Nick's Final Mock Draft (Full 1st Round)

Originally posted by nickbradley:
Tebow also helps them sell a stadium.

How does Tebow help the Vikes gain a new stadium ? Everybody and there Mom knows Tebow is a project and a risk as a QB, that will not make it any easier to get a new stadium.

Originally posted by nickbradley:

Originally posted by ramanz16:
If I couldn't trade the #17 pick, I'd select Iupati over Bryant - to play guard, not as a tackle project. That's a high pick for a guard but his talent isn't in question and he'd be an upgrade over what we've got. We'll be getting a bit diva-heavy in the reciever department with Bryant onboard.

but if you take Iupati, we still don't have a RT. What did you accomplish by doing that?

And I don't think Dez is a diva -- I think he is getting a bad rap. I think he's kind of dumb, but WRs don't have to be rocket scientists...

You're right, we didn't solve the RT issue in either scenario, but we solified our o-line elsewhere which imo is a greater need than adding another WR. As in your scenario, we look at OT in later rounds.

Bryant for me just isn't worth the risk, the guy makes bad decisions off the field and I'm not sure we'll be throwing enough to keep him, Crabtree AND Davis happy.

Questions...Situations...Players

Regarding Dashon Goldson. Although he was good last year, I hear talk about moving him to SS and drafting a FS? Would it be more logical to pass on a player like Earl Thomas and look for a SS in later rounds and leave Goldson at FS? I think the bigger concern is who will fill Michael Lewis as he nears the end of his career. They're are many talented FS's in this years draft but I am beginning to feel confident in Goldson as our FS of the future, not SS. Is it easier to draft a FS and push Goldson to SS or to leave Goldson at FS and draft SS? I thinking moving a player to a different position following a break out year would not make much sense.

Dan Williams. For some reason, drafting DT's early in the draft scares the s**t out of me. Perhaps because of our track record with drafting DL but either way I am scared of this player. Although this years draft class in DL is a very high one, and depth at NT is very necessary, I am still scared of drafting this player. I did do some research on Dan Williams and honestly he does look like a very very good football player and I could be very wrong, I just do not want the 49ers to draft DL with our first pick.

Anthony Davis. If Davis, Spiller, and Haden are all available at 13, who do we pick? I think the better question is, who of these players will still be available at the 17th pick. Although this situation is not very likely, it could very well happen. The decision will not come down to who is the highest player on our board, but who is the most likely to still be available at 17. When I think of Davis, I think of his combine performance, which was bad. I think of a player who has a ton of potential, but scares me. I am more confident in Charles Brown out of USC but know that he is too much of a reach at 17. So I my question still lies at who will we pick if these players are available at 13?

Sergio Kindle. Sergio Kindle is a very intriguing player to me. When I think of him I think of Brian Orakpo. I also think that we have many solid OLB on our current roster and wonder if taking a player like Kindle would give us the best value. I think he is going to be a very good player and if he is available at 17, we should take a very serious look at drafting him.

In conclusion. I think taking BPA gives us the best chance to draft a good football player. I don't want to draft Davis unless he is available at 17 and I am willing to take that risk. I would have no problem drafting Haden/Kindle Spiller/Kindle Spiller/Iupati and taking Roger Saffold or Vladimir Ducasse in the 2nd. Something to think about.

Originally posted by KRS-1:

Originally posted by nickbradley:

Originally posted by KRS-1:

Originally posted by nickbradley:

Originally posted by j3xperience:
I honestly dont think dez bryant would be a good pick at 17. Is there value? Yes. Would it be the best move for us? No. Simply put because we have a WR from last year, a developing one from a couple years, one of the best tight ends, and a helleva running back. we mostly ran 2WR 1TE 1Rb with the option of a FB. I think that we need a OL or else you cant utilize it if you QB is on his bum for the whole game. We NEED OL. I'm impartial to the Earl Thomas pick but again, I feel we need to draft for places of need, not places of luxury and Bryant is a pick of luxury.

