No 2. TE

Originally posted by ChaunceyGardner:
At the very least it would be nice to have a 3rd TE that will compete hard to be the #2.

This.

I think I will mock a receiving TE in my next mock. Given that we run a 2TE-set very often, I don't see much talent behind VD/VMac. If one of them goes down with an injury, we have to switch the system.

Either Austin-Seferian-Jenkins or A.C. Leonard would be fine if we picked a tight end

With all the 2 TE sets the 49ers use it wouldn't hurt to have a third TE who is more than depth. Maybe even a hybrid who could play some TE and back up as a FB as well.

As for Mcdonald. We didn't call his number that much last year. You can't make a lot of plays when you are not being targeted and Kap wasn't hitting a lot of 2nd or 3rd or 4th reads on passing plays last year. McDonald is fine. We didn't complete a lot of passes last year and there are not that many balls around to have a 2nd TE with good numbers.

All of our RB's are great receivers as well. Gore as well as Hunter and James are prototypical receiving threats at the RB position. Very dangerous in space. They didn't catch many passes either. It wasn't a lack of talent.

Originally posted by communist:
This.

I think I will mock a receiving TE in my next mock. Given that we run a 2TE-set very often, I don't see much talent behind VD/VMac. If one of them goes down with an injury, we have to switch the system.

I think Celek has improved a lot, he looked better as the #3 TE, plus Carrier will also be fighting for a spot.

Originally posted by Quest4six:

Originally posted by kronik:
I think some of you guys forgot how complex our schemes are. No rookie will help us next year. Wasting another high pick on a tight end is probably not wise. It will take them at least a full year to learn the playbook and play fast. I know Vance had a crappy year but he still has all the tools. And now that he is more comfortable with the playbook and his responsibilities, I think his play next year will be much better. Can't get worse, LOL

I'm going to agree with you here,
But don't forget Harbs wants/is changing our offense next season. (at least I hope so because I can't stand Roman)
Could you imagine having a two TE set with Jenkins and Davis? The types of mismatches and adjustments the opposing secondary would have to do would help every aspect of our offense, from the running game to the vertical game.

I might get grilled for this one here, but I think having a TE similar to VD will help our current offense more than an explosive slot WR

I don't think you're wrong in the sense of say we had Ebron instead of McDonald, the coaches would have an easier time fitting him into the scheme. But I think Harbs recent comments about taking a hard look at the scheme are telling & truthful. I think we'll see the team use more 3 WR sets, utilize more of our RBs and come into the modern age a little more this upcoming season.

Originally posted by adrenaline:

I agree. 49ers run more two TE sets than 3 WR sets. And McDonald's abysmal rookie campaign definitely contributed to the lackluster passing attack.However, I do feel that the 49ers are more to draft a future wide receiver more than merely a slot wide receiver. Michael Crabtree is entering his contract year, and Boldin, as good as he is, is only signed for two years and is getting older.

Honesty, I can see a few reasons why the team won't resign Crabtree. One that comes to mind is that he's only had one 1000+ yard season. I think the 49ers, like all good teams will draft for the future.

abysmal--I disagree---mcdonald flashed a lot of ability---I know he had several catches for over 20 yards..he trucked Richard Sherman in week 2...and niners coaches have been complimentary of his blocking--I think may hold the failure to make that catch vs Carolina against him but kuechly made a great play

Colt Lyerla in the 7th im telling. About to be a steal in this draft. Think aldon smith situation. Vernon Davis would be perfect mentor. We can use as a h-back, short-yardage runner

Originally posted by Quest4six:

Originally posted by kronik:
I think some of you guys forgot how complex our schemes are. No rookie will help us next year. Wasting another high pick on a tight end is probably not wise. It will take them at least a full year to learn the playbook and play fast. I know Vance had a crappy year but he still has all the tools. And now that he is more comfortable with the playbook and his responsibilities, I think his play next year will be much better. Can't get worse, LOL

I'm going to agree with you here,
But don't forget Harbs wants/is changing our offense next season. (at least I hope so because I can't stand Roman)
Could you imagine having a two TE set with Jenkins and Davis? The types of mismatches and adjustments the opposing secondary would have to do would help every aspect of our offense, from the running game to the vertical game.

I might get grilled for this one here, but I think having a TE similar to VD will help our current offense more than an explosive slot WR

You're right about the evolving of our offense. We will see what they got planned

lol wow..

a Rookie does not even get 1 year to get used to the game anymore.

Vance will be fine. I dont get why people miss Delaine and his bricks for hands.

I hate how we always draft a TE . Every year

Originally posted by DeUh:
We should not forget Derek Carrier who we already have on our roster. Maybe our next Delanie Walker ?

Definitely pulling for this guy to see the field much more.

People have to keep in mind that it took years for Delanie Walker to become the player he was, and even then, I don't think he ever caught more than 30 balls in a season. Give McDonald some time. Granted, I don't think it should take 7 seasons, but I didn't expect to see Walker replaced immediately by a rookie either.

Originally posted by Zachary:
I hate how we always draft a TE . Every year

I think drafting a TE late every year is one of the smartest things you can do.

TE can be, by far, the most value per dollar player on your team. If you pick correctly you can get a player in the 6th or 7th round that on one play can do the job of a Left Tackle and then on the next play can do the job of a Wide Receiver. All for less than $1 mil a year.

I think people who miss Delanie Walker realize that he was contributing to the success of lots of plays where he never saw the ball. Because he would line up everywhere, block for backs and receivers, and still have to be covered as a receiver. I think we actually DO really need another guy like that. Whether that's Vance or not I don't know.

But considering how many picks we always have, and how cheap TEs are in the draft, I don't see why you wouldn't roll the dice on one every year. Good late round TEs emerge all the time in the NFL.

One guy I really like as a Delanie Walker type player is Trey Burton. He's listed as a WR/QB/RB, but he's 6'2" 225 and is already an incredibly versatile weapon. And he's clearly heady enough to master the playbook the way Walker did. He reminds me a bit of the Marquis Gray pick from last year. Hopefully we'll draft him and actually hang onto him this time...

When you look at the players taken after Jenkins--Fleener, Janoris Jenkins, Cordy Glenn...it might make you a bit ill! I'm not opposed to bringing in good competition at any position, so a TE pick would be welcome. Lyerla is a bit of a nut case but worth a shot late if he can pass the interviews. Not a high priority though.