MadDog's Niners Draft Grade and Analysis for 2012 NFL Draft | Page 56

MadDog49er · 2012-04-29T11:16:56-07:00

Well, another draft comes and goes and time will tell who are the big winners and losers from this weekend. The Niners tried an unconventional approach this year, which may end working out well, or flopping. Once again, a few years down the road, a clear picture of the strength of this draft will emerge. There are many ways to approach my analysis. At first glance, I thought an incomplete grade is warranted. The addition of a third round pick next year, via trade, does add some merit to this draft class. The later rounds won't have the same impact in the grade, but any additional pick is an additional pick. However, going the incomplete route is a cop-out, since this is all fun and games. So, here it is: Round One- AJ Jenkins- A bit surprised with the pick. However, in the last days before the draft, the Rams were all over him, and I almost put him at 33 on my big board. I thought they wanted J. Jenkins more and had AJ after him. Jenkins was the 7th WR on my board, and the 4th taken overall. I think he is a good player, not a great player. To me, he is a solid number two WR in the NFL, but this is not going to happen until year 3. Expect very little impact in 2012. Smooth, quick, runs good routes, and productive, despite a lack of quality QB play. Saw a lot of him since I live in Big Ten country. Grade: F. The reason for the grade is more than the player (because to me, Jenkins at 30 is a C+ grade). It is the opportunity to utilize the pick for the best value. And the best value at 30, was to not stay at 30. Great opportunities jump in front of you rarely in the draft, and the Niners passed on a golden one. Due to the nature of needs-based picks, from 6-21, we saw a complete run on defensive players. Only Tannehill at 8, Floyd at 13, and K. Wright at 20 were selected on the offensive side of the ball. At 21, the Bengals traded down so NE could draft Chandler Jones. The next handful of teams on the clock had OL needs, and to me, this was the time to make a move. The Browns, at 22, from all reports, lost out on K. Wright at 20, and could have been a trade partner. The Lions, at 23, needed OL help. The Steelers, at 24, for sure. The Texans, at 26, as well. So, with the top graded interior lineman in possibly a decade sitting on the board at 22, in David DeCastro, the Niners could have picked up one of the best players in the draft, and at great value. It would have cost a third rounder according to the value of trades around the same pick and according to trade value chart. The Niners missed on DeCastro, which would have anchored the right side of the OL for a decade. Round 2- LaMichael James- Quick, shifty RB who can make players miss, and has potential to make big plays on offense. Rotational, third down back, who will probably play 10 snaps per game. And, therein lies the problem. The team is stocked at RB, with Gore, who is a three down back, Hunter, who is a similar back to James, and Brandon Jacobs. James may get his hands on the ball 3-4 times a game, and I just don't think this is good value for a second round selection. The team could have found a similar type player with even more explosiveness in Chris Rainey, about 4 rounds later. Grade: D. Round 3 Traded- Good negotiation by Baalke. The Colts drafted TY Hilton, who is more explosive than James, but they gave up a lot in moving up. A fifth rounder next year and the pick five picks later. Grade- A Round 4- Another great value trade dropping six slots and picking up a 6th this year and 6th next year. The Dolphins saw Lamar Miller on the board. Grade- A Round 4- A third trade in the matter of ten picks. Team gives up pick for a 3rd rounder in 2013. Panthers desperately wanted Frank Alexander, and I don't know why. Great value trade. Grade- A Round 4- Joe Looney- A pretty good pick under the circumstances. I think the team got burnt in the Dolphins trade when the Ravens grabbed Gino Gradkowski, who I think the team was all over. The best of the interior OL are long gone by now, and the team needs a guy who can come in and compete right now for a starting position. Looney has a ton of experience, is savvy, smart, and is technically sound. He will compete for the starting RG spot right away. That is the upside. The downside, Looney doesn't have much upside, and I'm not sure he will ever reach the level of Adam Snyder. A decent value pick because the team desperately needed a body. I had a list of guys graded higher, but I think pick is alright. Grade- B- Round 5- Darius Fleming- Good football player that is athletic, quick, and productive. Not sure how he fits on our team. I speculate the team will shift him inside to ILB, and he will compete for the primary backup role under Bowman. He provides some insurance in case Bowman does not re-sign with the team in the future. The team had greater needs, and there were better players on the board, so this is a head scratcher to me. Grade: D Round 6- Trent Robinson, Michigan State, FS- Home Run. The Niners get a steal in the 6th with a guy I had a late 3rd round grade. One of the best FS prospects in this draft, Robinson can run with WR's, and is not afraid to tackle. Productive, experienced, and solid instincts. Really outstanding pick.Grade: A Round 6- Jason Slowey- Another terrific pick from small school Western Oregon. Slowey adds a lot of versatility in this draft, as we will be able to play all three interior line positions, and in an emergency, play tackle. Athletic, tough, and raw. Has much more upside than Looney, and Slowey was on a list of six small school guys I predicted the team would select. Brilliant play for a sixth rounder. Grade: A Round 7- Cam Johnson- Edge OLB rusher, Virginia. Johnson is an enigma. Great athletic ability, played in a 3-4 system, has tremendous upside, and is a terrible underachiever. Lacks passion for the game, should be more productive and dominant. Guy with character flaws. However, you are getting second-third round talent in the 7th round, and if he can get his head on straight, becomes a terrific value pick. Could be starting material on another 3-4 team. Grade: A So, as you can see, this is a complicated grade, with the variable of additional productive players next year. In most drafts, the greatest focus of the grade is the first two or three picks, and this was the down part of this draft class. Just not enough bang for your buck, and the loss of a potential Pro-Bowl type player in DeCastro because the team did not make the move up. Late rounders and future picks helped the final score below. Final Draft Grade: C As for my draft board, based on my best player available board, in a straight up, no trade draft, I had: Round One- Peter Konz, C/G Round Two- Mohamed Sanu, WR Round Three- Brandon Thompson, NT Round Four- Malik Jackson, DE Round Five- Vick Ballard, RB Round Six- Antonio Allen, SS Round Seven- Derrius Brooks, CB It has been a fun run. I will gladly take all questions, and time permitting as I shift from this board to real life, I will hopefully get a chance to respond to all. Cheers.

