What is your drafting philosophy? | Page 4

LifelongNiner · 2017-12-08T08:00:36-08:00

I am curious as to what everyone's draft philosophy is in this draft. I am making it specific to 2018 because that can change based on the year and the talent that is available. When I look at the 49ers, I see a team that is lacking in quality starters, quality players, depth, and elite prospects. Given the state of the team, I honestly hope ShanaLynch goes with option 2 for this year. For one, if you are doing what are supposed to do as a team, you will not have many opportunities to draft this high and land the elite prospects that are available. You will get guys like Reuben Foster that fall to 31, but you can't expect top-5 players to fall like that without a greater element of risk in taking that player. Also, we do have a few solid to good players on the team. They would look better with another lite prospect next to them so defenses cannot focus on them. Some on the draft boards have wanted Quenton Nelson, Saquon Barkely, Roquon Smith, Calvin Ridley, etc. I think if we walk away with the no. 2 or 3 overall pick, we have potentially for landing two of those players. Add in other quality day 1 starters that we can add in round 2 and we may finally be working with something. Some of our current guys will be pushed down lower to give us depth, which we are sorely lacking. But the reality is, depth can be added in any year. I'd rather get 22 solid, good, or great starters and then we can focus on backups. As it stands right now, I'm thinking we have 10 picks. With one trade down or two within the top-10, you can have one of your draft crushes, minus Barkley. With the picks we are sure to haul in, there is the option of trading back up to pick another one of the first round draft crushes. Normally people only do this for QBs, but when you think about adding a guy like Smith next to Foster, or putting Harold Landry on our D-line, or snagging, etc, it really does change the face of our defense (or offense if you choose a top offensive player). Then picks can be packaged to moved back into the 2nd for those 1st round talents that fell for whatever reason. 10 draft picks are nice, but 5 or 6 really good ones would be great and we likely will have acquired some picks for 2019.

Dec 12, 2017 at 10:41 AM

#46

Born49R
Veteran
Posts: 528

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:

Originally posted by 49ers808:
Does anyone know if we are picking #3 or #4 based on SOS? Conflicting reports. Doesn't really matter as the season isn't done but just curious

#4 as it stands

I've looked at the remaining schedule for all the teams around us and I'm speculating we wind up picking 5th but that's if we win 1 of our remaining 3 games. Best bet is we beat Tenn.
Since the end of the season always brings surprises it is really just a wild ass guess.

Dec 12, 2017 at 10:46 AM

#47

MRNINESEVEN
Veteran
Posts: 10,730

all depends on how FA plays out. That will really set the table up. I think the mindset in going into the draft is to be open minded. but when you're in a full rebuild then picks are of an asset. So trading back is key, and so far this mgmt has done a quality job. This coming up draft is really deep on the defensive side of the pool. I say we stand put given we will be 3-4 maybe 5. You can't go wrong with the group of players that will be there. so this draft i think they go BPA, and probably won't be trading back much especially if they are not in the #2 slot which looks to hold good trade value especially if Darnold does come out.
Landing Jimmy G really opened things up, and i think this FA will open it up even more.

Dec 12, 2017 at 11:32 AM

#48

English
Moderator
Posts: 41,412

Having seen the most recent game, my drafting philosophy is, DRAFT O LINE.

Dec 12, 2017 at 12:51 PM

#49

Cisco0623
Veteran
Posts: 14,550

Originally posted by English:
Having seen the most recent game, my drafting philosophy is, DRAFT O LINE.

Been saying that for weeks. FA, draft, i don't care, give us a dominant o-line!

Dec 12, 2017 at 12:51 PM

#50

LifelongNiner
Veteran
Posts: 24,711

Originally posted by Butter:

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:

Originally posted by rk1642:

Originally posted by Brewcrew:
This is what is needed! If you give him time to throw he will carve up teams! Guard from ND and Center from Ohio state. Then fill skill positions front line first!

I agree with you 100%

We all have seen what happens when you don't have a solid Oline (it can ruin a qb).

Cant run the ball (even if you have a stud rb) and you cant pass (at least downfield) cause they don't give the qb enough time to go thru his progressions.

A skilled wr wont even get thrown to (even if open) if the qb doesn't have the time to see him.

Plus Staley is getting up there too!

