draft is right on top of us, and there are several players guaranteed to make a big splash sooner than later in the NFL.
Certain athletes are just leaps and bounds above the rest, and these guys will help improve any team regardless of need.
Fantastic combinations of size, strength, speed, and explosiveness make them worth the large rookie wages they're likely to receive.
They may be untested at the NFL level (as all rookies are) but when their achievements in college are totaled, and all their attributes are measured, they are as close to a sure thing as there is in the zany world of the NFL draft.
Von Miller is an explosive player like no other this year. His pass rushing is definitely his main strength, as Texas A&M created his own special "Joker" position for him, but his speed and backfield penetration should also translate into success against the run.
Miller's ability to accelerate and change direction fluidly could also benefit his coverage when a fake blitz is in order.
The top-rated pass rusher this year could be the next coming of Lawrence Taylor, and his worst case scenario is well above average for an OLB.
How he can help the49ersspecifically:
Opposing quarterbacks had far to long to throw last year, and a nimble (yet incredibly explosive) pass rusher for Fangio to move around on passing downs would be just what the doctor ordered.
Marcel Dareusis going to be a star. Whether it's at defensive tackle, nose tackle, or even 3-4 end, his ability is plain to see.
Standing 6'3" and weighing in at 320 lbs, Darius is true NFL size. On top of this, his 4.93 40 time is great for a man that big.
Dareus showcased his talent in the 2010 BCS Championship game where one of his (totally legal) hits knockedColt McCoyout of the game. Dareus also returned an intercepted shovel pass 30 yards for a touchdown and received MVP honors for the game.
Two words describe Dareus: sure thing.
How he can help the 49ers specifically:
If Aubrayo Franklin signs with another team when free agency eventually comes back, a strong nose tackle with bigger upside than even B.J. Raji had would be a nice boulder to build the village around. And if Franklin returns, another play-making presence at end wouldn't hurt either.
When a defensive back is nominated for the Heisman trophy, it's because he stands a cut above the rest. Such was the case with Patrick Peterson in 2010.
The best case scenario for Peterson is he'll be an elite conner in the league for years. The low ceiling for him is that he adds weight with age and moves to safety, where he would also excel in all probability.
How he helps the 49ers specifically:
The hole at corner has been gaping for years in San Francisco. They haven't had an elite secondary since the nineties. Nate Clements turned out to be a liability for them last year, and he needs to either restructure his contract, move to safety, or both. Probably both.
A young stud like Peterson to go along with the growing Taylor Mays could be hazardous to passing games around the league.
His brother left school early last year. All he did was play his heart out with theSteelersas the took a little trip to the Super Bowl.
Mike is projected to be a top-rated center, and the worst case scenario on him is he becomes an above-average guard.
How can he help the 49ers specifically:
While David Baas played admirably when Eric Heitmann went down with an injury, it took a certain degree of on-the-job learning. Drafting (guard) Mike Iupati turned out to be a good decision, but Chilo Rachal hasn't shown anything close to all-pro potential. Pouncey would give the 49ers a strong partner for Iupati on the offensive line for some years. He would give them another mobile interior lineman, and eventually (maybe) an all-pro center.
There are a number of talented receivers this year, but A.J. Green is the one who does it all. Green has the height, the hops, the hands and the heart to turn heads at the next level.
There is virtually no ceiling to how good this kid could be, and for a receiver to have this talent and seemingly lack any semblance of a diva attitude is a very reare thing.
How he could help the 49ers specifically:
Michael Crabtreestill shows a ton of potential, but what is potential when it goes unactivated? It's possible Crabtree could be tradedto a team that wants him (and where he will give 100%) likeDallas.
Green would be better than Crabtree by my appraisal: he wouldn't lug around a diva attitude, and he's a better jump-ball receiver.
The strongest prospect on the exterior defensive line is J.J. Watt. He rushes the passer nicely and is a nightmare for runningbacks behind the line.
At 6'5" and 290 lbs, he'll be a manace in either a 3-4 or 4-3 system--and at either left or right end position.
How would he help the 49ers specifically?
Justin Smith has anchored the 49ers line for the last several years. Watt would be like having another J.Smith on the opposite side where opposing passers often find themselves running scared to avoid the monster. With Watt, these scared quarterbacks would find themselves in the clutches of this 6'6, 290-pound monster.
He would also be a menace against the run.
With all due respect to Mark Ingram and Mikel LeShoure (both tremendous talents) Vereen is faster, and he put up 31 reps to display the best muscular endurance of the runningbacks.
At 5'10" and 210 lbs, scouts might see Vereen as being on the small side if he's to make the transition the the NFL. But he has never missed a game because of injury, and played in all 38 games at Cal, and he started in 19 of them.
Although he's not considered a first-round talent, Vereen could make a team with a West Coast offense very happy with his receiving skills.
The one concern on Vereen is his tendency to leave the ball vulnerable when he dances around defenders, which can result in fumbles. This habit should be easily coached out of him though.
How he would help the 49ers specifically:
Three words: West. Coast. Offense.
Harbaugh's coached against Cal for a couple years now. I'd bet he saw Vereen on the field a couple times and thought about what he could do for him.
What's Missing?
Quarterbacks: there's just not any blue-chip quarterbacks this year. Perhaps this is because so many college schools use spread offenses; and when Andrew Luck decided to return to Stanford for his senior year, the pursuit of a quarterback many experts considered a "sure thing" was delayed for at least a year. Or perhaps calling a quarterback a sure thing is just paradoxical by definition.
Offensive Tackles: last year saw a handful of tackles taken in the first round, and several in the top-ten. This year only a couple are likely to go in the first round, and only one may sneak his way into the top ten. Sure Anthony Castonzo, Gabe Carimi, Nate Solder and Tyrone Smith show a wealth of potential, but none can be called a sure thing.
Running Backs: there are a lot of good looking running backs, but (other than Vereen) none stand out as can't-miss prospects to me.
Safeties: the safeties of this year's draft have some interesting skills, and many show good character, but 2010's crop was much richer.
Tight Ends: there's not exactly a Vernon Davis out there this year.
Inside linebackers: this year's strength on defense is primarily against the pass, and the linebackers most people are seeing are pass rushing OLBs.
Now this is not to say there's no talent at these positions. Certainly a lot of value is out there to be gotten, and some sleepers will no doubt surface, but players you can bet your franchise on are about as rare as I like my fillet mignon.
To be a blue chip, everyone needs to know you're going to be an instant success, and they all need to be right about it.
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