49ers Draft Grade

Originally posted by communist:

Originally posted by nj9er:
Last year we were 25th in points per game with about 19. I don't see how this draft increased that number. Maybe the coaching changes can give us an extra 8 points a game.

Maybe??? I'm pretty sure that our coaching staff and Kaepernick and Vernon sucked last season big-time. Save for an additional vertical threat, Baalke provided the offense with EVERYthing they needed to success.

I think due to injury and holdouts the line never gelled. I think our wr corp except for Boldin was off, Kaep may be better this year since we won't be habitually trying to get Crabtree the ball.

Originally posted by WildBill:
When you say holes, if you mean depth, then agreed. Otherwise, I disagree. Just because you draft someone doesn't mean the hole is going to be filled either.

We have our starting wide outs in Boldin and Smith. Simpson, if he keeps his head on straight will provide depth. Plus Ellington did okay when he could see the field, but was injury prone and with a year under the belt might do better. Baalke, from what I heard wanted Parker, but the Dolphins snatched him up because Gurley was gone. The fall of Gregory and Ray out of the top 10 also helped precipitated that. Trade up-well we tried that last year for Odell, to steep, how do you know that they didn't try and either price was to steep or none wanted to move, since you were not paying attention, there were alot of teams that wanted to move up, but none of the teams moved, that should tell you something. None of the WR after that are a lock to help either. Plus you and others forget that we are not going to be doing a lot of 3 and 4 wr sets.

We did get Deandre Smelter, even though he won't play this year, he gets to sit and learn, he is fast and I like the fact that he is described as a physical wr, meaning he is Boldins replacement, plus being injured, he can be stashed w/o taking up a roster spot as we see if Simpson and Patton and Ellington can have a break out year. I like his size and his 20 yd per catch average and the fact that he produced on a team that is run oriented.

ILB-Bowman is set at one and Wilhoite did more than a credible job is a starter caliber-Patrick Willis -no (and there was none in the draft that are), but more than suffiecient. Who is to say Skov won't come around either, Borland got the nod, but Skov with a year under the belt could possibly step in. Plus there was no top ILB talent in the first and the ones in the second, had there question marks from too small to too slow, and after Borland, well Baalke did say he wanted to get bigger and stronger. Plus we signed Phillip Wheeler as a free agent.

CB-Well we lost two this year, but lost two starters the previous year and we did more than great and that doesn't include the loss the of our safeties. Plus Brock has one side locked down and Baalke drafted four players last year, Dontae did a great job and has a year under his belt. He will compete with Shareece and Cook, remember when we signed that guy from the redskins...Baalke has done a great job of bringing in FA that end up more than contribute. Not to mention Acker. Plus Ward can be moved to CB with the drafting of Tartt who I think was picked man up on big TE and WR like Graham and Marshall. Was I surprised at the at pick, yes, but when I looked at the big picture I understood it better.

As for OL, again the niners drafted people with that in mind from last year, they will be better prepared than a high pick this year which was considered a down year this year. I don't think Brown, one of the OL picked is going to be a starter, ever, but he will be used in jumbo and run packages, he needs work on his pass protection, but as a run locker, people have been saying he is ready now. the guy is huge and will be a load and look foward to him getting to the second level on Sherman.

TE-for the jumbo package and the two TE package we are gonna need talent and he is to say they won't contribute, I was surprised by the picks, but potential is the key, Bell is an interesting selection who ran the ball and is a big target, so in red zone and a two tight end formation, can be set in motion and hand off the ball and he can either run it in or pass it. Kaep could also keep it and take it himself or pitch it. But even more so he can run out and be a big target. Reading up on this guy, the way some describe him, reminds of a Mark Bavaro type. Plus being a former QB he knows how to better read the D than others.

Face it none of the picks taken in the third day are rarely gonna contribute, unless you are a really bad team and the niners are not a really bad or even bad team, mediocre, so you go with potential untapped talent that fits your style of play, just cause a guy flashed in college and has name recognition, does not mean he translates to your system or even as a pro and you are not going to build your system around his playing style unless he is the QB.

