2015 49ers Draft Needs

1st: WR/CB
2nd: CB/WR
3rd: RB
4th: OG/OT
5th: OLB

Originally posted by bigwads:

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:

Originally posted by WRATHman44:

Originally posted by English:

Originally posted by bigwads:
1-OG
2-OG
3-34 DE
4-34 DE
5- WR

Our problems are greatly compounded by Baalke's horrible draft classes the past three years.

SMH.

Seriously, How many picks are missed by the most successful GMs? A lot. How many great picks struggle on deep teams/how many crap players start for terrible teams? I wonder if it makes sense to people that talented rookies struggle to earn playing time ahead of talented veterans. The depth on this roster is beyond compare.

What's interesting is that the people that want to slam Trent Baalke can name a pick here and there that he missed on, but not a single person can name a GM they would rather have in place of Baalke.

Let me say it again, OG, OG, 3-4 DE, 3-4 DE. If you are still trying to figure this out go watch the St. Louis game.

There are a number of key draft picks over the past few years that were absolute garbage. We needed people badly at positions and the right players were there to select, but Baalke didn't draft them. We are now reaping the rewards.

This is not a Baalke trashing thread per se, but only an acknowledgement that his last few drafts have indeed sucked. Whether you want to admit it or not, we are built on moves done prior to Baalke's hire.

Boone and Iupati will not be here next year (thank god), and we will be adding new OG's. We have one filled from last year, but he is another injury risk. We may only be drafting one OG and sign another in FA, but either way we will be redoing our OG's.

Baalke pissed away the perfect 3-4 DE in Tuitt last year who is now getting starting reps in Pitt or on Benjamin who may be the offensive rookie of the year. He pissed away the Jenkins pick that should have been used on Fleener.

With those two picks alone we are way ahead of where we are now. Baalke has done some great things, but what he hasn't done well is draft well over the last few years. It's not like anyone is looking to dump him, but merely acknowledge the missed opportunities.

I think it's a decent mix. Gore, Davis, Willis, Crabtree, Staley, Justin Smith etc are pre-Baalke. But Baalke also brought us Eric Red, Aldon Smith, NaVorro Bowman, Colin Kapernick, Anthony Davis, not to mention the guys he has brought in via trade and free agency. It's a healthy mix of McCloughan's guys and Baalke's guys. You also have to keep in mind that prior to Baalke being the GM, ALL of our picks were at the top of the draft. Baalke on the other hand has had two such drafts where we picked at the top, and he came in with a great haul in both. It's a bit harder when you draft lower. Also, an evaluation of the 2013 and 2014 guys is a bit harder because of the limited playing time. The 2012 draft is the only we can conclusively say sucked.

I still think we will see a lot more from 2013 and 2014. Hopefully Baalke doesn't bring in too many free agents and we get a youth movement in full swing for this team in 2015. That way we can finally see what the players in the 2013 and 2014 drafts are made of.

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
I think it's a decent mix. Gore, Davis, Willis, Crabtree, Staley, Justin Smith etc are pre-Baalke. But Baalke also brought us Eric Red, Aldon Smith, NaVorro Bowman, Colin Kapernick, Anthony Davis, not to mention the guys he has brought in via trade and free agency. It's a healthy mix of McCloughan's guys and Baalke's guys. You also have to keep in mind that prior to Baalke being the GM, ALL of our picks were at the top of the draft. Baalke on the other hand has had two such drafts where we picked at the top, and he came in with a great haul in both. It's a bit harder when you draft lower. Also, an evaluation of the 2013 and 2014 guys is a bit harder because of the limited playing time. The 2012 draft is the only we can conclusively say sucked.

I still think we will see a lot more from 2013 and 2014. Hopefully Baalke doesn't bring in too many free agents and we get a youth movement in full swing for this team in 2015. That way we can finally see what the players in the 2013 and 2014 drafts are made of.

A point VERY often overlooked.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by MC9BEAT:
Calm down on Baalke. Billw Walsh was a genius. He spent his 1st draft pick on a RB, I believe it was the 1st pick of the 2nd rd. Same as a late 1st rounder. He could not play RB so they tried to make him a safety. Then gave up and he was a kick returner for a couple of years and then released.

