Mock of The Year - 9ersLiferInChicago | Page 5

9ersLiferInChicago · 2014-02-26T17:53:33-08:00

It's that fun time of the season again. I wanted to wait until after the combine to release my mock, but I have to say that the combine really didn't influence me on who I think we should draft. As I see it the 49ers needs are much more focused than in the previous two seasons. We have 12 picks to fill them, with an amazing 6 picks in the first 3 rounds. There's no way HarBaalk will whiff on this draft. I really don't think we should trade any of our first 6 picks, not one. We can really do some long-term damage to the NFC West, and NFL, with those 6 picks. My wish is that we pick all 12 picks, but I doubt that'll happen. Just too many picks to resist a deal to stockpile picks for 2015. Plus, we don't have many holes to be filled, so I don't think more than 7 or 8 actually makes the team, with 5 or 6 making the active 53 and even less making the 46. But I did mock minus trades. It's impossible to predict that so I didn't waste time trying. But again, I do expect us to be very active during the draft with trades. Also, while we don't have many holes I hope we don't get drunk on "BPA". I expect HarBaalk to draft the best players for this team and not just talent chase. I'd hate for us to have a roster full of talented uncontrollable head cases. So with that said here's my position hierarchy of need:CB, WR, SS, ILB, OG, DL, RB, QB, KR, OT, OLB 1st CB – Bradley Roby, 5-11, 195lbs, Ohio St., 4.39 40Although Roby is 5-11, 195, he plays 6-2, 210. This is a very physical corner tailor made for our defense. Insanely fast, posting a legit 4.39 at the combine. Nasty and aggressive, and very willing run supporter. Plays with a competitive attitude. A natural corner; plays with very fluid, loose hips. His press-shadow technique (a technique this defense uses OFTEN) is just stellar. Extremely instinctive zone-man corner, which is very important in Fangio's complicated coverage schemes (that often go from zone to man/man to zone post snap). Use to playing on an island and use to playing slot as well, so he has shut-down potential. A big plus is that he's a very good in the return game. Has very big hands (10 ¼"). Very dangerous blitzer from the corner. Will need to be careful with his aggression in the NFL. Will need to get bigger, maybe bulk up to about 205lbs. Will need to trust the scheme more, as he gets caught peeking into the backfield. Likely a day-one starter, even for our 9ers. Would make the 46. (If Roby isn't there I say we get CB – Marcus Robinson, 6-0, 195lbs, Florida.) 2nd (From Alex Smith trade)WR – Jordan Mathews, 6-3, 212lbs, Vanderbilt, 4.4 40, 21 reps bench press.Boldin may very well retire a 49er, but we still need another guy to really round out our WR corps. I really like this kid. The cousin of one Jerry Rice, Mathews has the combo of size, speed, and strength we need on this team. He's a hands catcher. I think Jerry may have been teaching this kid (I have no facts to back that up) because he's one of the more polished rout runners coming out, has very good body control to compete for balls (a craft Jerry perfected). He's strong at the LOS. With 4.4 speed he could pull away from defenders and take the top off a defense. Plus, he's returned kicks. With Boldin, Crabs, Mathews, and Patton in 4-wide looks, and with a motioning Davis/Miller/LMJ/or even Gore is gonna prove to be poisonous for even Seattle's defense. Mathews has all the tools, the skills, size, and the pedigree won't hurt either. He'd definately increase the competition level at the WR position below Crabs. Would make the 46. If we draft Mathews, and he doesn't make the 46, it'll be because Chuck Jacobs would have had a very impressive camp and preseason. That would be a tall order for Jacobs though. 2nd SS – Deone Bucannon, 6-1, 211lbs, Washington State, 4.4 40Been watching this kid for a while. Had a very good combine (4.4 40, 125" broad, 19 reps on the bench, 36.5 vertical). This dude is an absolute real-deal HITTER! He's a throwback-type player, the type that JH loves. A real special team standout. Great replacement for Hitner whether he stays or not. He forces a lot of fumble on crossing runners and is a real intimidator in the secondary. Will need to develop fluidity in his hips, but that's to be expected given he's a strong safety and not a corner. He plays too upright, but it can be corrected with coaching. Also, while big hits are useful to be a good defense he needs to learn to break himself down more. But unlike Hitner, Bucannon's ball skills are better than average for hard hitting SS, so in that way he'd be an improvement over Hitner. (But I still want Hinter back for the upcoming season.) His techniques are fixable. We have to get this kid on this defense!! Would make the 46. 3rd (From Tennessee - 2013 draft-day trade)ILB – Shayne Skov, 6-1, 245lbs, StanfordDon't look now but P. Willis is getting older. At 29 we need to start thinking for the future at that position. And with Bowman injured and not slatted to be back until after the season starts I think it's a must that we get a guy here. Skov, a Stanford kid with just the temperament and work ethic JH & Co. desires, is a perfect fit. Diagnoses plays and hits the gaps well, and fast. Was a team captain on a pretty good defense. Sure, fundamental tackler. Not much experience in 3-4 but with Willis, Bowman, and Wilhoite in front of him Skov would have plenty oto learn from. Would make the 46. 3rd OG – Cyril Richardson, 6-5, 348lbs, Baylor, 25 bench repsI originally had us taking Gabe Jackson here. But after the combine he shot up to early 2nd projection so I doubt he'd be available. This is a massive road grader that keeps his butt down, which makes for a solid base. Employs sudden punches at the LOS. Streaky meanness, so he'll need to be more consistent. Has played tackle as well so he'd be great value. Would make the 53. 