On Friday I mentioned that the 49ers might not be inclined to use another top-10 draft pick on a junior quarterback four years after taking Alex Smith first overall, which means that USC's Mark Sanchez wouldn't be a consideration. Plus, it sounds like the team will try to re-work Smith's rookie contract in the hopes of keeping him around to compete for a starting job. But here's the thing: NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock -- the same guy who was pimping Jay Cutler and Matt Ryan before anybody else -- has some nice things to say about Sanchez, particularly as it relates to San Francisco.
"And if you're (the 49ers and) sitting there at 10, and Sanchez is available, I think you got to be looking at him. He's a kid who only started 16 games, but he's got the ability and the toughness, the arm strength to learn the pro game and be a starter. This is a draft year, where I believe if you want to get a starter, you got to get him early."Mayock does qualify by saying that this draft class is short on NFL starting quarterbacks (the conversation begins and ends with Matt Stafford and Sanchez) but he also wouldn't be surprised if the 49ers targeted an offensive lineman. Specifically, he thinks that three tackles could be among the first 10 selections -- Eugene Monroe (Virginia), Andre Smith (Alabama) and Michael Oher (Mississippi) -- and one might end up playing opposite Joe Staley at some point in the future.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-10-2009 @ 10:58PM
buddzkmk420 said...
I've been a 49ers fan for 20 years or so now. I really don't wanna use a top 10 draft pick on a QB. The way I see it with Mike Singeltary coaching now, we're gonna be running first and passing second. So as long as we can get a QB that can just not make mistakes I think we'll be alright, especially with Gore, Foster, and Robinson. Time shall see
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2-11-2009 @ 8:31PM
LADubbz45 said...
Picking up Sanchez would be the second worst pick in the last 4 years. As much as I love Sanchez as a player, and dont give me that "hes only started 16 games" crap (lookup Matt Cassel), the 49ers need to build a solid O-Line, and Beef up the Defense. Shaun Hill IS and HAS been the answer to Alex Smith's... how would you say, bust-performance. As great as a Brand New QB Sounds, we would be taking 2 steps back in picking a QB, rather than 1 step back and rebuilding a solid D and a Strong O-line for the new RUN-First Offense next year. Besides, the 2010 draft will be overflowing with new QBs, but I have confidence in Hill, since you know, he does have a WINNING record as a starter.
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3-01-2009 @ 9:00AM
Barry Gomes said...
Big mistake if niners take Sanchez qb is not as much an issue as o and d lines and free safety is a big hole in our defense.Every good defense needs a stud at fs & ss and thats where we should be looking to upgrade.
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