Yes, but you left out that in that same first draft (1979) He drafted a guy named Montana in the 3rd round and another named Clark in the 10 round! LOL! Tenth round cracks me up! How many players picked ahead of him? Lets see...9 times...

Didn't Baalke draft a guy named Navarro Bowman in the 3rd round? Llynch in the 5th round looks like a pretty good player doesn't he? The point being that even a great GM like Bill Walsh has Draft busts and under achievers. It's how you put together an entire roster that really matters. By draft, or trade or free agency or undrafted players or whatever. What kind of a team did you build and nobody can argue that the 49ers have a weak roster. That is the bottom line. The 49ers have 1 of the elite rosters in the NFL and one of the deepest teams.

Do you also believe that Baalke is drafting all these players over the objections of Harbaugh and the scouts? Harbaugh knew LMJ very well from his coaching days at Stanford. Do you think he pleaded with Baalke not to draft him? Warned Baalke that he doesn't fit my offensive system? Baalke just drafted him anyway? Baalke is just 1 piece of the puzzle. He controls the moves up and down in the draft. Trading away and for players and what price is paid in terms of draft picks. Signing free agents. When it comes to who to draft my guess is the head coach and scouts have a lot to say about that.

I'm happy with Baalke, not sure who you are trying to convince.

1) DL
2) OL
3) WR
4) TE
5) QB

This years CB/S options do not look like the strength of this draft.

I think this is the year to target strengthening the trenches with higher picks.

DE
OG
NT (young prospect/depth)

The Niners have picked up a lot of OG projects the last few years, but I like what the Cowboys have done rebuilding their young oline.

Rebuild the trenches, sign a marques FA CB.

WR
WR
QB
Offense is miles behind the defense, even with the defense's missing players.

I think really all we need is a speedy WR and a DE/DT for depth and grooming to replace Justin Smith down the line. Otherwise need some backup O-lineman and QB.

I don't think we really need any new starters at all on D. Of course it depends on if we cant' resign Cully or Cox. But overall our D has played great while missing Aldon, Willis, Bowman.

So IMO the 1st rounder should be used going after a WR, possibly trading up for one.

Size v. Speed WR

We aren't going to get a guy that is 6'3 and a speed burner. If a WR has those two skills in combination, they will be drafted before we can take him. If you really want that combination, you should look at guys that will fall. Like Demaryius Thomas falling because he came from Georgia Tech's offense and people didn't think he could run a route.

The guys with size that can grab a jump ball in the draft are: Jaelen Strong, Kevin White, David Funchess, Devante Parker

The deep speed guys are: Rashad Greene, Ty Montgomery, Sammie Coates, Steffon Diggs, Phillip Dorsett

Honestly I think we are better suited for a speedy player. My reasoning is Kap is awful at arching a ball, I just don't think its a great skill of his and he won't be able to throw a great high point ball for an Alshon Jefferey or Kelvin Benjamin type guy to go up and grab it. Kap throws darts. And one of his best abilities is to just launch the ball 40-50 yards down the field.

I'd like to have Boldin/Johnson/Greene/Ellington next year.

Originally posted by Butter:

This years CB/S options do not look like the strength of this draft.

I think this is the year to target strengthening the trenches with higher picks.

DE
OG
NT (young prospect/depth)

The Niners have picked up a lot of OG projects the last few years, but I like what the Cowboys have done rebuilding their young oline.

Rebuild the trenches, sign a marques FA CB.

I agree with this. We have been blessed to have a healthy Justin Smith and Ray McDonald. I think we should spend another high draft pick along the DL

WR
DE
RB
OL depth
DB

That Jalen Strong dude WR from ASU looks Really really good this season.

Originally posted by SunDevilNiner79:
I think really all we need is a speedy WR and a DE/DT for depth and grooming to replace Justin Smith down the line. Otherwise need some backup O-lineman and QB.

I don't think we really need any new starters at all on D. Of course it depends on if we cant' resign Cully or Cox. But overall our D has played great while missing Aldon, Willis, Bowman.

So IMO the 1st rounder should be used going after a WR, possibly trading up for one.

Size v. Speed WR

We aren't going to get a guy that is 6'3 and a speed burner. If a WR has those two skills in combination, they will be drafted before we can take him. If you really want that combination, you should look at guys that will fall. Like Demaryius Thomas falling because he came from Georgia Tech's offense and people didn't think he could run a route.

