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Okay, so, I’m not usually the one to jump in where everyone else has already gone, but I thought what the heck, my opinions are usually far afield from everyone else.  Very few mocks had us taking Patrick Willis last year, and very few mocks have me duplicating their picks.  On two of these, I find myself seeing another guy down the list and thinking, “well he’s much better than this guy.”

I’ve already pointed out what I think we need, and the priority.  Now I’ll look at who I think they’ll take in the first four rounds.  Six and Seven don’t really matter much as they are just depth plugs.  I see maybe a corner in there, and possibly a running back.

I really don’t like Groves of Auburn.  I think he is way too small for the kind of guy we need, and certainly not worth 1st round money.  I don’t see them taking Dan Connor, because he’s no Patrick Willis, and we’ve already got Dontarrious Thomas to play next to him.  We need an OLB if anything. 

Round 1, #29: Sam Baker OT USC 6′5″ 305
Looking at who will likely be available, I actually think Sam Baker of USC warrants a pick at 29.  I believe offensive tackle has the best value at this spot, as far as what we’ll end up paying the player.  He very strong and commits to his blocks.  He’s very good at turning the initial defender while keeping his body low, so that when he gets to the second-level guy, his motor and center of gravity are virtually unchanged.

Round 2, #39: Cliff Avril OLB Purdue, 6′3″ 253
With the widouts we have, and Martz’ ability to make them good, I think a WR pick is wasted here.  Cliff Avril here would be a surprise to some, but in the ranks of DE/OLB that are available, not too shabby.  He led the team with 6.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a total loss of 56 yards.  He’s got solid and compact size for an OLB, and he’s very athletic with a 37-1/2″ vertical.  From NFL Draft Scout.com: “Avril played linebacker earlier in his career and displayed those attributes during drills, showing a bit more power driving out of his plants. His 6.90-second three-cone drill, which tests agility necessary to play in space, was the best for linemen and also in the top six for linebackers.”

This agility and “power driving out of his plants” is a common theme lately with people discussing why Manny Lawson doesn’t get good presure on the QB.  I think his solid, compact frame coupled with his agility gives him a unique advantage coming around the weak side.

Round 3, #75: Mike McGlynn OG/OT Pitt, 6′4″ 311
Here is another undervalued lineman, which I see as fitting a real need we have: A guy who can play anywhere, including Center.  I think we really need to consider a replacement for Eric Heitmann in case that leg injury was a major factor in the sieve that was the middle of our line last season.   Here’s another Senior Bowl alumn that I can’t see the Niners passing up.

I’ll let Rob Rang speak for me again:  “Conversations I’ve had with offensive line coaches at the Senior Bowl just confirmed what I already suspected about the former Pitt star — he is the most versatile offensive lineman to enter the draft in years. A veteran of 47 games for the Panthers, McGlynn saw most of his time at right guard, but at 6-4, 311 pounds he has the size and lateral quickness to move outside to tackle and the deep-snapping skills to be groomed as a center.”

Round 4: Harry Douglas WR Louisville, 5′11″ 176
This Senior Bowl South-Teamer is one of those kind of guys Nolan and McCloughan praise for doing better in pads than in shorts.  I’ve watched Harry Douglas for four years at Louisville, and while 2007 saw his number slope off due to an ankle injury, 2006 was one of his best seasons, where he was a favorite target of Brian Brohm.  What Douglas brings to the table is an outstanding work ethic and great hands. 

Route running may be a bit suspect, but Martz and Sullivan can fix that with Douglas’ willingness to learn, much unlike Ashley Lelie.  He gives outstanding value at this spot, and someone to groom alongside Jason Hill.   He may not see immediate action this season, but fills a spot very well.