Read More: Nate Clements (CB – SFX), Prince Amukamara (CB – Nebraska), Patrick Peterson (CB – LSU), Von Miller (LB – Texas A&M), San Francisco 49ers

More and more NFL mock drafts have Patrick Peterson falling to the San Francisco 49ers at the seventh overall pick. Considered by many to be one of the top three players overall in this year’s draft, and potentially one of the best cornerback prospects in recent years. In short, the 49ers and their struggling pass defense would be ecstatic to end up with Peterson, and a long run of talented defensive linemen, mixed with some stellar talent at outside linebacker could be enough for the 49ers to get him.

But this isn’t the likeliest of scenarios, regardless. When you’re widely regarded as the top player in the draft, six teams passing on you doesn’t seem probable. If Peterson is gone and the 49ers stand firm on their desire for a number one corner, the next guy (and some believe this next guy to be only other number one corner in the draft) would be Prince Amukamara out of Nebraska.

We’ve talked about Amukamara in the past, because many have had him pegged as coming to San Francisco in the first place. At least one recent mock still has Amukamara going to San Francisco, as Draft Tek already had Peterson off the board, to the Cardinals at five.

Regarding Peterson to Arizona:

Arizona was in the bottom half of the league in terms of pass defense and sacks last season. There are two major ways to solve this problem, better coverage or better pass rush. In Patrick Peterson, the Cardinals are getting the player widely considered the best in this draft class. DRC had a poor year and Toler showed he’s nothing more than a nickel back so adding Peterson would go a long way towards improving their defense.    

This makes sense for Arizona, as I’ve had Peterson going there more than once. The caveat is Von Miller, but in this scenario, Draft Tek has him going to Buffalo third overall.

Regarding Prince Amukamara to San Francisco:

I’ve heard from some of you that Amukamara shouldn’t be taken this high, but this week again the value (Big-12 DPOY) for the CB spot directs the 49ers draft. With high need at NT, CB, and OLB, the Drafttek simulation takes the best available player, continuing to stack the 49ers with young defensive talent. Amukamara combines size (6-1), speed (4.43 40), long arms, and fluid hips, and the ability to play man coverage to create an NFL ready CB. His completion against (35%) overshadows his lack of INTs last year. He is outstanding in run-support as an impressive tackler.    

Just note, 49ers fans, that Amukamara as a “consolation” in the Peterson sweepstakes is far from going home empty-handed. The 49ers will have themselves a number one corner who will immediately improve the defense and potentially give them a little leeway in regards to Nate Clements and his huge contract. 

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Cardinals first and foremost

Play hard defensively. It’s simple, but the Cardinals seemed to sleep walk through the middle part of this schedule. They lacked intensity and the results were ugly. The unit has played better over the past three weeks, and has seemed to develop some passion for the game. The 49ers’ offense shouldn’t do much today if the Cardinals defense is ready to play. But history suggests that’s a significant “if.”

Cardinals key stat

21.4 That’s the percentage of time the Cardinals have converted on third down over the past eight games. What makes that statistic worse is the Cardinals have not had even one decent outing during that time. Their best effort was 27 percent against the Chiefs. Early in the year, the problem was poor execution on early downs left third-and-long situations. Lately, however, the Cardinals have been in manageable situations, but have been unable to convert.

Cardinals key player

Defensive end Calais Campbell
Over the past month, Campbell is finally playing at the high level expected of him this season. Three of his six sacks have come in December and more than half his tackles (25 of 49). His lack of production in the first months of the season, however, hurt this team greatly. If Campbell continues to play well, the Cardinals’ defensive line is better than average.

Cardinals injury report

OLB Joey Porter (triceps), OLB Clark Haggans (groin), TE Ben Patrick (hamstring), RB LaRod Stephens-Howling (hamstring)

Cardinals on offense

The 49ers’ defense gave the Cardinals trouble even when Kurt Warner was quarterback. Nothing the Cardinals are doing now scares them. The 49ers’ secondary looked confused at times last week against the Rams, but the Cardinals can go for quarters without a first down. They hardly looked receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s way last week, and he caught only one pass. That’s inexcusable for someone who should be the center of the offense. Quarterback John Skelton needs to give Fitzgerald chances to make some plays. The Cardinals have not been able to run much on the 49ers, but the 49ers are playing without inside linebacker Patrick Willis for the first time in four years. If the Cardinals are ever going to move the ball on the ground in San Francisco, today is the day.

