MadDog49er Notes Tuesday March 10 | Page 4

MadDog49er · 2015-03-10T03:05:06-07:00

Greetings, all! Had the chance to watch a ton of games this week, and a number of things jump out at me while Pro-Days are blowing up across the US. For those looking for a quick bite, this thread is NOT for you. Edge Rushers: I am starting to shift some of the edge rushers to the very top of my best board. Here is why: I saw eight Shane Ray games this week, and he is simply an impact player in each game. Sacks, pressures, attention, and the ability to drop into coverage. I like that he lines up against the LT in most games, as does Beasley. Fowler is all over the place, but plays a lot over the right tackle, as does Gregory. In nearly every game I saw, Ray causes a fumble, forces an interception, and more. Beasley is similar in this way. So fast and disruptive. Both Ray and Beasley have deadly first steps, and burn the edge. I believe Ray is going to post a sub 4.5 at his Pro Day. Pure based on productivity, these guys are stronger than Fowler and Gregory. Fowler holds one edge as being larger than the pack, at about 15 pounds. All can drop into coverage. And, to me, all three (Ray, Beasley, Fowler) are top five graded players.The big challenge is ranking Gregory and Eli Harold of Virginia, who is a really good player as well. Overlooked to this point, but a guy super young (20) and moving up for sure. His ten yard split of 1.56 is elite. Probably an early-mid second rounder. Since all these guys will be gone before the Niners pick, a value player the team might want to examine is Trey Flowers of Arkansas. Not nearly as nimble as the big three, and has question marks dropping into coverage, this dude is a football player. On a stud Arkansas defense (those of you who love defenses need to watch some of their games), he was the best of the group. At 6'2", 266, with 34" arms, he fits the mold for long edge rushers in Baalke's system. Another note: I think the Niners take a long look at Preston Smith of Mississippi State in the second round, but to me, he is a better fit as a bulked up 34 DE than 34 OLB. Doesn't have the initial burst to play off the edge, even though his combine numbers were better than expected. Studying offensive tackles, it is obvious to me that Brandon Scherff has to move inside or to RT at the next level. Simply not nimble enough on the outside to hold up. I think his punch is remarkable, and I do see comparisons to Zach Martin, who I graded as a top 8 player last year on his way to the Pro Bowl. DJ Humphries is my number one graded OT because he is ready to play LT in the NFL. Struggled against Ray, but other than that, clean sheet. Really smooth. I think he ends up the first tackle taken in the draft. TJ Clemmings may be the best blocker at RT in the draft. Just mauls people. His pass protection at the Senior Bowl was scary to me, though. I think Collins can play the tackle and play it well. He is my number two OT in this draft, and someone to watch if he is on the board at 15, because he can kick inside and play at a high level. Interior backers: I was freaked out by how poorly Paul Dawson performed at the combine, but then went back to watch his games. Concerns alleviated. He, along with Ray, were the two best defensive players in college football last year. Best instincts of any defensive player. Uncanny he is involved in nearly every play. I think he will perform much better at his Pro Day, but it doesn't matter to me. This guy is a beast on the field. A lot of hype for Stephone Anthony this season, and for good reason. He is a three down backer, has good instincts, can attack the QB, and performed well at the Senior Bowl and Combine. Below Dawson, but solid player. Not nearly as high on Benardrick McKinney of Mississippi State. Long and lean and upright, I think some team is going to move him to DE or Sam at the next level. Strong, but does not have the instincts to be a stud ILB. As for possible draftees at ILB with Willis' upcoming retirement, the pickins are slim after the top four or five are gone. I have my best five as Dawson, Anthony, Kendricks, Perryman, and McKinney (who I think is shifting to OLB or DE in the NFL). The most mentioned guys after this group are Hayes Pullard of USC, Bryce Hager of Baylor, and Ben Heeney of Kansas. Not super high on any of these guys, to be honest. One off the chart guy to think about: Martrell Spaight of Arkansas. He played OLB in their 43 scheme, but was a tackling machine. Super active, productive, with excellent instincts. Probably a fourth or fifth round prospect, but a guy who is going to play in the NFL. On the defensive line, I continue to be impressed with Carl Davis. He has a solid combine, a fantastic Senior Bowl week and game, and his game play down the stretch of the year was outstanding. Bowl game, check mark, Senior Bowl Check mark, Combine check mark. Solid prospect. Someone the team will need to consider in the mid-second round is Marcus Hardison of Arizona St. Really a remarkable athlete for a projected DT. At 6'3", 307, with long arms, he played the 43DE role in college, which is almost unheard of. Super fast feet for a 300+ pound guy. Active, productive. Limited major college football experience, but this kid is going to surprise a lot of people in the NFL. I think he is perfect as a 34 DE.Watched about a half dozen Oklahoma games this past week, and Jordan Phillips is an enigma to me. About half the games, he plays at a high level, fighting through blockers, disrupting the backfield. And then, there is TCU and Kansas State, where is largely invisible throughout the whole game. Kansas State has a good center prospect in BJ Finney, and he controlled him throughout. However, the TCU center is not a pro prospect, was tiny compared to him, and dominated. Frustrating player to analyze. On the flip side, Malcom Brown of Texas is a consistent performer, a disruptive mess for an offense to game plan, and a guy who plays hard on every snap. My stacked DT top rankings are: Williams, Shelton, Davis, Brown, Goldman, Hardison, Armstead. Bennett, Jarrett, Phillips, Cooper, Anderson. This is a deep, deep group, just like the WR group last year. Going to be a lot of productive starters from this core. One value space eating 34 NT: Joey Mbu of Houston. Watched a number of games this year, and Mbu plays at a consistently high level. Pretty much your two-down toilet clogger in the middle of the line, but does have some good movement skills from sideline to sideline for a 6'3", 313 NT, and 35" arms that he uses really well. Probably a fourth rounder, and probable starter as a 34NT or 43 nose guard. I like him a lot. At corner, feeling good about some of the young pups in this draft. To me, it is a horse race between three first round CB's: Waynes, Kevin Johnson (not the mayor of Sacramento), and Jalen Collins. All have excellent pro potential, and are tighter on my best board than many have them. I really like Johnson's all-around game, and Collins runs like his hair is on fire. Fun trio. PJ Williams number four on my list, followed by Peters and Jones (the combine hero) of UConn. As for the QB class, couple notes. Higher on Mariota over Winston. He's very smart, so I believe he will learn how to do a 3,5,7 step drop, good leader like Winston, and hard worker. Two differences between the two QBs. One- off the field. Huge plus for Mariota. Model citizen. I don't trust Winston. Statistically, he probably raped that girl- most rape claims end up being true. Second, Mariota makes better on the field decisions. Winston turns over the ball far too often. In his last seven games, he only had one game with more TDs than INTs. Scary, because NFL defenses will be so much more complicated and fast. Having fun watching games this offseason. Tomorrow is probably the busiest Pro-Day day on the schedule. News should be fast and furious after a slow Monday. If there is a player you would like me to watch, please let me know.

