2015 NFL Entry Draft Thread - Do NOT post the Pick before it's Announced

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by TexasNiner:
I don't mind this pick so much, but makes the 4th rounder on Blake Bell (and absolutely no CBs) even more of a head scratcher

Not at all. We're talking about the 3rd to last pick in the draft, this is taking a flyer out on a player, nothing more, nothing less.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by TexasNiner:
I don't mind this pick so much, but makes the 4th rounder on Blake Bell (and absolutely no CBs) even more of a head scratcher

Not at all. We're talking about the 3rd to last pick in the draft, this is taking a flyer out on a player, nothing more, nothing less.

Right, but Bell was projected in the same spot and is the same kind of player. (In terms of he's great to take a flyer on, but not a top or sure talent that is likely to make an impact soon and who may or may not make the roster long term.) So, with limited roster spots available, and at least two TE spots locked up, why burn a pick in the 4th if there are guys in the 7th worth a flyer and/or why burn the 7th (which Trent seems to covet so much) on a guy very likely to be a UDFA in a few spots when you already have a 4th rounder who would seem to have a much better shot at that roster spot?

Just doesn't make sense to me. Wasn't a single CB, NT, ILB, QB, non-injured WR other player that has a better shot at making the roster than a 4th/5th at best TE? Hard to believe there aren't any players out there who will be priority UDFAs that would have been better to burn the pick on than a TE most had undrafted.

Or, if you like him, why waste a pick so high on Bell?

Trenton Brown
http://youtu.be/6URYZfv-3ws

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
In the unemployment line or what?

I think Bell's selection sealed the fate of Carrier and Celek. Anderson could be a PS guy.

Why Carrier? Vernon, Vance, Carrier, Bell. Celek is the only goner.

Originally posted by phatbutskinny:

Originally posted by TheFunkyChicken:

Originally posted by Jcool:

Matt Maiocco ‏@MaioccoCSN

The 49ers draft is over, and they did not select an inside linebacker, a cornerback or a healthy wide receiver.

just don't get how we let this happen.....

Let me explain.

Baalke and company have a big board. They rank the players and put it up. At the time of a pick, they will pick the player highest on their board. We didn't end up with a CB, healthy WR, or ILB. This means they weren't high up on our board when we were up to pick. Additionally, for the CB, It could also mean Baalke is fine with Brock, Johnson, Reaser, Cook, Acker, Wright, McFadden and Cromartie. For WR's, it could mean Baalke is fine with Torrey, Boldin, Patton, Ellington and Simpson for now. For ILB, Baalke could be confident in Wilhoite and Bowman, and the depth behind them.

That is how we let this happen.

Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule filming hotels.com commercials, Captain Obvious...

Yes, I get all that. But if you've listened to other GMs give interviews over the last few days, many of them have said that you still take need into account, whether it's in how you stack you board, or how you pick between players at the top of your board. You have to factor need in as well.

Maybe BAALKE is confident in our WR group, but I'm not. And frankly, I don't think his track record with this position gives me more faith in his opinion than my own here.

This happens every year. We pass on obvious guys and I get pissed. Then people on here tell me all about how we're totally fine with Kyle Williams as our third WR, or how in a few years Joe Looney and that other scrub OL we drafted that year will be starters or solid depth.

Listen, you've been on this board a long time, and I know you have your opinions as well. If you feel like Baalke's crazy moves (a punter!!!) are probably justified because you have faith in him, that's fine. You're allowed to have that opinion.

My opinion is that every brilliant move Baalke has drafting (and he HAS had several), he also makes multiple mistakes by ignoring obvious choices. And eventually those mistakes come back to haunt us.

At least if we get some udfa ilb and qb, they may want to pick the niners (especially so Bc we lost Willis and Borland)

Originally posted by MadDog49er:
Anderson is a pretty good pick here. Very talented guy, but dinged up a lot. His tricep has been destroyed multiple times.For the second to last pick, I can't complain.

Agree! Folks should read before they react! The guy is a speedy TE, very good athlete and a sincere blocker. Bright, hardworking and, along with Bell, will likely push Celek and Carrier off the team. Remember, every TE was injured last year.

The niners short passing game was not a strength, but now they stretch the field with T Smith, add Bush, Smelter and two TEs with talent...I like that very much. Through in Milliard coming back from injury and there will be some real competion at the TE and FB positions.

Anderson's injury issues kept him down in the draft but if the 9ers medical team can get him healthy...

