Let's do a mock draft. Nevermind that what happens in free agency might change things a bit or Trent Baalke will probably move all over the board with trades.
Using the draft simulator at fanspeak.com and the likely needs that the 49ers will look to address in the draft, I came away with the following draft:
1- Pick 30 - Justin Gilbert - CB Oklahoma State - At 6' and 200lbs, the 1st Team All-American cornerback fits the size and style of corner that Trent Baalke looks for.
2 - Pick 56 - Brandin Cooks - WR Oregon State - Cooks gives the 49ers an explosive threat to stretch the field on the outside. The biggest knock on Cooks is his size, only 5'10" and 185 lbs, but he fits the mold of receivers who have had the most success against Richard Sherman the last two years.
3 - Pick 61 - Ahmad Dixon - S Baylor - Dixon is extremely active in the run game but shows the ability to cover inside while struggling if outside the numbers. With Dixon and Reid, the 49ers are set at safety for years to come.
4 - Pick 77 - Cameron Fleming - OT Stanford - With Mike Iupati and Adam Snyder both set to be free agents after 2014, Baalke brings Fleming in to give him a year to prepare for taking over at left guard.
5 - Pick 94 - Yawin Smallwood - ILB UConn - The first team All-American Athletic Conference linebacker will provide depth inside while Navorro Bowman recuperates his injured knee. With the need to spend some big money to retain free agents coming up, Patrick Willis may be nearing the end and this move begins preparations for when that time comes.
6 - Pick 125 - Keith McGill - CB Utah - Moved to CB after playing Free Safety in Junior College and his first season at Utah. At 6'3", McGill provides the 49ers with a big "Sherman" type corner.
7 - Pick 158 - David Fales - QB SJSU - Fales falls this far due to concerns regarding his arm strength. Often makes up for that with very good anticipation. Has a nice feel in the pocket and mobility. Provides a potential long term solution at backup QB and insurance should contract negotiations with Kaepernick not go as planned.
8 - Pick 189 - Shaq Evans - WR UCLA - Evans provides a big play WR to challenge for a roster spot.
9 - Pick 218 - Tyler Gaffney - RB Stanford - The 49ers have a crowded running back group already, but Gaffney gives them a bruising back that knows the system and can probably be stashed on the practice squad for a season.
10 - Pick 219 - James Stone - C Tennessee - A developmental center to compete with Daniel Kilgore and Joe Looney in camp.
11 - Pick 220 - Ryan Hewitt - FB Stanford - As 2013 went along, the 49ers began using more 1 back sets with 2 or 3 tight ends. With experience at both FB and TE while at Stanford, Hewitt could push Derek Carrier for a spot on the active roster or practice squad.
12 - Pick 221 - Kevin Norwood - WR Alabama - Tough slot receiver during his time at Alabama and can fight for a roster spot.
What do you think? Disagree/Agree? Go to
http://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/ to try it for yourself. Please let us know how your draft turns out.
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Lucky Phil
If you like B Cooks look at R. Herron, he is a better player and undervalued. We could get him or B. Ellington in the 3rd. I also like Kyle Fuller or L. Purifoy in the second, after I trade Crabcakes. And the guy we need to go after with our first, first next year, both second rd picks and throw in L. James is Sammy Watkins. Add Antone Exum at Saf. and George Atkinson at Slot WR/ RB we have a crap load of speed and versatility on offense.
Feb 16, 2014 at 1:55 PM
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dasdweeb
Would be surprised if Gilbert were available at 30, but would love to get him there. I'm with you on drafting a Cooks-type WR; I think people get hung up on those measurables. Cook's accomplishments and apparent heart (never missed a game at any level) might more than make up for lack of size. I also agree with the first three positions you targeted (CB, WR, S), but rather than going for a LG replacement - I'd be shocked if they didn't work it out with Iupati this season or next - I think C is where they need to concentrate if Kilgore/Looney aren't ready. But even if they re-sign Whitner, which I'm holding out hope for, they're likely to seek a safety high.
Also would be really, really surprised if McGill were around at pick 125. They'd be jumping for joy if they got both him and Gilbert, I'd imagine.
Nice mock. We can dream, can't we?