Now as a fan, I am like everyone, underwhelmed by the picks, due to name recognition, but as a person of the game, I know you have to factor in the system as well as things that you or I or the news media have not seen or taken into account. You maybe one that wanted DGB, but I don't want a person with so many red flags, hell we have aldon, who had no red flags and now have to deal with it, talented as DGB is, he is useless if he is suspended or a headcase. The Titans coach and gm are on the hot seat so they are willing to take that chance. Baalke, just cause he does not do what the fans want is not going anywhere and neither is Tomosula unless he has a Singletary melt down and disconnect with the owner and before he goes it will be the OC and DC first.

We as fans tend to look at the draft like playing checkers while GMs should be looking to play it like chess which Baalke does.

My basic point is that we have areas of severe depth issue (ILB and WR) or with several unknown quantities (CB and OG). Instead of adding a 7th (with a 4th round pick no less!) and 8th TE or another punter why not load up on competition in the unknown areas? We certainly didn't need another safety at a high pick (unless Ward is a bust) and a punter in the 5th to save a few million in cap space that we don't need this year is a HUGE waste - especially since serviceable punters generally are available. Going into the season with Boldin and Smith is OK but after them there is a big drop off. Ellington was so-so in limited time, Patton hasn't stayed healthy nor seen alot of playing time and Simpson..... one more problem and a year away from football doesn't instill alot of confidence. Smelter may be a solid pick - I disagree on the speed rating you gave him, he's a 4.55 guy - for 2016 but that does little to help our depth or on field performance this year nor will he start his on field development until 2016. Net we're 2 years away from knowing what we've got with Smelter and still have the same roster concerns that we started out with.

The argument for big bodies in the red zone is sound. Why not get big bodies with a greater portfolio of experience and success than late round projects provide? The big issue with this line of thinking is that we've actually got to get into the red zone before any of this matters and we had a pretty difficult time doing that in 2014. Again, why not add players to compete for field time at positions that move the chains?

I would love for us to go 12-4 and a playoff birth this year but I think we needed some serious help to get there not more developmental/IR/Projects who may or not pan out and won't contribute in 2015.

Originally posted by MC9BEAT:

Originally posted by mike86:
D

I'm not one to generally give too much or too little credit to a team after a draft, but based on perceived value I thought Baalke & Co were atrocious this year.

First off, I'm not a fan of Armstead. Sure he MIGHT become a good, hell even great, player but he's got an incredibly long way to go and if the 49ers wanted a tall, long, athletic project then they have one on the roster - his name is Lawerence Okoye and he looked pretty damn good last year towards the end of the preseason. More alarming are the concerns over this kids heart. I have a bad feeling this guy will be much more like Kentwan Balmer than Richard Seymour. Not only that, but DL is one of the deepest positions on the team, even if Smith doesn't come back, so not only was he far from BPA but it doesn't come close to filling a need.

I'm going to reserve judgement on the 2nd round pick, but unless everyone in the NFL had Tartt as the 2nd coming of Kam Chancellor I'm going to say this was maybe the biggest reach of the draft. I think S is a big need for the team b/c I don't see Bethea staying past this year and Reid is potentially one more concussion from hanging it up. But with guys like Perryman and Rowe going right after this one was a total head scratcher.

Harold is the one pick I like. He reminds me of Bruce Irvin and by all accounts plays hard and is a leader. With Brooks likely gone before training camp he also gives us more depth. OLB is by far the strongest position on the team.

The entire 4th round was a huge debacle for me. Blake Bell?!? A former QB with one year at TE experience and not particularly impressive measurables was worth a 4th rounder? To me thats a 6th or 7th round pick at best. The 49ers would have been best served taking the Bell pick and trading for a 2016 3rd rounder. Mike Davis is intriguing and Smelter has potential, but it's just that - potential.