Edge: 49ers

49ers first and foremost

The Cardinals are still vulnerable against the run, even though they have employed more of the 4-3 scheme in recent weeks. The 49ers are missing running back Frank Gore, but Brian Westbrook is a capable replacement. He hurt the Cardinals in their first game. The Cardinals can be gashed with big plays, so the 49ers need to hit a couple if they are going to win.

49ers key stat

8 That’s the number of seasons that have passed since the 49ers last had a winning record (10-6 in 2002). Every other team in the division has won at least one division title in that time. This year’s 5-10 record got Mike Singletary fired as coach last week, and the 49ers will go in yet another direction this off-season. The 49ers’ offensive failures are mostly to blame. They’ve changed philosophies, quarterbacks and coordinators like most of us change our socks. And the unit still smells.

49ers key player

LB NaVorro Bowman

For the first time in four years, someone other than Patrick Willis will start at inside linebacker. Bowman, a third-round pick from Penn State, is that guy. Willis has killed the Cardinals, and the rest of the NFL, for the past four years, so no one in Arizona is sorry to see the Pro Bowler sit out with a hand injury. Willis never left the field and was as good against the pass as the run. The Cardinals can only hope that means a more productive running game for them. They’ve averaged 49 rushing yards against the 49ers during the current three-game losing streak.

49ers injury report

CB Phillip Adams (ankle), LB Keaton Kristick (concussion), T Joe Staley (fibula), LB Patrick Willis (hand), out; TE Nate Byham (heel), RB Brian Westbrook (not injury related), C David Baas (ribs), RB Anthony Dixon (ankle), LB Takeo Spikes (hand), TE Vernon Davis (thumb).

49ers on offense

The 49ers have changed quarterbacks, fired offensive coordinators and now have made a change at head coach. The one constant throughout has been a terrible offense. Losing running back Frank Gore to injury was damaging but Brian Westbrook hurt the Cardinals five weeks ago. The Cardinals defense, however, has played better in its past three games. End Calais Campbell is finally producing, and Daryl Washington gives the team more speed at linebacker. Using a 4-3 alignment more has helped a little, too. The Cardinals will need some turnovers to win today, and the secondary could provide them. This group might not always cover as well as it should, but the starters don’t drop many potential interceptions.

Edge: Cardinals

Special teams

49ers punt returner Ted Ginn is dangerous and capable of turning a game around. Kicker Jeff Reed has made all eight field-goal attempts since replacing the injured Joe Nedney. Cardinals returner LaRod Stephens-Howling might miss another game with a sore hamstring, and that’s a blow. The Cardinals need all the help they can get, and Stephens-Howling can change field position and the scoreboard.

Edge: Cardinals

Bottom line

Both teams are 5-10 and have suffered embarrassing losing streaks this season. This game likely will come down to motivation. How hard will each team play with nothing on the line? Players love to talk about this being a rivalry, but it has to be hard to get mentally prepared to play a season finale that means nothing other than draft status. The Cardinals should have the edge. They have won two of three, although both victories were against bad teams.

Prediction

Cardinals 23, 49ers 17

Click here for a slideshow view of this story

Click here for a slideshow view of this story

Cardinals first and foremost

Play hard defensively. It’s simple, but the Cardinals seemed to sleep walk through the middle part of this schedule. They lacked intensity and the results were ugly. The unit has played better over the past three weeks, and has seemed to develop some passion for the game. The 49ers’ offense shouldn’t do much today if the Cardinals defense is ready to play. But history suggests that’s a significant “if.”

Cardinals key stat

21.4 That’s the percentage of time the Cardinals have converted on third down over the past eight games. What makes that statistic worse is the Cardinals have not had even one decent outing during that time. Their best effort was 27 percent against the Chiefs. Early in the year, the problem was poor execution on early downs left third-and-long situations. Lately, however, the Cardinals have been in manageable situations, but have been unable to convert.

