Cornerback
 
I don’t think I have to tell you about the niners cornerback problem, worst in the league. It’s not a good year though for this problem to surface. In the last four drafts there was Champ Bailey last year, Charles Woodson the year before, Shawn Spring in ‘97 and Lawyer Milloy in ‘96. There doesn’t look to be any superstars in this years draft like the talent before them, but the could be a surprise like Milloy was in ‘96, taken in the second round, and is now a superstar. For the niners sake, let’s hope I’m wrong, and the 49ers find a superstar.
2000’s Draft Solution: Deltha O’Neal, California.
He has excellent skills as a return man, having an average of 29.21 yards per kick return and will also help the niners punt returning problems. Has outstanding vision while in possession with the ball. He has only played Corner for two years, playing running back for his first two years at Cal. He has good size, great athletic ability and great speed. He reads and reacts quickly. Will be an instant success as a returner and if the 49ers put time and effort into developing him and not rush him too much, he has the possibility of being the best corner taken in the draft.
 

Offensive Tackle
 
Another of San Francisco’s weakness that I don’t have to tell you much about. But this is a great year for OT’s with names like Chris Samuels, Chris McIntosh, Marvel Smith, Stockar McDougle, Tod Wade and Adrian Klemm.
2000’s Draft Solution - Two solutions for this:
Solution 1: Trade with Washington for pick 12 and 24. Pick 12: Chris McIntosh, Wisconsin.
Chris Samuels is the best OT in the draft, but McIntosh is clearly second. He is an excellent run blocker, helping Ron Dayne to become the greatest rusher of all time, yards wise. Hasn’t shown great pass blocking ability because Wisconsin doesn’t throw too often, but he is strong and has good footwork, so that may help him in that area.
Solution 2: Todd Wade, Mississippi.
Wade would be taken with the second round pick. Has good footwork, moves well and is quick for a lineman, while being 6’7" 220lbs, a typical niner lineman. Solid at both pass blocking and rush blocking.
 

Defensive End
 
Chike Okeafor looks to be a definite starter next season, but there is a lot of trouble on the other side. No one is getting to the Quarterback. But this isn’t as bad as it looks though, San Francisco still have Bryant Young, one of the best DT’s in the league, and Reggie McGrew, who didn’t play in his rookie season, but can provide push on the inside to help the pass rush. Marvin Washington failed this year, and Junior Bryant plays much better on the inside.
2000’s Draft Solution: Penn St.’s Courtney Brown.
This guy is certain to become a superstar, no if but’s or maybe’s. He has great speed of the line, allowing him to get to the Quarterback quickly, something the niners lacked this season. He is also a good run stopper. Last season he combined with LaVar Arrington, to make Penn St. the most feared defence in collage. In the previous year, Brown had 55 tkls, 29 tackles for losses combing for a total of 150 yards lost and 13.5 sacks.
 

Quarterback
 
Jeff Garcia is a good starter and really improved towards the end of the season, looking at all of his options, not just backs as he did at the start of the season. But unfortunately, he isn’t going to lead a team deep into the playoffs, and isn’t going to be a Pro-Bowl player, qualities that San Francisco fans have become accustomed to for the past few decades. I would love to see Steve Young play for another season or two, but the fact is the future of the niners would be better off without him in the roster. It would be great they can keep him around the franchise as a Quarterback coach or an adviser, but San Francisco would improve their record and come close to the playoffs if Young was out leading the team. I hear you say ‘what’s wrong with that?’ Well next year, Drew Brees will enter the NFL and he is clearly better than Chad Pennington and Chris Redman are, and may one day be a regular into Pro-Bowl teams. Having a bad record will give the niners a good draft pick, either high enough to draft him or high enough to add a few picks and trade up for him. Bill Walsh has been saying he will draft a Quarterback and sign one via free-agency. The free-agent should be a veteran, to help teach the rookie and Garcia the ropes, and without the price tag Young will come at.
2000’s Draft Solution: Georgia Tech’s Joe Hamilton.
This guy will be a low 3rd round pick to a high 4th rounder, and would be incredible value if he is still around in the 4th. He’s the quickest Quarterback in the draft, and moves well in the pocket. Has stayed the full four years at college, so he’s got experience and is mature. He’d suit a West Coast Offence with his excellent mobility and will fire a ball with tremendous accuracy. He’s been compared with Doug Flutie because of his lack of height (5’10") but with makes up for it with his physical skills. Last year he threw 203-305 Cmp, 67%, 3,060 yrds, 18 TD, 15.3 yards/Pass with 11 Int. In five to seven years time I wouldn’t be surprised to see him ranked above Pennington and Redman, which is saying a lot!!
 

LINEBACKER

With the departure of Lee Woodall, the seemingly stable Linebacking corps now looks rather weak. With no capable replacement on the niners roster, San Francisco need an instant starter and a capable backup. This is just another position on the 49ers roster that has been affected by San Francisco’s poor drafts in recent years.
2000’s Draft Solution: Brian Urlacher, New Mexico San Francisco can either take him at 12 or take a risk and try to pick him up at 24, but this guy is just what the niners need to make their Linebacker unit look stable. An instant starter, Urlacher is tough, tough, fast and has great height. He is also an excellent cover guy, playing safety the last two years. One of his bad points is that he has a nasty streak in him, but will be great if the niners take him.