Is drafting OL a solution for next year?

Originally posted by m_brockalexander:

Originally posted by GoFD74:

Originally posted by kronik:

Originally posted by GoFD74:

Originally posted by kronik:
So when should we draft them? You do know it's very rare a good young OL will be available in FA right?

I don't want to speak for the n00b, but he's not saying absolutely don't draft an OL...he's just saying that we as fans shouldn't confuse this with having the problem "fixed" for next year. It's likely going to take some time before the rookie OT (whoever it is) begins to pay some dividends...the question is, will we fans realize this or will we want to get rid of the guy (like we always do) if he doesn't immediately make things better?

I don't think that's whatthis n00b is saying. He is saying "This is not why you draft for need ...blah blah.." I am getting the message that he doesn't want to draft any OL in the 1st round.

Ok...then he's wrong, specifically because a guy like Bryan Bulaga, Trent Williams or even Anthony Davis (at least one of the three) will likely be sitting there when we pick, and they would all grade out around that area more or less. So that would be picking for value, even though it happens to address a need as well. Now, if we reach for Jason Fox or Ciron Black in the 1st round, then he has a point.

To me, the bigger issue is, drafting an OT doesn't mean the problem is immediately solved. But hopefully most fans know this already.

Then again, there has been plenty of evidence from recent drafts that drafting lineman early can really work out. Take a look at the Pro Bowl tackles for the AFC this year:

* Jake Long, Miami (injured)
* Ryan Clady, Denver
# D'Brickashaw Ferguson, N.Y. Jets
Joe Thomas, Cleveland

Except for D'Brick, the other guys were high 1st round picks who moved into the starting lineup and excelled right away. We can only hope the Niners pick the right guys and get the immediate return like the Dolphins, Browns, and Broncos did.

These guys were all real special talents. I don't see any OL this year rated any where near these guys so far (except Clady). What did the other OL drafted in the first round of the same year do in their rookie year? Nadda. These guys are the exceptions and not the rule. 3 out of the 4 were taken either #1 or 2. That kind of talent is available this year, and we don't have a high enough pick.

I think it is. Our OL has been sub par for far to long.. Not sure if it's players or coaching or both. I do know that good teams have a good OL.

If we were to spend both our 1st rounders on the OL I would be very happy!!

Let's hope they turn out like Clady and Hutchinson..

Originally posted by kronik:
So when should we draft them? You do know it's very rare a good young OL will be available in FA right?

Yes. Rt and Lg are the biggest needs at ol so draft starters like Mike. Watch him he's going to be good in the nfl for the right team.

[ Edited by TheGoldDiggerrrr on Jan 9, 2010 at 00:24:57 ]

Originally posted by m_brockalexander:

Originally posted by GoFD74:

Originally posted by kronik:

Originally posted by GoFD74:

Originally posted by kronik:
So when should we draft them? You do know it's very rare a good young OL will be available in FA right?

I don't want to speak for the n00b, but he's not saying absolutely don't draft an OL...he's just saying that we as fans shouldn't confuse this with having the problem "fixed" for next year. It's likely going to take some time before the rookie OT (whoever it is) begins to pay some dividends...the question is, will we fans realize this or will we want to get rid of the guy (like we always do) if he doesn't immediately make things better?

I don't think that's whatthis n00b is saying. He is saying "This is not why you draft for need ...blah blah.." I am getting the message that he doesn't want to draft any OL in the 1st round.

Ok...then he's wrong, specifically because a guy like Bryan Bulaga, Trent Williams or even Anthony Davis (at least one of the three) will likely be sitting there when we pick, and they would all grade out around that area more or less. So that would be picking for value, even though it happens to address a need as well. Now, if we reach for Jason Fox or Ciron Black in the 1st round, then he has a point.

To me, the bigger issue is, drafting an OT doesn't mean the problem is immediately solved. But hopefully most fans know this already.

Then again, there has been plenty of evidence from recent drafts that drafting lineman early can really work out. Take a look at the Pro Bowl tackles for the AFC this year:

* Jake Long, Miami (injured)
* Ryan Clady, Denver
# D'Brickashaw Ferguson, N.Y. Jets
Joe Thomas, Cleveland

Except for D'Brick, the other guys were high 1st round picks who moved into the starting lineup and excelled right away. We can only hope the Niners pick the right guys and get the immediate return like the Dolphins, Browns, and Broncos did.

Hopefully we do get a very good offensive lineman in the draft.

We have to upgrade the RT position. Snyder is a favorit of mine but he has trouble with speed rushers. Another Guard to push Rachal and Bass would be good. But if Jimmy Raye keeps calling predictable plays, it might not matter if we had the best OL in all of football. Teams will shoot the gaps.

Originally posted by irief:
Most OL players take a couple of seasons to really develop into solid players. Their first year or two usually about learning the subtlties of the position and hitting the weights. The same goes for most DL players. There are definitely exceptions to this, but usually it takes these guys a little while to settle in.

