The most popular pick among San Francisco fans for that No.10 draft spot the 49ers have is probably USC quarterback Matt Sanchez So fans were probably thrilled earlier this week when the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reported Sanchez arrived at 49ers headquarters for a pre-draft visit. What's even more exciting is how the draft is shaping up so that Sanchez might very well be available to them
Coach Singletary has long said that he's unlikely to add another quarterback to the roster. But that Kurt Warner courtship sure indicated otherwise. And a young Sanchez at No. 10 salary would probably be a smarter investment than an aging Warner at $12 million a year guaranteed.
A former NFL general manager sees it happening. Longtime Redskins GM Charley Casserly revealed his mock draft picks on the NFL Network, and he had Sanchez going to the Niners. "How do you pass a quarterback when you're not settled at that position?", Casserly pondered.
Even Mel Kiper Jr.'s most current mock draft has Sanchez still available when the 49ers pick at number ten. But Kiper currently projects the Niners will pass on him for defensive line help. Kiper revises that thing every single day until the draft, though, so his analysis is going to change day to day.
It makes sense on a ton of levels if Sanchez is still there at #10, but we defer to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee to explain all the reasons why it won't happen. Most prominent among these is that Sanchez isn't a great fit for Jimmy Raye's offense, and Coach Singletary seems to determined to focus on running the ball.
Still, it's interesting that they've entertained the guy so many 49er fans are hoping they'll pick.
Joe Kukura is a freelance writer who will still be available at the number ten pick of the NFL Draft.