Free agency. There $100 million + has to go somewhere. Spend on those O-line trenches and draft the skill players to take advantage of it. I do think we should draft one guard in the 2nd or third to develop as a future starter or starter in 2018 in case Garnett isn't the guy. I think the thing we have to keep in mind is that we can't fill every hole this year. We should concentrate on a few that will make our offense and defense functional.

I see this opposite. Use FA $$$ on a #1 WR, CB and vet center. Then draft Nelson.

I'm curious. Why not address two of the tree O-line positions with veterans and let Garnett and a rookie battle it pout for the final spot? Especially considering we can get a potential number 1 for cheap in the draft. Of course we can do the same thing with a guard, but what do you think Robinson's price tag will be?

Originally posted by weit53:
I'd like to see us trading down and having 2 picks between 10-18. Take Roquan Smith and Calvin Ridley. Maybe Penny at the end of the 2nd.

This is all I want. The only team I'm worried about taking Calvin Ridley in the top 10 are the Bears. We might need to be ahead of him to ensure we get Ridley or we can hope Courtland Sutton gives them Alshon Jeffrey flashbacks. Smith is a top-5 talent, but likely won't go as high because of his position. If we finish top 5, we should have the capital to maneuver around. We ,may have to put one of our first round picks up, which I don't mind, because we'd be getting an elite talent in Smith a year early.

Originally posted by DJamhour:
Random question but if a team wanted to trade up from about 15 and their 2nd this year and 1st next year and 2nd next year. Would you do it?

Yes. From 4th to 15th? I am taking that deal. Use the 1st and 2nd to move back up into the top 10 and get Ridley or Smith, and we still have a 1st next year and a 2nd in our back pocket. I'd try to see if they deal could be sweetened a bit with a 4th round pick.

Dec 13, 2017 at 9:32 AM

#51

The411
Veteran
Posts: 248

Draft strategy isn't too complicated. To win in football you need to build the trenches first then work your way out.

As for when to pick a player it depends on the quality of players available.

Top 5 picks are usually for QBs, LTs, DTs, DEs and occasionally Free Safeties, WRs

6-10 LT, DE, rush OLB, safeties, tight ends, cornerbacks and position of the top 5.

11-15 ILB, OLB, TE, OG, SS

16-20 Centers, all the above

It all depends how well the prospect rates at a position vis a vis other draft years prospects.

In this draft the strength appears to be in the 6-10, 11-15 range.

If the Niners stay at 4 I'd trade down as I don't see anyone that's worth a #4 pick that fits in the Niners system and there's better value to get two 1sts + which could yield someone like Q. Nelson unless you go Bradley Chubb, but that's 4 DL picks in a row.

Fitzpatrick is a touch high at 4 but not a bad pick.

Better to go for two of Nelson/Vea/Key/Landry/top Center (Price?) imo.

Dec 13, 2017 at 10:04 AM

#52

Dillesq
Member
Posts: 1,512

Originally posted by The411:
Draft strategy isn't too complicated. To win in football you need to build the trenches first then work your way out.

As for when to pick a player it depends on the quality of players available.

Top 5 picks are usually for QBs, LTs, DTs, DEs and occasionally Free Safeties, WRs

6-10 LT, DE, rush OLB, safeties, tight ends, cornerbacks and position of the top 5.

11-15 ILB, OLB, TE, OG, SS

16-20 Centers, all the above

It all depends how well the prospect rates at a position vis a vis other draft years prospects.

In this draft the strength appears to be in the 6-10, 11-15 range.

If the Niners stay at 4 I'd trade down as I don't see anyone that's worth a #4 pick that fits in the Niners system and there's better value to get two 1sts + which could yield someone like Q. Nelson unless you go Bradley Chubb, but that's 4 DL picks in a row.

Fitzpatrick is a touch high at 4 but not a bad pick.

Better to go for two of Nelson/Vea/Key/Landry/top Center (Price?) imo.

I'm with you all the way. Trenches is where games are won.

That being said, I'm all about trading back to 8-11 and taking Smith or Nelson with our first pick.

Dec 13, 2017 at 10:48 AM

#53

dj43
Moderator
Posts: 38,318

So many choices...

History is a great teacher...if you study it. The dominant team in the '90s, as much as I hate to say it, was the Cowboys. They had a GREAT OL. Emmitt Smith is in the HOF because of them.

Still under the radar because of the Elliott suspension, the current Dallas team will go deep in the playoffs because they have another great OL.

It isn't sexy until you start winning consistently but without a dominant OL, you don't win a lot of games...and you get QBs injured.

So guess what my philosophy is?

EDIT: Fill at least one guard or center position in FA, then move to get the other in the draft.

[ Edited by dj43 on Dec 13, 2017 at 11:10 AM ]

Dec 13, 2017 at 10:51 AM

#54

English
Moderator
Posts: 41,412

Originally posted by dj43:
So many choices...

History is a great teacher...if you study it. The dominant team in the '90s, as much as I hate to say it, was the Cowboys. They had a GREAT OL. Emmitt Smith is in the HOF because of them.

Still under the radar because of the Elliott suspension, the current Dallas team will go deep in the playoffs because they have another great OL.

It isn't sexy until you start winning consistently but without a dominant OL, you don't win a lot of games...and you get QBs injured.

So guess what my philosophy is?

Dec 13, 2017 at 10:52 AM

#55

LottDMontanaO
Veteran
Posts: 7,815

Originally posted by dj43:
So many choices...

History is a great teacher...if you study it. The dominant team in the '90s, as much as I hate to say it, was the Cowboys. They had a GREAT OL. Emmitt Smith is in the HOF because of them.

Still under the radar because of the Elliott suspension, the current Dallas team will go deep in the playoffs because they have another great OL.

It isn't sexy until you start winning consistently but without a dominant OL, you don't win a lot of games...and you get QBs injured.

So guess what my philosophy is?

Agree re: the OL - it's a must to build it up. That's why I would have no problem at all if the Niners drafted Quenton Nelson.

Dec 13, 2017 at 10:58 AM

#56

tjd808185
Veteran
Posts: 26,075

The highest guard/ center that the Shanny's have ever drafted is late 2nd. I don't think our line is as high of a need as many of you guys do. Garnett will be back, get a free agent center then resign Fusco and draft a lineman somewhere.

I wouldn't mind Connor Williams to replace Staley though. Everyone needs a quality left tackle.

Dec 13, 2017 at 11:11 AM

#57

dj43
Moderator
Posts: 38,318

Originally posted by English:

Originally posted by dj43:
So many choices...

History is a great teacher...if you study it. The dominant team in the '90s, as much as I hate to say it, was the Cowboys. They had a GREAT OL. Emmitt Smith is in the HOF because of them.

Still under the radar because of the Elliott suspension, the current Dallas team will go deep in the playoffs because they have another great OL.

It isn't sexy until you start winning consistently but without a dominant OL, you don't win a lot of games...and you get QBs injured.

So guess what my philosophy is?

see my edit...

Dec 13, 2017 at 11:13 AM

#58

dj43
Moderator
Posts: 38,318

Originally posted by tjd808185:
The highest guard/ center that the Shanny's have ever drafted is late 2nd. I don't think our line is as high of a need as many of you guys do. Garnett will be back, get a free agent center then resign Fusco and draft a lineman somewhere.

I wouldn't mind Connor Williams to replace Staley though. Everyone needs a quality left tackle.

The OL will be playoff ready when Fusco is the interior swing man/backup. He has performed beyond my expectations but we need a more nimble guard in this system.

Dec 14, 2017 at 9:58 PM

#59

GorefullBore
Veteran
Posts: 4,447

Originally posted by miked1978:
I'm torn.
On one hand I think this team is missing a couple bonafide stars. Sprinkle in a couple and I think this team is very competitive even with the roster we have today. You can argue a true #1 WR and a true outside pass rusher like we had with Aldon Smith would work wonders for this team.

On the other hand we still lack talent in a number of key positions.

So with that said, if we are sitting there at 3 and a player is there we think is an All Pro then we need to take him. If we sit at 3 and a few players that we think are good or we think we can get the player we really want a few spots down then we should trade down.

If Aldon wasn't an idiot we would still have Aldon Smith lol.

Dec 15, 2017 at 12:36 AM

#60

TheNef77
Q46 Draft 3rd place
Posts: 1,489

We don't need more picks. Grab your guys and be happy about it. Our team is a few pieces short of being a contender.