-Myles G. goes #1 over all to the Browns
-Jimmy Garrapolo is out of reach
-With the hiring of Saleh, 49er's switch to a 4-3 defense.
-All draft picks are there when selected, obviously
-Jets receive a 4th rd. comp pick for Damon Harrison
HC: Kyle Shanahan
OC: Kyle Shanahan
DC: Robert Saleh
FA:
Zach Brown, LB: Addresses a huge need, regardless of scheme. Brown is a baller, and the Bills are in cap trouble.
Brandon Williams, NT: Another major need regardless of scheme. A large reason for the worst defense in team history was a major weakness at NT.
Ron Leary, G: Solid ZBS guard who wanted out of Dallas last year. Would immediately step in and start.
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Matt Schaub, QB: Stop gap QB. Not only familiar with Shanny's offense, but had his best year under him, making the playoffs and the probowl.
Patrick DiMarco, FB: We need a FB because our last one punches old people. Helps that DiMarco is arguably the 2nd best FB in the NFL and played in this O.
Tom Compton, RT: Backup OL familiar with Shanny's outside ZBS.
Lance Dunbar, RB: Solid change of pace back buried under Dallas' superb rb depth chart.
Notes: I would love to also sign a CB such as an A.J. Bouye, but I wanted to keep this mock at least somewhat realistic. I don't expect us to rebuild half the team with top tier star FA.
Draft:
***Trade R1P2 (#2 overall) to Jets for R1P6 (#6 overall), R2P38, and their 4th rd. pick***
***Trade the Jets 4th rd. pick, a 7th rd. and a 7th or 6th rd. 2018 pick to move back into the back of the 3rd rd.***
R1P6: Malik Hooker, FS: If we make the switch to a predominantly single high safety, a FS with the ball skills and play making ability of Hooker is essential. Jimmy Ward would also succeed in this position, but with the Nickle package becoming more and more prevalent in the NFL, this pick would allow us to rotate at FS and move Ward down to the slot. Given Saleh's connection to Seattle. and the speculation and comparisons to their scheme, having our own Earl Thomas will be key. There are plenty of directions to go in the draft with this pick, but safeties of this caliber with this much upside don't come around very often.
R2P34: Takkarist McKinely, WDE: Our game changing weak side DE, something our current personnel is sorely lacking should we convert to a base 4-3. The depth at EDGE in this years draft sets us up perfectly...
R2P38: Vidauntae "Taco" Charlton, SDE: Our game changing strong side DE. Can get after the passer or set an edge. We get both of our DEs of the future in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft, setting us up with a young and talented DL for years to come.
R3: Cooper Kupp, WR: We are sorely lacking at WR, but I couldn't help but go defense with the first 3 picks considering we just had the worst statistical defensive season in team history, AND are potentially changing scheme. That being said, Cooper Kupp is a mighty fine consolation prize for missing out on Corey Davis. Potential to develop into a true #1 receiver. Big, productive, reliable, and technically sound. Proved himself vs better competition at the Senior Bowl.
R3: Ethan Pocic, C: I'm not sold on Joshua Garnett being a great fit in an outside ZBS, so really, I'd be fine with the best interior OL still available. I am also a fan of guard Dorian Johnson, after another user here recommended I check his film, but I think Pocic is more likely to still be available here. However, he very well may be gone this relatively late in the draft as well. Outside of the top 2-3 LT prospects, big boards have O-linemen all over the place, as always.
R4: Nathan Peterman, QB: I don't have high expectations for Peterman to be "the answer" at QB, but I do think he will be a mid to top tier backup, while still at least having the potential to become a true franchise QB in a WCO. This is the pick for Shanahan to work his magic and develop, while still fully intending to go QB next year as well. I'm personally hoping we aim for either Kirk Cousins in FA or Sam Darnold in the draft.
R4: Kareem Hunt, RB: Perfect compliment to Hyde, Hunt can do it all. The two of them together create the tandem that will be wildly successful in our scheme.
R5: Ryan Switzer, WR: Dude is always open. Can only imagine how much he can excel in a WCO when on the same rhythm as the QB.
R5: Jeremy Sprinkle, TE: Well rounded blocking TE who will help our run game, and offers good value for 3 TE sets.
R6: Kendall Beckwith, LB: Ode to Balke! Beckwith drops due to injury, but we badly need LB help, and this is great value.
R6: Alex Anzalone, LB: Doubling up on LB in the 6th is a low risk, huge reward move. Anzalone has major injury concerns, having never been able to stay healthy, but will be a star if he can prove that trend to be broken.
R7: Xavier Woods, SS: I don't expect Reid to be around much longer, and I like the upside of Woods, a true SS.
UDFA: Pharoah Brown, TE: Don't know much about players this late in the draft, and were bound to take a flyer on quite a few UDFA, but I like the redzone potential of Brown. Huge target with basketball level body control, but obviously a HUGE redflag in the injury department after almost having his leg amputated because of a non contact injury.
Notes: I intentionally selected defensive players who I think will succeed, even should we revert back a 3-4 in the near future as some here as speculating.
Offense:
Bold: Draft
Italics: FA
QB: Matt Schaub, Nathan Peterman
RB: Carlos Hyde, Kareem Hunt, Lance Dunbar
FB: Patrick DiMarco
LT: Joe Staley, John Theus
LG: Ron Leary
C: Zane Beadles, Ethan Pocic
RG: Joshua Garnett
RT: Trent Brown, Tom Compton
WRX: Cooper Kupp, Eric Rodgers
WRZ: Torrey Smith, Aaron Burbridge
WR3: Ryan Switzer, Jeremy Kerley, Bruce Ellington
TE: Vance McDonald, Jeremy Sprinkle, Blake Bell
Notes: QB, OL, and WR will still need focus later in the rebuild. Retaining Beadles provides good depth in case of injury, as he can move to guard, or even tackle, if necessary.
Defense:
DL:
Young and talented. Players such as Tank will get another chance to revitalize their careers. Strong rotation/depth.
Weak side "LEO" DE: Takkarist McKinley, Cornelius "Tank" Carradine
3T: DeForest Buckner
Nickel: Arik Armstead
NT: Brandon Williams, Glenn Dorsey
Strong side DE: Vidaunte "Taco" Charlton, Aaron Lynch
Move around line: Ronald Blair, Chris Jones
LB:
Versatile LB corps full of players who can move around and interchange between the 3 lb spots. Selections will also excel should we move back to a 3-4 in the future.
Will: Alex Anzalone, Ray-Ray Armstrong
Mike: Navarro Bowman, Kendall Beckwith
Sam: Zach Brown. Eli Harold
DB:
Ward will be starting FS with Hooker coming in and Ward moving to the slot in nickel. Can also play Ward outside and have Hooker play FS full time if that is how things shake out in camp.
CB: Will Redmond, Rashard Robinson, Dontae Johnson, Keith Reaser
Nickel: Jimmy Ward, Will Redmond
FS: Jimmy Ward, Malik Hooker
SS: Jaquiski Tartt, Xavier Woods
ST:
P: Bradley Pinion
K: Phil Dawson
LS: Kyle Nelson
Note: sad to miss out on the following players: Soloman Thomas, Corey Davis, Patrick Mahomes II, Haason Reddick, Joe Mixon
