The NFL Draft is a time of the year when fans of sucky NFL franchises can get excited about football. The draft gives teams with losing records a chance to turn their franchise around with some solid scouting and drafting. Unless you're the Niners, and you end up trading away your top pick to the New England Patriots, then get docked a draft pick because you got caught tampering with Lance Briggs' contract.
The San Francisco 49ers have 6 draft picks this year, with their first pick being the 29th overall pick. The Oakland Raiders have 5 draft picks, but only one pick within the first three rounds.
| Round | 49ers | Raiders |
| 1 | #29 | #4 |
| 2 | #8 (#39 overall) | -- |
| 3 | #12 (#75 overall) | -- |
| 4 | #8 (#107 overall) | #5 (#104 overall) |
| 5 | -- | -- |
| 6 | #8 (#174 overall) | #3 (#169 overall) |
| 7 | #7 (#214 overall) | #6 (#213 overall) #19 (#226 overall) |
Several mock drafts have the Raiders picking running back Darren McFadden in the first round. McFadden ran an impressive 4.33 forty yard dash in the combine. The Raiders backfield is already crowded, with Justin Fargas, Dominic Rhodes, and LaMont Jordan. While all three running backs are good, they're not elite. With McFadden on the roster, the Raiders could jump up from 6th best rushing team in the league to #1.
The Rivals.com mock draft has the Niners picking quarterback Brian Brohm in the first round. This is a surprising pick for the Niners seeing as how they drafted Alex Smith #1 overall just a few years ago. I have no confidence in Alex Smith and feel Smith should be relegated to backup qb duties, but I would not have expected the 49ers franchise to give up on Smith so soon. Alex Smith signed a contract extension while Shaun Hill signed a multi-year contract with the 49ers. Drafting a quarterback this high would mean the organization has no faith in Alex Smith nor Shaun Hill.
The mock draft has the 49ers picking running back Felix Jones in the second round. This pick is also a bit surprising since San Francisco already has Frank Gore and DeShaun Foster. Gore was a top rusher the NFC 2 years ago, but was hampered by injuries last year. New offensive coordinator Mike Martz is known for a pass heavy offense, so I don't think the 49ers would select a running back with their second round pick.
The Raiders do not have a second round pick.
If the Raiders select Darren McFadden, they could have a good, young duo with McFadden and JaMarcus Russell. I can't see the Raiders not drafting McFadden if he is still available with the 4th pick. I am hoping this mock draft is wrong for the 49ers picks. The 49ers should draft a receiver or better lineman. Give it another year for the quarterback position to play itself out.
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