In the last decade, the Niners have had thirteen first round NFL Draft selections. Of those thirteen selections, six are currently on the Niners’ roster heading into training camp. They are, Kentwan Balmer, Patrick Willis, Joe Staley, Manny Lawson, Vernon Davis, and of course, Alex Smith. Using my advanced subtraction skills, that leaves seven number one picks in the last ten years who are elsewhere. Two players are currently on NFL rosters, Andre Carter in Washington, and Julian Peterson in Detroit. Four players are out of the NFL, Rashaun Woods, Mike Rumph, Ahmed Plummer, and Reggie McGrew, and one player, Kwame Harris, might be soon. So one can certainly see that the Niners have built a track record here that isn’t exactly stellar. To date, only Willis, Staley, and Peterson have been what one could call “impact players.” The Niners have also made some just horrendous picks in round one (see the out of football list). Hopefully, last year’s number one, Mr. Balmer won’t be joining that fraternity. So with April 25th on the horizon, how will the Niners fare with the tenth overall pick, providing they don’t trade it? It’s imperative that they select a player who can come in and start in year one, like a Willis, or a Staley. Maybe that’s a defensive end, right tackle, or linebacker? The Niners also currently hold the 43rd pick in the upcoming draft, another high choice that should land them a starter now, or in the very near term. Here perhaps a free safety, corner, wide receiver, or another stud running back to compliment Frank Gore. I have been outspoken about my concerns regarding the Jed York-Mike Singletary-Scot McCloughan management team. This certainly looks like anything but a power line-up to me. But, perhaps I’m dead wrong, and the three amigos will pull off a stellar draft and secure both some immediate and future help for the ball club.
MN
March 31, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Yeah, I really hope they don’t screw this up. But I don’t have a lot of faith. Maybe they’ll get draft help from Al Davis. LOL.
March 31, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Criticizing past off season’s with McCloughan is fair but lumping Jed York and Mike Singletary is not. They may have failed at landing Kurt Warner but it wasn’t due to a lack of effort. I am glad that they at least tried getting him, not just to improve the Niners but to lessen a division rival as well. Some of the number 1 draft picks you mentioned were under Donahue so that was misleading as well.
One fact that you omitted entirely was Mike Nolan. Perhaps his decisions have a lot to do with the development of the players chosen by San Fran. I saw a much more competitive team when Nolan was replaced by Singletary. Your assessment could turn out to be correct but the jury is out and they deserve at least a chance before rendering a decision.
March 31, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Using the last “ten” years is not a good or fair time period to assess the Scot McCloughan. The ten-year period had three different general managers. If you look at the production of draft picks under McCloughan’s tenure, the jury is still out. For first rounders, Alex Smith, Manny Lawson, Vernon Davis, Kentwan Balmer, Patrick Willis and Joe Staley are all still on the team. Only Alex Smith has had a spotty career so far, and injuries played a big part. It’s still too early to tell about Balmer. If you look at McCloughan’s drafts as a whole, he has one of the better records for players making the team and contributing.