smith, Colin Kaepernick and Chris Culliver all have significant questions whether they can become playmakers in the NFL.