1. First round, #15
2. Second round, #46
3. Third round, #79
4. Fourth round, TBD
5. Fifth round, TBD
6. Sixth round, TBD
7. Sixth round, TBD (Compensatory)
8. Seventh round, TBD
9. Seventh round, TBD (Compensatory)
Now, before the 2014 draft I waffled back and forth on whether or not we'd draft all our picks. My first mind was that we would and then I changed it after the Bethae acquisition. This season I'm going to stick to my first thought and say we're gonna draft all our picks, if not pick up a few through trades. So below is a by position need and how I think we should handle it in the draft, but in no certain order. I'll keep that one for the annual pre-draft mock circus that I love participating in. And since this is not a mock any player I list will not have measurables, strengths & weaknesses, or pro & cons listed. I'll leave it to the reader to do their own research as I have. But the players I did pick reflects realistic expectations of availability to us.
Offense
QB – While I have been a major critic of JH and Roman's 2014 offensive philosophy, and think the decision to try and turn Kaep into something everyone knew he wasn't as the single most consequential decision that contributed to this team's 2014 collapse, I also think that Kaep is sorely lacking a serious competitor. JJ, and Crappert posed no threat at all to Kaep's position as the starting QB. Now, I don't know if that was by design, or if JH & Co. actually expect better competition at that position from the backups but just didn't get it. Whatever the case I think the backup at this position needs a major upgrade, an upgrade who'll seek to unseat Kaep, an upgrade that I think should be addressed in the draft no later than the 4th or 5th round, in fact a pocket passer with run ability. Here's a few names to chew on:
Garrett Grayson, Colorado State
Sean Mannion, Oregon State
Bo Wallace, Ole Miss
Cardel Jones, Ohio State
RB – This is an iffy position for me. If Frank returns (like I hope) them I really don't see a need to draft this position in the next draft unless a no-brainer falls to us in, say, the 5th, 6th or 7th. I just think this position is well spoken for, but we probably will draft a RB. A few names to look at:
T.J. Yeldon, Alabama
Dominique Brown, Louisville
Terrance Magee, LSU
FB – I cannot see us addressing this position in this draft at all. With Bruce Miller and Trey Millard on the roster drafting a FB will be senseless.
WR – This will be among the more controversial positions to fill in the 2015 draft for the 49ers. I think it's safe to assume that Boldin and Johnson will return. But we just don't have a WR on the roster with the ability to stretch the field combined with the ability muscle off the jam and kill 1-on-1 coverage. If there's any blind spot in Trent's roster building abilities it's at the WR spot. I think we need to address this spot early, 1st or 2nd. In fact, I'd say Trent should seriously think about getting two, one early, one mid to late. Names to think about:
Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
Devin Funchess, Michigan
Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri
[Note]: Funchess is listed as a WR/TE. Personally, I think if we draft him it should be at WR. I think he can be taught better techniques as an NFL WR in the NFC West where his physicality and crazy receiving abilities can cause all kinds of mismatch nightmares for any opposing defense.
TE – The drop-off at this position really cost us. And I'm starting to think that maybe we've held onto Vernon Davis a year too long. And I just haven't seen enough out of Vance, Carrier, or Celek to be confident either of them can be a difference maker at this position. The starting TE position needs an upgrade, but not before the 3rd round:
Tyler Kroft, Rutgers
Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State
Wes Saxton, South Alabama
C – Don't see us addressing this position. But just in case:
Evan Boehm, Missouri
OG – Even though I think Iutati will probably be gone I still don't see this as a position that we should spend a high draft pick on. Brandon Thomas will be given every opportunity to claim the LG spot after Iupati is gone.
Adam Shead, Oklahoma
Aundrey Walker, Southern California
OT – Without injury I think we are pretty stable here. It's the backups that bother me most. All season the line had issues, starting with Alex Boone holding out. The way Trent has drafted the O-line it's clear he wants a more power running offense. But I think he really needs to get guys in here that can pass and run block at least at a decent level.
Jamon Brown, Louisville
Robby Havenstein, Wisconsin
Mitch Morse, Missouri
Defense
DT/DE – With Cowboy probably on his way out (though I think he should play one more) I think it's important to draft this position, and early too. Say, the 2nd or 3rd round. Tank looked decent in his stead, but competition at this position is in order:
Arik Armstead, Oregon
Owamagbe Odighizuwa, UCLA
Joey Mbu, Houston
NG – Don't think this position needs to be addressed in the draft, or free agency. We have three guys who all play the position pretty well.