The rest of the picks seem like throw aways. Andy Lee is signed through 2018 so unless the 49ers want to part ways with his $2.5-3M salary over the next couple years the P pick is mind numbing. Then a couple OLs with serious limitations.

I'm happy to be proven wrong, but right now this draft looks as bad if not worse than the dreaded 2012 draft.

I give this draft a "B"

You don't like Armstead. The guy is a stud. He didn't put up huge numbers but 3-4 DE's don't. Justin Smith doesn't put up big numbers. This guy can be a big time player for us. People talk about potential but until they have proven themselves in the NFL all these rookies are potential. There were maybe a half dozen players in the entire draft that didn't have a list of weaknesses on their assessment on the NFL site. For now I will give the 49ers coaches/scouts/GM the benefit of the doubt on this one.

Tartt. By all accounts the #2 safety in the entire draft on practically everybody's board. There is no reason to believe he won't be a great player.

Eli Harold. By all accounts a steal in the draft. Projected to be a mid 2nd rounder. You can never have too many good pass rushers.

Mike Davis. A quality RB in round 4
Blake Bell. Big upside potential. With the top 2 TE's already off the board no one else left really impressed anyone. Bell at least has the potential to be great. His skills as a receiver rival the top 2 but needs to develope as a blocker. Coming in as our #3 TE he has time to develope that part of the game.
Deandre Smelter You say he only has potential. As opposed to all other receivers you can draft at the back end of round 4 who have gauranteed star status? We get a receiver who should be a good playmaker for us and possibly a great one at the end of round 4. What more can we reasonably ask for? I love this pick.

Punter in round 5. I don't know what to think because I never heard of this kid but if he can win the job from Andy Lee we save millions in cap space every year that we need.

We picked up a couple of OL's in round 6 and 7. We knew that barring a great player falling to us we would grap some OL help at the back end of the draft. Maybe a OT who can convert to be a really good guard or provide really good depth.

We traded a 7th round pick for a 2016 6th rounder. Love it.

TE Busta Anderson. Only pick I really question but we will see. With Davis and McDonald at TE and Bell in the 4th round we drafted another TE? We even have an H-back coming in that redshirted from last year's draft. Don't see a roster spot and unless we can stash him on the practice squad this kind of looks like it cold be a wasted pick that gets poached by another team.
I would have preferred to draft the top place kicker in the draft and hope he beats out Dawson and we can save millions more in cap space.


The reason I rate this draft a B when I like most of the players drafted is because we didn't catch much luck. I would have loved to see one of the top receivers fall to us at 15. Kevin White would have been nice. The consensus best player in the draft went at #6 -lucky them. I would have loved to see 1 of the top CB's fall to 46 or maybe even DGB but no such luck. I would have loved to see 1 of the top 2 TE's fall to us in the 3rd rd but no such luck. The only player that really fell to us was Eli Harold in the 3rd.

We could have gotten a little bit luckier but all in all should be a good draft.

Very well stated. Even Tomsula alluded to your final points about luck. And it looks like Busta is going to compete at WR. He looks like TO on tape.

Were getting hammered on Grades but that's naturally none of these kids will start a C at best

Originally posted by Rascal:

Originally posted by 808niner4lyphe:
Lol...are you all surprised by Baalke's draft picks? I'm not, it's the same old Baalke from 5 yrs ago. I don't get why some of you are so surprised and getting all worked up with Baalke's pick. Baalke is being Baalke whether we like it or not. His ego is bigger than the fantasy world he thinks he lives in.

You are right, not surprised at all. My only slight surprise is even by his own standards he managed to top the total ineptness of his poor performance of all the drafts since he took over in 2011. I really don't know what the hell he is trying to do, like you said it could be ego or may be he is just trying to portray himself as some sort of maverick who is happy to draft players that noone wants or ACL damaged goods. His drafting philosophy is simple, he just wants to stockpile picks like if he was some 4 year old kid playing some card game with his little friends. In the process,we have missed out on 5 years worth of impact players from the draft. Other than Eric Reid and Carlos Hyde, I really wonder what decent players has he drafted? Of course, as usual, some of his blinded supporters would say hey how about Aldon Smith huh?! OK, let me just put this one to bed once and for all. First off, Aldon Smith is not better than JJ Watt who was selected by the Texans 4 picks later. To add, not only JJ Watt is a far superior player, he doesn't have all the off-field baggage that comes with Aldon Smith. Oh and I haven't even mentioned the countless busts that he has drafted like the AJ Jenkins, Vance McDonalds and LMJs of the world, just to name a few.

