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49ers Wanted to Trade Back: Aldon Smith BPA

Apr 29, 2011 at 1:33 PM

An interesting tidbit came out of Eric Branch's article detailing the post-pick interview with Trent Baalke.

Trent Baalke: At the end of the day, all the teams that were in and around us just wanted to stand pat, so there just wasn't an opportunity to do anything.

After the commissioner read out the pick, the collective feeling on our forums was "where is the nearest baby. I want to punch it." There was a contingent of people who wanted Gabbert, and that's understandable. But a whole different group is upset that the 49ers didn't trade down.

The problem with trading is that it takes a willing partner to seal the deal. The 49ers were like Steve Carrell in the 40-year old virgin - they had the right idea, but didn't have any willing partners.

So they had to draft someone, and they took Aldon Smith.

It wasn't Harbaugh's affinity for the name A. Smith that drew the team to Smith. He is rated as a 7.5 JX on Wes Bunting's scouting scale at National Football Post. That means Smith is a year one starter who is a someone teams can scheme around. Clearly the kid has some talent, or people wouldn't have projected him to be drafted by the 9-15 range.

If you were someone who wanted Gabbert, chances are you are inconsolable. You probably also curl into the fetal position when you see the name "Smith" on the back of a 49er jersey - so I understand why you would recoil at this year's pick.

But at the very least - let's get some NFL game film on Aldon Smith before 49er fans write him off.

The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.

2 Comments

  • Nixk
    Remember when Oscar wanted to protest Jed not getting Harbaugh? LMAO! OWNED
    Apr 29, 2011 at 2:24 PM
    0
    Response: I do remember. Had Jed not gotten him (based on the whole Miami flirtation) I would have been VERY upset. Why is wanting to protest that, even in hindsight, a bad thing?
  • Nick S.
    The pick of Aldon Smith was only a reach if you consider the Texans were mocked to pick him at #11 by numerous sources. So yeah... not that much of a reach. Onward!
    Apr 29, 2011 at 2:16 PM
    0
    Response: I agree, it's a slight reach, but not as bad as everyone thinks. And we really won't know for sure for a couple years.

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