BTW, there is no guarantee Farve is coming back, and Minnesota is built to win now, not win later. Tebow will not be the pick, it would be colt mccoy if they go QB

Then unless you trade down, who do you pick @ 17?

And on Tebow to the Vikes, there has been a TON of chatter on the subject --

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/04/12/vikings-eyeball-tebow/

Saint Paul Pioneer Press journalist Charley Walters disagrees :

Quote:
The Vikings will take Florida QB Tim Tebow with the No. 30 pick in Thursday's NFL draft, projects Pro Football Weekly. But the reality is, there is virtually no chance of that happening.

Link

The author gives no information to back that up, NONE AT ALL. Probably a smokescreen for the Vikes front office, who personally attended his workout isntead of Clausen's. Tebow also helps them sell a stadium.

What did Florio really have to back up his s**t ? NOTHING, it's all speculation but the local journalist probably is closer to the truth than Mike Florio.

Florio cited Peter King, who is pretty well-respected.

Originally posted by joey82:

Originally posted by nickbradley:

Originally posted by joey82:



No offensive linemen in the first is terrible.

Thomas is not good value at 13. Do you really want a guy who struggles tackling to be our last line of defense? Thomas is solid at covering and will probably be a fine corner but I don't like spending a top 15 pick and changing his position. Until he shows better ability at tackling then putting him at FS is a liability no matter how good he may be able to cover the field.

While Dez is fine value at 17 I think you are seriously undervaluing both Brown and Iupati. Especially considering that OTs tend to be selected earlier than other positions and how big of a need we have for quality OL.

I don't know what it is Nick but you have an unhealthy mancrush on Thomas. Every single mock you do has us taking him.

Yep, I think Thomas has the best ball skills in a long, long time...better than Berry! And Mike Mayock agrees. Thomas does not have poor tackling skills, but he is not a SS, play-in-the-box guy either. He is a pure FS, a guy who can take away the deep threat. His position will not be changes to CB, he will stay at FS.

If one of the Top 4 OTs were available at 13, we would be taking one of them.

Speaking of OTs, Iupati has never played the position. Please take a look at KC's recent experience trying to convert a Guard to play OT (Branden Albert).

You also have to remember that we're drafting a RIGHT tackle here, not an LT. You can get a RT in the 2nd or 3rd round that can be very effective. So unless you plan on drafting a guy that can push Staley for his job someday (I think the Top 4 OTs can, the rest cannot), then you're better off waiting.

Disagree completely.. I don't think you are being objective at all, your mancrush is deluding you. Is Thomas a great player sure, but he doesn't have the best ball skills in a long long time either. The guys biggest weakness is tackling. He does have issues with it and a safety should not have tackling issues even if they aren't a SS they still need to support on running plays and be the last line of defense on passing plays.

Brandon Albert is going to start at Tackle for the Chiefs this year it is uncommon for any player to start as a rookie especially out of position. Remember that our first rounders aren't necessarily going to be impact players in their rookie years. Even if we have to play Iupati at guard then that is fine because Baas isn't sticking around for much longer and he could be great insurance if Rachal fails to develop.

Brown could be an excellent RT or even a future LT. I don't care if it is just a RIGHT tackle if we can't keep Smith upright we are not going to the playoffs.

I personally love the arguement that we shouldn't draft an RT in the first because you can find them later. Well guess what you can find any position later in the draft. Tom Brady was a sixth rounder so I guess no reason to ever take a QB in the first because you can get them later right?

If there is a gaping hole on your team and a guy with good value available you take him. It is simple. Considering that both Brown and Iupati would both go before 25 (if they are even there at 17) is it really that much of a reach to take them at 17?

I agree with the above post COMPLETELY. I appreciate your mocks, nick, but your mancrush on Earl Thomas really is getting a little out of hand. He is NOT better than Berry. If that was the case, then every team would have Thomas rated higher but that just isn't the case. I've watched Thomas play and he does have trouble tackling. He was basically the last line of defense playing center field which helped his interception numbers a lot. Eric Berry was able to do it playing all over the field, making picks, forcing fumbles, breaking up passes, and stopping running backs.

