Sign Sean Payton and give him complete authority over the coaching staff, but very little of player personnel (that's probably a requirement for Baalke anyway). Payton is a premier coach who is in a sticky situation in New Orleans that he will likely get out of at the end of the season. He has California ties and I think he'd jump at the chance to coach a legendary franchise, despite it's ownership problems. This would be the best hire we can ask for (except for maybe McDaniels, but he's holding out for the perfect situation). Secondary options for me at least would include Jim Mora, Hue Jackson, and the Shanahans.
Trade
Colin Kaepernick- he needs to find a new situation with a new team around him. We trade him for a conditional 2017 draft pick (maybe 3rd or 4th? Not too sure what his value will be).
Cut
Antoine Bethea- give him a chance to go play for a contender in what could be his last season or two. Tartt will prove he can be the starter in the second half of the season.
Re-Sign
Alex Boone, Phil Dawson, Ian Williams, Garrett Celek
Return from Retirement
Anthony Davis- has repeatedly said he will be returning
Free Agents (we will have a ton of cap room)
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB- He's been very solid his whole career and has shown he can get the job done. I think with our cap situation, we will be able to offer him much more money than the Jets could and we would have the luxury of having a rookie quarterback sit behind and learn from a guy who's been a decent quarterback in the league for a while with a ton of experience. I also think if we were to land a coach like Payton, he'd be able to lure Fitzpatrick. It would be tremendous situation for the rookie having the experience from a former 7th rounder and a former top 10 pick. He is the perfect bridge for a rookie quarterback
Marvin Jones, WR- Former Cal receiver that has looked good in a crowded Cincinnati receiving corps. Don't think the Bengals will be able to bring him and Sanu back, but I'd rather pay more for Jones
Shea McClellin, ILB- Former first rounder who was drafted as a rush linebacker, but is really finding his own on the inside. Don't think the Bears will be able to keep him, but he will start right away for us.
Nick Perry, OLB- Another former first rounder who has dealt with a number of injury problems. He has looked good when healthy however, and we might be able to sign him for a prove-it type deal.
Manny Ramirez, OG- Has ranked as one of the best guards in the league, but lost his starting job recently due to the emergence of both Larry Warford and Laken Tomlinson. He will be 33 at the start of next season, but I think will be a good option on a shorter, cheaper contract.
Omar Bolden, S- Never really cracked the Broncos' starting lineup, but I think he has talent to work with as well as return ability.
Draft
I foresee us picking anywhere from 2-8 overall by seasons' end considering how I think our record will end up and considering the strength of our schedule for tie-breakers. If that happens we go with….…
1. Jared Goff, QB, 6'4 205, Cal
After doing some research (a couple games here and there as well as YouTube videos and scouting reports, if you want to call that research), it became clearly obvious who the number 1 quarterback in this draft is. Goff has all of the tools that you want and has carried a bad team to somewhat relevance in college football. None of the other quarterbacks possess his presence in the pocket, coupled with his accuracy and ability to make all of the throws. He's always moving in the pocket and is able to get passes off behind a pedestrian offensive line. Think of all the great quarterbacks in the NFL and these are the traits that they all possess. I've only seen a little bit of Lynch, but he reminds me a lot of Kaepernick in the way that his passing motion and pocket presence look. Lynch's accuracy may be better than Kaepernick's at this point, but I don't see the hype other than him leading his team to defeating Ole Miss. Connor Cook hasn't impressed me at all with his pedestrian completion percentage and the fact he was never voted a captain. Hackenberg has some tools to work with, but has looked straight awful. Goff is the clear cut number 1 choice and I would move up to the #1 overall pick if need be (if we don't have the top pick by season's end).
2. Michael Thomas, WR, 6'3 210, Ohio State
Thomas is one of the most talented receivers in this draft, but I think due to lower levels of production, he may fall to the late 1st – early 2nd round. Big, physical receiver with decent speed and quickness but and runs great routes. He's pretty much a prototypical #1 receiver you would want in this league. Redshirt Junior that I think will come out for the draft
3. Pat Elflein, OG, 6'3 300, Ohio State
Big, physical with a mean streak. Does everything well and is a great leader for the Buckeyes. I think he could hold down a guard spot for a while in this league.
Trade our 4th and the Cowboys' 6th round picks for a pick in the mid-late 3rd round
3. CJ Prosise, RB, 6'1 220, Notre Dame
Converted to running back from wide receiver and has looked very well. I think he would be a great compliment to Carlos Hyde in more of a timeshare backfield as opposed to Hyde being the workhorse. How many years in a row is this for us taking a running back in the draft? This will be the last time for a few years.
Trade the Chargers' 5th round pick and the Broncos' 6th round pick for a pick in the early 4th
4. Charles Tapper, DT, 6'4 283, Oklahoma
Long arms with a high motor. He can eat up blocks while also providing push in the pass rush and stopping the run. I think he can compete for playing time as a 5-tech and could provide a Ray-Mac role to Armsteads' (poor mans) Justin Smith role.
4(comp). Kris Frost, LB, 6'2 234, Auburn
Kind of a linebacker tweener playing inside earlier in his career and outside later. He has flashed with his athleticism and improved instincts in coverage and flash plays. If he can add some weight and continue to improve, he can be a great addition as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.
5. Cyrus Jones, CB, 5'10 196, Alabama
Very athletic player who is still a little bit raw at the cornerback position, but gets by in the SEC with his quickness and physical traits. He has improved every year as a cornerback and will hope to keep this trend going. He is also a great return man
6. Clint Van Horn, OT, 6'5 314, Marshall
Big and athletic lineman who has dealt with injury issues but is worth a flier late in the draft.
Depth Chart
QB- Fitzpatrick, Gabbert, Goff
HB- Hyde, Prosise, M Davis, Hayne
FB- Miller
WRZ- M Thomas, Smelter
WRX- T Smith, Patton
WRY- M Jones, Ellington
TE- Celek, McDonald, Bell
LT- Staley
LG- Boone
C- Kilgore, Martin
RG- Ramirez, Elflein
RT- A Davis, T Brown
LE- Dorsey, Dial, Tapper
NT- Williams, Purcell
RE- Armstead, Carradine
ROLB- Lynch, Harold
ILB1- Bowman, Hodges
ILB2- McClellin, Frost
LOLB- Brooks, Perry
CB1- Brock, Johnson
CB2- Acker, Reaser
CBS- Ward, Jones
FS- Reid, McCray
SS- Tartt, Bolden
K- Dawson
P- Pinion
LS- Nelson
[ Edited by Cooper22 on Nov 4, 2015 at 8:55 AM ]