This is why you shouldn't draft for need. You draft the player that you think will eventually become the best pro player. A more sure fire way of filling a position of need is through getting a proven stud in Free Agency.

For those clamoring to draft OL in the first round, understand that this probably won't solidify our OL by next year. It may provide for a down the road solution, but probably not an immediate impact.

I disagree. Rookie linemen can certainly be projects but in the right situation they can be an improvement over what the team had. I think the 9ers are in such a situation where at least two of their offensive linemen were so bad last year that a talented rookie could step in and upgrade the offensive line immediately.

The draft is a crap shoot but most O-line players usually pan out better than most positions. Pick up a tackle to replace Snyder and a guard in the 4th or 5th round to develop.

Originally posted by irief:
Most OL players take a couple of seasons to really develop into solid players. Their first year or two usually about learning the subtlties of the position and hitting the weights. The same goes for most DL players. There are definitely exceptions to this, but usually it takes these guys a little while to settle in.

This is why you shouldn't draft for need. You draft the player that you think will eventually become the best pro player. A more sure fire way of filling a position of need is through getting a proven stud in Free Agency.

For those clamoring to draft OL in the first round, understand that this probably won't solidify our OL by next year. It may provide for a down the road solution, but probably not an immediate impact.

FA is unlikely to deliver the answers this year. And whilst draftees need time to develop and so on, there just isn't an alternative. That is how bad the line has got IMO.

A tackle in the first and either Iaputi with the other 1st or another guard in the 2nd should give us an immediate upgrade. Whilst starting two rookies is not to be recommended, I don't think we are likely to have a choice.

And, depending on how Wallace is perceived, a g or g/c around the 4th.

It would DEFINITELY help!

I can't beleive people are saying Olinemen don't contribute immediately. And not just top 5 talent guys, just look at 2008, 8 llineman taken in the first, the 1st 2 are now pro bowlers, the last two were considered reaches in Brown and Baker, yet both stabilized their lines immediately. Other than Cherilous, all have been very good (Albert is mascast at T) Generally guys are taken to play LT, and yes some struggle due to the speed, but taking a top college LT and playing them at RT from day one will generally improve the line. Now couple that with the Gs that have been first round rated, there arent' many, Grubbs comes to mind in Balt, those guys also tend to pan out pretty quickly. That being said taking a WIlliams and Iupati in round one would be a fantastic scenario and one I would prefer.

[ Edited by TX9R on Jan 11, 2010 at 12:04:50 ]

if the rookie allows less than 10 sacks; receives less than 8 penalties in the season and there is added production of yards in the running game going to the right side then hes better than what we had out there this season

You darn right we need OL help and this is what we should do:
Sign FA Reggie Bush
1st first RND: Brian Bulaga OL
2ND first RND: Campbell OL
2ND RND: Sapp/Iupati/Gilyard/Tate in this order
3rd RND: McCluster if Bush doesn't sign otherwise which ever one of these DBs are avail: Brandon Ghee/Arenas/Cox/Robinson
4thRND: Kyle Wilson (CB) My be steal of the draft

In my GM world we'd have added much needed speed and Playmakers
RB: Gore/Bush plus K/R and or P/R
OL: Bulaga/Campbell
Pass rusher LB: Sapp
Speedy CBs and future starters: 3rd RND Ghee or Arenas (P/R also)
4th RND: CB Kyle Wilson plus another K/R or P/R NOTE: may have to trade up into the 3rd RND to get him. A 4th, 5th and 7th should do it.

**Lastly, I'd give up next yr's first RND pick/B. Jones for B. Marshall...his speed and power combo in my opinion makes him unique! I'm just not sold on Crab/Morgan/Hill/Jones! Yesterday games ArZ/GB proves this need!!

RECAP:
We've added 2 stud OLs
Speed and More weapons for the offense with Bush/Marshall
Future CBs with the combo of (3rd RND) Ghee/Arenas/Cox/Robinson and Wilson (late 3rd RND or 4th RND)
K/R-P/R with the combo of Bush/Ghee/Arenas and Wilson.

1.Bulgua OL
1a. Campbell OL
2. Sapp Rush LB
3. Ghee/Cox/Arenas/Robinson CB
4. Wilson CB/KR/PR
F/A: Bush RB/KR or P/R
Trade: for WR Brandon Marshall...our true #1 WR! Man just needs to be paid!!

If Alex screw up these weapons he needs to be B'ch-slapped!
Gore/Bush
V. Davis/Walker
Marshall/Crabtree/Morgan/Hill

**I'm not talking Playoff, I'm talking SB baby^o^

This probably belongs in Niner talk now (so help me out mods), but it was easy to see the predicament in starting two rookies from a mile away.

Originally posted by irief:
This probably belongs in Niner talk now (so help me out mods), but it was easy to see the predicament in starting two rookies from a mile away.

Well, we had little choice. Guard was a problem and we could not have passed up Iupati. And I think it was right to start him.

Davis was a good pick but we should probably played Simms on the left and Staley on the right this year. But that's with hindsight