Cardinals key player

Defensive end Calais Campbell
Over the past month, Campbell is finally playing at the high level expected of him this season. Three of his six sacks have come in December and more than half his tackles (25 of 49). His lack of production in the first months of the season, however, hurt this team greatly. If Campbell continues to play well, the Cardinals’ defensive line is better than average.

Cardinals injury report

OLB Joey Porter (triceps), OLB Clark Haggans (groin), TE Ben Patrick (hamstring), RB LaRod Stephens-Howling (hamstring)

Cardinals on offense

The 49ers’ defense gave the Cardinals trouble even when Kurt Warner was quarterback. Nothing the Cardinals are doing now scares them. The 49ers’ secondary looked confused at times last week against the Rams, but the Cardinals can go for quarters without a first down. They hardly looked receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s way last week, and he caught only one pass. That’s inexcusable for someone who should be the center of the offense. Quarterback John Skelton needs to give Fitzgerald chances to make some plays. The Cardinals have not been able to run much on the 49ers, but the 49ers are playing without inside linebacker Patrick Willis for the first time in four years. If the Cardinals are ever going to move the ball on the ground in San Francisco, today is the day.

Edge: 49ers

49ers first and foremost

The Cardinals are still vulnerable against the run, even though they have employed more of the 4-3 scheme in recent weeks. The 49ers are missing running back Frank Gore, but Brian Westbrook is a capable replacement. He hurt the Cardinals in their first game. The Cardinals can be gashed with big plays, so the 49ers need to hit a couple if they are going to win.

49ers key stat

8 That’s the number of seasons that have passed since the 49ers last had a winning record (10-6 in 2002). Every other team in the division has won at least one division title in that time. This year’s 5-10 record got Mike Singletary fired as coach last week, and the 49ers will go in yet another direction this off-season. The 49ers’ offensive failures are mostly to blame. They’ve changed philosophies, quarterbacks and coordinators like most of us change our socks. And the unit still smells.

49ers key player

LB NaVorro Bowman

For the first time in four years, someone other than Patrick Willis will start at inside linebacker. Bowman, a third-round pick from Penn State, is that guy. Willis has killed the Cardinals, and the rest of the NFL, for the past four years, so no one in Arizona is sorry to see the Pro Bowler sit out with a hand injury. Willis never left the field and was as good against the pass as the run. The Cardinals can only hope that means a more productive running game for them. They’ve averaged 49 rushing yards against the 49ers during the current three-game losing streak.

49ers injury report

CB Phillip Adams (ankle), LB Keaton Kristick (concussion), T Joe Staley (fibula), LB Patrick Willis (hand), out; TE Nate Byham (heel), RB Brian Westbrook (not injury related), C David Baas (ribs), RB Anthony Dixon (ankle), LB Takeo Spikes (hand), TE Vernon Davis (thumb).

49ers on offense

The 49ers have changed quarterbacks, fired offensive coordinators and now have made a change at head coach. The one constant throughout has been a terrible offense. Losing running back Frank Gore to injury was damaging but Brian Westbrook hurt the Cardinals five weeks ago. The Cardinals defense, however, has played better in its past three games. End Calais Campbell is finally producing, and Daryl Washington gives the team more speed at linebacker. Using a 4-3 alignment more has helped a little, too. The Cardinals will need some turnovers to win today, and the secondary could provide them. This group might not always cover as well as it should, but the starters don’t drop many potential interceptions.

Edge: Cardinals

Special teams

49ers punt returner Ted Ginn is dangerous and capable of turning a game around. Kicker Jeff Reed has made all eight field-goal attempts since replacing the injured Joe Nedney. Cardinals returner LaRod Stephens-Howling might miss another game with a sore hamstring, and that’s a blow. The Cardinals need all the help they can get, and Stephens-Howling can change field position and the scoreboard.

Edge: Cardinals

Bottom line

Both teams are 5-10 and have suffered embarrassing losing streaks this season. This game likely will come down to motivation. How hard will each team play with nothing on the line? Players love to talk about this being a rivalry, but it has to be hard to get mentally prepared to play a season finale that means nothing other than draft status. The Cardinals should have the edge. They have won two of three, although both victories were against bad teams.

Prediction

Cardinals 23, 49ers 17

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