Jul 18, 2018 at 9:16 PM

#826

9ers4eva
Veteran
Posts: 22,438

Originally posted by Wu-5Rings:
2014 season was a disaster brewing is my point sir..

Our whole line underperformed! Facts, They couldn't pass protect, Alex Boone held out... Created problems...

Correct me where I'm wrong... We knew that offensive line was becoming a problem..

Which has nothing to do with the point I was addressing. You want to b***h about 2014 have at it.

2014 being a disaster brewing and not playing Ted Ginn being a mistake can both be true.

What's not true is Harbaugh not ever having speed wrs.

[ Edited by 9ers4eva on Jul 18, 2018 at 9:18 PM ]

Jul 18, 2018 at 9:18 PM

#827

Wu-5Rings
Member
Posts: 12,083

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2296050-what-went-wrong-for-the-san-francisco-49ers-in-the-2014-season.amp.html

🤔

Jul 18, 2018 at 9:20 PM

#828

tjd808185
Veteran
Posts: 26,075

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:
Manning ham got hurt against Seattle. Replace him with Ginn.

This isn't playground football you can't just say everyone go deep every play. They replaced Manningham with someone who could run his routes.

Jul 18, 2018 at 9:23 PM

#829

Wu-5Rings
Member
Posts: 12,083

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:
Which has nothing to do with the point I was addressing. You want to b***h about 2014 have at it.

2014 being a disaster brewing and not playing Ted Ginn being a mistake can both be true.

What's not true is Harbaugh not ever having speed wrs.

He had Ted Ginn when he couldn't catch the ball. Kyle muffed at the most f**ked up moment as did Ginn two minutes after we got the lead against the Patriots. Not reliable.

[ Edited by Wu-5Rings on Jul 18, 2018 at 9:25 PM ]

Jul 18, 2018 at 9:24 PM

#830

9ers4eva
Veteran
Posts: 22,438

Originally posted by tjd808185:
This isn't playground football you can't just say everyone go deep every play. They replaced Manningham with someone who could run his routes.

Don't put up 700+ yards 3 straight years without being able to do more than just run a go route. And when did Mario become some polished route runner. Why he left Giants in first place.

Marquise Goodwin was supposedly a one trick pony too. Then he goes and nearly puts up 1k running all sorts of routes.

Jul 18, 2018 at 9:28 PM

#831

9ers4eva
Veteran
Posts: 22,438

Originally posted by Wu-5Rings:
He had Ted Ginn when he couldn't catch the ball. Kyle muffed at the most f**ked up moment as did Ginn two minutes after we got the lead against the Patriots. Not reliable.

So he magically could catch the next season?

Delanie Walker dropped the game winning td against Rams. Reason we lost that game. He had the worst hands on the entire team.

Jul 18, 2018 at 9:38 PM

#832

Wu-5Rings
Member
Posts: 12,083

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:
Originally posted by Wu-5Rings:
He had Ted Ginn when he couldn't catch the ball. Kyle muffed at the most f**ked up moment as did Ginn two minutes after we got the lead against the Patriots. Not reliable.

So he magically could catch the next season?

Delanie Walker dropped the game winning td against Rams. Reason we lost that game. He had the worst hands on the entire team.

"The issue with Ginn is threefold. First, he is now a free agent and it remains to be seen if the 49ers will pay him the kind of money he will want. In addition, Ginn has suffered through several nagging injuries and there comes a time when you have to wonder if you can count on him."

"In addition, Ginn is not a quality NFL receiver. He had 19 catches for 220 yards and no touchdowns. He also had several drops and does not do a good job catching the ball in traffic. At best, Ginn should be a fifth receiver."