Mar 13, 2015 at 2:34 AM

#46

MadDog49er
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Posts: 19,400

Originally posted by GORO:
Matt Miller bleacher report says Ronald Darby is 49ers 2nd rank cb according to source behind Peters and makes sense at 15. What do you think about him?

Darby at 15 is way too early in my estimation. I think he ends up a late second rounder. Good player, not great player. 5'10 1/2" which is a knock if you are betting on a player that high. Track guy. Was one of the guys involved in the Winston sex case. To me, risky for first and second round picks.

Runs well on the field. But, as stated, at 5'10 1/2 inches, in a league with monster WRs, I am not sold at that point.

Mar 13, 2015 at 2:35 AM

#47

MadDog49er
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Posts: 19,400

Originally posted by jacklegniner:
Just reading through your notes here MadDog...

1. Good stuff
2. I'm glad to hear the insight on wr's. I love Kevin White and thought he was the guy we should go for but now with Torrey on the team, it's not as necessary. But I have switched over to Cooper. I don't think we will go for him either just knowing Baalke but man I agree with you on his smoothness. When he catches the ball on the run, it looks like the catch and the turn are all one motion. I also thought thought his hands must have stick-ums or something because the Willie Mays over the shoulder catches just seem to fall right into his hands perfectly with no juggle. It's a dream but I don't think we will get him.

3. As to the guy I feel for now that the Niners might draft... La'l Collins. would appreciate if you would talk about him more if you can. I know fans feel like we have bigger needs but Baalke also drafted multiple rbs in Hunter, James, Latt and then finally Hyde who will get the job. Iupati is gone and we have thomas. Collins can play inside or out. Davis was hurt all last year and we don't know how thomas will be. Offensive line is the most important thing to me. Got to protect the QB and got to run the ball to control the game. Also, Boone is only signed through this year. Collins could play for Iupati and stay there or Thomas could eventually take over for Boone or Collins could eventually take over for Davis on the outside. He gives us lots of options to a line that was a mess last year.

