The San Francisco 49ers have lacked a true No. 1 wide receiver since Terrell Owens and the organization parted ways following the 2003 season.

And they did not expect to get that No. 1 receiver with their first pick in the draft because there was only one receiver they would have selected with the No. 10 overall pick.

"It was one of the last scenarios that we would end up with," 49ers coach Mike Singletary said.

But the pieces unexpectedly fell into place that allowed the 49ers to select Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree in the first round.

"We got the best receiver in the draft, hands down," 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan said.

Crabtree will likely line up at split end, where his main competition for a starting job will be second-year player Josh Morgan. Veteran Isaac Bruce is the likely starter at flanker.

"I think he'll earn it and earn it pretty quick," McCloughan said. "But it won't be handed to him. ... I think he'll step up to the challenge and prove to us that we made the right pick."

Since Owens' departure, the 49ers have not had a wide receiver with more than 61 receptions in a single season. The 49ers added a receiver who is no stranger to making a lot of catches.

Crabtree had 231 receptions in his two college seasons, and added 41 touchdowns in just 26 games. He was named the winner of the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver both years.

Crabtree underwent surgery in March to repair a stress fracture in his left foot, which prevented him from running at the scouting combine or in the lead-up to the draft. The questions about Crabtree's speed was likely the major factor that contributed to his unexpected fall.

"When we look at the film, we see a guy who has a different speed," Singletary said. "I don't know how fast he is. I just know when he catches the ball, there's separation there. I know he's a physical guy and he's willing to block, so I'm very excited about all of the upside he has."

Crabtree's college coach, Mike Leach, said speed should not be a concern at the next level. After all, he knows what a successful NFL receiver looks like. New England's Wes Welker, who caught 223 passes the past two seasons, played for Leach.

"I happen to have coached the leading receiver in the NFL for the past two years, and suffice it to say that Michael Crabtree is faster than (Welker) is," Leach said.

Crabtree said he is just glad the whole ordeal is over.

"My whole thing was patience," Crabtree said. "I was just trying to be patient. Whoever was going to pick me, I was going to look forward to moving on and getting better and better every day."

BEST PICK: In a draft that seemed to be short on elite talent, the 49ers might have grabbed one with the No. 10 overall pick. Crabtree is a tough, physical receiver who will win over Singletary with his willingness to mix it up as a blocker. Maybe this wasn't as much a great pick, as it was lucky that he fell in the 49ers' lap.

COULD SURPRISE: Pittsburgh linebacker Scott McKillop, whom the 49ers selected in the fifth round, should be a special-teams standout early in his career and a really good player alongside Patrick Willis for a long time. McKillop will have the luxury of learning from veteran Takeo Spikes, as well as Hall of Fame coach Singletary.

A closer look at the 49ers' picks:

Round 1/10 - Michael Crabtree, WR, 6-2, 215, Texas Tech

The 49ers were ecstatic that Crabtree was there when it was time to pick. He is coming off surgery for a stress fracture in his left foot. The club expects him to be 100 percent for the opening of training camp, and likely win the starting job at split end.

Round 3/74 - Glen Coffee, RB, 6-0, 210, Alabama

The 49ers wanted a back to complement Frank Gore, and they selected Coffee over Andre Brown of North Carolina State. Coffee is a powerful runner who said he expects to put on 10 pounds for the rigors of the NFL. He has a similar style to Gore, saying he'd rather run over defenders than run around them.

Round 5/146 - Scott McKillop, ILB, 6-1, 245, Pittsburgh

The 49ers are in need of depth behind Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes at inside linebacker, and the club got it with the addition of the Big East defensive player of the year. McKillop, known as a hard-nosed competitor, should be an immediate contributor on special teams.

Round 5/171 - Nate Davis, QB, 6-2, 217, Ball State

Davis visited the 49ers two weeks ago and proved that his learning disability will not stand in the way of his comprehension of an NFL playbook. The 49ers already have Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and Damon Huard on the roster, but they decided Davis was well worth the investment of a fifth-round pick.

Round 6/184 - Bear Pascoe, TE, 6-5, 255, Fresno State

Pascoe is a relentless blocker who can immediately step into the role Billy Bajema held the past four seasons. Pascoe will be used as a blocking specialist, while also contributing on special teams.

Round 7/219 - Curtis Taylor, FS, 6-2, 210, Louisiana State

Taylor has good size and athletic ability. Therefore, the 49ers felt OK about taking a shot with a seventh-round pick. He could be a backup with a chance to contribute on special teams as a rookie.

Round 7/244 - Ricky Jean Francois, DE, 6-2, 295, Louisiana State

In their extensive film study of Tyson Jackson (third overall pick by the Chiefs), Jean-Francois kept showing up making plays. Although he was inconsistent, the 49ers believe he has a chance to be a good player in their 3-4 scheme.