Welcome To The NFL Jim Harbaugh, Where Does Your Era Begin?

Who was the big get of the coaching offseason in the NFL? Many would say that it is the San Francisco 49ers head man Jim Harbaugh, coming off of one of the best seasons in Stanford University history, leading them to a victory in the Orange Bowl to cap off a 12-1 season. That lone loss came in a game that Stanford played at eventual runner-up Oregon back in early October. Quite a turnaround from where the program began with Harbaugh at the helm, the year previous to him stepping in the team went a woeful 1-11. In essence a complete 180 degree change for the program.

Now he has gotten his pay day, and he joins his brother as the head coach of an NFL team (his brother of course the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens). Harbaugh grew up right near the team, so this is a staying home of sorts, and now he has his chance to turn this team into what he wants, what he needs to win, and that all can start with this pick in the top 10.

He inherits a team that could potentially win right away, as they were a very popular pick to make a playoff run under Mike Singletary last year. The positions that are filled for this team need not even a second glance, running back, tight end, offensive line, middle linebackers, outside linebackers they are more than set there with talent, and young talent in spots. The quarterback position is something they may need to address, though it could be interesting to see if Harbaugh can come in and make a difference with the talent on the roster, something that defensive minded predecessors Mike Nolan and Singletary could not do.

Then there are the players you are looking at to see who is available, and what best fits what we need to build that solid foundation for the future of this franchise under Harbaugh. They have three spots to look at, defensive tackle, wide receiver, and the secondary. At this point in the draft, with the players that are available, and the linebackers that you have quite honestly, you can pass on the defensive tackle spot for this pick. This leads into three players that keep coming up on the lists of the teams ahead of the 49ers, Patrick Peterson, A.J. Green, and Julio Jones.

In previous posts and picks it was suggested that coaches like Ron Rivera of Carolina, and John Fox of Denver, pick a defensive stud to build their team and defense around because that was their specialty, their niche. Offense is what Harbaugh does, and that is the precise reason I am going to say that receiver here is not the direction the should go in. They have a bonafide number one in the making in Michael Crabtree, and then they have talent there in former top 10 pick Ted Ginn Jr., and Josh Morgan, talent that Harbaugh can work with at that position moreso than Fox or Rivera could have on their defenses.

With that faith in Harbaugh, the pick for them right here is a run up to the commissioner before something unexpected happens, and get him to announce with that seventh pick the 49ers select Patrick Peterson. He can step in right away and play any spot in the secondary you will ask of him. Need a corner opposite Nate Clements, there he is. Need a roaming safety to make plays and be an incredible one-two punch with Patrick Willis, and get this team that much closer to where they want to be. This pick alone could once again make them the favorites in the recently down NFC West.

Predictions as of today for this pick:

Me: Patrick Peterson, DB, LSU
Mel Kiper: Patrick Peterson. DB, LSU
Todd McShay: Patrick Peterson, DB, LSU
NewNFLDraft.com: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn