Phoenix 49ers 2016 Mock Draft V3.0 | Page 5

Phoenix49ers · 2016-04-15T19:46:20-07:00

I've redone this mock draft a few times, deleted and started over, based on everything that has happened, the players that the 49ers have met with, team needs and who BPA is expected to be I've put together a pretty straightforward draft. The biggest issue I've had figuring out is QB, looking around I pretty much opted to punt with Gabbert for this season, hopefully be in position for a guy like Watson or even Falk if Gabbert doesn't work out. The team has so many needs that you can't fill them all in one draft, trying to fit all of them seems like a half measure so I went with the best available players in key areas. I anticipate that a Kaepernick will get worked out by the draft and that the 49ers will end up receiving a 3rd rounder from Denver. Round 1-49ers(Trade down with Tennessee). With Buckner and Jack gone, the 49ers elect to move down. Titans trade picks #15 and #43, and a 5th rounder in 2017 to move up. Tennessee still needs a left tackle, they supposedly liked both Tunsil and Stanley. Jumping up to #7 guarantees them one of those players while they still have a bundle of extra picks to trade. Alternatively the 49ers could trade down with Miami who move up for Elliott after struggling to pick up a RB all offseason. Round 1-Jack Conklin-OT-6'6", 310-Michigan State. Conklin may never be a left tackle in the NFL......and that is okay. He is one of the most game ready players in this entire draft. Not the most agile guy but performed well with the zone blocking that Michigan State ran. Very balanced blocker with long arms(35") can pass and run block well, a mauler in the run game, tough, blue collar type of guy that could be a good right tackle in the NFL for a decade+. He would be a starter for the 49ers from Day 1. I've gone back and forth on Conklin but the more I think about it, the more sense makes for the 49ers. I like his demeanor and attitude, he also held his own against both Joey Bosa and DeForest Buckner. Conklin says that he has tried to pattern his game after Joe Staley.....now he gets to play with him. Round-1-49ers move up with the KC Chiefs. 49ers trade their 2nd rounder, Broncos 3rd rounder and a 2017 4th rounder to move up to #28 Round 1-Vernon Butler-DE-6'4", 325-Louisiana Tech. 49ers move up to add this massive, versatile lineman to the defensive of the ball. With long arms, explosive power, a mean streak a mile long and versatility to play anywhere on the DL, Butler is a great fit. Just as with Conklin he is a guy who could start from the get go or be worked in and rotate with Dial. He needs some development but he has the tools and upside to be a dominant DE in a 3-4. Nice player for the new DL coach to work with, 49ers have shown interest in Butler throughout the pre-draft process. Round 2(Titans)-Josh Garnett-OG-6'4", 315-Stanford. Chip Kelly recruited Garnett while he was at Oregon, now he gets to coach him. Both Baalke and Kelly high five with this pick. Garnett is another tough, physical lineman, a mauler as a blocker that is exactly the sort of player that Kelly needs for his inside zone running game. Last year the 49ers running the football to the right side was a suicidal proposition, with Conklin and Garnett, a substantial weakness has been greatly improved. Garnett's family is comprised of 49ers fans and he has expressed interest in staying in the area which certainly doesn't hurt. Round 3-Xavien Howard-CB-6'0", 200-Baylor. Howard is the bigger sort of CB that both Baalke and Kelly are fans of. Physical CB, has a tough demeanor, very well versed for the man coverage that O'Neil runs, a ballhawk that shows good awareness and tracking of the football once it is in the air. More fluid than what might be expected from a bigger CB. Round 4-Malcolm Mitchell-WR-5'11", 200-Georgia. Boom or bust pick here. 1st round talent that has dealt with a series of injuries. Has enormous, reliable hands, catches everything that comes with his way. Has improved substantially as a route runner, very precise, had catches on a myriad of different routes. Shows no fear going across the middle of the field. A good guy to have around to move the chains on offense. If he stays healthy, this is a huge value pick. Round 4(Comp)-Tyler Ervin-RB-5'9", 192-San Jose State. An intriguing change-of-pace back that could play a Sproles like role for the 49ers. Ervin would come in and get carries right away. Along with Hyde and Davis and whoever else makes it, that would comprise a decent young group of RB's and now they'd actually have an OL that could block and create holes for them. Round 5(San Diego)-Nick Kwiatkoski-ILB-6'2", 240-West Virginia. I really like Kwiatkoski a lot. Former safety that switched to LB, has been incredibly productive for West Virginia. Very smart player with outstanding football instincts and the guy lives to light people up on the football field. Reliable tacker that has done well dropping back in coverage(7 INT's), a team leader with outstanding character. If he can't take over a starting spot at ILB, his future could be as a special teams demon. Round 5-DJ Reader-NT-6'3", 330-Clemson. The popular pick around here for NT and with good reason. Versatile and athletic, Reader comes with good upside and would help to fill in depth at a crucial area. Round 5(Comp)-Dadi Nicolas-OLB-6'3", 240-Virginia Tech. Nicolas is drafted as a developmental pass rusher. Pure speed rusher, older but still pretty raw, first step is lightning quick, not a guy that is very physical or can hold up against the run, strictly a third down pass rusher at this point, could also figure in on special teams due to his athleticism. Round 6(Dallas)-Vernon Adams-QB-5'11", 200-Oregon. I'm not the biggest fan of Adams, I've made many a reference about the CFL in conjunction to him but I think once you get beyond Goff and Wentz this draft turns into a huge crapshoot. I like Prescott a lot but I saw better value in the draft at other positions. With Adams the upside is that you get a guy who knows the offense. You get a guy who is mobile, who can run away from pressure with very good accuracy on shorter throws. He is also a very good improviser who is one of the best QB's in the draft at throwing on the run. I'm not convinced that the guy will last in the NFL but at this point in the draft he is worth a shot and his familiarity with the offense was the tipping point for me here. ****The crazy Youtube video error ate up the last part of my mock, I'll update the pick writeups later. 6th Round(Denver)-Quinton Jefferson-DE-6'4", 285-Maryland. Another guy that I like a lot. Experienced DL that has played in both a 3-4 and a 4-3. Talented pass rusher that could stand to add some bulk, could be a nice guy for Azzinaro to work with, brings some pass rush on 3rd downs. Has had injury issues in the past. Has already met with the 49ers once this offseason. 6th Round(Comp)Kivon Cartwright-TE-6'3", 240-Colorado State. H-Back type prospect. Good natural hands and athleticism, can be very inconsistent as a blocker, had an ACL tear in 2014 so this could be a Baalke injury special. Has been productive when healthy. 6th Round(Comp)-Taveze Calhoun-CB-6'0", 192-Mississippi State. 49ers showed interest in Calhoun at the Miss. St Pro Day. A guy with great intangibles, good character, tremendous leadership ability, tough, slight build, not great speed but a very smart player that could contribute as a backup or as a starter. Summary-I think this draft really helps address needs on the OL and DL. In particular you get some hard-nosed, tough, hit you through the whistle types in Conklin, Garnett and Butler. With Conklin and Garnett I think the right side of the OL becomes instantly improved. An OL group of Staley, Beadles, Kilgore, Garnett and Conklin is light years away from the group that started last season. One of Kelly's adages is that "Big people beat up little people", well with this draft, with Conklin, Garnett, Butler and Reader you add some real size and attitude to the roster, guys that will be the ones beating people up and not getting beat up. Another aspect that I looked at is leadership which is something that Kelly puts a lot of emphasis on. With Conklin, Butler, Garnett, Mitchell, Kwiatkoski, Adams and Calhoun, this team gets added leadership in spades. Looking forward for 2017, OLB, QB and potentially WR are all areas of need IMO. If Gabbert doesn't work out then there is the possibility of a guy like Watson or Falk, with the very outside chance of Adams eventually developing into a starter. OLB may or may not be a need depending on how Eli and Nicolas come along. WR just depends how guys like Patton, Ellington, Mitchell and Smelter do this upcoming season.

Apr 16, 2016 at 2:17 PM

#61

Phoenix49ers
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Posts: 132,623

Originally posted by Kolohe:
I'm not saying he never trades up I'm saying he values his picks, and won't make a mega trade. Like I said in another post, that was a measly 3rd round pick to move up anyone would make that deal that was a given.

This wouldnt qualify as a mega-trade by any stretch. Youre moving up like 8 spots into the late 1st from the early 2nd round because I dont see Butler being available where the 49ers will be picking in the 2nd.

Apr 16, 2016 at 2:27 PM

#62

Kolohe
Hall of Fame
Posts: 67,365

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by Kolohe:
I'm not saying he never trades up I'm saying he values his picks, and won't make a mega trade. Like I said in another post, that was a measly 3rd round pick to move up anyone would make that deal that was a given.

This wouldnt qualify as a mega-trade by any stretch. Youre moving up like 8 spots into the late 1st from the early 2nd round because I dont see Butler being available where the 49ers will be picking in the 2nd.

Not a mega trade, but the 49ers 2nd round pick is basically a late 1st which you don't see Baalke giving up, let alone a early 2nd AND 3rd.. We'll see though, I think trading Kap would give the team some leg room to do things which I HOPE Baalke does. Trust me, I hope I'm wrong and Baalke does do a bold move like that, Butler seems to be worth it.

I'm also hoping Baalke proves me wrong and makes a splash to get Muhammad Wilkerson. It would make me forget about Goff going to the Rams.

Apr 16, 2016 at 2:48 PM

#63

GEEK
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Posts: 19,432

I love this mock.

Love the trade down. Love the OT and DT picks as a 1-2 punch.

And I'm okay with a late round QB. It's Gabbert or bust at this point.

Apr 16, 2016 at 4:11 PM

#64

KezarLivin
Veteran
Posts: 3,902

Good stuff, smart draft. I'm starting to be of the mind now as well that with Goff and Buckner gone, trade down. Shore up the lines and move forward!

Always been high on Mitchell going back to 2012, really hoping he gets a chance to put it all together,

Apr 16, 2016 at 5:01 PM

#65

elguapo
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Posts: 26,540

f**king great mock. Aside from the first 3 picks I love the rb and ilb picks.

Apr 17, 2016 at 6:44 AM

#66

baddevildog82
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Posts: 25

Really like this draft too. Love that this draft helps solidify both lines. Winning in the trenches leads to winning on the score board.

Apr 17, 2016 at 6:53 AM

#67

Phoenix49ers
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Posts: 132,623

Originally posted by baddevildog82:
Really like this draft too. Love that this draft helps solidify both lines. Winning in the trenches leads to winning on the score board.

Not just talent but attitude, its something Seattle has done really well, getting talented but hard nosed guys. Butler is well respected but described as being the meanest guy in the Louisiana Tech locker room. Conklin wont back down from anyone and Garnett seems to really relish knocking defenders on their ass and then looking for someone else to run over.

These guys are all aggressive and tough without being dumb and doing stuff to rack up penalties. Howard is the only one I am concerned about as he can be grabby down the field and will get called for it.

Apr 18, 2016 at 7:26 AM

#68

m_brockalexander
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Posts: 13,379

So, will you be traveling to Chicago with the front office? I think you should.

Apr 18, 2016 at 8:05 AM

#69

NCommand
Hall of Fame
Posts: 123,365

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by baddevildog82:
Really like this draft too. Love that this draft helps solidify both lines. Winning in the trenches leads to winning on the score board.

Not just talent but attitude, its something Seattle has done really well, getting talented but hard nosed guys. Butler is well respected but described as being the meanest guy in the Louisiana Tech locker room. Conklin wont back down from anyone and Garnett seems to really relish knocking defenders on their ass and then looking for someone else to run over.

These guys are all aggressive and tough without being dumb and doing stuff to rack up penalties. Howard is the only one I am concerned about as he can be grabby down the field and will get called for it.

For real, we went from a nasty Anthony Davis on the field to a nasty Anthony Davis on Twitter.

We need some ass-kickers upfront again. Dominant.

Apr 18, 2016 at 8:06 AM

#70

NCommand
Hall of Fame
Posts: 123,365

Originally posted by m_brockalexander:
So, will you be traveling to Chicago with the front office? I think you should.

I already booked his flight!

Official title: Webzone Draft Consultant

Apr 18, 2016 at 8:41 AM

#71

DonnieDarko
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Posts: 66,959

Why does everyone have us taking josh garnett? Does everyone know something I dont?

Apr 18, 2016 at 8:44 AM

#72

Phoenix49ers
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Posts: 132,623

Originally posted by DonnieDarko:
Why does everyone have us taking josh garnett? Does everyone know something I dont?

Kelly was caught trying a hide a boner while watching him workout during the Stanford Pro Day.

Apr 18, 2016 at 8:56 AM

#73

NCommand
Hall of Fame
Posts: 123,365

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by DonnieDarko:
Why does everyone have us taking josh garnett? Does everyone know something I dont?

Kelly was caught trying a hide a boner while watching him workout during the Stanford Pro Day.

And Bellicheat's staff caught it on camera from the stands.

Apr 18, 2016 at 9:13 AM

#74

KajunNiner
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Posts: 778

I would love this draft

Apr 18, 2016 at 9:15 AM

#75

frankieuc68
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Posts: 5,997

We are all in agreement that we need to bully up teams on both sides of the lines. Offensively,this will help our RB to find running holes and give our QB time. Defensively, if we can bully up teams up front, it will help our backend unit. Solidify the front lines!