The first wave of Free Agency has crashed on our shores and the result has been a rather large hall. Let's keep track of who is signed and how that will impact the draft:
Signed:
Offense
QB - Brian Hoyer
QB - Matt Barkley
WR - Pierre Garcon
WR - DeAndre Carter
WR - Aldrick Robinson
WR - Marquise Goodwin
FB - Kyle Juszczyk
TE - Logan Paulsen
K - Robbie Gould
Defense
DT - Earl Mitchell
LB - Malcolm Smith
CB - K'Waun Williams
Conclusions we can draw:
1. We are not taking a QB at #2. Of course I could be wrong, but as much flirting as we have done with every FA QB out there and the increased likelihood of Cousins coming here this year or next, I don't think Lynch or Shanahan feel any pressure to force it.
2. It's going to be a defensive draft. Shanahan appears to be loading up the offense with players who already know his system. This year will be dedicated to installing that system and weeding out players who don't fit. We will probably see a WR and a RB taken in the top half of the draft, but the focus early and often will be restocking a talent depleted defense.
3. They know who they want at #2. Lynch's sprinting start to FA indicates to me that this is not a wishy-washy regime. They are decisive and they plan ahead. I am sure Lynch is working the phones and planning for trades, but he has a decision ready to go if everything stays the same. I just wish I knew what that decision was going to be...
4. Lynch is going to draft at least 2 guys who could play LEO. I think Lynch, Shanahan, and Saleh decided early on that there isn't a guy out there in Free Agency who could step in and be the future LEO. Guys like Barwin might get a shot but Lynch is going to load up on guys who could play here and let the cream rise to the top.
5. LB will also be a focal point of the draft. Bowman may not play much, if at all, this year. Ray-Ray started strong last year and will get a shot to show that wasn't a fluke. Smith is a nice signing for his experience in the system. That's pretty much it. Harold might transition here, but he is far from a sure thing. This unit might need the biggest influx of talent.
Thoughts?
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How Free Agency has impacted the Draft
Mar 10, 2017 at 8:53 AM
- Karma
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Mar 10, 2017 at 9:07 AM
- English
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My main thought, the FA work has been well planned to allow them a free hand in the draft to go BPA. Allowing for the fact that this is year 1, I think the only real pressure is to pick up some pass rush. Other than that we take the best player available and next year we start to fill in the gaps. So far I am really liking their work.
[ Edited by English on Mar 10, 2017 at 9:10 AM ]
Mar 10, 2017 at 9:07 AM
- Lurker
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Quite a haul indeed.
Hopefully they go BPA (within reason). This is not a one year project.
They definitely need some linebackers.
Eli Harold better bring his A-game.
Hopefully they go BPA (within reason). This is not a one year project.
They definitely need some linebackers.
Eli Harold better bring his A-game.
Mar 10, 2017 at 9:14 AM
- Karma
- Veteran
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Yeah, I think BPA is always the best draft philosophy and none of their moves make this exclusionary, but I wanted to try to get into Lynch's thinking going forward.
Mar 10, 2017 at 9:37 AM
- gold49digger
- Veteran
- Posts: 17,321
Bottom line, they're trying not to draft for need because that will limit your selections at 2. But I still think a QB is at play. Hoyer and Barkley doesn't automatically mean they're going to not rule out a QB at 2. But I expect the draft to have a QB, a wr, and then defensive heavy.
Mar 10, 2017 at 9:46 AM
- ChaunceyGardner
- Q46 Draft Winner
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1 - looks like they have a draft plan for NT and LEO
2 - receiving RB in the mid rounds probably 3rd round or top of 4th
3 - will draft a C sooner than later 2nd-4th
4 - will draft more offensive line later rounds
2 - receiving RB in the mid rounds probably 3rd round or top of 4th
3 - will draft a C sooner than later 2nd-4th
4 - will draft more offensive line later rounds
Mar 10, 2017 at 9:52 AM
- Ensatsu
- Veteran
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Even if you consider BPA, most of these defensive prospects are not even that much better than the QBs. Considering their injury history. Barring any unlikely trade down scenario:
Allen = shoulder arthritis. DL is also getting kind of crowded.
Foster = injured. No pro day workouts. No combine workouts. Drama with that nurse. All of that is gonna make him a top 5 pick? Don't see it.
Malik Hooker = injured. Drafting a free safety at #2? You don't even know what you have in Jimmie Ward yet for this. Makes no sense just like picking Allen at DL because you have Armstead/Buckner, even though I think AA is going to flame out but thats another discussion.
Jamall Adams = again. Safety at #2? Positional value just doesn't seem right for the #2 overall.
Corey Davis / Mike Williams = I mean, I like these guys, but they're not elite WR prospects. If you're going to reach for a WR here, you might as well get a QB. Especially since you splurged in free agency on multiple WRs.
