A TENTATIVE DRAFT

Free Agency

Given the uncertainty that the lack of collective bargaining agreement brings to free agency, I am not sure we can count on signing any major free agents from other teams. We should sign:

Ahmad Brooks Aubrayo Franklin Mat Wilhelm
David Baas Dre’ Bly

I approach this draft with caution. There is a long way to go before the draft. And I will acknowledge that my reading of the team and our draft needs was not that good last year.

Last year, when the team did not draft a pass rushing outside linebacker, I was, along with most people on the board, more than a little dumbfounded and perhaps it would be more correct to say more than a little angry.

In 2008, we ranked 16th in the league with 30 sacks; this year 3rd with 44. Even though the team did not draft that pass rushing OLB that we assumed was obligatory, our pass rush improved quite substantially. The players on the team stepped up. Manny Lawson, whom many considered, or were ready to consider, a bust, had his best year. Ahmad Brooks, under the patient mentorship of Singletary, began to emerge as a disruptive force at OLB.

A year ago in this forum Aubrayo Franklin was generally considered a waste of roster space. Most felt that we needed to draft a “true” nose tackle. Apparently, the team did not agree. No nose tackle was drafted. Today, we have a nose tackle. Franklin, even though he might not be a “true” nose tackle is considered among the best nose tackles in the game. Now, we want Franklin signed to a long deal contract or franchised.

In looking at this draft, I no longer assume that there is a lack of talent on the team. Even though I might see them, solutions for the current weaknesses of today might already be on the team. Cautiously aware that the talent level on the team may be higher than I assume, in this draft I look less for immediate solutions and more for the best player available.

Singletary’s work with Vernon Davis and Ahmad Brooks has convinced me that the team as a whole has developed enough to draft a player with character issues.


DRAFT

1A 13TH Rolando McClain * ILB 6' 4" 255 Alabama

Best Player available. Intelligent, hard working, and a physical talent. Could play inside or out in a 3-4.
Does not fill an immediate need, but he willwhen Takeo Spikes hangs up his cleats.

1B 17TH Mike Iupati OG 6’ 5” 330 Idaho

The best prospect at guard since Larry Allen. He fills a need—at guard or maybe right tackle.

2 49th Mardy Gilyard WR 6-0 190 Cincinnati

We should send the Florida defense a thank you note. They shut him down, and now he falls to us. A good receiver. One of the best return men in the draft, and we do need a return man.

3 80th Parrish Cox CB 6' 0" 198 Oklahoma State

Like Gilyard he is one the best return men in the draft and he is good in coverage. He should have been picked already, but his inability to understand the word curfew drops him a full-round in the draft.

4 ?? Torrell Troup DT 6' 3" 314 UCF

Very strong and dedicated to getting better. Insurance for Franklin.

5 ?? Myron Rolle SS 6' 2" 223 Florida State

Rhodes scholar. Incredible character. If he had dedicated himself to football in college, he would be a high pick in this draft.

6 ??h Deji Karim RB 5’ 9” 195 Southern Illinois

We need some speed in our backfield and not only does this guy kid have speed, he knows what to do with it.

7 ??h Danny Batten OLB 6' 3" 250 South Dakota St

If Batten is still on the board, we should take him. I have him as a 4th to 5th round talent, but I far as I have been able to determine, he has not been invited to any of the post season all-star games or the combine. This indicates that he will fall.

Notwithstanding your comments, you seem to have addressed every issue except the one which plagued this season. Much as I like Iupati, that is just a start. And whole draft without a single OT. Look for webzone meltdown if the team miss all of the various promising tackles . Can't see it panning out this way

Notwithstanding your comments, you seem to have addressed every issue except the one which plagued this season. Much as I like Iupati, that is just a start. A whole draft without a single OT! . Look for webzone meltdown if the team miss all of the various promising tackles . Can't see it panning out this way

Originally posted by English:
Notwithstanding your comments, you seem to have addressed every issue except the one which plagued this season. Much as I like Iupati, that is just a start. And whole draft without a single OT. Look for webzone meltdown if the team miss all of the various promising tackles . Can't see it panning out this way

I am sure that you are right about the reaction, let the meltdown begin.