3rd (Expected compensatory pick)DT/NT – Daniel McCullers, 6-7, 352lbs, Tennessee, 27 bench repsHe carries his weight extremely well. Although he's 352lbs he's kind of lean. Nonetheless this guy is one large, strong man who almost NEVER saw one-on-one. He was mostly doubled, and at times triple teamed but still caused O-lines problems. A bit rare, but a real bully on the inside, an unmovable run stopping two-gapper. Won't give much in pass rushing, but honestly we don't need that from our interior D-line. But he pushes the pocket quite well. With him in the 0, 1, 2, and 3 techniques our LB's will be running wild all over the field. This could be a dangerous man for opposing offenses with our already talented DL starters and rotation. I really hope we get this kid here; he and Q. Dial would be a formidable future for the 49ers. Would make the 53. 4thRB – Terrance West, 5-11, 225lbs, Towson, 4.5 40I cannot see Frank Gore playing past this upcoming season, getting another rock pounder would be smart. West is a real between-the-tackles, balanced one-cut browser. Runs with anger. He could be our short yardage specialist that Dixon couldn't be. In the NFC West this guy is gonna fit right in. This could finally be the year that we part ways with Anthony Dixon like many here have been wanting to see. (Not me tough! I wanna see Dixon stay for his stellar ST play.) Like Frank, he runs behind his pads and use to running a heavy load. Big ?. Could make the 46 if Dixon is let go. Otherwise it'll be the 53. Would not last on the PS. 5thQB – Logan Thomas, 6-6, 248lbs, Virginia TechBeen having my eye on this kid for a while. A top proformer at the combine, which I think will push him up the boards a little. Most have him going in the 7th, but I seriously doubt that'll happen. Thomas would be a definite upgrade at the #2 QB spot. I think this kid would be a perfect fit for this team. Plus we need to get better at the backup QB spot. Would need some work, but so did C. Kaep. Many of the same knocks that scouts have on him are many of the same they had on Kaep, minus the throwing mechanics. I saw this kid throw in games and at the combine and he looked pretty good to me. Throwing mechanics isn't his issue at all. Like Kaep, he's a tough kid, durable, and won't mind lowering his shoulders to deliver a blow. I wouldn't be surprised to see a team reach in the 4th for him. Would make the 46. 6thKR/WR – Jeff Janis, 6-3, 219lbs, Saginaw Valley St, posted a 4.42 at the combine.Very rare measurable – combo speed and body type and very good work ethic. I think he can be taught to the return game. Kind of a big Wes Welker, he's gonna be a terrible mis-match for defenses to handle, especially in off-the-line slot and motioning. Has small hands, and for me that's a bit of a worry considering that he'd be taking fast balls from C. Kaep. Went to a small school with little competition so he'll need to prove himself. But I think with this coaching staff he'll get it done. PS project. 7th (Seventh round: From New Orleans -- Parys Haralson trade)WR – Cody Hoffman, 6-4, 223lbs, BYU, 4.65Excellent hands; don't drop balls much at all!! Very polished rout runner. Not a lot of straight line speed but very quick in underneath routs, gets off jams well, and master of double moves. (The latter two will make him a dangerous element in our offense in our division.) A good move-the-chains WR. Very strong in the YAC, not easy to bring down. Better than adequate blocker down field. Again, not a speedster. Not that flashy with the ball in his hands, but the job gets done. I've watched a lot of film on this kid (as much is free to the world) and, honestly, I think he should be rated higher than the 6th or 7th. Would make the 46 if Manningham and/or Baldwin are released (like I think they both will be). I doubt we keep more than 6 WR's on the 53, plus one with Osgood (Boldin, Crabs and Patton are locks). If we keep only 5, and Jacobs has an excellent camp and preseason, Hoffman is out totally. Hoffman won't last 10 minutes on the PS. 7th (From Carolina - Colin Jones trade)OT – Cornelius Lucas, 6-8, 329lbs, Kansas St.Another large strong kid who engulfs defenders. Has a true mean streak, and keeps it throughout the game. Will need to get better leverage and hand placement to control defenders better. PS project. 7th (Seventh round: Own pick)OLB – Larry Webster, 6-6, 252lbs, Bloomsburg Yes, he's the son of Larry Webster who played 11 seasons in the NFL, including the 2001 Super Bowl Ravens team. Look for this guy to be moved from DE to OLB in the NFL. (And I wouldn't be surprised to see him make a switch to TE given his college basketball career, and we all know how much JH loves versatile players.) He has an explosive first step to get past OT's. Could use some time in the weight room. Longshot of making the team but great PS project. If we cannot resign Phil Dawson look for us to draft a kicker here. My choice will be Chris Boswell out of Rice. In the NFL size matters. I am not a fan of small, light WR's who cannot get off the LOS. And the NFL is going away from smaller corners to bigger more physical corners. We have to understand something: we are in the NFC West, THE toughest division in the league. The NFC West isn't for the faint of hearts; it's the big boy division as the Broncos found out. We need to build to win our division, and our division is big and tough. Indeed speed kills, but not if you cannot get off the LOS. As I stated, I doubt we pick all 12 picks. But I just think we'd get better talent on the roster if we work the complete process, pick all 12, let competition take over, and just cut accordingly. But that first 6 picks are high picks and don't think we should trade any of those picks. Look for our practice squad to get absolutely raped. Thoughts?