Collins can step in and start right away at LG. No concerns. To me, he is the best overall OT/OG combo player in this draft.

Mar 13, 2015 at 2:46 AM

#48

MadDog49er
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Posts: 19,400

Originally posted by thetruthhurts:
MadDog,

Thanks as always for the extensive information, it is much appreciated. What are your thoughts on Agholor, Funchess, and Tre Mcbride ? I would also appreciate your evaluations of the top interior lineman. I am curious who you think might be the best fit for both the 49ers and the Chiefs on the O line. KC lost Hudson and both of their guards were pretty bad although Fulton was a 6th round rookie starter and might develop. Which guards are strong both in the running game as well as pass protection ? The niners lost Iupati who was a great run blocker but IMO mediocre in pass protection. If Brandon Thomas is healthy, how does he compare to this years top guards ?. Thanks again for the input.

I had Watt and Hudson in the first and second in my 2011 draft. Hudson is a GREAT pick-up for the Raiders.

I like Scherff as the best OG, followed by Collins, Miller, Cann, Tomlinson. Thomas was a terrific college talent. Just hard to know how he recovers. It may be the team makes a mid-round selection at guard for insurance.

As for WR, Agholor is versatile. He is thin, but runs good routes, is productive. Fourth round value as a WR. However, he adds special teams value, so he is a third round value overall. Not a huge fan of Funchess at WR. He needs to convert to TE, but is not stacking on the weight, and is not a physical force in blocking. Too slow off the line of scrimmage. Good hands. Really snatches the ball. To me, fourth round value.

McBride is the most intriguing to me. NFL-ready body, good measurables. Quick off the LOS (his 1.51 10 yard split shows intitial explosion). Thought he made some money this offseason. Had a super Shrine week. Enjoyed watching him play. Late second round value to me, so if the team pulled the trigger in the third, that would be a good investment.

Mar 13, 2015 at 2:51 AM

#49

MadDog49er
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Posts: 19,400

Originally posted by SFL49ER:
One more receiver to hear your extended thoughts: Phillip Dorsett. Why does he look so much bigger on the field than what he is? Is he NFL ready to beat press coverage? I like slippery, fast, fast, who has good feel for the game but afraid he may be too similar to... Ready for it...?

AJ Jenkins. Maybe I'm way off

Big disconnect for me with Dorsett, I see the blinding speed, but also see little productivity. 36 catches all of last year. Best game: 5 catches, 5 catches, 4 catches, 4 catches. The rest, 3 per game or fewer. In seven of Miami's 13 games last year, had less than 50 receiving yards.

You are gambling that he can become productive, and more than simply a deep threat that strikes every once in a while. In other words, more of a luxury item than a reliable WR. To me, third round value.

Mar 13, 2015 at 12:50 PM

#50

thetruthhurts
Veteran
Posts: 312

Originally posted by MadDog49er:

Originally posted by thetruthhurts:
MadDog,

Thanks as always for the extensive information, it is much appreciated. What are your thoughts on Agholor, Funchess, and Tre Mcbride ? I would also appreciate your evaluations of the top interior lineman. I am curious who you think might be the best fit for both the 49ers and the Chiefs on the O line. KC lost Hudson and both of their guards were pretty bad although Fulton was a 6th round rookie starter and might develop. Which guards are strong both in the running game as well as pass protection ? The niners lost Iupati who was a great run blocker but IMO mediocre in pass protection. If Brandon Thomas is healthy, how does he compare to this years top guards ?. Thanks again for the input.

I had Watt and Hudson in the first and second in my 2011 draft. Hudson is a GREAT pick-up for the Raiders.

I like Scherff as the best OG, followed by Collins, Miller, Cann, Tomlinson. Thomas was a terrific college talent. Just hard to know how he recovers. It may be the team makes a mid-round selection at guard for insurance.

As for WR, Agholor is versatile. He is thin, but runs good routes, is productive. Fourth round value as a WR. However, he adds special teams value, so he is a third round value overall. Not a huge fan of Funchess at WR. He needs to convert to TE, but is not stacking on the weight, and is not a physical force in blocking. Too slow off the line of scrimmage. Good hands. Really snatches the ball. To me, fourth round value.