Also, the selection of Dez Bryant is ridiculous. I just don't see the Niners going that route. You say Kyle Wilson is a reach and I disagree. You even have him getting selected two slots after us. If the first 16 picks fell the way you mocked, the pick would have to be Wilson, Iupati, or Charles Brown. Charles Brown has the ability to play left or right tackle which makes his value and ceiling higher.

And about finding tackles later in the draft, we could definitely say the same thing about safeties. IMO, the safety class is better than the tackle class after the first round. There are so many good safeties that would be available in the 2nd or 3rd like Chad Jones, Major Wright, Morgan Burnett, and so on.

Originally posted by nickbradley:

Originally posted by KRS-1:

Originally posted by nickbradley:

Originally posted by KRS-1:

Originally posted by nickbradley:

Originally posted by j3xperience:
I honestly dont think dez bryant would be a good pick at 17. Is there value? Yes. Would it be the best move for us? No. Simply put because we have a WR from last year, a developing one from a couple years, one of the best tight ends, and a helleva running back. we mostly ran 2WR 1TE 1Rb with the option of a FB. I think that we need a OL or else you cant utilize it if you QB is on his bum for the whole game. We NEED OL. I'm impartial to the Earl Thomas pick but again, I feel we need to draft for places of need, not places of luxury and Bryant is a pick of luxury.

BTW, there is no guarantee Farve is coming back, and Minnesota is built to win now, not win later. Tebow will not be the pick, it would be colt mccoy if they go QB

Then unless you trade down, who do you pick @ 17?

And on Tebow to the Vikes, there has been a TON of chatter on the subject --

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/04/12/vikings-eyeball-tebow/

Saint Paul Pioneer Press journalist Charley Walters disagrees :

Quote:
The Vikings will take Florida QB Tim Tebow with the No. 30 pick in Thursday's NFL draft, projects Pro Football Weekly. But the reality is, there is virtually no chance of that happening.

Link

The author gives no information to back that up, NONE AT ALL. Probably a smokescreen for the Vikes front office, who personally attended his workout isntead of Clausen's. Tebow also helps them sell a stadium.

What did Florio really have to back up his s**t ? NOTHING, it's all speculation but the local journalist probably is closer to the truth than Mike Florio.

Florio cited Peter King, who is pretty well-respected.

Read it properly, Florio is speculating not citing King per se.

Per King :

Quote:
The Vikings, who pick 30th in the first round, had a private workout with Florida quarterback/NFL temptor Tim Tebow Saturday. Though I think it's a long shot that Minnesota would use the 30th pick of the first round to take Tebow, it's interesting that coach Brad Childress and VP of personnel Rick Spielman, who have the draft-day juice, were both present for the workout, according to a Florida source.

Originally posted by joey82:

Originally posted by nickbradley:

Originally posted by joey82:



No offensive linemen in the first is terrible.

Thomas is not good value at 13. Do you really want a guy who struggles tackling to be our last line of defense? Thomas is solid at covering and will probably be a fine corner but I don't like spending a top 15 pick and changing his position. Until he shows better ability at tackling then putting him at FS is a liability no matter how good he may be able to cover the field.

While Dez is fine value at 17 I think you are seriously undervaluing both Brown and Iupati. Especially considering that OTs tend to be selected earlier than other positions and how big of a need we have for quality OL.

I don't know what it is Nick but you have an unhealthy mancrush on Thomas. Every single mock you do has us taking him.

Yep, I think Thomas has the best ball skills in a long, long time...better than Berry! And Mike Mayock agrees. Thomas does not have poor tackling skills, but he is not a SS, play-in-the-box guy either. He is a pure FS, a guy who can take away the deep threat. His position will not be changes to CB, he will stay at FS.

If one of the Top 4 OTs were available at 13, we would be taking one of them.