If you really have that view of Aldon Smith, you should be applaud the Eli Harold pick. Also, at the time of Aldon Smith's drafting, he had NO off the field issues whatsoever. But I suppose you are now also going to blame Baalke for not having the ability to see into the future. Stupid Trent. Not using his crystal ball to see that a player who never got in trouble in college would all of a sudden began f'ing up in the pros. If you have an issue with Vance McDonald, what do you think the drafting of not 1, but 2 tight ends means?

The venom directed at the front office now is getting so intense, it's poisoning the people spewing it. Given Jim Tomsula's track record, unless Arik Armstead is too stupid or lazy to accept coaching, I expect that we will see great production out of him. Bare in mind that production will most likely not come in the form of sacks. I just want our linebackers to be able to run free. If they can do that, the Arik Armstead (and the D-line for that matter) have done their job. This is one position where I will give Jim Tomsula the benefit of the doubt. When it comes to CB, I will give Trent Baalke the benefit of the doubt. Based off of the coaching staff's/FO's track record, DL and CB should be the positions we should be least worried about.

Looking at the free agency moves, my guess is that the 49ers never intended to get an ILB in the draft, which I admit, I wouldn't have done, but I understand. We got hit pretty hard at that position, but I suppose they feel really high on the players that they signed and are left.

As for our O-line, I blame the woes mainly on injuries (1), horrible pass protection (2), horrible play selection (3). We are hoping 1 and 3 won't be a factor this year. As for two, it seems like every player not named Daniel Kilgore collectively had their worse season as 49ers. But we are bringing some guys back into the mix and with a healthy Anthony Davis, we should be fine. I would like a good swing tackle, but unless we took Collins (and who knows what will happen with him), that player really wasn't available.

With the draft at large, I give it a B. It's one thing to have Justin Smith retire. It's another altogether to lose Ray McDonald as well. I preferred Eddie Goldman who could probably play NT or DE. In this division, we are going to need to be very stout in the middle. We have two good nose tackles, but one (Ian Williams) is injury prone. I can let the AA pick go because of the Jim Tomsula factor and his track record of developing D-lineman.

Jacquiski Tartt is maybe a response to Jimmy Graham, maybe someone to play in nickel packages, and the man to push Craig Dahl off the roster. I can't agree with where we took him. It may also be insurance in case Eric Reid gets his bell rung again. I could see him having a Dashon Goldson like rise, where he is a backup for a few years and starts in his 3rd season. Only problem is, Goldson was a 5th round pick where that is acceptable. With a 2nd round pick, I don't feel comfortable with a 2-3 year wait. I won't invoke the name of AJ Jenkins. Clearly the NFL was too big for him, figuratively and literally. I don't think Tartt would have that issue. It's just that Baalke may have gone here too early. Probably could've picked up an extra 4th rounder (where he was gold) and still got Tartt.

I cannot fathom how anyone can have an issue with this pick. Is there such a thing as too much pass rush? Nope, never. If he is on the game day roster, I see a sick pass rush rotating with Aaron Lynch and having Ahmad Brooks and Aldon Smith as starters. Our OLBs should be pretty fresh this season. Corey Lemonier is also on notice.

Now what I don't get, for years, going back to 2012, fans on here have clamored for a BIG receiving target. So much that they didn't even care who it was, as long as it was a tall guy. Well Baalke goes out and gets a 6'6 guy and I don't see many thank yous. Development is needed, but we have a real TE coach this year, so I'm not worried at all. DeAndre Smelter is a future starter. Mike Davis is a plug and play running back right now and if he is called upon, he's ready to produce this year.

