Free Agency:
We have lost/ will lose each of the following: Dashon Goldson, Ted Ginn Jr., Randy Moss, Isaac Sopoaga, Delanie Walker, David Akers, Parys Haralson, RJF
We have added/ will add each of the following: Boldin, Dorsey, maybe a Lawrence Tynes, a veteran CB and S, and WR all from free agency.
After reading "Revenge of the Nerds" article by Sando, I come to realize that we cannot extend all of our good players. Thankfully, we have the curse of too much talent – too many good players each needing to be extended at some point or another. If we would've paid Goldson or Walker (overpaying), it may have been at the expense of an extension for Iupati, A. Davis, Crabtree, Kaepernick, or T. Brown. Already, we have the most expensive defense. We must save money to sustain what looks to be one of the best offenses for the next five or ten years – namely our offensive line. I'd love to see us extend Iupati or Davis ala a Staley deal ensuring that they are around for a long time.
49ers' Draft:
Problem: we have so many picks with an already deep team; few of the players (if we use all 14 picks) will make the team.
Blessing: we have so many picks with an already deep team; trade up (2013) and trade back (to 2014).
Trade A: Receive Round 1 (#12) from Miami; Give up Picks #31, #61, #93, Round 6 (#12)
Trade B: Receive Round 2 (#57) from Houston; Give up Picks #74, Round 4 (#31)
Trade C: Receive 2014 Round 4 Pick Pittsburgh; Give up Round 5 (#24)
Trade D: Receive 2014 Round 4 Pick Oakland; Give up 5 (#31), 7 (#21)
Results in the following picks for 2013:
Round 1: #12 Star Lotulelei Utah
We have the picks, we have the need, do we have the balls to pull the trigger? Of course, this pick is contingent on Lotulelei being healthy, but there are so many reasons to love SL. It fills a need: we lose both of our nose tackles to free agency. We have the picks: 14 picks with only maybe 6 making the squad (trade up!). We have already invested tons of money into our interior linebackers; what better way to free them up for the next several years than to get SL. High character, mean side, takes on blockers, opens things up for other defenders.
Round 2: #34 Matt Elam Florida
Besides needing a little improvement on coverage, the guy is a beast. Hits as hard as Goldson, great against the run, fast as hell, ranges the field quite well, can cover tight ends and wide receivers giving Fangio greater flexibility. I don't know anything about his character, but it seems he is a Baalke kind of guy.
Round 2 # 57 Jamar Taylor Boise State
More defense! I'd be thrilled if he fell this far. The guy is an athlete, just ran a great 40 time. I think we primarily bring him in to bring more competition for Rogers, Brown, and Culliver (possibly a veteran CB we pick up). If at the end of spring training he can break into the starting lineup, then maybe we can cut Rogers and save some money.
Round 4: Conditional Pick Michael Williams Alabama
Blocking type of tight end, just what Harbaugh likes. Again, from an SEC conference, which is typical of Baalke.
Round 5: Conditional Pick Ryan Swope Texas A&M
Waiting to draft a wide receiver until this late is hoping… hoping that Manningham gets healthy, hoping that Jenkins performs, hoping that Swope has more than 5th round talent, hoping that free agency brings us a surprise. We need more than two play-making wide receivers – Crabtree and Boldin.
Round 7: 7 (#31) BPA
Round 7: Conditional Pick BPA
End result: we set ourselves up very well for next year as far as the number of picks we'll have – potentially 12 or 13 2014 picks with conditional picks losing Goldson and Walker. We fill needs at NT, S, CB, and K. We don't waste future cap space with big burdensome contracts for a Revis or someone like him. And we keep the core together for what should've been the 2012 season's Super Bowl team.