Originally posted by phatbutskinny:

Originally posted by TheFunkyChicken:

Originally posted by Jcool:

Matt Maiocco ‏@MaioccoCSN

The 49ers draft is over, and they did not select an inside linebacker, a cornerback or a healthy wide receiver.

just don't get how we let this happen.....

Let me explain.

Baalke and company have a big board. They rank the players and put it up. At the time of a pick, they will pick the player highest on their board. We didn't end up with a CB, healthy WR, or ILB. This means they weren't high up on our board when we were up to pick. Additionally, for the CB, It could also mean Baalke is fine with Brock, Johnson, Reaser, Cook, Acker, Wright, McFadden and Cromartie. For WR's, it could mean Baalke is fine with Torrey, Boldin, Patton, Ellington and Simpson for now. For ILB, Baalke could be confident in Wilhoite and Bowman, and the depth behind them.

That is how we let this happen.

Or it could mean Baalke is a Fri$$in Lunatic who is a plant for an unknown team out to get us, My draft is over

Originally posted by TheFunkyChicken:

Originally posted by Jcool:

Matt Maiocco ‏@MaioccoCSN

The 49ers draft is over, and they did not select an inside linebacker, a cornerback or a healthy wide receiver.

just don't get how we let this happen.....

It seems to happen every year with Baalke lol.

Originally posted by AmpLee:

Originally posted by TheFunkyChicken:

Originally posted by phatbutskinny:

Originally posted by TheFunkyChicken:

Originally posted by Jcool:

Matt Maiocco ‏@MaioccoCSN

The 49ers draft is over, and they did not select an inside linebacker, a cornerback or a healthy wide receiver.

just don't get how we let this happen.....

Let me explain.

Baalke and company have a big board. They rank the players and put it up. At the time of a pick, they will pick the player highest on their board. We didn't end up with a CB, healthy WR, or ILB. This means they weren't high up on our board when we were up to pick. Additionally, for the CB, It could also mean Baalke is fine with Brock, Johnson, Reaser, Cook, Acker, Wright, McFadden and Cromartie. For WR's, it could mean Baalke is fine with Torrey, Boldin, Patton, Ellington and Simpson for now. For ILB, Baalke could be confident in Wilhoite and Bowman, and the depth behind them.

That is how we let this happen.

Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule filming hotels.com commercials, Captain Obvious...

Yes, I get all that. But if you've listened to other GMs give interviews over the last few days, many of them have said that you still take need into account, whether it's in how you stack you board, or how you pick between players at the top of your board. You have to factor need in as well.

Maybe BAALKE is confident in our WR group, but I'm not. And frankly, I don't think his track record with this position gives me more faith in his opinion than my own here.

This happens every year. We pass on obvious guys and I get pissed. Then people on here tell me all about how we're totally fine with Kyle Williams as our third WR, or how in a few years Joe Looney and that other scrub OL we drafted that year will be starters or solid depth.

Listen, you've been on this board a long time, and I know you have your opinions as well. If you feel like Baalke's crazy moves (a punter!!!) are probably justified because you have faith in him, that's fine. You're allowed to have that opinion.

My opinion is that every brilliant move Baalke has drafting (and he HAS had several), he also makes multiple mistakes by ignoring obvious choices. And eventually those mistakes come back to haunt us.

The disconnect is that fans perceive needs that the team may not. I'd put more stock into professionals that spend time around this team. Kind of like the Borland pick last year. People were complaining on how we ignored a need to pick another inside LB. The team probably knew that Willis had an injury that was never going to fully heal. It's things like that that give our team perspective that us fans will never have. So we pick a punter and fans are left scratching their heads. Maybe the team knows something we don't. I don't think they're just picking the BPA without thinking about present or future needs.

That's totally fair. And Baalke has proven me wrong many times in the past (Aldon).

But with WRs I just don't have that confidence. We aren't getting production from that group and we aren't doing things that I think will change that. And I am getting tired of watching my favorite prospects blow up on other teams. It just gets worse every year.... And for what it's worth, the Steelers consistently draft my favorite WRs and they seem to have a much better track record with that than we do. Just saying...

Originally posted by AmpLee:
The disconnect is that fans perceive needs that the team may not. I'd put more stock into professionals that spend time around this team. Kind of like the Borland pick last year. People were complaining on how we ignored a need to pick another inside LB. The team probably knew that Willis had an injury that was never going to fully heal. It's things like that that give our team perspective that us fans will never have. So we pick a punter and fans are left scratching their heads. Maybe the team knows something we don't. I don't think they're just picking the BPA without thinking about present or future needs.