McBride is the most intriguing to me. NFL-ready body, good measurables. Quick off the LOS (his 1.51 10 yard split shows intitial explosion). Thought he made some money this offseason. Had a super Shrine week. Enjoyed watching him play. Late second round value to me, so if the team pulled the trigger in the third, that would be a good investment.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Mcbride intrigues me as well, could he end up as this years Antonio Brown ?. I agree that Hudson is a huge loss for KC. They should have found a way to lock him up last year. In terms of potential, could Cameron Erving be the solution ? , or are there any other interior O lineman that project as a potential top tier center material ?. Funchess sounds as if he could be a good red zone target and 3rd down short distance chain mover with his size and hands, but obviously a liability as a blocker.

Are there any other small school wide outs that have caught your eye as potential dark horse impact players ?

Thanks again for your time. Be well.

Mar 13, 2015 at 12:58 PM

#51

tatdwolf49
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Posts: 3,206

So any thoughts on Darren Waller from Georgia Tech ???? At 6'6 238lbs could he be turn into a TE????

Mar 13, 2015 at 1:14 PM

#52

OnTheClock
Hall of Fame
Posts: 38,462

Originally posted by thetruthhurts:
Originally posted by MadDog49er:
Originally posted by thetruthhurts:
MadDog,

Thanks as always for the extensive information, it is much appreciated. What are your thoughts on Agholor, Funchess, and Tre Mcbride ? I would also appreciate your evaluations of the top interior lineman. I am curious who you think might be the best fit for both the 49ers and the Chiefs on the O line. KC lost Hudson and both of their guards were pretty bad although Fulton was a 6th round rookie starter and might develop. Which guards are strong both in the running game as well as pass protection ? The niners lost Iupati who was a great run blocker but IMO mediocre in pass protection. If Brandon Thomas is healthy, how does he compare to this years top guards ?. Thanks again for the input.

I had Watt and Hudson in the first and second in my 2011 draft. Hudson is a GREAT pick-up for the Raiders.

I like Scherff as the best OG, followed by Collins, Miller, Cann, Tomlinson. Thomas was a terrific college talent. Just hard to know how he recovers. It may be the team makes a mid-round selection at guard for insurance.

As for WR, Agholor is versatile. He is thin, but runs good routes, is productive. Fourth round value as a WR. However, he adds special teams value, so he is a third round value overall. Not a huge fan of Funchess at WR. He needs to convert to TE, but is not stacking on the weight, and is not a physical force in blocking. Too slow off the line of scrimmage. Good hands. Really snatches the ball. To me, fourth round value.

McBride is the most intriguing to me. NFL-ready body, good measurables. Quick off the LOS (his 1.51 10 yard split shows intitial explosion). Thought he made some money this offseason. Had a super Shrine week. Enjoyed watching him play. Late second round value to me, so if the team pulled the trigger in the third, that would be a good investment.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Mcbride intrigues me as well, could he end up as this years Antonio Brown ?. I agree that Hudson is a huge loss for KC. They should have found a way to lock him up last year. In terms of potential, could Cameron Erving be the solution ? , or are there any other interior O lineman that project as a potential top tier center material ?. Funchess sounds as if he could be a good red zone target and 3rd down short distance chain mover with his size and hands, but obviously a liability as a blocker.

Are there any other small school wide outs that have caught your eye as potential dark horse impact players ?

Thanks again for your time. Be well.

Earlier in the year, I listed McBride as a late rounder (at the time) to watch as a sleeper to target. Fast forward months later after the combine and he's gone from a later round unknown by many to a potential 2nd or 3rd rounder. How quickly things can change.

Mar 13, 2015 at 2:55 PM

#53

MadDog49er
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Posts: 19,400

Originally posted by thetruthhurts:
Thanks for taking the time to respond. Mcbride intrigues me as well, could he end up as this years Antonio Brown ?. I agree that Hudson is a huge loss for KC. They should have found a way to lock him up last year. In terms of potential, could Cameron Erving be the solution ? , or are there any other interior O lineman that project as a potential top tier center material ?. Funchess sounds as if he could be a good red zone target and 3rd down short distance chain mover with his size and hands, but obviously a liability as a blocker.

Are there any other small school wide outs that have caught your eye as potential dark horse impact players ?

