Originally posted by genus49:
Originally posted by NinerGM:
When I look at the 49er offense last year, you're correct in assessing that we didn't have a WR outside of Sanders who could create consistent separation and have deep speed. I struggle with a WR as the first priority because the reason why our passing game was essentially middle of the field and slant heavy is simply because PP doesn't consistently hold. For me it's not accident that Kittle is a star and a YAC king. If we look at Deebo, it's the same. I don't know if it's that we can't consistently attack deep because we don't have enough speed versus we're not holding up in PP. I see a lot of short passing when I go through and look at 49er passing games, granted prior to Sanders there were separation issues, but more likely than not it appears to be both.
I can't see us taking advantage of an elite WR if we don't have the PP to execute great passing plays. I'd recommend items 1 and 2 are linked.
Thoughts bud?
They are linked but in the case of Ruggs just because he's got blazing speed doesn't mean all you're throwing are go routes or other long developing routes. Guys like Ruggs can take a slant all the way to the house.
The threat of the deep speed alone helps the offense and keeps the defense honest.
I'd also say your odds of finding a well rounded speed guy like Ruggs later in the draft are limited but finding a pretty good IOL are better later in the draft.
I definitely think WR is a key need for us with so many unknowns but IOL has to be fixed. I think the team may like Brunskill inside instead of Person and assuming Richburg is back healthy then the pass blocking inside would look a hell of a lot better than i did in the SB.
However I can also certainly see us go with one of the top OTs left on the board at 13 to play RG until Joe is ready to retire and then go WR in a deep class with 31 or after a trade down. I just think we'll be looking at potentially the 4th best OT in the class vs the 1/2 best WR in the class. And to me if Ruggs is there I think he's Kyle's #1 WR.
Interesting thread here...
Regarding the OP, I disagree that you need to take defense first, particularly with the thought that you need to take a DL first. Lynch and Co. seem to be pretty good at finding DL overall, and I think the personnel group works out where you can afford to focus on something else this draft. On defense, edge rusher and CB are the only two positions I can see for #13, but I'm talking only that Okudah fellow at CB or an edge rusher that very well doesn't exist in this draft. If Okudah falls, I think he is really hard to pass up.
Regarding the WR group, it seems like if you assume a poorer OL, Ruggs is the guy, and if you assume a better OL, Jeudy's skill set makes it a tough choice. If you take Jeudy, then maybe you plan on taking Ruiz at #31. If you take Ruggs, then maybe you have more flexibility.
Wouldn't surpise me if #13 was basically designed for Ruggs, but if Okudah somehow falls we take him instead. If neither are available, trade back with Indy for #34 and #44 and have a lot more flexibility including the possibility of DL or Edge with our top pick.
