TexansDC put down his Jerry Rice body pillow, sauntered over to his battle red bedezzled desktop, and turned in the pick for his beloved San Francisco 49ers. Was he singing "It's Football Time in Houston" as he typed? I'd like to think so. Duality of man and all that. Jump to see who he chose, won't you?
In an ideal world, the San Francisco 49ers would trade this pick for someone who wants Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright, widely believed to be a legitimate first round talent. The 49ers have Mario Manningham and Randy Moss as newly signed free agents and could (read: should) add a fourth receiver later. Really, this is a luxury pick as the 49ers return nearly every starter from last year’s near-NFC Champion.
There are a few positions which could use an upgrade, though. Aside from building defensive line depth, which is a later round task even if Syracuse’s Chandler Jones is incredibly tempting, they could use an upgrade at guard. I know many fans would be happy with Wisconsin’s Kevin Zeitler, who I believe could be had in a trade down. With Frank Gore slowing down some, I even toyed with the idea of taking Boise State running back Doug Martin, but the value’s not right here.
If I’m sticking at 30, which I have to due to the rules of our Mock Overlords (Ed. Note: Erroneous. Trades were allowed; it's just that no one wanted a slightly used Braylon Edwards jersey in exchange for their first-round pick), I go back and remember how the New York Giants were able to spread the 49ers out and take advantage in the passing game. I see a soon-to-be 31 year old Carlos Rogers and an okay guy in Tarell Brown. Chris Culliver’s got potential, but I think the position could use some more talent to combat the Rodgerses and Breeses of the world.
After that long-winded analysis, the San Francisco 49ers select Janoris Jenkins (CB--North Alabama) with the 30th overall pick in the 2012 BRB Mock Draft.
Before his transfer to North Alabama, Jenkins was a top-15 talent. He still has that "talented" label, as he had strong performances at the Senior Bowl and Combine. The man is fast, athletic, and can stick with most receivers. He also has return skills, which would be welcome should Ted Ginn, Jr. get hurt again.
Jenkins’ biggest issue is his off-the-field behavior (multiple children with multiple women, past drug use, etc.). While at North Alabama, Jenkins passed regular drug tests and did community service (both part of the agreement the staff made with him before transferring). His interviews seem to indicate a guy who wants to grow up, and the San Francisco locker room, led by head coach Jim Harbaugh and All-Galaxy inside linebacker Patrick Willis, is strong enough to help keep him on the straight and narrow. The 49ers are a great on-the-field team for Jenkins, as they have the depth to bring him along at his own pace while protecting him with a vicious front seven. All in all, this is a great pick for both sides.
My money is on Jenkins heading to Dallas next Thursday. It's written in the stars, people.
Only two picks left in this mocktacular. NoSafetiesNeeded is on the clock for the Patriots again, and his inevitable pick of a ninth TE is due to MDC and I by 12 p.m. CDT today.
To catch you up...
1. Indianapolis Colts--Andrew Luck (QB--Stanford)
2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis)--Robert Griffin III (QB--Baylor)
3. Minnesota Vikings--Matt Kalil (OT--USC)
4. Cleveland Browns--Trent Richardson (RB--Alabama)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers--Dontari Poe (DT--Memphis)
6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)--Justin Blackmon (WR--Oklahoma State)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars--Morris Claiborne (CB--LSU)
8. Miami Dolphins--Ryan Tannehill (QB--Texas A&M)
9. Carolina Panthers--Quinton Coples (DE--North Carolina)
10. Buffalo Bills--Luke Kuechly (LB--Boston College)
11. Kansas City Chiefs--David DeCastro (OG--Stanford)
12. Seattle Seahawks--Courtney Upshaw (LB--Alabama)
13. Arizona Cardinals--Michael Floyd (WR--Notre Dame)
14. Dallas Cowboys--Fletcher Cox (DE/DT--Mississippi State)
15. Philadelphia Eagles--Riley Reiff (OT--Iowa)
16. New York Jets--Melvin Ingram (LB-South Carolina)
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)--Dre Kirkpatrick (CB-Alabama)
18. San Diego Chargers--Shea McClellin (LB-Boise State)
19. Chicago Bears--Cordy Glenn (OG/OT--Georgia)
20. Tennessee Titans--Stephen Hill (WR--Georgia Tech)
21. Cincinnati Bengals--Mark Barron (SS--Alabama)
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)--Mohamed Sanu (WR--Rutgers)
23. Detroit Lions--Stephon Gilmore (CB--South Carolina)
24. Pittsburgh Steelers--Jonathan Martin (OT--Stanford)
25. Denver Broncos--Peter Konz (C--Wisconsin)
26. Houston Texans--Nick Perry (OLB/DE--USC)
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)--Coby Fleener (TE--Stanford)
28. Green Bay Packers--Whitney Mercilus (OLB--Illinois)
29. Baltimore Ravens--Dont'a Hightower (LB--Alabama)
30.San Francisco 49ers--Janoris Jenkins (CB--North Alabama)
31. New England Patriots--NoSafetiesNeeded
32. New York Giants--DaGoaT