With the NFL draft over a week old and fresh off a visit to the Niner Mini Camp, there has been some time to reflect on the recent draft and what it could have been for the Niners, at least in my opinion.
On a personal note, I have never been a, ”best athlete available” guy. Do you seriously think the Niners would have taken Jeff George, the quarterback from Ilinois, with the first pick in the 1990 NFL draft with Joe Montana, Steve Young and Steve Bono already on their roster? My case is taking a nap.
With that in mind and given the fact the Niner’s two biggest needs appeared to be, to this untrained eye, offensive tackle and pass rusher, here is how I might have conducted the 2009 draft.
Round One: Michael Oher-Offensive Tackle-Mississippi
Coupled with Joe Staley, the Niners now have bookend tackles for the next 10 years and very solid backups in Adam Snyder and Marvel Smith. This makes the entire offensive line the most solid unit on the team in terms of talent and youth.
Round Two: Everette Brown-Defensive End-Florida State
A speed rusher off the edge is a killer in the NFL and Brown now makes the defensive backs a little better. Teamed with Parys Haralson in the 3-4 alignment on passing downs could make the Niners defense very formidable. Having played with one of the best quarterback- killing defenses of all time, I’m sure a pass rusher was on coach Mike Singletary’s mind.
Round Three: Ramses Barden-Wide Receiver -Cal Poly
Yes, I know he was under the radar and not in the same class as Michael Crabtree, but at 6-6 and 230 pounds with a 4.59 40 yard dash time, I think he is worth a flier. And what better way to fight the big receivers in Arizona than with one of your own. Crabtree is the sexier pick, but Barden is a bit more intriguing and he does not have a surgically repaired foot.
Round Four: Andre Brown-Running Back-NC State
Glenn Coffee was a solid pick for the Niners, but round three is a tad too high for a back up. Brown is thick and quick at 6-1, 224, 4.49.
As for the remainder of the draft and free agent signings, there is no disagreement from this corner. But in the first four rounds the Niners could have had a quarterback centric draft: They could have protected their own and given him some toys to play with, and they could have at least mounted a threat to opposing QB’s.
MJ
May 3, 2009 at 8:45 pm
I respectfully disagree. Who says you can’t draft a backup RB in the third round? Indy picked one in the 1st and they have a better draft history than we do.
We didn’t simply take Crabtree because he was the best player available. Bruce, Morgan, and Hill are serviceable and they just signed Brandon Jones but Crabtree seemingly has it all. Great hands, gets separation, compares to Boldin and Fitzgerald. That was an easy pick. You can never have enough receivers. This is probably Bruce’s last year and Crabtree can learn under him.
Yes we need O-line help and pass rush. I guess they think Manny Lawson’s best days are still ahead of him. As for RT, they have Marvel Smith and if he doesn’t stay healthy and no one else can fill in, we can draft one with one of our 2 first rounders next year. Offensive tackles usually have the quickest learning curve in the NFL. If you grab a good one in the first you can usually plug him right in.
May 4, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Jeff,
I guess my problem is Crabtree is coming off a stress fracture, an injury that has ended many careers. Also, Unless it’s a Jerry Rice, the number 10 spot is too high to pick a receiver in my opinion. Don’t misunderstand, I hope he turns out to be terrific, but I would have gone the other way. Marvel Smith is one back spasm away from this being the same line as last year. I also don’t know how long we can wait for Lawson. As for Indy, with their defensive problems I think I would have gone that way. I think Donald Brown is a fine player, but not a first rounder. Thanks for the response! Keep ‘em coming.
May 4, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I agree with Jeff. Your draft is a good one, but you haven’t researched these players like San Fran did. They got the guys they wanted when the were available. There is no way you can pass on Crabtree when he was one of the top two players in the entire draft. San Fran hasn’t had a top tier receiver since TO left, and we need one. Can’t pass on him.
I agree with the Jeff George argument, but Morgan, HIll and Bruce aren’t Montana and Young caliber players.
Furthermore, your argument is contradictory. If you wouldn’t draft a backup Rb in the third, why would you draft a RT in the first?
Also, the trade for next year’s first round pick gives us options to trade. Either to move up for Bradford or McCoy or get someone else.
I wouldn’t change much about this draft. Also, remember they picked up Kort Sheets, too. That is also part of the draft.
May 4, 2009 at 5:01 pm
The allure of Crabtree was just too much for the Niners to pass on. Had he been gone Oher would have been the choice. You can make the point that the Niners are rolling the dice on the health of Marvel Smith and Manny Lawson stepping up his game as a pass rusher but the Niners must have seen something that told them to make these decisions. With the additional 1st round pick next year the Niners could land Sam Bradford or Colt McCoy. Perhaps this is the angle that McCloughan saw when he made the trade with Carolina. If not they can address the offensive line or any other need that they see after this year. I do find it interesting that with the Crabtree selection the Niners suddenly have a glut at the WR position and is one of the most promising positions for the future. That statement could not have been made prior to the draft.
May 5, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Guys,
Interesting comments, all. Two things I’ll stick with:
1-Championship teams are built with the two lines and moving backwards.
2-Singletary didn’t want Crabtree.
The best part is, we will all see soon enough. MN and I will try our best to spend some time at the next mini camp and report our personla, untrained observations. Stay tuned.
One last thing, and it might not mean much, but Shaun Hill looked like this is his team. A little strut, big smiles and yukking it up with the guys.
MJ