Originally posted by irief:
Harbalke got away from their philosophy of drafting players who are physical with an "F" concept in the first few rounds. Not necessarily big and strong, but physical, mean, tough, and love contact.
AJ is the complete antithesis of this philosophy. LaMike doesn't fit this style either. Lower rounds are craps shoot anyway, and we had some bad luck with Flemings health. Time will tell of the linemen pan out.
Contrast this with our other high picks: 2011 Aldon, Kap, etc., 2013: E Reid, Tank, Vance, etc. 2014: Ward, Hyde, Martin. All really physical dudes who bring the pain.
By the way, we tend to take for granted TJE, who was an UDFA pick up in 2012. He was a stud last year, so it wasn't a complete loss.
The 2012 draft was a bust for reasons not in Baalke's control.
To put the blame on him isn't very accurate.