Thanks again for your time. Be well.

Love Cam Erving. Easily the best center prospect in the draft. Sky is the limit. Great value in BJ Finney in the 5th round. Like the kid a lot.

Can't find a guy with much more productivity in Titus Davis. Broke all of Antonio Brown's records at CMU. How about that link with your top question?

Mar 13, 2015 at 2:57 PM

#54

MadDog49er
Hall of Fame
Posts: 19,400

Originally posted by tatdwolf49:
So any thoughts on Darren Waller from Georgia Tech ???? At 6'6 238lbs could he be turn into a TE????

Such limited tape since they don't throw that often, but looked good in game against Mississippi St. A bit like Funchess. Kind of big and slow off the line, good hands, but neither is excited about blocking, which is wierd because that is about all they did at GT.

Mar 13, 2015 at 6:30 PM

#55

Travisty13
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Posts: 5,267

MD, what's your opinion of Deontay Greenberry, WR, Houston? Looked like this should have been his break out Jr year, but with poor QB play, he took a step back. I still think he will pro than college player. I'd take him in the 4th-5th as a guy to study under Boldin. He's my favorite, under the radar, player in the draft. Should have gotten a Combine invite.

Mar 13, 2015 at 8:30 PM

#56

thetruthhurts
Veteran
Posts: 312

Originally posted by MadDog49er:

Originally posted by thetruthhurts:
Thanks for taking the time to respond. Mcbride intrigues me as well, could he end up as this years Antonio Brown ?. I agree that Hudson is a huge loss for KC. They should have found a way to lock him up last year. In terms of potential, could Cameron Erving be the solution ? , or are there any other interior O lineman that project as a potential top tier center material ?. Funchess sounds as if he could be a good red zone target and 3rd down short distance chain mover with his size and hands, but obviously a liability as a blocker.

Are there any other small school wide outs that have caught your eye as potential dark horse impact players ?

Thanks again for your time. Be well.

Love Cam Erving. Easily the best center prospect in the draft. Sky is the limit. Great value in BJ Finney in the 5th round. Like the kid a lot.

Can't find a guy with much more productivity in Titus Davis. Broke all of Antonio Brown's records at CMU. How about that link with your top question?

Thanks for the feedback, sounds like John Dorsey should sprint to the podium if Erving is available. Thanks also for the heads up on Titus Davis, if he is even remotely close to Antonio Brown, someone is going to get a steal in the mid to late rounds.

Mar 14, 2015 at 1:42 AM

#57

MadDog49er
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Posts: 19,400

Originally posted by Travisty13:
MD, what's your opinion of Deontay Greenberry, WR, Houston? Looked like this should have been his break out Jr year, but with poor QB play, he took a step back. I still think he will pro than college player. I'd take him in the 4th-5th as a guy to study under Boldin. He's my favorite, under the radar, player in the draft. Should have gotten a Combine invite.

Bad combine snub. He is a guy with upside. Loved the way he carried the team to victory in that crazy bowl, game against Pitt. He made all the key plays. A nice value pick in that 5th round area.

Mar 14, 2015 at 1:46 AM

#58

MadDog49er
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Posts: 19,400

Originally posted by thetruthhurts:
Thanks for the feedback, sounds like John Dorsey should sprint to the podium if Erving is available. Thanks also for the heads up on Titus Davis, if he is even remotely close to Antonio Brown, someone is going to get a steal in the mid to late rounds.

Erving is such a stud, he can play all five OL positions. Only one game did I see any issues at all after he transitioned to center, and I was nitpicking. There is almost always one stud center in each draft, and he is the guy for sure in this one. Heard Grasu had a solid workout for the Ducks this week, and Finney did well at KSU earlier this week. Waiting to head about Hobart's workout of Ali Marpet.

Mar 14, 2015 at 7:22 AM

#59

tatayoyo
Veteran
Posts: 140

MD, what's you're opinion of Brandon Bridge QB south alabama, Tyler Varga RB Yale,Donovan Smith OL Penn State and Henri Anderson DL Standford.Most of these players are mid to late rounder and are sleepers in The Huddle report, a source I've learned to trust. Your're an another source i learned to trust so i tend to cross opinions to identify later round player niners could select. thanks

Mar 14, 2015 at 8:56 AM

#60

stonecold590
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Posts: 2,382

MadDog I am various as to what your thoughts are on DE Preston Smith.