Now onto the pick that I liked the least. Even when you factor in age, Andy Lee's salary, etc, etc, etc, I cannot accept using a 5th round pick on a punter. I just can't. If you are going in that direction, a kicker makes more sense to me Phil Dawson is older and is paid more. If Pinion is worth anything, he goes to the practice squad. Normally this isn't an issue if you have drafted 1st or 2nd round injured talent in the 5th round and plan to "redshirt" them so to speak. But Pinion is completely healthy and if he doesn't beat out Andy Lee, there is no spot for him. Too much downside to be using 5th round picks on a punter. I could deal with another receiver, another CB, another safety, another ILB, a returner, or even trading it for a 2016 4th round pick. All of those scenarios sound better than drafting a punter in the 5th round.

With the latter rounds, they got an extra TE and O-line players to develop. I am not critical of 6th or 7th round picks because it's really just whatever you are looking for at the moment. They are also players you don't want to have to compete for to sign as free agents. Overall, I'm satisfied.

The draft shows that Baalke plans to be here awhile and is looking to replenish the lost talent. We are also going to find out if we have the right "teachers" in place. For once, the 49ers will be a great team to play for if you are a young player.

F-

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2015/5/2/8535351/2015-nfl-draft-grades-jaguars-falcons-cowboys-broncos-patriots-packers-giants-steelers-seahawks

C-

I feel the niners did not get good value this year in the draft. A lot of picks were reaches and some serious needs were not met.

Originally posted by Harbaalke:
Were getting hammered on Grades but that's naturally none of these kids will start a C at best

Grades are usually low if a team doesn't go after glitzy players. If they had drafted DBG or Strong at the 15th pick it would have been a reach but pundits would have loved it. Players that fit the system but do not have high visibility are boring...

Armstead, Tartt, Bell...all good value and good fit for needs but that is less important than glamour.

Harold? A steal in the 3rd...but that doesn't count because he isn't a big name.

Davis was a very good value and a backup need...good Gore replacement type of runner (not that he will be as good but ?).

Smelter might turn out to be one of the best WRs out of this draft...could have been a much higher pick but for injury

And then some interesting guys who may or may not be of value in the late rounds. I'm sad and happy about the mountain OT...can he play zone? But at least it will give Boone someone to look up to.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by Harbaalke:
Were getting hammered on Grades but that's naturally none of these kids will start a C at best

Grades are usually low if a team doesn't go after glitzy players. If they had drafted DBG or Strong at the 15th pick it would have been a reach but pundits would have loved it. Players that fit the system but do not have high visibility are boring...

Armstead, Tartt, Bell...all good value and good fit for needs but that is less important than glamour.

Harold? A steal in the 3rd...but that doesn't count because he isn't a big name.

Davis was a very good value and a backup need...good Gore replacement type of runner (not that he will be as good but ?).

Smelter might turn out to be one of the best WRs out of this draft...could have been a much higher pick but for injury

And then some interesting guys who may or may not be of value in the late rounds. I'm sad and happy about the mountain OT...can he play zone? But at least it will give Boone someone to look up to.

maybe he's just there to browbeat Boone when he needs it (see also pimp slap)

Originally posted by GorefullBore:

Paul Gutierrez of ESPN gave it a thumbs down. I've never cared for Gutierrez, he needs to go back to covering the Raiders.

Gutierrez usually never has anything positive to say about Niners, how did he get this gig ? He always sounds like he'd rather be covering another team.
I stopped reading him, seems like it's something personal to him, gloom & doom.

Originally posted by WRATHman44:
maybe he's just there to browbeat Boone when he needs it (see also pimp slap)

Or be the team bouncer.

Originally posted by WRATHman44:
maybe he's just there to browbeat Boone when he needs it (see also pimp slap)

"Yes, Mr. Brown...I'll turn my head and block the guy to my left next time!"