Speaking of OTs, Iupati has never played the position. Please take a look at KC's recent experience trying to convert a Guard to play OT (Branden Albert).

You also have to remember that we're drafting a RIGHT tackle here, not an LT. You can get a RT in the 2nd or 3rd round that can be very effective. So unless you plan on drafting a guy that can push Staley for his job someday (I think the Top 4 OTs can, the rest cannot), then you're better off waiting.

Disagree completely.. I don't think you are being objective at all, your mancrush is deluding you. Is Thomas a great player sure, but he doesn't have the best ball skills in a long long time either. The guys biggest weakness is tackling. He does have issues with it and a safety should not have tackling issues even if they aren't a SS they still need to support on running plays and be the last line of defense on passing plays.

Brandon Albert is going to start at Tackle for the Chiefs this year it is uncommon for any player to start as a rookie especially out of position. Remember that our first rounders aren't necessarily going to be impact players in their rookie years. Even if we have to play Iupati at guard then that is fine because Baas isn't sticking around for much longer and he could be great insurance if Rachal fails to develop.

Brown could be an excellent RT or even a future LT. I don't care if it is just a RIGHT tackle if we can't keep Smith upright we are not going to the playoffs.

I personally love the arguement that we shouldn't draft an RT in the first because you can find them later. Well guess what you can find any position later in the draft. Tom Brady was a sixth rounder so I guess no reason to ever take a QB in the first because you can get them later right?

If there is a gaping hole on your team and a guy with good value available you take him. It is simple. Considering that both Brown and Iupati would both go before 25 (if they are even there at 17) is it really that much of a reach to take them at 17?

Thomas has the best ball skills since Ed Reed, and Mike Mayock has the same opinion.

Regarding the other issue, you're clearly in the 'draft for need' camp instead of Best Player Available. If your biggest need is Kicker or Punter, that doesn't mean you take one in the 1st round...unless you're Al Davis.

For the 49ers picks, I followed one simple rule: draft your biggest need if that player is near the top of your draft board. If that player is not near the top, look elsewhere.

Take the #17 pick:

Let's say that Dez Bryant is #5 on our draft board, and Charles Brown is #25. Do you take the glaringly best player available, or reach to meet need? This is the same strategy we followed last year when we took Crabtree. In hindsight, Oher was an amazing pick for the Ravens, but he did slip to #23.

Originally posted by rosenbaum8:
Questions...Situations...Players

Regarding Dashon Goldson. Although he was good last year, I hear talk about moving him to SS and drafting a FS? Would it be more logical to pass on a player like Earl Thomas and look for a SS in later rounds and leave Goldson at FS? I think the bigger concern is who will fill Michael Lewis as he nears the end of his career. They're are many talented FS's in this years draft but I am beginning to feel confident in Goldson as our FS of the future, not SS. Is it easier to draft a FS and push Goldson to SS or to leave Goldson at FS and draft SS? I thinking moving a player to a different position following a break out year would not make much sense.

Dan Williams. For some reason, drafting DT's early in the draft scares the s**t out of me. Perhaps because of our track record with drafting DL but either way I am scared of this player. Although this years draft class in DL is a very high one, and depth at NT is very necessary, I am still scared of drafting this player. I did do some research on Dan Williams and honestly he does look like a very very good football player and I could be very wrong, I just do not want the 49ers to draft DL with our first pick.

Anthony Davis. If Davis, Spiller, and Haden are all available at 13, who do we pick? I think the better question is, who of these players will still be available at the 17th pick. Although this situation is not very likely, it could very well happen. The decision will not come down to who is the highest player on our board, but who is the most likely to still be available at 17. When I think of Davis, I think of his combine performance, which was bad. I think of a player who has a ton of potential, but scares me. I am more confident in Charles Brown out of USC but know that he is too much of a reach at 17. So I my question still lies at who will we pick if these players are available at 13?