The guys with size that can grab a jump ball in the draft are: Jaelen Strong, Kevin White, David Funchess, Devante Parker

The deep speed guys are: Rashad Greene, Ty Montgomery, Sammie Coates, Steffon Diggs, Phillip Dorsett

Honestly I think we are better suited for a speedy player. My reasoning is Kap is awful at arching a ball, I just don't think its a great skill of his and he won't be able to throw a great high point ball for an Alshon Jefferey or Kelvin Benjamin type guy to go up and grab it. Kap throws darts. And one of his best abilities is to just launch the ball 40-50 yards down the field.

I'd like to have Boldin/Johnson/Greene/Ellington next year.

This is a very good point. Kap has the ability to fling the ball downfield with absolute ease. Imagine if he had a guy so fast that he couldn't overthrow him lol? I also agree with your point about needs. I only see this team having four absolute needs and they are at WR and DE. There are other positions to look at, but any other players coming in would only be viewed as depth. Those positions are QB, someone that can back up at safety (or perhaps a slot CB and moving Ward to backup safety), RB (it seems we just can't get away from drafting a running back), and maybe a TE.

Some may thing that an O-lineman should be on the list, but we have some good young guys in the mix and enough depth in the interior of our line. We also have two tackles and a decent backup. I don't think drafting new lineman will solve our pass blocking woes. Guys don't go from being that good to that bad that quickly. I see it as a coaching issue. If they O-lineman want improvement, they may have to do like our wide receivers and coach themselves .

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:

Originally posted by SunDevilNiner79:
I think really all we need is a speedy WR and a DE/DT for depth and grooming to replace Justin Smith down the line. Otherwise need some backup O-lineman and QB.

I don't think we really need any new starters at all on D. Of course it depends on if we cant' resign Cully or Cox. But overall our D has played great while missing Aldon, Willis, Bowman.

So IMO the 1st rounder should be used going after a WR, possibly trading up for one.

Size v. Speed WR

We aren't going to get a guy that is 6'3 and a speed burner. If a WR has those two skills in combination, they will be drafted before we can take him. If you really want that combination, you should look at guys that will fall. Like Demaryius Thomas falling because he came from Georgia Tech's offense and people didn't think he could run a route.

The guys with size that can grab a jump ball in the draft are: Jaelen Strong, Kevin White, David Funchess, Devante Parker

The deep speed guys are: Rashad Greene, Ty Montgomery, Sammie Coates, Steffon Diggs, Phillip Dorsett

Honestly I think we are better suited for a speedy player. My reasoning is Kap is awful at arching a ball, I just don't think its a great skill of his and he won't be able to throw a great high point ball for an Alshon Jefferey or Kelvin Benjamin type guy to go up and grab it. Kap throws darts. And one of his best abilities is to just launch the ball 40-50 yards down the field.

I'd like to have Boldin/Johnson/Greene/Ellington next year.

This is a very good point. Kap has the ability to fling the ball downfield with absolute ease. Imagine if he had a guy so fast that he couldn't overthrow him lol? I also agree with your point about needs. I only see this team having four absolute needs and they are at WR and DE. There are other positions to look at, but any other players coming in would only be viewed as depth. Those positions are QB, someone that can back up at safety (or perhaps a slot CB and moving Ward to backup safety), RB (it seems we just can't get away from drafting a running back), and maybe a TE.

Some may thing that an O-lineman should be on the list, but we have some good young guys in the mix and enough depth in the interior of our line. We also have two tackles and a decent backup. I don't think drafting new lineman will solve our pass blocking woes. Guys don't go from being that good to that bad that quickly. I see it as a coaching issue. If they O-lineman want improvement, they may have to do like our wide receivers and coach themselves .

I understand this but he underthrew Crabtree Sunday! His feet were set so that's not the issue. If he had a guy who regularly beat the DBs deep perhaps he would be more inclined to let it go?

Even if Crabtree walks, WR in the first is a wasted pick. We still have Boldin, Stevie, and Vernon sucking up all the targets.
The problem with our passing game is not our receiver core.
Our high picks should be OL and DL.

I'd even respect a Todd Gurley high round pick because Hyde isn't bullet proof and our running game is the lifeblood of our offense.