Feb 13, 2014 at 9:14 AM
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bc
"Patrick Willis nearing the end" = dumbest thing ever stated on internet
Feb 12, 2014 at 12:17 PM
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AJ Dembroski
This wont be popular due to the perception that the 49ers are exceptionally deep at DT, but I'd like to see them move up for Louis Nix III. I think Nix is one of the best NT prospects in years, I think he's versatile for a big man, and he allows the 49ers to think about moving either Dorsey or McDonald over to the right side and make for a more effective spelling of Smith.
Feb 10, 2014 at 1:14 AM
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AZ9er
I doubt the GM will keep all the picks. No enough open positions on team or taxi squad. Might use some picks to move uor for picks for next year's draft. Dallas might be willing to trade If their guy not there, willing to drop for picks and lower #1. The question is if 49ers want some. I don't think we to draft at tackles. We have 2 from last year. Bykowski, Marquardt. We need OG (Lupati understudy), C (Goodwin replacement), QB (McCoy replacement), K (Dawson replacement), CB (Rogers, Brown, Willams replacement), SS (Whitner replacement), WR (Boldin, Manningham replacement), some backup DT/DE or LB in later rounds or free agents. We might grab some injuried players for next year too. Our greatest need is where we don't have a livable starter. The draft is loaded with DB and WR. So we probably can wait unless some outstanding player is available. Also instead of drafting a slot receiver, why not use James there. My guess either SS (Bucannon (2)) or C (Swanson (1), Weston or Stork (3)). Because 49ers select at the bottom of each round, we might select a player higher than ranked. If you stick with needs you might miss a great player that is not a need. DT Tuitt. Hard being GM.
Feb 7, 2014 at 11:53 PM
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rik
yes good wheel rout but he only got off clean because of the zone coverage and him being in motion, check out moncrief against Lsu last year and this year he torched that nfl style defense for two of the best games of his career. He gets off the press and he's fast enough to get by corners playing off makes contested catches and is a willing blocker cooks is from a spread offense and will have a hard time blocking as a Z. thanks for the reply though im enjoying our little back and forth, i assume this is what its like in the war room, scouts making a case for "their guy".
Feb 6, 2014 at 5:13 AM
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rik
thanks for the cooks video against oregon that was helpful, i think we just saw different things because the routs he is running are not compatible with the offense we run, he is an explosive player but not for our system and more importantly our division, dont c him getting off the line against sherman or peterson or even janoris jenkins. Slot reciever at best.
Feb 5, 2014 at 3:00 PM
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cbreeze
thank you for a great job…our strength is D…our weakness
is our O.we squeaked by w/ fg's WAY too many times..no
reliable red zone O….teams knew this and Ded us this
way..if we lose a receiver this year we are screwed AGAIN
FFTOOLBOX had 116 recivers and te 's over 6.5" there
must be ONE of them who can catch block run and jump
sober enough to make a difference in the red zone !!!
Feb 5, 2014 at 1:58 PM
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Scott
Whichever WR the Niners take, he needs to be strong/physical enough to beat press coverage and be fast enough to take the top off of defenses. Cooks is explosive, but will be overwhelmed in press coverage due to his size and limited strength. Not to mention that he avoids contact when he has the ball; he's just not physical enough in my opinion. I'd rather the Niners take Josh Huff or Robert Herron later on. Both are small and explosive and are stronger/more physical than Cooks.
Feb 5, 2014 at 8:56 AM
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bige7399
Just simulated my favorite draft so far. 1)MARQISE LEE 2) DAVANTE ADAMS 3)STANLEY JEAN- BAPTISTE 4) CHRISTIAN JONES FSU 5) MARCUS SMITH LOUISVILLE
6) CRAIG LOSTON LSU 7) CROCKETT GILMORE
COLORADO STATE 8) JAMES STONE
TENNESSEE 9) CB AARON COLVIN
OKLAHOMA 10) CB DONTAE JOHNSON NORTH CAROLINA STATE 11) DENICOS ALLEN
MICHIGAN STATE. Let's Go win!
Feb 5, 2014 at 8:40 AM
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garlicboy
C'mon Justin Gilbert at #30 and Fales in the 6th round??? Not happening. Rather have FB Trey Millard over FB Ryan Hewitt in the 7th round and redshirt Millard for a year. He's a better talent than Hewitt. The draft machine is fun but nowhere near realistic.