Feb 28, 2014 at 9:03 AM

#61

RollinWith21n52
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Posts: 2,948

Originally posted by 9ersLiferInChicago:

Originally posted by RollinWith21n52:
Yes! Varette has no ball skills. The kid knows exactly where the receiver is going, and will follow him step for step. But if he's thrown at, the WR will either catch the ball, or a PI flag almost every time. Roby is a monster with locating, and knocking away the ball.
I'm sure you know what I meant and where I was going. I was at work stealing time away from the office, so I didn't have time to proof-read.

I was agreeing with you 100% on this point. I'm not big on Verrette at all, for that reason.

Feb 28, 2014 at 9:15 AM

#62

MC9BEAT
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Posts: 1,173

You have 3 PS ( Practive Squad) projects in the draft. You want to waste 3 picks on players who will probably get snatched up by other teams when we cut them to get down to the 53 man roster before they can even see our PS? Why waste the picks?

Feb 28, 2014 at 10:47 AM

#63

Hopper
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Posts: 12,390

Originally posted by 9ersLiferInChicago:
Cannot wait to see your mock. . .

Mock drafts aren't a competition. smh

Feb 28, 2014 at 10:56 AM

#64

GhostofFredDean74
Hall of Fame
Posts: 30,082

Originally posted by MC9BEAT:
You have 3 PS ( Practive Squad) projects in the draft. You want to waste 3 picks on players who will probably get snatched up by other teams when we cut them to get down to the 53 man roster before they can even see our PS? Why waste the picks?

That actually sounds about right. We eventually cut the last 3 picks last year, and 2 of them were snatched up (Cooper and eventually Daniels)...that's what happens when you have a lot of picks and not many roster spots.

Feb 28, 2014 at 11:26 AM

#65

RollinWith21n52
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Posts: 2,948

Originally posted by MC9BEAT:
You have 3 PS ( Practive Squad) projects in the draft. You want to waste 3 picks on players who will probably get snatched up by other teams when we cut them to get down to the 53 man roster before they can even see our PS? Why waste the picks?

In order to keep on improving the roster...

Feb 28, 2014 at 11:50 AM

#66

MC9BEAT
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Posts: 1,173

Originally posted by RollinWith21n52:

Originally posted by MC9BEAT:
You have 3 PS ( Practive Squad) projects in the draft. You want to waste 3 picks on players who will probably get snatched up by other teams when we cut them to get down to the 53 man roster before they can even see our PS? Why waste the picks?

In order to keep on improving the roster...

How does that improve the roster? Wouldn't it be smarter to trade the picks for 2015 picks a round earlier or to draft players for the pup list we can keep for sure that would have dropped because of injury and would make the team the following year? Or draft players at a position of need.

