Originally posted by TheFunkyChicken:
Originally posted by eastie:
Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:
Baalke does need to draft future starters...at WR, for sure.
Exceptional analysis!
I agree. WR is the area they need to focus on for future starters. But because they are looking for a FUTURE starter.
What I mean when I say that Baalke wants to draft "starters" is that he wants to draft guys that I believe he can feel comfortable putting on the field like at mid-season 2014 without hesitation. He wants to put a first-round caliber WR in for Michael Crabtree if Crabs twists his ankle in Week 7. He wants to throw a first-round caliber CB in the slot when Chris Cook plays below par as the nickel CB.
Crabs is in a contract year. Boldin isn't going to be here long. Lloyd may not make the roster. Assuming Patton becomes a #1 or #2 is questionable.
Cully could get suspended. Besides Tremaine Brock, we have no one at CB besides Cook & Cox.
So when you guys say "future" starters, I
think we're kinda on the same page, but I think the 49ers will show urgency on draft day. The whole gist of my prediction is that this team has the ammo to move up and take more "NFL-ready" talent in the first round rather than take guys in later rounds who might need more time to develop. Again, the talent drop-off from Rounds 1 to 2 in the draft is significant considering WR, as outlined in one of my earlier posts.
And I think the 49ers want that NFL-ready guy in a WR because they were burned so bad on AJ Jenkins. Why take a shaky receiver at #30 or in the second round when you can move up and take a guy you feel more confident about in Round 1? Especially when they have the draft picks to do it and a generally full roster.
I think Baalke & Harbs want a stud at WR who can move into a starting position (#1 or #2) as early as 2015. They want the guy that visited Santa Clara this spring that wowed them big time. They don't want to compromise on some mid-level WR that will drop to them at #30. That's what I mean by "starter," as opposed to a developmental player.
Again, look back at my post when I discuss the Packers taking receivers as a means to invest in the future (Nelson & Cobb). I think the 49ers can and will do the same in Round 1.
[ Edited by NickSh49 on Apr 25, 2014 at 6:45 PM ]