My favorite day of the year is probably Christmas (at my age, it isn't my birthday anymore—I'd rather people walk up to me randomly, give me presents, and tell me how great I am). But draft day—or the three days of the draft—is a close second. When I look back on past drafts, maybe they were disappointing, but I still look forward to the draft more than just about anything.
This is the time of year my friend Win calls the season of "fatty expressions of hope." He is exactly right. And I spend hours upon hours fantasizing about who the Niners will select. I have elaborate scenarios (that change daily) on trade backs—I love trades—and great players falling, and Mel Kiper proclaiming to the nation what a genius John Lynch is ("Lynch's picture is going to show up in post offices across the country; these steals are so big!").
This year, the 49ers lost scads of players in free agency, so the roster, which is not all that bad, is filled with more holes than usual. However, some of their areas of need are deep positions in this draft. San Francisco is drafting relatively early in each round and has multiple picks in those exciting Rounds 3-5. The team has the draft capital to trade up, and with all of its needs, it might not be a bad idea to trade back.
The excitement is building.
I could give John Lynch a list of players available in each round who would make me happy. There are so many! "Pleasing Jack Stewart" might not be part of his job description, but he could do it without putting a lot of thought into it. If you are a Niner fan, you probably have some prospects in mind you would like.
For me, in the 1st round, I have these offensive tackles: Armand Membou, Will Campbell, and Kelvin Banks. These defensive linemen: Derrick Harmon, Walter Nolen, and Mike Green. And these linebackers: Jihaad Campbell and Jalon Walker. Any of these in the 1st round would make me happy. And if we traded back, the list would be longer.
In the 2nd and 3rd rounds, I want another offensive lineman, a defensive lineman (or two), and if the 49ers don't take a corner in the 1st round, I'd like one of those. I look at the list of 30 players who visited and see seventeen I'd be thrilled with. Thrilled. And there are some others I'd be "happy" about.
My unhappiness metric is pretty simple and very avoidable: no workout warriors with no college production (Shemar Stewart), no players with injury concerns (Josh Simmons, Will Johnson, and maybe Mykel Williams), and no players with off-field or character "issues" (I have not read thus far about any potential targets that fall into this category).
Sadly, though I am sure fortunately, we Faithful don't get to put in our two cents on whom Lynch should take. But on the slight chance, maybe slighter than slight—okay, one in a billion—someone of some significance in the front office happens upon this article, let's inform them.
I am listing my top 5 favorites for the 1st round (they have all been mocked to the Niners or lasted beyond their pick) and my top positions for the 2nd round.
Leave a comment below on who you would choose.
And please, John, take Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee, in the 3rd. He's a really good player at a position of need and has a great name.
1st round selection preference
- Armond Membou, OT, Missouri
- Will Campbell, OT, LSU
- Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
- Jalon Walker, LB/Edge, Georgia
- Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
2nd round position preference
- Offensive tackle (if not taken in the 1st round)
- Defensive tackle
- Defensive end/edge rusher
- Interior offensive lineman
- Cornerback
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