Niners won't lose sight of best available athlete

SANTA CLARA — Assuming the 49ers remain at the No. 10 overall spot in the draft, nothing will automatically be awarded to that player.

Well, nothing will be guaranteed other than approximately $14 million expected to be slotted for the 10th player chosen in Saturday’s NFL draft.

The 49ers, who have failed to make the playoffs in each of the past six seasons, have plenty of needs heading into this weekend’s draft. That is why 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan said he will not try to fill particular needs early in the draft.

“It’s important we don’t lose sight of taking the best football player,” McCloughan said. “I’m not going to sit back and say we’re great at any one position. We got to get better at every position.”

But McCloughan said it is not even a foregone conclusion the player the 49ers add with their first-round pick will be an immediate starter.

“It would be great if (he were), but I don’t live year to year,” he said. “It’s important to win right now. We all understand that and we’re planning to win right now. But, also, I have to look two, four, six years out.”

Here is a look at the 49ers’ position-by-position breakdown:

QUARTERBACK

Who’s here: Shaun Hill, Alex Smith, Damon Huard.

Draft needs: The 49ers went after Kurt Warner in free agency and showed initial interest in Jay Cutler. But that does not mean the 49ers will spend a high pick on a quarterback. The last thing they need to make is a three-way quarterback competition. Mark Sanchez of USC could be tempting if he lasts until the 49ers’ first pick. They could also trade back and get a quarterback in the middle rounds.

RUNNING BACK

Who’s here: Frank Gore, Moran Norris, Michael Robinson, Thomas Clayton, Zak Keasey.

Draft needs: The 49ers will definitely select a running back in this draft. Knowshon Moreno (Georgia) might be the highest-rated back on their board, but they can easily wait until the third or fourth rounds and still get a good complement to Gore.

WIDE RECEIVER

Who’s here: Isaac Bruce, Josh Morgan, Brandon Jones, Arnaz Battle, Jason Hill, Dominique Zeigler, Micheal Spurlock, Mark Bradford, Maurice Price.

Draft needs: If Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech is available at No. 10, the 49ers would be expected to take him. But might they also grab Jeremy Maclin of Missouri? This is another position that has some depth. The 49ers would like to increase the competition by adding a speedy receiver.

TIGHT ENDS

Who’s here: Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker, J.J. Finley.

Draft needs: Davis and Walker give the 49ers a pretty good one-two situation. But the team lost blocking specialist Billy Bajema in free agency, so look for them to pick up a big man late in the draft — perhaps the seventh round — to fill the need for short-yardage situations.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Who’s here: LT Joe Staley, LG David Baas, C Eric Heitmann, RG Chilo Rachal, RT Marvel Smith, T-G Adam Snyder, G Tony Wragge, C Cody Wallace, T Barry Sims, T Joe Toledo, T Jacob Bender.

Draft needs: The 49ers acquired veteran Smith in free agency to play right tackle. However, he has missed 15 games with back injuries the past two seasons. The 49ers would love to get one of the top tackles in this draft. Perhaps, Andre Smith (Alabama) will get the call as the No. 10 overall pick.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Who’s here: DE Isaac Sopoaga, NT Aubrayo Franklin, RE Justin Smith, DE Demetric Evans, DE Kentwan Balmer, DE Ray McDonald.

Draft needs: McDonald is coming off knee surgery, and it’s not known when he’ll be available to return. Although this unit looks OK as it is, the 49ers also have to account for injuries, while also looking to upgrade. This is not a strong year for defensive linemen in the draft. It’s unknown if the 49ers think Boston College’s B.J. Raji is worth the risk. But if Tyson Jackson of LSU is available at No. 10, he could be their guy.

LINEBACKERS

Who’s here: OLB Manny Lawson, ILB Patrick Willis, ILB Takeo Spikes, OLB Parys Haralson, ILB Jeff Ulbrich, OLB Ahmad Brooks, OLB Jay Moore, ILB Mark Washington, ILB Justin Roland.

Draft needs: The 49ers are likely to draft at least two linebackers. They need another outside pass rusher, and they would be wise to select an inside linebacker, too. The 49ers will likely wait until at least the second round to get their pass-rushing outside linebacker. Larry English (Northern Illinois), Lawrence Sidbury (Richmond), Clint Sintim (Virginia) and Connor Barwin (Cincinnati) are possibilities. The 49ers visited with USC inside linebacker Rey Maualuga a couple weeks ago.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Who’s here: CB Nate Clements, CB Walt Harris, S Michael Lewis, S Dashon Goldson, CB Shawntae Spencer, CB Tarell Brown, S Reggie Smith, S Mark Roman, CB Marcus Hudson, S Jimmy Williams, S Lewis Baker.

Draft needs: The 49ers are always looking for more bodies at these spots. They have given Roman permission to seek a trade, while elevating Goldson into the starting lineup. The 49ers could use more competition at cornerback, too.

SPECIALISTS

Who’s here: K Joe Nedney, P Andy Lee, LS Brian Jennings, RS Allen Rossum.

Draft needs: The 49ers signed Nedney to a two-year contract extension, and Lee is entering his prime. Jennings is solid, so there’s no need to replace the 10th-year player. The 49ers re-signed Rossum. Perhaps, they can draft a receiver with some return skills as an insurance policy.

For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@press

democrat.com.