San Francisco 49ers 2010 NFL Draft Grade

SAN FRANCISCO

1.11 Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Davis was San Fran’s guy all the way apparently. He’s got all the potential in the world, and when he says he’s the best offensive tackle in this class, he’s not lying. He really believes it. It’ll take some coaching and motivation, but Singletary can provide that as well as anyone, and he fills a giant void at right tackle for now. I’ve got to believe they envision him as the blindsider of the future, and his potential makes him worth the 11th pick for the Niners. GRADE: B

1.17 Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
Wow, it’s gonna be brutal in the Bay for a few years. In a good way. Iupati is a massive mauler, with a mean streak a mile long and a determination to finish his blocks. He doesn’t have the quickest feet in the world, but when he locks on he can really drive through a defender, essentially erasing him from the play. Maybe he’s the right tackle of the future, but for now he steps in perfectly at guard. GRADE: B+

2.49 Taylor Mays, S, USC
Another big time boom or bust selection for for the take-on-all-challenges coach. Mays isn’t the best fit in this defense, and I wanted to see him land with a Tampa 2 team to take advantage of zone range and hitting ability. He’ll get excellent coaching in San Fran, but the whiny attitude post-draft attitude has to change. His potential makes him worth the snag. GRADE: B

3.91 Navorro Bowman, ILB, Penn State
Seriously, Mike, it’s okay to make it a little easier on yourself. Bowman is another top prospect physically, but he carries off-field issues as well, and will need to be monitored closely. Takeo Spikes is getting up there in age, and a solid replacement for him was needed before too long. Bowman could be a great understudy, or he could be out of the league in a few years. GRADE: B-

3ROUND GRADE: B+

6.173 Anthony Dixon, RB, Mississippi State
Dixon was a great pickup this late. He fits what Singletary is looking to do — pound the rock. His powerful inside style will extend Frank Gore’s career and provide fresh legs along with Glen Coffee. He’s got tons of mileage, but a solid build. GRADE: B+

6.182 Nate Byham, TE, Pittsburgh
This is turning into some ode to the good ole days of line em up and run em over football. Byham is a smashing blocker from a tough school and a pro style offense. He’s not a flashy pick, but it’s going to be hard to slow this ground game down. GRADE: B

6.206 Kyle Williams, WR, Arizona State
This is a pick that you’ll hear good things about, and he does fill the need for a slot project, but I don’t know if he’ll even end up being a better option than Ted Ginn. It’s the sixth round, so no reason to be overly critical, but it’s a bland selection. GRADE: C

7.224 Phillip Adams, CB, South Carolina State
Adams wasn’t on many radars, and it’s not too hard to see why. He’s got okay size and some decent athletic upside, but at his best I think he’s a solid backup. GRADE: C-

Best Pick: Mike Iupati
Worst Pick: Phillip Adams
Sleeper Pick: Nate Byham

FINAL ANALYSIS
Here’s the deal. None of these picks wow me on an individual level. But football isn’t an individual sport. It’s about team. And when your team has a clear-cut identity, success is easier to come by. So when I look at the pieces they added to the ground game — Davis, Iupati, Dixon, Byham — I really like these moves. Iupati, Davis, and Byham are powerful blockers that will take pleasure in laying waste to the D lines in this division. But only if they pan out. Iupati is safer than Davis, but he’s not as athletic, and Byham is as solid as they come, but at the end of the day, he’s a blocking tight end. Mays is seriously risky, especially in this scheme, where his weaknesses will be tested. But I think he’s got a shot under Big Mike’s watchful eye.

The secondary was a major gray area in my opinion, but they must think they can get something good out of Nate Clements again because Adams is chewing gum on a boat leak. Nice guy for depth and special teams, but I don’t know why they lated until the seventh to address the corner spot. Bowman was good to see, because they needed a little linebacker depth, and I worry more about his off-field history than his ability to transition to the 3-4. And for the life of me, as much as he might have the perfect skill set to play the slot, I just can’t get excited about the Kyle Williams pick.

I don’t think there’s any doubt that Mike Singletary considers himself a good coach. And there’s good reason. If he can develop Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis that quickly, maybe he can get the most out of a talented trio of boom/bust guys like Anthony Davis, Taylor Mays, and Navorro Bowman. Mays hits like a steel hammer. If these picks hit, San Fran will be a playoff team. One thing’s for sure: after buying that kind of O line, Alex Smith and Frank Gore owe the front office a round of boilermakers, Sea Bass.

FINAL GRADE: B+

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