49ers seek strong pass rusher

Since 2003, NFL players have racked up double-digit sacks in a season 94 times.

Not once did it happen for the 49ers.

Keep that in mind Saturday when the 49ers have the No. 10 pick in the draft. A handful of promising edge rushers might still be on the board, perhaps including Texas' Brian Orakpo, Penn State's Aaron Maybin, Florida State's Everette Brown and Tennessee's Robert Ayers.

For a team starved for a pass rush in its 3-4 alignment, that's a tantalizing buffet. The 49ers have a long list of draft needs, but finding someone to bring heat on the opposing quarterback retains its annual spot near the top of their list.

As Coach Mike Singletary said near the end of last season:

"I want to sack the quarterbacka middle- to late-round pick and groom him under the radar for a season or two.

As he said repeatedly during a tame free-agent season, McCloughan wants to build through the draft. Even the 49ers' signings did little to rule out possible picks.

Marvel Smith, for example, is likely only a short-term fix at right tackle. Smith, 30, managed only five games last season because of back problems.

He says he's healthy again, but, burned by Jonas Jennings' lack of durability, the 49ers understand better than most teams the need for depth up front.

They probably pick too low to get Baylor's Jason Smith or Virginia's Eugene Monroe, but Alabama tackle Andre Smith could be there as a roll of the dice because of questions about his character. As Pro Football Weekly