Defense for 49ers? Second-round mock is here

After the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday, that seems to be one certainty for the 49ers: They are not going to take an offensive lineman in the second round.

 

Well, at least we don’t think they will.

It would seem that the 49ers are likely to turn to the defensive side of the ball, where they could use help at every level. When director of player personnel Trent Baalke said he expects to find a starter with the team’s second-round pick, he was not necessarily talking about 2010. So keep that in mind.

 

If the 49ers look to the secondary, they could grab USC safety Taylor Mays. He would be a complement to Dashon Goldson, who is much better in coverage. Mays, at more than 230 pounds, would play closer to the line of scrimmage in more of a Michael Lewis-type role. Morgan Burnett (Georgia Tech) and Nate Allen (South Florida) are other safeties he are likely to be selected in the second round.

 

At cornerback, the 49ers could target such players as Perrish Cox (Oklahoma State, Brandon Ghee (Wake Forest) or A.J. Jefferson (Fresno State).

 

Veteran inside linebacker Takeo Spikes will keep his fingers crossed that the 49ers use their No. 49 overall pick on Brandon Spikes (Florida). He told me a while back that he would love to serve as a mentor to his distant cousin.

 

The 49ers could look to add more pop to their pass rush. They’ll be keeping an eye on Koa Misi (Utah), Ricky Sapp (Clemson) and Jason Worilds (Virginia Tech).

 

My personal pick for the 49ers is LSU defensive lineman Al Woods. Originally, I thought the 49ers were targeting him in the third round. But I don’t think Woods would last that long. He has incredibly long arms (second longest behind Bruce Campbell at the combine), and he can serve as a backup at nose tackle behind Aubrayo Franklin for one season.

 

2010 Round 2 Mock Draft

 

1 (33) Rams – WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame

2 (34) Vikings – QB Colt McCoy, Texas

3 (35) Buccaneers – WR Arrelious Benn

4 (36) Chiefs – S Nate Allen, South Florida (obviously, Chiefs aren’t taking another safety, I’m projecting Allen to be taken here in a trade. Thanks, rootblair.)

5 (37) Eagles – OT Rodger Saffold, Indiana

6 (38) Browns – QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame

7 (39) Raiders – OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland

8 (40) Dolphins – LB Sergio Kindle, Texas

9 (41) Bills – NT Terrence Cody, Alabama

10 (42) Buccaneers – CB Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State

11 (43) Ravens – DT Brian Price, UCLA

12 (44) Patriots – DE/OLB Koa Misi, Utah

13 (45) Broncos – DT Linval Joseph, East Carolina

14 (46) Giants – LB Brandon Spikes, Florida

15 (47) Patriots – LB Daryl Washington, TCU

16 (48) Panthers – DL Lamarr Houston, Texas

17 (49) 49ers – DL Al Woods, LSU

18 (50) Chiefs – TE Rob Gronkowski, Arizona

19 (51) Texans – RB Ben Tate, Auburn

20 (52) Steelers – OT Charles Brown, USC

21 (53) Patriots – RB Toby Gerhart, Stanford

22 (54) Bengals – DL/LB Jason Worilds, Virginia Tech

23 (55) Eagles – DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida

24 (56) Packers – S Taylor Mays, USC

25 (57) Ravens – TE Ed Dickson, Oregon

26 (58) Cardinals – OLB Sean Lee, Penn State

27 (59) Cowboys – T Vladimir Ducasse, Massachusetts

28 (60) Seahawks – RB Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss

29 (61) Jets – LB/DE Ricky Sapp, Clemson

30 (62) Vikings – S Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech

31 (63) Colts – LB Navorro Bowman, Penn State

32 (64) Saints – LB Eric Norwood, South Carolina

 

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