Sergio Kindle. Sergio Kindle is a very intriguing player to me. When I think of him I think of Brian Orakpo. I also think that we have many solid OLB on our current roster and wonder if taking a player like Kindle would give us the best value. I think he is going to be a very good player and if he is available at 17, we should take a very serious look at drafting him.

In conclusion. I think taking BPA gives us the best chance to draft a good football player. I don't want to draft Davis unless he is available at 17 and I am willing to take that risk. I would have no problem drafting Haden/Kindle Spiller/Kindle Spiller/Iupati and taking Roger Saffold or Vladimir Ducasse in the 2nd. Something to think about.

Exactly about Goldson. They guy was getting it at the end of the season to now switch his position could possibly stunt his progression.

One thing though who are these many solid OLB's on the roster? Manny is a 2 down backer that has to come off the field for a pass rusher specialist. Brooks is only a pass rushing specialist so far. that leaves Parys as the only 3 down OLB'er and he wasn't exactly setting the world on fire last year. There is definite value at drafting a OLB with great pass rushing ability. Plus it looks as if Manny will be gone after this season.

Originally posted by KRS-1:

Originally posted by nickbradley:
Tebow also helps them sell a stadium.

How does Tebow help the Vikes gain a new stadium ? Everybody and there Mom knows Tebow is a project and a risk as a QB, that will not make it any easier to get a new stadium.

The argument is that Tebow is a very popular player with the fans, and is extremely active in the community. Those two factors can cause support to increase.

This argument was made in a Bleacher Report article, and it made sense to me.

Originally posted by ramanz16:

Originally posted by nickbradley:

Originally posted by ramanz16:
If I couldn't trade the #17 pick, I'd select Iupati over Bryant - to play guard, not as a tackle project. That's a high pick for a guard but his talent isn't in question and he'd be an upgrade over what we've got. We'll be getting a bit diva-heavy in the reciever department with Bryant onboard.

but if you take Iupati, we still don't have a RT. What did you accomplish by doing that?

And I don't think Dez is a diva -- I think he is getting a bad rap. I think he's kind of dumb, but WRs don't have to be rocket scientists...

You're right, we didn't solve the RT issue in either scenario, but we solified our o-line elsewhere which imo is a greater need than adding another WR. As in your scenario, we look at OT in later rounds.

Bryant for me just isn't worth the risk, the guy makes bad decisions off the field and I'm not sure we'll be throwing enough to keep him, Crabtree AND Davis happy.

The big gaping hold on our O-line is at RT, not guard...although our guard play could be a lot better.

As far as Dez goes, he's had ONE off-the-field issue: lying about doing business with Deion Sanders...that's it. No drugs, no criminal activity, no gang sh*t.

I can't see us passing up Clausen in your mock.

Originally posted by SF69ers:

Originally posted by joey82:

Originally posted by nickbradley:

Originally posted by joey82:



No offensive linemen in the first is terrible.

Thomas is not good value at 13. Do you really want a guy who struggles tackling to be our last line of defense? Thomas is solid at covering and will probably be a fine corner but I don't like spending a top 15 pick and changing his position. Until he shows better ability at tackling then putting him at FS is a liability no matter how good he may be able to cover the field.

While Dez is fine value at 17 I think you are seriously undervaluing both Brown and Iupati. Especially considering that OTs tend to be selected earlier than other positions and how big of a need we have for quality OL.

I don't know what it is Nick but you have an unhealthy mancrush on Thomas. Every single mock you do has us taking him.

Yep, I think Thomas has the best ball skills in a long, long time...better than Berry! And Mike Mayock agrees. Thomas does not have poor tackling skills, but he is not a SS, play-in-the-box guy either. He is a pure FS, a guy who can take away the deep threat. His position will not be changes to CB, he will stay at FS.

If one of the Top 4 OTs were available at 13, we would be taking one of them.

Speaking of OTs, Iupati has never played the position. Please take a look at KC's recent experience trying to convert a Guard to play OT (Branden Albert).