OLB – Brooks probably won't be back. Aaron Lynch and Aldon Smith (if he can stay out of trouble) will be a very hard combo to handle. And with Skuta as the main backup I don't see Trent spending any high picks on an OLB, if at all. But we might not be able to keep Skuta so we might need to draft his replacement:
Xzavier Dickson, Alabama
Tony Washington, Oregon
ILB – I don't see this position as a need position at all. But we could lose Wilhoite and/or Moody.
Stephone Anthony, Clemson
Trey DePriest, Alabama
CB – I'm sorry folks, but I think it's time we draft high at this position. Cox, Cook, and Cully are all free agents. I cannot see all of them returning. Frankly, I'd like to see us use our first pick on CB, but I doubt that happen. There's a lot of starter potential depth at the middle and back-end of the upcoming draft. In any event, I'll be sorely disappointed if Baalke didn't come away with no less than two CB's this draft. Anything less would be a dereliction in my mind. And I don't think we should no longer be in the business of drafting anymore sub-6 foot CB's either unless they are a real talent.
Jalen Collins, LSU
P.J. Williams, Florida State
Alex Carter, Stanford
Doran Grant, Ohio State
Quinten Rollins, Miami (Ohio)
Ladarius Gunter, Miami
Cam Thomas, Western Kentucky (I really like this guy)
Josh Shaw, USC
SS – With Reid projected to be moved to SS in a few seasons I think we are set for the future there. But with Dahl as the primary backup, a serious liability in my mind, we have to draft for depth here.
Jaquiski Tartt, Samford
Karl Joseph, West Virginia
Ibraheim Campbell, Northwestern
Ronald Martin, LSU
Sam Carter, TCU
FS – I know that Jimmie Ward is projected to transition to the FA spot, and I know that we was injured for much of the season. But I have to say that I really wasn't all that impressed with what I saw of Ward when he was on the field. I'm not gonna go so far as to call him a bust, but he seemed pretty average to me and I cannot be the only one thinking this. At the very least we should draft for some competition here. Also, I am of the opinion that this defense really missed an intimidating presence in the defensive backfield. IMHO, getting rid of both our hard hitters was a mistake by JH/Baalke.
Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State
Durrell Eskridge, Syracuse
Adrian Amos, Penn State
Here's my position of need in order of priority:
1. WR
Let's please keep in mind the division we play in, a division full of large, physical corners that excel at re-routing WR's and jamming. Baalke needs understand that we need to get a big physical WR who can out physical NFC West corners, win at the LOS, get open, and get reasonable separation. Enough already with these possession guys who constantly get re-routed causing Kaep to hold on to the ball.
2. CB
As with the WR, we sorely need some physicality at the CB spot (and secondary). Again, we are facing the possibility of losing major pieces at this position, and I doubt that we're gonna be able to resign everyone. So we need to draft high here to force some competition with those that remain. A bigger physical press guy will be good here.
3. DE/DT
I honestly expect Cowboy to retire, but I hope to dear God I'm wrong. I liked what I saw out of Tank, but let's keep in mind that Ray Mac won't be back. So we need to draft high at this position. While Dial showed real promise I still see him as more a 0 to 3i technique guy. Sure, he can play the 4 or the 5 in spots, but not on a permanent basis. I think drafting a 3-4 DE here to compete with the very versatile TJE will go a long way to replacing Ray Mac.
4. TE
See the drop-off at this position and you'll have all the evidence you need.
5. QB
Gotta get a QB in here with the talent to push honestly Kaep. I like Kaep and think he's gonna bring this team its 6th SB. But I don't think JH & Co. did Kaep any favors by bring in backups that had no ability at all to actually push Kaep. Again, I don't know if that was by design or not. I'm just looking at the outcome. We cannot exit this draft without drafting a QB.
6. OT
See the depth at this position (Jonathan Martin).
7. FS
This is a guy to compete with Ward, at least push him. In 2016 we can draft a SS late to backup Reid.
8. RB
Even if Gore stays I still think it's a good idea to draft a RB this season. There's gonna be some really good talent hanging around even at this point. With (hopefully) Gore, Hyde, Hunter, and a rookie to groom for a three headed monster for 2016 we will be set for years to come at this position.
9. OLB
Only if Skuta isn't resigned. If Skuta is resigned then we go OG here.
I really don't see us drafting a NG, ILB, FB, C, and SS.
Thoughts?
[ Edited by 9ersLiferInChicago on Jan 19, 2015 at 7:22 PM ]
yeah, let's just keep banging our heads against a brick wall. maybe it'll come down one day. 
