2011 Draft Grades....who got it right?

DRUSTOPO · 2012-04-05T18:45:23-07:00

Usually you cant properly judge a teams draft until 3 years down the line, but the dynamic duo of Harbaalke nailed it in year 1, AND in spite of a short offseason. Im sure everyone is as pumped as I am to see what they can do in year two. Not only will we have a full offseason to coach em up, but Harbaalke should be more comfortable and confident in their evaluation process. When the dust settles at the end of the month the grades will come out. Who do you trust to provide a solid analysis though? Here's what the major sites said last year = ==================================================================== Fox Sports San Francisco 49ers: C+ Draft picks: DE Aldon Smith (first round), QB Colin Kaepernick (second round), CB Chris Culliver (third round), RB Kendall Hunter (fourth round), OL Daniel Kilgore (fifth round), WR Ronald Johnson (sixth round), S Colin Jones (sixth round), DL Bruce Miller (seventh round), OL Michael Person (seventh round), DB Curtis Holcomb (seventh round). Analysis: Smith, according to personnel sources, is a questionable fit for a 3-4 defense. It may take him awhile to make the transition to outside linebacker. Kaepernick may wind up being the best player out of their draft class, but down the road. CBS Sportsline San Francisco 49ers: C Though the 49ers used their first-round pick on Missouri pass rusher Aldon Smith, their 2011 NFL Draft will ultimately be known as the draft in which Jim Harbaugh selected his future quarterback. Colin Kaepernick possesses many of the attributes necessary toward becoming successful in the NFL. He has a rare combination of size, arm strength and mobility for the position and is intelligent and hard-working. His awkward throwing motion has drawn the ire of some, though the 49ers are obviously comfortable with it. Recognized for his development of Andrew Luck at Stanford, Harbaugh's ability to cultivate Kaepernick will go a long way in determining both men's success in the NFL. As for Smith, quite frankly, I have my reservations about his potential in San Francisco's scheme. At 6-4, 263 pounds, Smith is already bigger than many 3-4 edge rushers and at only 20 years-old, he hasn't stopped growing. He's a bit stiff in the hips and I question how well he'll be able to turn the corner and close on the quarterback. Third-round pick Chris Culliver has a rare combination of size, speed and versatility. Of all San Francisco's picks, I'm highest on Oklahoma State running back Kendall Hunter, who is going to struggle to see the field considering the 49ers feature one of the NFL's top backs in Frank Gore. There is undeniably a lot of intriguing talent in this draft class, but one with some real gambles on upside. SI San Francisco:Grade: B- ... but it's a winning class if Kaepernick pans out. What I liked: Picking up QB Colin Kaepernick in the second round. He has incredible athletic talents and put up great numbers on the ground and in the air at Nevada. New head coach Jim Harbaugh, meanwhile, played quarterback in the NFL and has a proven track record now with Stanford's Andrew Luck of developing pro-style QB talent. More importantly, quarterback was the team's greatest statistical need in 2010. The Smiths, Alex and Troy, are clearly not the long-term answer at quarterback. Kaepernick could be a great value in the second round. What I didn't like: The 49ers still need a lot of help on the offensive line. They ended the 2010 season No. 30 on our Offensive Hog Index and struggled especially protecting the passer. It's hard to groom quarterbacks in that kind of environment. Yet San Francisco waited until the fifth round to tab an offensive lineman, and then pulled Daniel Kilgore out of FCS school Appalachian State, most likely a backup at best in the NFL. ESPN Mel Kiper Jr. = C+ only Four teams received lower grades. Analysis: You'll hear Smith called the first big reach of Round 1, but he wouldn't have lasted long at all past the No. 7 slot where the Niners nabbed him. And beyond the obvious question at quarterback, an outside linebacker who can rush the quarterback was the biggest position of need for this team, and if Smith continues on his developmental path, he could be a star. Jim Harbaugh found a quarterback he can develop with Kaepernick in Round 2, but even with the run on quarterbacks, I saw that as a reach. There's a lot of development needed. San Fran did hit on other top needs at cornerback and wide receiver, and got decent value in Hunter for depth at running back. Kilgore also offers a little more depth at guard. It's all about what happens at quarterback in terms of how we judge the success of the 2011 49ers, but I judge this weekend as a relative success. It's just a small worry when your first two picks both have development requirements. McShay While Kiper went with traditional grades, Todd McShay was much more basic. He simply assessed each team's best move and most questionable move. Best move: Trading up to get Colin Kaepernick Alex Smith is expected to be back for another year, but this gives coach Jim Harbaugh a quarterback to develop. Kaepernick needs work and is a long way away, but with the right coaching he could be one of the steals of this draft. Most questionable move: Reaching at cornerback The 49ers had a pretty good draft, but there were better options, including Shareece Wright, Curtis Marsh and Johnny Patrick, available at cornerback than Chris Culliver at the No. 80 slot. They addressed the pass rush but could have done a little better here at cornerback. Still, if this is the most questionable move they made, the 49ers had a pretty good draft. NFL Network Solomon = B Sapp = C http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d81fa9626/NFC-West-draft-grades ==================================================================== I really liked Solomons analysis on NFL Network. This is just something to think about in 3 weeks. I can bet you all one thing though, after so many were so wrong in such a short amount of time, I think our GPA will be much higher no matter who we draft.

Apr 5, 2012 at 7:53 PM

AB81Rules
Hall of Fame
Posts: 34,104

lmao at these so called "experts" grading. I had Aldon in the top 15 heading into 2011 draft.

At the time I liked the first 4 picks(Aldon, Kaep, Culliver and Hunter), I was one of the few who liked culliver. I liked Miller when drafted, thought at FB was odd. Liked Ronald Johnson pick, but was wrong.

Kilgore I liked even with trading up, Person/Holcomb/Jones picks were developmental type picks and was fine with them.

Now to have 3 of our first 4 picks contibute plus Miller and Jones was a great draft, even if early.

Apr 6, 2012 at 12:44 AM

SanDiego49er
Veteran
Posts: 52,335

Solomon was pretty close. It was a good draft. I give him credit for giving it a B. Probably a little higher than that actually. But a good grande none the less from him.

Apr 6, 2012 at 7:10 AM

ishkabibel
Veteran
Posts: 696

These socalled experts are never held accountable. They just continue to spew out nonsense in a lot of instances, then begin the next season with a clean slate. I view very few of them as professional, viewing most for entertainment value.

Apr 6, 2012 at 7:34 AM

English
Moderator
Posts: 41,415

The Webzone wasn't very happy either, IIRC.

Apr 6, 2012 at 7:48 AM

DRUSTOPO
Veteran
Posts: 586

I think the experts and most of the fan base were not thrilled 11 months ago with this draft. The three picks everyone questioned (Aldon, Culliver and Miller) ended up being our most important rookies. Everyone's argument was that they were too raw. I think we have to give a lot of credit to this coaching staff for their quick development.

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2011 Draft Grades....who got it right?