But reaction aside, we do have some possible starting right tackles on the squad and those possibilites are not pure fantsy.

Barry Sims played very well at left tackle last year, surprising well in fact. He could move to the right side.

I do not think that we can discount Tony Pashos potential. He has been a starter for both Jacksonville and Baltimore. Last year, he was hurt last year. He might be back and able to play right tackle.

Alex Boone was resigned recently. He made it through his rookie year without any meltdowns off the field. He had promise in college. He might be able to play right tackle. OK. I will admit that Boone is a bit of a fantsy.

Originally posted by buck:

Originally posted by English:
Notwithstanding your comments, you seem to have addressed every issue except the one which plagued this season. Much as I like Iupati, that is just a start. And whole draft without a single OT. Look for webzone meltdown if the team miss all of the various promising tackles . Can't see it panning out this way

I am sure that you are right about the reaction, let the meltdown begin.

But reaction aside, we do have some possible starting right tackles on the squad and those possibilites are not pure fantsy.

Barry Sims played very well at left tackle last year, surprising well in fact. He could move to the right side.

I do not think that we can discount Tony Pashos potential. He has been a starter for both Jacksonville and Baltimore. Last year, he was hurt last year. He might be back and able to play right tackle.

Alex Boone was resigned recently. He made it through his rookie year without any meltdowns off the field. He had promise in college. He might be able to play right tackle. OK. I will admit that Boone is a bit of a fantsy.

Although I would love to be as optimistic as you, I do not feel we have the talent or coaching on our team for RT. Pashos is still an unknown so I give you credit for that but can the coach do anything with him. Sims has proven this year that he is a reliable backup on the LEFT side, his past already says he is NOT good on the right side.
Where does this leave us....looking to draft a RT and pray that Sing's wisdom can be instilled into our Oline coach. As most of us feel, I think we should have went shopping for a new Oline coach but instead we are keeping a low talent coach. Our real weekness in the past was a lack of continuity but it was with the OC not the Oline coach. We still do not have the talent to protect Smith so that he can make the throws without getting into the fetal position or showing the opposing Dline a-holes and elbows while trying to make a throw.
If we do not draft Oline early we are going to see the same outcome as 09 and that would be 8-8, out of the playoffs.

Though I like McClain, I don't think we need another superstar next to Willis. It would be a bit of overkill in my opinion. We have bigger pressing needs then another ILB.

Originally posted by mayo63:
Though I like McClain, I don't think we need another superstar next to Willis. It would be a bit of overkill in my opinion. We have bigger pressing needs then another ILB.

Agree. Only if we were planning on him rushing from the OLB position alot then we don't need another 1st round guy by Willis.

I have a feeling McClain will be gone when we pick. I think Denver gets him.

Originally posted by miked1978:
I have a feeling McClain will be gone when we pick. I think Denver gets him.

Yeah, Nolan will want his own Patrick Willis.

Originally posted by miked1978:
I have a feeling McClain will be gone when we pick. I think Denver gets him.

I also think that McClain is the logic pick for Denver.

But, Josh McDaniels benched their best reciever, an all pro WR, in a game that playoff implications. In fact, he did not even let him dress for the game.

I think, or hope, they reach for the top WR in the draft with their pick.

Their is a rumor circulating in the Seattle area, even mentioned on the local news, that the Seahawks are interested in trading for Brandon Marshall.

Hmmm.... I wonder how these things get started. The Seahawks don't even have a GM at the moment.

Originally posted by buck:
Free Agency

Given the uncertainty that the lack of collective bargaining agreement brings to free agency, I am not sure we can count on signing any major free agents from other teams. We should sign:

Ahmad Brooks Aubrayo Franklin Mat Wilhelm
David Baas Dre’ Bly

I approach this draft with caution. There is a long way to go before the draft. And I will acknowledge that my reading of the team and our draft needs was not that good last year.