You also have to remember that we're drafting a RIGHT tackle here, not an LT. You can get a RT in the 2nd or 3rd round that can be very effective. So unless you plan on drafting a guy that can push Staley for his job someday (I think the Top 4 OTs can, the rest cannot), then you're better off waiting.

Disagree completely.. I don't think you are being objective at all, your mancrush is deluding you. Is Thomas a great player sure, but he doesn't have the best ball skills in a long long time either. The guys biggest weakness is tackling. He does have issues with it and a safety should not have tackling issues even if they aren't a SS they still need to support on running plays and be the last line of defense on passing plays.

Brandon Albert is going to start at Tackle for the Chiefs this year it is uncommon for any player to start as a rookie especially out of position. Remember that our first rounders aren't necessarily going to be impact players in their rookie years. Even if we have to play Iupati at guard then that is fine because Baas isn't sticking around for much longer and he could be great insurance if Rachal fails to develop.

Brown could be an excellent RT or even a future LT. I don't care if it is just a RIGHT tackle if we can't keep Smith upright we are not going to the playoffs.

I personally love the arguement that we shouldn't draft an RT in the first because you can find them later. Well guess what you can find any position later in the draft. Tom Brady was a sixth rounder so I guess no reason to ever take a QB in the first because you can get them later right?

If there is a gaping hole on your team and a guy with good value available you take him. It is simple. Considering that both Brown and Iupati would both go before 25 (if they are even there at 17) is it really that much of a reach to take them at 17?

I agree with the above post COMPLETELY. I appreciate your mocks, nick, but your mancrush on Earl Thomas really is getting a little out of hand. He is NOT better than Berry. If that was the case, then every team would have Thomas rated higher but that just isn't the case. I've watched Thomas play and he does have trouble tackling. He was basically the last line of defense playing center field which helped his interception numbers a lot. Eric Berry was able to do it playing all over the field, making picks, forcing fumbles, breaking up passes, and stopping running backs.

Also, the selection of Dez Bryant is ridiculous. I just don't see the Niners going that route. You say Kyle Wilson is a reach and I disagree. You even have him getting selected two slots after us. If the first 16 picks fell the way you mocked, the pick would have to be Wilson, Iupati, or Charles Brown. Charles Brown has the ability to play left or right tackle which makes his value and ceiling higher.

And about finding tackles later in the draft, we could definitely say the same thing about safeties. IMO, the safety class is better than the tackle class after the first round. There are so many good safeties that would be available in the 2nd or 3rd like Chad Jones, Major Wright, Morgan Burnett, and so on.

Berry is a better all-around safety, Thomas is a better free safety/center fielder type. Berry can play either position, Thomas CANNOT.

I do not think that we ARE going to take Dez Bryant; as I said, I think we would trade out of the spot if that scenario happened. If your biggest "need" is not available, you go with BPA...its that simple.

Wilson goes three picks later, but CB IS HOUSTON'S BIGGEST NEED. If CB wasn't their biggest need, they wouldn't have taken him.

Quote:
The Vikings, who pick 30th in the first round, had a private workout with Florida quarterback/NFL temptor Tim Tebow Saturday. Though I think it's a long shot that Minnesota would use the 30th pick of the first round to take Tebow, it's interesting that coach Brad Childress and VP of personnel Rick Spielman, who have the draft-day juice, were both present for the workout, according to a Florida source.

The fact is that Childress and Spielman both went to the workout. King thinks it won't happen, in SPITE of their visit. The Pioneer reporter just says "no".

Cleveland had a good young runner step up late in the season. Jerome Harrison i think. I think he showed enough to prevent them going with Spiller.

Interesting picks for the 49ers. We better be getting a OT and OG in rounds 2 and 3

Originally posted by cwilson830:
I can't see us passing up Clausen in your mock.

I do; Its a make or break year for the 49ers and Alex Smith. 2011 is a GREAT GREAT QB draft.

Why would you jump the gun like that?

If Alex Fails, start over in '11.