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1034851-san-francisco-49ers-5-critical-areas-the-49ers-need-to-upgrade-for-2012#slide1

Dude wasn't reliable for us along with injuries.

[ Edited by Wu-5Rings on Jul 18, 2018 at 9:40 PM ]

Jul 18, 2018 at 9:43 PM

#833

9ers4eva
Veteran
Posts: 22,438

https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_702e73fa-d723-11e7-8ff1-7f1b628f3d51.html

Perhaps he could've redeemed himself here.

Walker wasn't reliable either.

Jul 18, 2018 at 9:45 PM

#834

Wu-5Rings
Member
Posts: 12,083

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:
https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_702e73fa-d723-11e7-8ff1-7f1b628f3d51.html

Perhaps he could've redeemed himself here.

Walker wasn't reliable either.

And how long should we wait for them to learn how to catch? Our window was 2011-2014 by 2014 the wheels were falling off.

Lack of bench and talent hurt us.

[ Edited by Wu-5Rings on Jul 18, 2018 at 9:47 PM ]

Jul 18, 2018 at 9:49 PM

#835

9ers4eva
Veteran
Posts: 22,438

Originally posted by Wu-5Rings:
And how long should we wait for them to learn to catch? Our window was 2011-2014 by 2014 the wheels were falling off.

Lack of bench and talent hurt us.

Ya give him more chances than that. Delanie couldn't catch for 8 years. Harbaugh still gave him chance after chance.

Jul 18, 2018 at 9:50 PM

#836

tjd808185
Veteran
Posts: 26,075

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:
Don't put up 700+ yards 3 straight years without being able to do more than just run a go route. And when did Mario become some polished route runner. Why he left Giants in first place.

Marquise Goodwin was supposedly a one trick pony too. Then he goes and nearly puts up 1k running all sorts of routes.

No one said a deep threat only goes deep. It's more along the lines of NO does not have Ted Ginn, Ted Ginn and Ted Ginn at receiver. Ginn has Michael Thomas, Brandon Coleman on the opposite side. Guys with completely different skillsets than him. Will run different routes.

Here Moss took up the role as deep threat. If Ginn was in NO with Brandin Cook he's not doing sh. Just like Goodwin did nothing with Watkins playing over him.

Jul 18, 2018 at 9:51 PM

#837

Wu-5Rings
Member
Posts: 12,083

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:
Originally posted by Wu-5Rings:
And how long should we wait for them to learn to catch? Our window was 2011-2014 by 2014 the wheels were falling off.

Lack of bench and talent hurt us.

Ya give him more chances than that. Delanie couldn't catch for 8 years. Harbaugh still gave him chance after chance.

I get one guy but wait for two guys to learn how to catch the ball? You're buggin. Lol

How about the guy that's supposed to be drafting actually draft a wr? A natural wide receiver. Aj should have been helping.... Instead of Baalke receiving free checks

[ Edited by Wu-5Rings on Jul 18, 2018 at 9:52 PM ]

Jul 18, 2018 at 9:58 PM

#838

9ers4eva
Veteran
Posts: 22,438

Originally posted by tjd808185:
No one said a deep threat only goes deep. It's more along the lines of NO does not have Ted Ginn, Ted Ginn and Ted Ginn at receiver. Ginn has Michael Thomas, Brandon Coleman on the opposite side. Guys with completely different skillsets than him. Will run different routes.

Here Moss took up the role as deep threat. If Ginn was in NO with Brandin Cook he's not doing sh. Just like Goodwin did nothing with Watkins playing over him.

Goodwin did nothing because he had the same dipsh*t OC he had here not have a clue how to use him. Watkins, Woods, Goodwin, Hogan, McCoy, Clay. Plenty of differentiation among those weapons.

Moss was used as a decoy most of the time anyway. 2 speed decoys would've opened up all sorts of space for Crabtree Vernon and Delanie. It's why they got Manningham too.

[ Edited by 9ers4eva on Jul 18, 2018 at 10:04 PM ]

Jul 18, 2018 at 10:14 PM

#839

tjd808185
Veteran
Posts: 26,075

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:
Goodwin did nothing because he had the same dipsh*t OC he had here not have a clue how to use him. Watkins, Woods, Goodwin, Hogan, McCoy, Clay. Plenty of differentiation among those weapons.

Moss was used as a decoy most of the time anyway. 2 speed decoys would've opened up all sorts of space for Crabtree Vernon and Delanie.

We finished 2nd per play in 2012. Space wasn't an issue.

Having Jimmy helps. Goodwin was only getting 2 or 3 catches a game before he arrived. That's as #2 receiver not as the #5 option in Buffalo.

I'll call it here though.

[ Edited by tjd808185 on Jul 18, 2018 at 10:21 PM ]

Jul 18, 2018 at 10:26 PM

#840

9moon
Veteran
Posts: 22,155

MOSS was miss used under Jim "Audible" Harbaugh !!!

Just how many times did we send the guy down the field and gave him the chance to get them deep balls from both Akilex Smith and Kappy??