My draft philosophy is pretty simple: give me reliable, coachable players in the early rounds and take risks in the middle rounds. As much as I love Charles Grant, Anthony Weaver is probably a better pick because he’s more of a sure thing. Weaver will be a very good NFL player – you can bank on it. Even though I think Grant will be very good, he’s simply too much of a risk for the 49ers, who are competing for the Super Bowl NOW and cannot afford a first round bust or a player who takes three years to develop.
I think cornerback Joseph Jefferson has a chance to be special. But he’s not going to step right in during his rookie year and play good ball. By the time a player like Jefferson is playing consistently, he’s almost a free agent. Echols, on the other hand, can step in on day one and play. We’ll get three-four years of solid play from Echols; we’d get maybe two from Jefferson.
The remaining needs are defensive line, cornerback, wide receiver, and offensive line depth - in no particular order.
1 (27) Anthony Weaver, DT/DE, Notre Dame
A great, intense player. Will add a lot of depth and versatility to the line.
Other Options:
Lito Sheppard, CB, Florida – A great cover guy who would move Webster to nickel.
Charles Grant, DE, Georgia – Best size/pass rush end after Peppers.
Levi Jones, T, Arizona – Big, talented, smart. Needs more heart. Could be gone before we pick, though.
Mike Pearson, T, Florida – Another athletic tackle for the 49ers to consider.
Dwight Freeney, DE, Syracuse - Should be a great third down pass rusher at the very least.
Edward Reed, S, Miami – Plays the same position as Bronson, but he’s just too good to ignore.
Kendall Simmons, G, Auburn – Looks like a great player…but a guard in round one?
2 (61) Mike Echols, CB, Wisconsin
A reach at this spot, but he’s a great cover corner to play nickel. Could trade down.
Other Options:
Bryan Thomas, DE, AL-Birmingham – High effort speed rusher.
Eddie Freeman, DT, Alabama-Birmingham – Big tackle who could be a star. Needs some refining.
Joseph Jefferson, CB, Western Kentucky - Was the best corner at the Blue-Grey game.
Marquise Walker, WR, Michigan – Just as good as JJ Stokes but a HELL of a lot cheaper.
Fred Weary, G, Tennessee - Very athletic guard with adequete size who has tackle potential.
Coy Wire, S, Stanford – Could be a great strong safety. 49er kind of player.
3 (no pick currently)
4 (125) Kahlil Hill, WR, Iowa
A big, athletic player with more playmaking ability than Stokes. Great return guy, too.
Other Options:
Kevan Thomas, CB, UNLV – Good little cover guy with solid fourth round value. Needs to bulk up.
Joanquin Gonzalez, T, Miami (Fl) – Tough, hard nosed player. Limited athlete.
Brian Poli-Dixon, WR, UCLA - A very big, very athletic, player, but injury prone and inconsistent.
Tony Beckham, CB, Wisconsin-Stout – Could develop into a great player. Size and speed.
Ron Johnson, WR, Minnesota – Very big, physical receiver. Team leader and clutch player.
5 (157) Matt Hill, T, Boise State
Big, athletic tackle who could be a starter by 2003. Was very raw but improving rapidly.
Other Options:
Charles Hill, DT, Maryland – Has the size and the desire to be a solid tackle.
Chris Cash, CB, USC – Could be a contributor. Good cover skills. Injury must check out.
Steve Smith, S, Oregon – Corner who could develop into a very good safety. Plays the ball well.
6 (191) Kurt Vollers, T, Notre Dame
A big (6-7, 321) mauler who will likely be a guard in the NFL.
Other Options:
Nate Dwyer, DT, Kansas – Has the frame and strength. Needs to work harder.
Kyle Kosier, G, Arizona State – Has pretty good feet and movement skills. Could be bigger.
Frank Romero, G, Oklahoma – No very big, but a good athlete who plays hard and never misses games.
7 (223) Scott Mitchell, QB, Western Washington
Could be a very good 49er quarterback with some tinkering.
Other Options:
Brandon Doman, QB, BYU – Another guy who looks like a WCO player.
Jeremy Allen, FB, Iowa – Big, athletic, fast. Needs some time to work on blocking.