Feb 5, 2014 at 12:05 AM
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jon
Finally, someone agrees that Cooks would be a solid addition! Excellent hands, fast, quick off the line, consistent, non injury prone, and lack of height isn't a big deal. I feel they drafted well last year on the defensive side, and have players like tank carradine that never played. My suggestion would be a tight end or two, a fullback for sure, a corner( I feel Gilbert will be gone before #30) and a safety. With the names you mentioned in some of those spots, I agree with. A solid back up QB is needed , and I think they can do better than the one you suggested. There's a good crop of mid round qbs this year.
Feb 4, 2014 at 10:39 PM
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Andy
Although your claim is that tall WR's do not do well against Sherman, he is not the only seahawk CB. I'm sure a 6'5" WR could cause a matchup problem with maxwell and or Thurmond. We had trouble converting in the redzone against the seahawks in the first half in the NFCCG and walked away with FG's. Our offense lacks a big body jump ball WR for redzone situations as mentioned above. Also Kaepernick might have a better chance of seeing another WR other than crabtree if he is towering above everyone else on the field. I pray the 49ers brass act wisely and resign Boldin.
Feb 4, 2014 at 9:56 PM
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Martin Jacobs
Please do not pick WR in the first 3 rounds. We have a history with Woods and Jenkins who were both supposed to stretch the field and both failed being #1 picks. I'd wait til later rounds for WR picks. Who knows there might be an undrafted FA that will help.
Feb 4, 2014 at 9:54 PM
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Ian
Need secondary help first and foremost. Then, an explosive wide receiver! Hope keep Iupati but Anthony Davis not keen on! Tyler Gaffney available at 218....I don't think so! Have Lattimore and he should be ready to play and learn as this is Frank Gore's last year unless refuses to reduce contract for 2014! Tank should be ready to help D Line next season!
Feb 4, 2014 at 7:52 PM
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Homer
Roberson #1 cb
Pryer #2 ss
Swanson #2 C
Johnson #3 DT
Abbrederis #3 Wr
McCarren #4 QB
Smallwood #5 ILB
McCullars #6 NT
Bryant #7 wr
TJ Jone #7 wr
A Cove #7 cb
FA Byrd/ Maclin
Lose: whitner, brown, wright, dalh, manningham, mccoy, rodgers, cox,
Feb 4, 2014 at 7:37 PM
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Kevin
30
QB JOHNNY MANZIEL
TEXAS A&M
56
WR DAVANTE ADAMS
FRESNO STATE
61
CB BRADLEY ROBY
OHIO STATE
77
DT WILL SUTTON
ARIZONA STATE
94
S AHMAD DIXON
BAYLOR
Could they really pass on Manziel if he actually fell to 30? I couldn't.
Feb 4, 2014 at 6:57 PM
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Matt
Baalke had surprised us since drafting Aldon Smith in the first round a few years ago. AJ Jenkin (1st rounder) was a miss unfortunately. I have a feeling we would be in for a surprise again. With that many picks as ammunition, it's pretty certain to predict Baalke will arrange deals to move up (hopefully in the 1st round). In that scenario, the Niners would consider the premium prospects like Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans at WR, Haha Clinton-Dix or Calvin Pryor at Safety, or Darqueze Dennard at CB.
Feb 4, 2014 at 5:27 PM
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Marty
Need to load up at defense. No use drafting offensive players, bench is already full (Hunter, James, Patton,Mac Donald). Staff will use only Gore, even if they have to push him out in a wheelchair.
I hope Harbaugh takes the regular season serious, it seems he like to wait for the playoffs.
Feb 4, 2014 at 4:20 PM
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Mike
Gilbert will go in the top ten. No way we trade up that high it will cost too much in both picks and initial $. Dennard is a better fit at CB being he is a better press cover CB and that's the scheme we play. He will be around in the late teens and an easy trade. It will take a 1st and 3rd similar to last year.
Feb 4, 2014 at 4:05 PM
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MidWestDynasty
Good mock Jack. What do you think about Odell Beckham Jr.?