Originally posted by WildBill:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by goldlame2013:
Judging the Redskins draft and the 49ers draft, I now know who the pretender is between Baalke and McCloughan. Scot is gonna turn the Redskins into the Seahawks/49ers. Baalke is clumsily trying to do what Scot did best and is failing miserably. A couple more drafts like this and 1-15 is what this team will become.

The same guy who drafted Kentwan Balmer and Chilo Rachal........I mean..uh...uhm...2012...2012...2012.

This-hilarious, plus you should be able to bring in talent when you are picking from the 5th spot in nearly every round-you can tell this is a noob to football. Plus if the niners fail, it is the coaching, after all Harbaugh worked with the same GM and had success.

Epic!

Originally posted by Harbaalke:
F-

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2015/5/2/8535351/2015-nfl-draft-grades-jaguars-falcons-cowboys-broncos-patriots-packers-giants-steelers-seahawks

Dude gave B- to AZ and C+ to the rest of the NFCW. His most common line was, "I like the plyer, but they took him a bit too early." That's the exact type of reasoning GMs don't care about at all. Get the guy on YOUR board, who cares about the rest.

Alright, for all those who are unhappy with this draft, please 1) highlight the player(s) you wanted instead 2) at the position of needs you wanted and 3) ID all these "holes" on the roster and how these rookies would win a starting position over the current personnel.

Keep in mind that we're a running-centric team, focused on dominating play along the front 7, are focused on being very strong up the middle and like to win the TO battle, field position and TOP. That is our winning formula.

Current Offensive Personnel: (Injured Reserve) -- Starter -- Rookie
QB: Colin Kaepernick; Blaine Gabbert & Dylan Thompson/Blake Bell
RB1: Carlos Hyde; Kendall Gaskins & Mike Davis
RB2: Reggie Bush; Kendall Hunter & Jarryd Hayne
H-Back: Derek Carrier
TE: Vernon Davis; Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek, Asante Cleveland, Xavier Grimble & Blake Bell
FB: Bruce Miller; Trey Millard
X: Anquan Boldin; Rory 'Busta' Anderson & Issac Blakeney (DeAndre Smelter)
Y (SLOT): Bruce Ellington; Chuck Jacobs, Darius Davis & DeAndrew White
Z: Torrey Smith; Quinton Patton, Jerome Simpson & Dres Anderson
LOT: Joe Staley; Erik Pears & Patrick Miller
ROT: Anthony Davis; Chris Martin & Ian Silberman
LG: Brandon Thomas/Marcus Martin; Andrew Tiller & Trenton Brown
RG: Alex Boone; Joe Looney
C: Daniel Kilgore/Marcus Martin; Dillon Farrell

Current Defensive Personnel:
RDE: Tank Carradine/Darnell Dockett; Kaleb Ramsey & Lawrence Okoye
LDE: Quinton Dial/Arik Armstead; Tony Jerrod-Eddie
NT: Glenn Dorsey/Ian Williams; Mike Purcell & Garrison Smith
WILL: Aldon Smith/Eli Harold; Corey Lemonier
SAM: Ahmad Brooks/Aaron Lynch
TED: Michael Wilhoite; Philip Wheeler, Desmond Bishop & Shayne Skov
MIKE: Navarro Bowman; Nick Moody, Nick Bellore & Marcus Rush
RCB: Dontae Johnson; Shareece Wright & Leon McFadden
LCB: Tramaine Brock; Chris Cook & Marcus Cromartie
SLOT: Jimmie Ward; Kenneth Acker & Keith Reaser
NICKLE/DIME (SS/ILB): Jaquiski Tartt
FS: Eric Reid; L.J. McCray
SS: Antoine Bethea; Craig Dahl

Current Special Teams:
LS: Kyle Nelson
PK: Phil Dawson; Bradley Pinion
P: Andy Lee; Bradley Pinion
PR/KOR: Bruce Ellington; Reggie Bush, Kendall Hunter & Jarryd Hayne