Top Tier:
OLB - This is considered a top priority if the rumors are true and we release Brooks post-June 1st. However, current rumors have Brooks staying on but Skuta signed a big deal in FA. All we have left is Lemonier after that. This is a Baalke-like pick (meaning, unexpected mostly) not only so we can groom him while he contributes as a pass rush specialist this year but next year (starter) if/when we lose Brooks but also because we need to make a decision on Aldon regarding a long-term contract. Also, nothing improves your secondary faster than a consistent, rotating, monster pass rush! Projection: 1st or 2nd round
DE - Less of a need with the signing of Darnell Dockett but Baalke still likes to plan ahead. This position still could be a higher pick if Justin Smith officially retires. Currently, we have depth with Dial at LDE along with TJE (tendered) and Ramsey coming into the mix (highly touted as well). Plus Dorsey can play DE as needed with a healthy Williams returning. If BPA is a DE, this could be our #1 pick. Projection: 1st or 2nd round
WR - We need a tall, bigger-bodied prototypical WCO WR who's got top-tier talent to learn from Boldin (i.e. DGB/Strong) esp. given Crabtree is sure to leave via FA and Johnson was cut d/t his salary (and he's better suited for the slot anyhow). The signing of Torrey Smith alone eliminates 1 of these 2 types of WR's we needed. Projection: 1st or 2nd round
ILB - We tendered Wilhoite (thank you Baalke). And then both Borland and Willis retired. Are you kidding me? Who's next, Bowman? Possible. Therefore, this is a much bigger hole today. Bowman and Wilhoite would make a viable starting lineup but not dynamic unless Bowman is 100% healthy. We only have Shayne Skov and Nick Moody behind them. Projection: 2nd or 3rd round
RB - Baalke still has to plan for depth and he likes to have like-players at each spot. He'll need to find a similar-style RB to Hyde as he's shoring up the backups with Hunter-Hayne and now Reggie Bush through FA. He'll most likely be a zone-blocking RB for this new system. A great one could be had from the 2nd round on (like Hyde last year). Projection: 3rd or 4th round
Second Tier:
LG - Could use a premier starting LG here now that Iupati has moved on in FA although we should have some great competition with Thomas/Martin/Looney. Projection: 3rd or 4th round
CB - Outside CB. This could be a #1 pick now that Cox & Culliver are gone via FA. Both the Cook and Wright signings are solid depth players with potentially more. We already have depth with Johnson, McFadden, Reaser and Acker. Projection: 3rd or 4th round
FS - Craig Dahl resigns to stay on as a ST ace (14 tackles last year and he replaces Bubba) but we still need to seek out a real FS behind Reid and who can also be a quality ST player. Bethea isn't getting any younger and Reid has concussion issues while L.J. McCray continues to develop (but is promising) and Ward is learning two positions (slot and FS) and healing up himself. Projection: 4th round
LT/RT - You can never have too many good T's. The Pear signing is basically this year's Jonathan Martin. Having Boone on the team helps. Projection: 4th or 5th round
NT - Mangini likes wide-bodied 2-gap NT's so we may go that route as well even with Dorsey/Williams back 100% healthy together for the first time. Projection: 5th round
QB - We retained a veteran backup in Gabbert and you can expect a hand-picked QB by Geep/Logan to fit their offensive system and develop over time (and push CK). Projection: 6th round
Third Tier:
PK - We could use a rookie to challenge Phil Dawson in camp as we could save $3,134,000 if we cut Dawson (40) with only $1M in dead-money (post-June 1st). Projection: 7th round
P - We could use a rookie to challenge Andy Lee in camp as we could save $1,550,000 if we cut Lee with only $1M in dead-money (post-June 1st). Projection: 7th round
TE/H-Back - We could use a tall 6'6" TE who can catch for the RedZone and to split out wide or for more competition at the H-back spot even though we'll have Miller, Carrier & Millard. Speaking of Miller, pay attention to his domestic violence issue. Projection: 7th round
Draft Round - Targets:
1 (15/15) - OLB/DE
2 (14/46) - WR/ILB
3 (15/79) - LG/RB
4 (27/126) - CB/FS
4 (33/132) - LT/RT
5 (15/151) - NT
6 (14/189) - QB
7 (29/246) - PK/P
7 (37/54) - TE/H-Back
With 9 picks, try to hit as many of your top needs as possible. In short, try to attack a monster pass rushing OLB or dominant DE with your first selection. Try either a WR or ILB, etc. By the time you are done, you want to attack as many top-needs as possible and save the rest for UDFA, FA and including FA cuts after June 1st.
[ Edited by NCommand on Mar 31, 2015 at 9:20 AM ]
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