ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The 49ers had to like where they were sitting at No. 10 once the Jaguars selected Virginia tackle Eugene Monroe at No. 8. At that point, the 49ers knew Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree, Mississippi tackle Michael Oher or Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji would fall to them in the 10th slot.

Raji went to the Packers at No. 9. That left Crabtree available to the 49ers somewhat unexpectedly. The suspense was building. Would 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan take the most talented player available, even though McCloughan's teams had drafted only one receiver among the top 55 overall choices during his 15-year personnel career?

The ultimate decision to select Crabtree over Oher and the other available players allowed the 49ers to maximize the value of that choice. This pick was an easy one from a value standpoint. Crabtree is arguably among the three most talented prospects in the draft. The 49ers landed him in the 10th spot. Crabtree comes to them with much to prove. He'll need to mature. The fatherly role Mike Singletary likes to play will apply here.

This is a relatively high-risk choice. However, the 49ers had a need. Crabtree was certainly talented enough to warrant a top-10 selection. That makes this a good pick for the 49ers, even with the risk.