San Francisco 49ers 2010 Draft Review

The Niners' theme of the 2010 NFL Draft was "power". They started off by selecting two of the best run blocking offensive linemen in the draft. Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati are physically talented enough to start immediately. Taylor Mays, Navarro Bowman, Anthony Dixon, and Nate Bynam could all make major contributions at their respective positions. The Niners' draft was focused and showed they wanted NFL ready players so they could compete for a playoff berth for the first time since 2002. 




Round 1, Pick 11

Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

Ht: 6’ 5” Wt: 323

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  With Joe Staley not working out at left tackle, the Niners felt they needed to solidify the left tackle position.  Davis is an excellent technician that can dominate if he can stay in shape.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Possesses the size, agility and functional playing strength to man the left tack- le position, but his immaturity raises questions about his commitment and ability to maintain success after a big payday. Has potential to excel as a run blocker and emerge as a very solid pro if he learns what it means to work and takes the game more seriously.

NFL projection: Top-15 pick.

GM Jr’s scouting report:  Davis is a true 3^rd year junior who does not consistently block up to his talent level.  He started at guard as a true freshman and finished college career in 2009 as Rutgers’ left tackle.  There is little doubt in my mind that Davis has the physical talent to be a very productive LT in the NFL with the size and strength to physically control/dominate man when he blocks aggressively.  However, he does not play with good hand use or aggressiveness on every snap, which hinders his consistency of production.  Overall, Davis’ on field production is more of a 2^nd or 3^rd rounder, but the reality is that he is a young player with great physical talent who has improved every year at Rutgers.  While his lack of aggressiveness is an issue, I have no doubt about his competitiveness, which leads me to believe his areas of inconsistency will improve as he gets older and matures.  His combination of elite athleticism, excellent natural strength and inconsistent production reminds me a ton of current Ravens’ OT Michael Oher and I believe Davis can become an even better NFL OT than Oher given time to mature and develop

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Davis’ inconsistent technique, reputation as an underachiever and trouble staying at his ideal weight won’t help his draft stock.  In fact, his strength and weight may make some teams project him to right tackle or even guard – where he could excel if he matures early in his career. 

Round 1, Pick 17

Mike Iupati, OL, Idaho

Ht: 6’ 5 1/8” Wt: 331

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Iupati is one of the best guard prospects to come along in many years.  San Francisco is looking to build their offensive line for the future and have made themselves into the front runners for the NFC West title.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: A powerful, big-boned interior force, Iupati stands out on tape. Will be the first guard drafted and offers versatility to one day play either tackle position. Combination of size, brute strength, movement skills and arm length should enable him to dominate as a road-grading left guard for years to come.

NFL projection: First-round pick.

GM Jr’s scouting report:  Iupati is not a well known prospect by the public, but many in the NFL are very excited about him because big, extremely strong guards with good athleticism who block with aggressiveness, intensity and passion are very tough to find.  He definitely needs to block with good technique more consistently to maintain his high level of production in the NFL and to improve in pass pro.  Overall, I think Iupati is going to grade out well on film, but will not shine at the Combine, which may lead to him sliding into the 3^rd round, but in time he will end up becoming a very good starting guard in the NFL. 

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  While all of his 34 career starts came at left guard, some feel his ultimate pro position could lie outside at offensive tackle or even as a defensive tackle.  Some teams noted his multidimensional skills at the Senior Bowl, where he was a standout in practices and dominated when he lined up at guard.  He has a unique combination of size, strength and quick feet. 

Round 2, Pick 49

Taylor Mays, S, USC

Ht: 6’ 3 1/8” Wt: 230

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Mays is an old-fashion, in-the-box type safety almost like an extra linebacker.  Though he doesn't have the coverage skills that NFL teams covet now, he is a excellent teammate and hard worker.  If the Niners use him properly, he can help this defense instantly.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Throw out the stopwatch and eye- popping 40-time at the Combine — the tape of Mays playing to his speed does not exist. Can start readily in NFL like he did in college and get away with his lack of instincts in the pros because of his rare recovery speed, but lack of instincts, intelligence and toughness will always leave teams wanting more. Enamors with his measurables but disappoints with his play, and will need more than straight-line speed and a flash hit to become more than a serviceable starter in the pros. Will be overdrafted and underperform.