Feb 28, 2014 at 11:58 AM

#67

MC9BEAT
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Posts: 1,173

Originally posted by GhostofFredDean74:

Originally posted by MC9BEAT:
You have 3 PS ( Practive Squad) projects in the draft. You want to waste 3 picks on players who will probably get snatched up by other teams when we cut them to get down to the 53 man roster before they can even see our PS? Why waste the picks?

That actually sounds about right. We eventually cut the last 3 picks last year, and 2 of them were snatched up (Cooper and eventually Daniels)...that's what happens when you have a lot of picks and not many roster spots.

We have more roster spots than people might think.
OL, H-Back, WR, WR, SS, PR/KR, CB, CB, That's 8

Plus potential spots at back up safety, ILB, back up QB,

We can use the other picks to trade up, trade for 2015 picks or draft pup list guys

Feb 28, 2014 at 12:02 PM

#68

RollinWith21n52
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Posts: 2,948

Originally posted by MC9BEAT:

Originally posted by RollinWith21n52:

Originally posted by MC9BEAT:
You have 3 PS ( Practive Squad) projects in the draft. You want to waste 3 picks on players who will probably get snatched up by other teams when we cut them to get down to the 53 man roster before they can even see our PS? Why waste the picks?

In order to keep on improving the roster...
How does that improve the roster? Wouldn't it be smarter to trade the picks for 2015 picks a round earlier or to draft players for the pup list we can keep for sure that would have dropped because of injury and would make the team the following year? Or draft players at a position of need.

Because they'll compete for spots. You don't know that they'll just be PS guys. And if they are, perhaps they'll stick around on the PS for a few years, and a few years down the line, they'll be ready to come in and contribute. That's what Seattle has done very successfully, and SF has done decently well also. Guys like Boone and TJE and Takuafu and Brock.

Feb 28, 2014 at 12:24 PM

#69

m_brockalexander
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Posts: 13,379

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by 9ersLiferInChicago:
Ok, why I didn't pick Jason Verrett:
Poor tackling techniques, especially in the open field, popped out to me. Smallish and light in the ass. (Yes, size matters in the NFC West.) OFTEN gets walled off by blockers. While he is aggressive he isn't particularly strong at the LOS, at the point of attack, which makes him a serious liability in the red-zone. He shadows well, but finding the ball in the air is a major red-flag as the NFL LOVES to throw flags on players like that. Not a particularly good fit for THIS team.

Why I didn't pick Kyle Fuller:
Strong against the run but a huge liability on passing downs. Ball skills are to be desired. Noticeable lack of in-game quickness and make-up speed. Uses too much of his hands rather than techniques, and in the NFL that'll get you burned - often - and penalized - often - and in the dog house quick. EXTREMELY UNDISCIPLINED ON THE FIELD and often dose his own thing on the field!!!, which V. Fangio will have none of. Thus he cannot be asked to play man coverage. In no way a good fit for our roster.

I defer to my mock to state why I picked Roby over Fuller and Verrett.

The guy who led the nation in passes defended can't find the ball in the air? If this real life?

Unbelievable, isn't it.

Feb 28, 2014 at 12:37 PM

#70

m_brockalexander
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Posts: 13,379

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by 9ersLiferInChicago:
Ok, why I didn't pick Jason Verrett:
Poor tackling techniques, especially in the open field, popped out to me. Smallish and light in the ass. (Yes, size matters in the NFC West.) OFTEN gets walled off by blockers. While he is aggressive he isn't particularly strong at the LOS, at the point of attack, which makes him a serious liability in the red-zone. He shadows well, but finding the ball in the air is a major red-flag as the NFL LOVES to throw flags on players like that. Not a particularly good fit for THIS team.

Why I didn't pick Kyle Fuller:
Strong against the run but a huge liability on passing downs. Ball skills are to be desired. Noticeable lack of in-game quickness and make-up speed. Uses too much of his hands rather than techniques, and in the NFL that'll get you burned - often - and penalized - often - and in the dog house quick. EXTREMELY UNDISCIPLINED ON THE FIELD and often dose his own thing on the field!!!, which V. Fangio will have none of. Thus he cannot be asked to play man coverage. In no way a good fit for our roster.

I defer to my mock to state why I picked Roby over Fuller and Verrett.

The guy who led the nation in passes defended can't find the ball in the air? If this real life?