Last year, when the team did not draft a pass rushing outside linebacker, I was, along with most people on the board, more than a little dumbfounded and perhaps it would be more correct to say more than a little angry.

In 2008, we ranked 16th in the league with 30 sacks; this year 3rd with 44. Even though the team did not draft that pass rushing OLB that we assumed was obligatory, our pass rush improved quite substantially. The players on the team stepped up. Manny Lawson, whom many considered, or were ready to consider, a bust, had his best year. Ahmad Brooks, under the patient mentorship of Singletary, began to emerge as a disruptive force at OLB.

A year ago in this forum Aubrayo Franklin was generally considered a waste of roster space. Most felt that we needed to draft a “true” nose tackle. Apparently, the team did not agree. No nose tackle was drafted. Today, we have a nose tackle. Franklin, even though he might not be a “true” nose tackle is considered among the best nose tackles in the game. Now, we want Franklin signed to a long deal contract or franchised.

In looking at this draft, I no longer assume that there is a lack of talent on the team. Even though I might see them, solutions for the current weaknesses of today might already be on the team. Cautiously aware that the talent level on the team may be higher than I assume, in this draft I look less for immediate solutions and more for the best player available.

Singletary’s work with Vernon Davis and Ahmad Brooks has convinced me that the team as a whole has developed enough to draft a player with character issues.


DRAFT

1A 13TH Rolando McClain * ILB 6' 4" 255 Alabama

Best Player available. Intelligent, hard working, and a physical talent. Could play inside or out in a 3-4.
Does not fill an immediate need, but he willwhen Takeo Spikes hangs up his cleats.

1B 17TH Mike Iupati OG 6’ 5” 330 Idaho

The best prospect at guard since Larry Allen. He fills a need—at guard or maybe right tackle.

2 49th Mardy Gilyard WR 6-0 190 Cincinnati

We should send the Florida defense a thank you note. They shut him down, and now he falls to us. A good receiver. One of the best return men in the draft, and we do need a return man.

3 80th Parrish Cox CB 6' 0" 198 Oklahoma State

Like Gilyard he is one the best return men in the draft and he is good in coverage. He should have been picked already, but his inability to understand the word curfew drops him a full-round in the draft.

4 ?? Torrell Troup DT 6' 3" 314 UCF

Very strong and dedicated to getting better. Insurance for Franklin.

5 ?? Myron Rolle SS 6' 2" 223 Florida State

Rhodes scholar. Incredible character. If he had dedicated himself to football in college, he would be a high pick in this draft.

6 ??h Deji Karim RB 5’ 9” 195 Southern Illinois

We need some speed in our backfield and not only does this guy kid have speed, he knows what to do with it.

7 ??h Danny Batten OLB 6' 3" 250 South Dakota St

If Batten is still on the board, we should take him. I have him as a 4th to 5th round talent, but I far as I have been able to determine, he has not been invited to any of the post season all-star games or the combine. This indicates that he will fall.

Wow, what an unbelievably good post. My friend, you are a good writer. You took out your bias, your opinions and drew from a different perspective and allowed us to see it from that perspective as well. Great job man!

i do not want to waste a 1st rd pick on a ilb. i dont care how good mcclain is we got way bigger needs than ilb.

Good post. I feel we MUST get a high quality OT. Sims played well at LOT but is old and getting older. We have a very good opportunity to get an OT that can play at a high level for years. Let's fix the Oline and get it done.

Tks for the great post and analysis ! I say that Denver goes for McClain as their BPA, but ya never know...so if they don't, then it's a wonderful predicament for the 49ers in terms of BPA or trade down. But to continue with the thread, If it plays out in the 1st rd., then the 49ers would better address the OL in the 2nd/3rd with J.Fox/V.Ducasse - both athletic, lateral quickness, bulk.. can play LT/RT. In regards, to Safety pos., I still have hopes for Reggie Smith to recover from his groin injuries and come back strong for 2010 for one of the safety positions.