Derek Barnett / Soloman Thomas = These two EDGE guys are the only people I see realistically at #2. Not injured. Barnett had more sacks than Garrett. Soloman Thomas had one explosive game on film that I think people are overrating a bit, but hes still pretty good.
I think Watson and Trubisky are still in play, as much as people don't like it.
Allen = shoulder arthritis. DL is also getting kind of crowded.
Foster = injured. No pro day workouts. No combine workouts. Drama with that nurse. All of that is gonna make him a top 5 pick? Don't see it.
Malik Hooker = injured. Drafting a free safety at #2? You don't even know what you have in Jimmie Ward yet for this. Makes no sense just like picking Allen at DL because you have Armstead/Buckner, even though I think AA is going to flame out but thats another discussion.
Jamall Adams = again. Safety at #2? Positional value just doesn't seem right for the #2 overall.
Corey Davis / Mike Williams = I mean, I like these guys, but they're not elite WR prospects. If you're going to reach for a WR here, you might as well get a QB. Especially since you splurged in free agency on multiple WRs.
Derek Barnett / Soloman Thomas = These two EDGE guys are the only people I see realistically at #2. Not injured. Barnett had more sacks than Garrett. Soloman Thomas had one explosive game on film that I think people are overrating a bit, but hes still pretty good.
I think Watson and Trubisky are still in play, as much as people don't like it.
Mar 10, 2017 at 9:56 AM
- bzborow1
- Veteran
- Posts: 3,261
What the 49ers have done is boost their roster enough that they can keep their options open early on in the draft. On offense, they continue to need playmakers in any form they can find them. Whether that's a QB, RB, TE or WR, it doesn't really matter. If they are sure on Cousins then you can take QB off the list, but if they were to swap the #2 with the #17 to acquire Cousins, why wouldn't OJ Howard or Christian McCaffery be options in addition to receivers?
On defense, I would say the top priorities would be to add someone in the secondary and a pass rusher.
On defense, I would say the top priorities would be to add someone in the secondary and a pass rusher.
Mar 10, 2017 at 9:58 AM
- Hoovtrain
- Veteran
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Still need pass rush, ILB, probably another CB, really need to beef up the OL (C in particular) and still need to beef up the WR corp, a secondary RB and get a future QB
Mar 10, 2017 at 10:00 AM
- lamontb
- Veteran
- Posts: 30,015
Originally posted by Ensatsu:
Even if you consider BPA, most of these defensive prospects are not even that much better than the QBs. Considering their injury history. Barring any unlikely trade down scenario:
Allen = shoulder arthritis. DL is also getting kind of crowded.
Foster = injured. No pro day workouts. No combine workouts. Drama with that nurse. All of that is gonna make him a top 5 pick? Don't see it.
Malik Hooker = injured. Drafting a free safety at #2? You don't even know what you have in Jimmie Ward yet for this. Makes no sense just like picking Allen at DL because you have Armstead/Buckner, even though I think AA is going to flame out but thats another discussion.
Jamall Adams = again. Safety at #2? Positional value just doesn't seem right for the #2 overall.
Corey Davis / Mike Williams = I mean, I like these guys, but they're not elite WR prospects. If you're going to reach for a WR here, you might as well get a QB. Especially since you splurged in free agency on multiple WRs.
Derek Barnett / Soloman Thomas = These two EDGE guys are the only people I see realistically at #2. Not injured. Barnett had more sacks than Garrett. Soloman Thomas had one explosive game on film that I think people are overrating a bit, but hes still pretty good.
I think Watson and Trubisky are still in play, as much as people don't like it.
This. Even with Cousins in the fold next year having Mitch or Watson with a year under their belts would still be a major asset. With Hoyer or Barkley being behind Cousins and the draftee. And the s**t with Cousins could fall apart. What if he suffers a major injury late in the season? Or another team just outbids us? Guess you could just beat on Hoyer for another year and re evaluate the qb situation.
Mar 10, 2017 at 10:25 AM
- 5timechamps
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Trade down and draft Jabrill Peppers.
[ Edited by 5timechamps on Mar 10, 2017 at 10:27 AM ]
Mar 10, 2017 at 10:46 AM
- gold49er2183
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I feel like they will be drafting hooker, lattimore, or garret if he's there.
Mar 10, 2017 at 10:57 AM
- LA49er
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- Posts: 73
Garret, if not there, trading down.
Mar 10, 2017 at 10:58 AM
- jvangeystel
- Veteran
- Posts: 1,514
I think Cousins is a safe bet and you go for Garrett or Soloman. Either that or trade down and grab a WR. Hoping we somehow land Garrett.
[ Edited by jvangeystel on Mar 10, 2017 at 10:58 AM ]
Mar 10, 2017 at 10:59 AM
- Draftology
- Veteran
- Posts: 1,168
I don't think free agency has impacted the draft at all (at least not the first 2-3 rounds). What's impacting it is Cousins' desire to be a 49er. I'm very high on Trubisky but I think I would take Fournette with the second pick if we can't trade back.