Double post

[ Edited by m_brockalexander on Feb 28, 2014 at 12:38 PM ]

Feb 28, 2014 at 12:44 PM

#71

MC9BEAT
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Posts: 1,173

Originally posted by RollinWith21n52:

Originally posted by MC9BEAT:

Originally posted by RollinWith21n52:

Originally posted by MC9BEAT:
You have 3 PS ( Practive Squad) projects in the draft. You want to waste 3 picks on players who will probably get snatched up by other teams when we cut them to get down to the 53 man roster before they can even see our PS? Why waste the picks?

In order to keep on improving the roster...
How does that improve the roster? Wouldn't it be smarter to trade the picks for 2015 picks a round earlier or to draft players for the pup list we can keep for sure that would have dropped because of injury and would make the team the following year? Or draft players at a position of need.

Because they'll compete for spots. You don't know that they'll just be PS guys. And if they are, perhaps they'll stick around on the PS for a few years, and a few years down the line, they'll be ready to come in and contribute. That's what Seattle has done very successfully, and SF has done decently well also. Guys like Boone and TJE and Takuafu and Brock.

They were all undrafted free agents. I have no problem signing them as UDFA's. There are better uses for our draft picks. There are quality return specialists that should be available in the 6th or 7th rds. PUP list guys like Aaron Colvin or Trey Millard or Spencer Long could be available who would make our team the following year. We could use the picks to trade up in earlier rounds or trade for better picks in 2015.

What would you rather have from last year's draft. The results of the 3 players we drafted in round 7, or Three 6th round picks in this year's draft?

Feb 28, 2014 at 1:00 PM

#72

9ersLiferInChicago
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Posts: 11,222

Originally posted by MC9BEAT:
You have 3 PS ( Practive Squad) projects in the draft. You want to waste 3 picks on players who will probably get snatched up by other teams when we cut them to get down to the 53 man roster before they can even see our PS? Why waste the picks?

Seriously! You do realize we don't have many holes in our starting lineup. Save for the 1st pick this whole draft is gonna be for essentially backups and guys to be groomed. On offence we have no starting spots really open for competition. On defense it's one, maybe two (the CB spots) if T. Brown walks (like i think he will). We have 12 picks. I refuse to believe HarBaalk will trade away 9 or so picks to move up. We are gonna stockpile picks to keep a steady flow of talent in the building to stay in prime position to draft for the future and maintain a healthy level of competition up and down the roster. And you cannot do either by trading away all your picks.

Feb 28, 2014 at 1:42 PM

#73

GhostofFredDean74
Hall of Fame
Posts: 30,082

Originally posted by MC9BEAT:

Originally posted by GhostofFredDean74:

Originally posted by MC9BEAT:
You have 3 PS ( Practive Squad) projects in the draft. You want to waste 3 picks on players who will probably get snatched up by other teams when we cut them to get down to the 53 man roster before they can even see our PS? Why waste the picks?

That actually sounds about right. We eventually cut the last 3 picks last year, and 2 of them were snatched up (Cooper and eventually Daniels)...that's what happens when you have a lot of picks and not many roster spots.
We have more roster spots than people might think.
OL, H-Back, WR, WR, SS, PR/KR, CB, CB, That's 8

Plus potential spots at back up safety, ILB, back up QB,

We can use the other picks to trade up, trade for 2015 picks or draft pup list guys

That's 11 if I'm counting your potential openings correctly. He drafted 11 players. Not sure what the big deal is because he assumed some might end up on the PS...if they do well, they might make the team, so who knows? I don't disagree that it's smart to grab guys you can hide on the PuP, but the downside to that of course is that if you need that draft pick to play sooner, but they're not healthy until mid-way through the season, you have to go out and find a free agent player to meet that immediate need. So it's a risk either way.

Feb 28, 2014 at 1:52 PM

#74

OldJoe
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Posts: 885

I suspect we will draft like last year:

We will move up (not a ton)
We will move back
We will move out to next year
We will draft one injured player
and teams will snap up our cuts to get to 53.

Feb 28, 2014 at 2:15 PM

#75

CorvaNinerFan
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Posts: 10,448

I've read more about McGill and understand the comments WRT not playing up to his size...I was thinking because he played in the Pac 12 he'd be more adept at pass coverage since they play more wide open offense vs the Big 10. Also like a couple of other guys maybe 3rd rd or so...Walt Aikens and Pierre Desir. They've both good sized and reportedly have good cover skills and aren't afraid to stick their nose into receivers/ball carriers. Sure looks like your point about not drafting a C (especially early) has been born out by Kilgore's extension. Also think this sets up Looney to take over at LG once Iupati's agent prices his client beyond what Baalke will pay. That still leaves Snyder and Seymour for interior OL depth.