Offensive Line draft priority???

Originally posted by NorthBay49er:
Drafting Tyrus Thompson in the 4th with our comp pick would be solid i believe. Move him in at guard. Could be a starter in 2016 if/when Boone leaves. Could be a solid LG with Brandon Thomas playing RG in 2016

I really want Shaq Mason in the 4th. Super underated player.

I would prefer a good value OT in the 3rd or 4th that can play swing gaurd/ tackle this year and take over as a starter where needed next year. This year I see d line and a long term high quality wr as big needs. We should draft ol this year in the mid rounds and high next year. That way we can develop guys and keep that ol strong yet cheap.

Originally posted by Willisfn4life:

Originally posted by NorthBay49er:

Drafting Tyrus Thompson in the 4th with our comp pick would be solid i believe. Move him in at guard. Could be a starter in 2016 if/when Boone leaves. Could be a solid LG with Brandon Thomas playing RG in 2016

I really want Shaq Mason in the 4th. Super underated player.

Other names to add in the lower4th/5th Rd. - Mitch Morse, Sean Hickey, Mark Glowinski (my preference) and Corey Robinson.

Originally posted by jvangeystel:
I would prefer a good value OT in the 3rd or 4th that can play swing gaurd/ tackle this year and take over as a starter where needed next year. This year I see d line and a long term high quality wr as big needs. We should draft ol this year in the mid rounds and high next year. That way we can develop guys and keep that ol strong yet cheap.

This, except for the starter part. I think we have good quality starters, and I think we're even set for when Boone moves on. I think we need to develop a talented OT who will slip because his game isn't NFL ready, and groom him through the next year or 2 to man the swing tackle role at a cheap price tag.

At this point I'm hoping we get La'El Collins
I think he would fall right into our lap, and he's versatile enough to switch to tackle as well

OT is the biggest OL need...because there's very little behind Staley and AD. You really don't want your starting RG to have to move to LT...that requires two moves. The FO has to decide if they want to keep Boone...if they do, then extend his contract. If not, then by all means draft a good OT and OG. Ideally, Baalke can find a guy who can play both OT and OG. With the addition of Pears, it provides some flexibility. I see absolutely no reason Brandon Thomas won't be the starting LG. He started 36 games for Clemson at LT and OG, so has the experience and ability to earn the starting LG position. Like Pears, Thomas can be used in various ways. If Kilgore's GTG, our OL should be fine. It's always a good idea to continue drafting quality OL and DL...because the trenches are so important to any team's overall success.

Originally posted by WRATHman44:

Originally posted by jvangeystel:
I would prefer a good value OT in the 3rd or 4th that can play swing gaurd/ tackle this year and take over as a starter where needed next year. This year I see d line and a long term high quality wr as big needs. We should draft ol this year in the mid rounds and high next year. That way we can develop guys and keep that ol strong yet cheap.

This, except for the starter part. I think we have good quality starters, and I think we're even set for when Boone moves on. I think we need to develop a talented OT who will slip because his game isn't NFL ready, and groom him through the next year or 2 to man the swing tackle role at a cheap price tag.

Agreed. I dont think the Niners need to reach for a starter, but they do need a developmental OT who can be groomed to fill in now and compete in the future. Im think 3rd or 4th round.

There no doubt we are going to pick an oline at some pint in th draft, the question is what type of guy are we going to get? Boone and Iupati stunk it up on pass protection last year, these guys are maulers that can bulldoze guys in run plays , but can't move their feet fast enough for pass blocking. Boone is back, so hopefully dude is jumping rope all offseason to get his feet quicker, and I know nothing of Brandon Thomas's strentghs, but I'm sure someone here knows.
It all depends on what type of offense Trent is planning on running, power run? Then we are susceptible to the pass rush, if Trent is thinking more west coast or passing first offense we are going to need guys that can move their feet and block in space but might not weigh 330, and then they might not be able to blow guys off the ball, like Iupati or Boone.
Personally I'd like to see some guys with quick feet who can pass block well, and also get out and block on screens, we have Reggie now and hunter, who I think are well suited for the screen game, but our interior line(at least last year) can't block a twelve year old on screen plays. Interesting to see which way Trent goes with his draft.

in order
CB
mlb
ol

Originally posted by Butter:
Agreed. I dont think the Niners need to reach for a starter, but they do need a developmental OT who can be groomed to fill in now and compete in the future. Im think 3rd or 4th round.