Feb 4, 2014 at 3:30 PM
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Garry
I find it hard to believe that we would draft 2 RB'sFb's and even harder to believe that they will draft 3 Stanford and 7 players from out west.
Feb 4, 2014 at 3:26 PM
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Paul A.
Jack,
I like your thinking about P. Willis. He is 29 now, will probably play at All Pro level for at least 4-5 years. If Bowman is not able to return to his all pro level of play, very possible, then it is his replacement that needs to found.
Feb 4, 2014 at 2:36 PM
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jon
Don't the niners have a couple of 2s? I think they have more picks then you are mocking
Feb 4, 2014 at 1:24 PM
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rik
what about Donta Moncrief over brandin cooks? his stock seems to be down this year but i didnt see him do anything to convince me that his skills declined, he just saw a lot more double coverage in addition to the ole miss offense featuring laquon treadwell underneath also im wary of smaller recievers being able to carve out a role in out power offense we rarely go to 3 receiver sets and cooks is not beating the corners in our division on the outside.
Feb 4, 2014 at 12:19 PM
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Frank
Jack,
One of the best I've seen so far...I peruse Walter's Football mock draft database. Many are "meh", but some you can trust every year to produce meaningful drafts. You should list yours there. Even if Gilbert's gone (barring a Baalke trade up), there are a number of others like him. I'm intrigued by VA Tech's Kyle Fuller, similar size to Gilbert. That school's produced quite a few good secondary players for the NFL. Love the Cooks pick...he's got what we don't have which is speed & productivity. Love the Fales and McGill picks, too. Good job, Jack.
Feb 4, 2014 at 12:14 PM
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rik
i like Dixon but think we can do better maybe get dion bailey or Craig loston, to me they both project better on this team, maybe even take a flier on trying to get a kid like christian jones later in the draft and see if he has the fluidity to play on the back end, worst case scenario he becomes a core special teamer.
Feb 4, 2014 at 12:08 PM
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Ja415
Check this draft simulator out...
http://first-pick.com/Default.aspx
You can trade picks. It's hours of nerdy fun.
Feb 4, 2014 at 12:08 PM
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Kevin
Which simulator were you using? I keep seeing Gilbert go in the top15. I seem to end up with a mix like:
30: Safety - Clinton-Dix
56: WR - Davonte Adams
61: CB - Kyle Fuller
77: DE - Will Sutton
94: QB - Jimmy Garoppolo
But I'd be trading up like crazy in this draft. I wouldn't want to come away with more than 5-6 bodies at the end of it, almost all of them top-end.
Feb 4, 2014 at 12:07 PM
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rik
yup thinking gilbert will be available that late is unrealistic, more of a possibility is Marcus Roberson from Florida or taking a shot with a physically gifted but technically deficient kid like his teammate Lucious Purifoy.
Feb 4, 2014 at 11:58 AM
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m_brockalexander
Nice mock. Hits all the major needs, but curious why you waited till the 7th round for additional WR help. Just asking.
Feb 4, 2014 at 11:49 AM
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bige7399
1st of all this Mock draft stuff is no joke when you can't trade up or down. I picked up 2 WR's (Allen Robinson & Jarvis Jones) and 2 DB's (Baptiste and Walt Atkins), SS - Craig Loston or Dion Bailey (toss up), C - Stork from FSU. Still looking for D-Line help
Feb 4, 2014 at 11:37 AM
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BigRay
The number one pice should be Kelvin Benjamin
Feb 4, 2014 at 11:26 AM
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DaNiners
Based on their history and having 13 picks, I promise you the 49ers will move up in the first round. If they were smart, and knowing how close they are to the 'Hawks, they would take a page out of the Vikings book and grab 2 or 3 in the top 30. They won't, but should/could.
Feb 4, 2014 at 11:15 AM
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Dominic
Patrick Willis is almost done? Lol. We have him for many years to come my friend. You make it sound like he's a couple of years away from retirement. Lol
Feb 4, 2014 at 10:56 AM
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TRUNINERFAN
I don't think Gilbert will be there at 30.
Feb 4, 2014 at 10:26 AM
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mooseman
Not bad,However you should figure the free agent signings first.Boldin, Whitner,etc.
Feb 4, 2014 at 10:09 AM
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