Exactly! This is why people should stop assuming they know more than our front office. Wish I did, but I don't know any of these guys personally, medically, professionally...any way.

I personally have appreciated Celek and Carrier but Bell and Anderson may be huge upgrades, and with the injuries last year why not try to solidify the position?

Armstead didn't strike me as having a fire inside him, but Tomsula has been turning mediocre talent into good solid starters for years...what might he do with a guy like AA?

Tartt totally took me by surprise...but in retrospect, it makes sense. The team needs to strengthen the middle with the loss of Willis and Borland and the team didn't like any ILBs. In light of that...makes good sense.

Smelter fell due to injuries but is very similar to Strong. Not quite as polished perhaps but a better all around athlete who has great body control.

Harold offers that speed guy the team has lacked late in games when pass rush is really important. Aldon and Lynch are really good power rushers but Harold will add a dimension.

Overall, not what I would have done but, as you say--the team may just know more than I do!

Amp let me comment on the WR issue. We have really lacked explosive talent at the position for a long time. The best guy has been Boldin IMO and that's going back to Alex. We never gave Alex great options and it never helped the O. I want Kap to have lots of great options. Obviously we added Smith which should be a massive help but that's one guy. We need lots of options for down the road. The fight for a spot we have at DL and TE...I want that at WR.

The couple TEs taken with other needs, as well as the TE action last year, is (TO ME) a sign that if nothing else, we're about ready to admit McDonald is a bust.

dont get why everyone is upset as to why we didnt get a cb or wr. we drafted like 3 corners last year and they are ready to go right now. We also need to have some faith in ellington/patton/simpson. We established that we are going to be a mean and dirty team as usual and going to chokeslam people into the ground, which is why we drafted a bunch of big, physical guys.

We have to see what we have in Patton and Ellington....

Originally posted by TheFunkyChicken:


My opinion is that every brilliant move Baalke has drafting (and he HAS had several), he also makes multiple mistakes by ignoring obvious choices. And eventually those mistakes come back to haunt us.

This is a lot of how I feel. And looking back at the last few drafts, it's easy to understand why. Since 2011, the draft so many consider Baalke's gem, we have seen him ignore seemingly obvious needs at CB, WR, and NT, and attempt to address other needs with picks that are reaches, position changes or injury specials.

Somehow he's gotten the reputation for being great on day 3. He certainly like to acquire extra day 3 picks. But how well has "Trader Trent" done when he has bucked the system with these "huh?" picks?

4th round picks from 2011 on:

2011 - Hunter - Solid player, but can't stay healthy - 4th round
Kilgore - Solid is a stretch, but he's servicable. Not a bust. - 5th round
Miller - Very good pick. 7th round position switch. Great value.
Rest of the draft - Johnson, Jones, Person, Holcomb 2 6ths, 2 7ths, all complete busts and off the team.

2012 - entire draft busts - 4th - Looney, closest thing to an NFL player. Flemming, Robinson, Slowey and Johnson (5th, 2 6th and 7th) are all gone and deservedly so.

2013 - Certainly no impact players so far. Just question marks or busts mostly.

4th Patton - Hard to tell. Some of us are optimistic, but has been up and down in limited playing time.
4th Lattimore - waste of a pick. Never played a down
5th Dial - flashes of potential, we will see
6th Moody - He's still on the team, I guess that's something.
7th Daniels - Not with the team. But not a terrible pick.
7th Bykowski - off team, waste of a pick
7th Cooper - off team, waste of a pick

A little early to judge 2014, especially when most of them haven't seen the field yet due to pre-existing or training camp/early season injuries.

4th Ellington - Again, some potential, but limited playing time, we will see.
4th Dontae Johnson - Showed some signs. I'm not as high as others, but he could have potential.
5th Aaron Lynch- Give credit where it is due. This guy looks like the real deal as long as he can stay healthy.
5th Keith Reaser- Injured
6th Kenneth Acker - Injured
7th Kaleb Ramsey - Injured
7th Trey Millard - Injured


So, the "genius" of Baalke on day 3 is Lynch and Miller. Those are the only two players to be better than average at best and/or guys with potential who have yet to put it together or be given the chance to play enough to know for sure. Everyone else is a bust, injured or TBD.

Are a few serviceable to solid at best depth players worth going against conventional wisdom and stocking up on picks late in rounds at positions of relative strength instead of staying put and/or trading up to try and get players who might have more of an impact at positions of need? Ever? This constant trading back and taking developmental, injured and/or position switch players does not seem to be yielding particularly great results.