Originally posted by CorvaNinerFan:
You have a much higher opinion of Ian Williams than I do...he's a good player, hardly elite. I'm assuming Armstead will start at one of the DE positions...he got enough PT his rookie season to make that jump, I'm thinking. Jackson would be a very good addition. That said, the DL's still got a ways to go to even come close to what we had just a couple of seasons ago. Armstead's got the right stuff, but he's still pretty inexperienced. Jackson's fine in terms of experience. I'd bring in Jets' NT Damon Harrison, largely because he's a beastly run-stopper. When Fangio had Ray Mac and Justin Smith book-ending Dorsey or Williams, it was ok. New DC O'Neil doesn't have that luxury, so a dominant NT is needed now. Our DL got gashed way too many times in 2015...that can't happen any more to get back to the playoffs. I've had hopes for Carradine, but so far he really hasn't shown much. Hopefully, he'll reach his potential under O'Neil. Still, I wouldn't pass up a DL early in this draft...its a very good one for them, so I'd draft one among Jarron Reed, A'Shawn Robinson, Buckner, NT Billings...they're all terrific players.
On offense, I'd try to come to terms with Boone...he was our best OL in 2015, for sure. He's got great versatility and is in his prime. I'd also keep Celek...he's the most experienced TE we have, and wouldn't be expensive. Not sure I'd draft Ervin when we already have Harris under contract. If Harris isn't in the team's long-term plans, the guy I'd draft is DeAndre Washington from Texas Tech. He's tough enough at 5-8, 200 to run between the tackles, but is also an outstanding receiver. Back-to-back 1000 yd seasons playing in Kliff Kingsbury's high octane offense should translate well to what Kelly runs for the Niners.
Overall, I really like your off-season program...I'd just make the changes I outlined above. Your off-season's head & shoulders above the vast majority I've seen so far. Nice job.
Solid input, thank you. I'm just not as high on Celek as a lot are. He looked like our best TE while Vernon was the man but McDonald came on strong when he got his opportunties and put up better numbers this season than Celek has in his 4 years here with us, thus making Celek very expendable. I also think Anderson will have a larger role in Chip's offense as the heavy package that we needed 3 blocking TEs in will no longer be used nearly as much and if so, Jake McGee can more than handle the load.
I also went with Ervin because he is in a Sproles mold and was a stud return man in college. Harris and Ervin are brining two different aspects to the team with Harris getting the bulk of the load when Hyde needs a breather and Ervin bringing in that change of pace and return element to the team which we desperately need.
I really want to re-sign Boone as he is the best option at LG other than breaking the bank for Osemele but I just don't see it happening. I think someone will pay top dollar for him and that someone is more than likely not be Baalke. But if Baalke is willing to, I'd be more than happy with that.
I expect Armstead to start and be better than he was last year which was pretty solid IMO. I really like Williams and agree that we need to get someone who can help plug that middle and that is the reason for selecting Reader. A starter on Clemson's elite DL and a 340 NT being coached up by a very successful DL coach, I expect him to play and provide great depth for Williams.
I really want Buckner but think he will be gone right before us and I'm a huge fan of Bullard out of Florida but we will need to trade back, collect some extra picks and then take him because 7 is way too early