NFL projection: First-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Mays has the natural ability to rate out as one of the real stars of the pre-draft work out circuit.  With four years of film for scouts to grade, his over aggressiveness as a senior won’t prove catastrophic to his final grade.  His performance in 2009 might have knocked him out of the top 10, but his blend of size, speed and explosive hitting make him a first-round lock and immediate impact rookie. 

Round 3, Pick 71

Navorro Bowman, LB, Penn State

Ht: 6’ 0 ½” Wt: 242

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  San Francisco continues to draft for value.  Bowman was considered worthy of a high pick but off field concerns and injuries derailed him.  He could come in and make an impact in SF's defense next to Patrick Willis.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Athletic, field-fast, run-and-hit “Will” linebacker who persevered through adversity to be a very productive player in college. Has starter-caliber athletic ability, range and tackling skills and would fit best in a one- gapping 4-3 alignment. Projects as a three-down, two-phase player which adds to value.

NFL projection: Second-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  On the field, few players in this draft come downhill faster and explode into their tackles as well as Bowman does.  Even fewer have gone through the adversity he has over the past three years (including injuries and a 2007 arrest for his role in a flight at a party).  If given a clean bill of health by doctors and strong recommendation by his Penn State coaches, a team might look past Bowman’s lack of height, troubled past and injury history to select him in the early rounds of the draft.

173.)  San Francisco 49ers
Anthony Dixon, RB, Mississippi State
Ht: 6' 1" Wt: 233

  

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Lack of elusiveness caused Dixon to drop this far.  An excellent change of pace and short yardage back, Dixon could stick on a team if he learns how to pass block and runs with the physicality he's capable of bringing.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Even though Dixon looks like a pure power back, he had 52 catches for 317 yards and four scores over his career, providing his versatility.  He emerged as a team leader in 2009 while rushing for a school-record 1,391 yards.  He leaves as Mississippi State’s all-time leading rusher with 3,994 yards and is viewed as a potential bell-cow back.

182.)  San Francisco 49ers
Nate Byham, TE, Pittsburgh
Ht:  6' 4" Wt: 268

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Byham is another tight end brought in for his blocking capabilities and could help SF out in the two tight end formation. 

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Byham’s lack of quickness will downgrade him into the second half of the draft, but his versatility makes him a valued commodity to teams needing a solid backup to help move the chains and get the ground game going.

206.)  San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Williams, WR, Arizona State
Ht: 5' 10" Wt: 188

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Williams is a good athlete but his size is a concern and the 49ers have quickly become very deep at the wide receiver position/returner. With the trade for Ted Ginn, df I have a hard time seeing a roster spot for Williams on the 49ers.  

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  The son of White Sox GM Ken Williams, Kyle was drafted by Chicago in the 47^th round of the 2006 amateur baseball draft.  He opted to focus on football, starring as a return man and finally emerging as a regular starting receiving in 2009.  Following a strong week at the Texas vs. the Nation all-star week, he looks the part of a slot receiver/return specialist.

224.)  San Francisco 49ers 

Phillip Adams, DB, South Carolina State

Ht: 5' 10" Wt: 182

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Adams continues the run on valuable returners in this round.  Small school experience and lack of top end speed kept his stock down, but his ball skills and open field creativity can translate to the NFL level.  

  

Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview available @ http://www.pfwstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=695

GM Jr. 2010 Draft Guide available @ http://gmjrnfldraft.com/

Lindy’s Sports 2010 Draft Guide available @http://www.lindyssports.com/product.php?cn=332

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