That's what I mean. Grab a developmental guy that will be ready to go after a year of backup duties if we need it. Than if we resign Boone we don't have to draft a guy.

IMO, a guy like Ereck Flowers could solve a lot of problems both this season and beyond. He's got the size (6'5", 325) to plug right in to the LG spot vacated by Iupati, but is also athletic enough to slide over to LT should something happen to Staley. Flowers is also a young pup (20) who has all the size/skills to eventually take over for Joe at LT in a few years.

Drafting him also solidifies the entire line (IMO), giving Thomas the opportunity to back up both guard spots before taking over for Boone in 2016. Martin and Kilgore wil be fighting it out for the center position while the loser is the other interior backup. Staley, Flowers, Kilgore/Martin, Boone, Davis, Thomas, Pears. A good mix of veteran and young offensive lineman with excellent versatility and coverage both inside and out. Keep Dillon Farrell on the PS in case something happens to either Kilgore or Martin and add a young UDFA OT and you're in pretty good shape overall this season.

Projecting forward to 2016, you're likely looking at a starting OL of Staley, Flowers, MMartin, BThomas and Davis, and that's pretty damn impressive.

So it's a philosophical thing. If you believe building your team from the inside out is best, you go OL in this situation. If you think drafting lower-rated prospects to build up your o-line is best, you do that and spend your high picks on skill players. I personally prefer building from the inside out and biting the bullet the way the Cowboys did, but I also see some merit in going CB or WR this year. I just prefer solving the OL first to give my QB the best chance possible to make plays.

Yes please lets just ignore our D-line needs and draft O-linemen in every round I'm sure we can still have a great defence without Willis,Borland, maybe tha cowboy and a bunch of mediocre D-linemen....But hey at least we got Dockett only 34 and a busted knee but wait Dorsey and Williams can help IF they can stay off tha injury list ...Then we have Dial ooohhhh a big softie luv him ..... Tank has been tha only backup to show a few flashs of what he could do if given tha job ...I really cant see how u guys dont see our biggest need is at D-line we have ok to mediocre D-linemen that no other team will be scared of ... It starts on D-line having a good D-line makes our linebackers look good our linebackers look good makes our cornerbacks look good ...Our defense cant keep us in games if we dont draft good players ...

Originally posted by GhostofFredDean74:
IMO, a guy like Ereck Flowers could solve a lot of problems both this season and beyond. He's got the size (6'5", 325) to plug right in to the LG spot vacated by Iupati, but is also athletic enough to slide over to LT should something happen to Staley. Flowers is also a young pup (20) who has all the size/skills to eventually take over for Joe at LT in a few years.

Drafting him also solidifies the entire line (IMO), giving Thomas the opportunity to back up both guard spots before taking over for Boone in 2016. Martin and Kilgore wil be fighting it out for the center position while the loser is the other interior backup. Staley, Flowers, Kilgore/Martin, Boone, Davis, Thomas, Pears. A good mix of veteran and young offensive lineman with excellent versatility and coverage both inside and out. Keep Dillon Farrell on the PS in case something happens to either Kilgore or Martin and add a young UDFA OT and you're in pretty good shape overall this season.

Projecting forward to 2016, you're likely looking at a starting OL of Staley, Flowers, MMartin, BThomas and Davis, and that's pretty damn impressive.

So it's a philosophical thing. If you believe building your team from the inside out is best, you go OL in this situation. If you think drafting lower-rated prospects to build up your o-line is best, you do that and spend your high picks on skill players. I personally prefer building from the inside out and biting the bullet the way the Cowboys did, but I also see some merit in going CB or WR this year. I just prefer solving the OL first to give my QB the best chance possible to make plays.

I don't think that's necessarily true. If you like the OL talent and depth we have (like I do) then you don't have to go OL early. Building from the inside out doesn't mean you draft OL regardless, imo. I think we have a really good OL group with good depth inside. I think Pears is a stopgap at swing tackle. I think we lack starter-quality players on the OL this year or next. I don't think we have a sarter for 2016 opposite Torrey Smith. I don't know that we have a starter at TE for 2016, either. I don't think we have an ILB that can offer a suitable replacement for Bowman's athleticism if he goes down. If Mangini needs a 2 gap NT, we don't have one.

I think we're ok with the OL. We have enough talent there to not have to burn a top pick on a tackle or guard. I think we need more talent at NT, DT, CB and WR. I can live with a top pick with any of those four.

Originally posted by WRATHman44:

Originally posted by GhostofFredDean74:
IMO, a guy like Ereck Flowers could solve a lot of problems both this season and beyond. He's got the size (6'5", 325) to plug right in to the LG spot vacated by Iupati, but is also athletic enough to slide over to LT should something happen to Staley. Flowers is also a young pup (20) who has all the size/skills to eventually take over for Joe at LT in a few years.

Drafting him also solidifies the entire line (IMO), giving Thomas the opportunity to back up both guard spots before taking over for Boone in 2016. Martin and Kilgore wil be fighting it out for the center position while the loser is the other interior backup. Staley, Flowers, Kilgore/Martin, Boone, Davis, Thomas, Pears. A good mix of veteran and young offensive lineman with excellent versatility and coverage both inside and out. Keep Dillon Farrell on the PS in case something happens to either Kilgore or Martin and add a young UDFA OT and you're in pretty good shape overall this season.

Projecting forward to 2016, you're likely looking at a starting OL of Staley, Flowers, MMartin, BThomas and Davis, and that's pretty damn impressive.

So it's a philosophical thing. If you believe building your team from the inside out is best, you go OL in this situation. If you think drafting lower-rated prospects to build up your o-line is best, you do that and spend your high picks on skill players. I personally prefer building from the inside out and biting the bullet the way the Cowboys did, but I also see some merit in going CB or WR this year. I just prefer solving the OL first to give my QB the best chance possible to make plays.

I don't think that's necessarily true. If you like the OL talent and depth we have (like I do) then you don't have to go OL early. Building from the inside out doesn't mean you draft OL regardless, imo. I think we have a really good OL group with good depth inside. I think Pears is a stopgap at swing tackle. I think we lack starter-quality players on the OL this year or next. I don't think we have a sarter for 2016 opposite Torrey Smith. I don't know that we have a starter at TE for 2016, either. I don't think we have an ILB that can offer a suitable replacement for Bowman's athleticism if he goes down. If Mangini needs a 2 gap NT, we don't have one.

The draft is literally about choices. If you go in one direction in the first round, you sacrifice a little in other directions. So the question IN MY MIND is, what can I do in round one that best solidifies an entire group, not just one position. IN MY MIND, going OL in the first round solidifies my entire offensive line this year and for the years to come (barring injury of course) , so I can now go address some of the other areas of which there are many. Since I'm a believer in building from the inside out, I'll invest more heavily on the OL until I feel that group is stable. IMO, this one pick would do that.

I think it's also important to note that we haven't drafted a 1st round offensive lineman since 2010, and it's starting to show.

You're right, we don't have a quality WR starter opposite Torrey Smith in 2016, but signing a veteran free agent (like we did this year) is the best way to ensure quality on the other side. Now, I wouldn't be upset if we went WR in the first this year; I'm just aware of the risk involved in 1st round WRs compared to offensive lineman and weigh that heavily in my decision. If I were the GM of this team, I'd think I can safely address that in 2016 somehow. I also like my chances with later round WRs potentially developing like Lockett, Tre McBride, Darren Waller, Vince Mayle, Ty Montgomery or my personal favorites, Stefon Diggs and Antwan Goodley.

You're right about TE unless McDonald steps up. I also think that with the TE class being so weak, it would be foolish to spend a high pick on one this year...better off taking someone with potential in the mid-to-later rounds and developing them (Wes Saxton and CJ Uzomah come to mind) as opposed to reaching for lesser talent. There's just not a lot of obvious help in the draft this year for the TE spot.

We can use the 2nd round to grab a Stephone Anthony, Denzel Perryman or even Bernardrick McKinney to address ILB. Who knows, maybe even a guy like Shaq Thompson falls to the early 2nd; he and Anthony would be worth moving up in the draft a few spots, IMO.

Where we do agree on is NT, for the same reason I like Flowers on the offensive side....it helps to solidify the entire group. You get the right NT and that allows Dorsey to start at one of the DE spots and Dial at the other (or Cowboy if he doesn't retire) on run downs. You can then rotate Tank, Dockett, TJE, etc. on passing downs and you've strengthened/deepened your entire d-line.

I'm down for addressing either side of the line with this 1st round pick really.

For those that feel like we have enough OL talent, I'd just say that the risk involved in hoping a guy like Thomas or Looney or MMartin/Kilgore is the answer, isn't one that I personally would be willing to bet on. I would feel better going with a young blue-chip prospect like Flowers and plugging him to the LG spot as opposed to what I and many others would consider lesser talent. Just my opinion.