Round 1, #7, the San Francisco 49ers selects Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri

I like the Aldon Smith pick. Picking 7th, ended up being a tough spot and it was clear no one wanted to really move up bad enough. Aldon Smith is a guy who as a redshirt freshmen in 2009, stood out at Missouri as he was all BIG-12 Freshmen of the Year when he recorded 11 1/2, 64 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 5 batted passes and 2 forced fumbles. He stood out versus Oklahoma where he may have been the best player on the field. As a Sophomore last year, he was a marked man and he hurt his leg early on (broke his right fibula), missed 3 games but return to play the last 5 on basically a broken leg. He was double teammed and clearly not 100 percent but still had a solid season with 5.5 sacks, 46 tackles, 10 for loss and two batted passes. So it is obvious this kid is able and willing to play through pain. Let's talk about his talent(s):

He checks in at 6'4" 1/2, 263pds, with long arms. Has outstanding initial quickness, can be downright explosive of the snap. Has big, powerful hands and plays with power and tenacity. Very agile, moves well side to side and can play standing up. Very good body cordination and control. Natural athleticism. Can beat defenders of the edge or go inside on them. Plays violent with his hands. Has a great motor. Some downside: He is very raw, does not have many pass rush moves right now and at times looks a little lost. Really only played one full year of college ball so he must show he can hold up for 16 games in the NFL. Tremendous upside and has good character and with good coaching here, I think he can be a very good player. I have heard some people compare him to Simeon Rice and even DeMarcus Ware. The question is how long will it take him to develop. I am not sure how much of an impact he will have as a rookie and his best football is probably 2,3 years away. I like the pick though.

Originally posted by JBatta49erfansince81:
Strike 1 for Harbaugh.
Going with Alex Smith next year will be strike 2.
Strike 3 right around the corner.....

Who will be the next coach?

All you haters are gonna be eating crow... I can guarantee that

Originally posted by miked1978:

Originally posted by JBatta49erfansince81:
Strike 1 for Harbaugh.
Going with Alex Smith next year will be strike 2.
Strike 3 right around the corner.....

Who will be the next coach?

maybe you should apply since you know all.

Hey I didn't say I know it all. But when was the last time a team reached in the first round, the crowd and announcers went silent, and the player actually turned out to be good.... Um never. One of the worst picks for the draft spot I have ever seen from this team.

Oh and by the way, there is no way this guy plays DLine for us. Only spot for him is OLB to replace Manny.

[ Edited by JBatta49erfansince81 on Apr 28, 2011 at 20:19:39 ]

I do a lot more lurking than posting in here but as both a 49er fan and a Mizzou alum I had to respond to the bellyaching about the pick. I'll admit that he was not the Missouri player I expected to go to us after seeing how things played out at picks 5 and 6. However, I cannot be more pleased. He is a stud. Do not be disappointed, I am telling you, you will love this guy.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Could-Missouri-pass-rusher-Aldon-Smith-make-a-run-at-the-top10.html

Quote:
If I were to put money down on the one prospect who could make that big rise up draft boards following his week at the NFL Combine, I would place it on Missouri standout Aldon Smith. Smith is currently ranked at the NFP’s number one defensive end prospect and has the kind of physical skill set and versatility that makes his game very intriguing at the next level.

When watching him on tape the first thing you notice is how long of a prospect this guy is. At 6-5, 260-pounds Smith has the frame to continue to add more bulk. However, it’s his immense length that is oddly noticeable on tape that initially stands out the most. I can’t wait to see what he measures in at, but if his arms are under 35-inches I’ll come away shocked. Nevertheless, for a guy with his length he’s very coordinated and compact using a sudden club–both right and left armed- in order to side step blockers and accelerate toward the quarterback. He displays impressive bend when asked to drop his pad level down around the corner and looks comfortable changing directions on his counter before quickly closing on the play. He also exhibits impressive range when working in pursuit and looks like a pterodactyl when he opens up that wingspan and wraps on his man as a tackler.

However, not only is he a gifted pass rusher off the edge with his hand on the ground, but the guy is athletic enough in my view to be a good fit in a 3-4 scheme as well. He’s a natural athlete when asked to stand-up, looks coordinated in space re-directing and shouldn’t have any problem using his length to set the edge and fend off blocks when run at. Now, despite being so long, he does get upright at times at the point and can get hung easily by blockers. But, I think that’s an area where he could quickly develop and mature into a solid three down OLB in a 3-4 scheme.

Finally, the one part of his game that has me even more intrigued is the ease in which he rushes the passer from the inside. Smith fires off the ball quickly inside, threatening gaps off the snap as a three technique. He also possesses the natural feel and length to cleanly rip off a compact club, change directions and side step a blocker in tight quarters. Smith possesses a little Justin Tuck to his game in the way he’s able to be productive both inside and out as a pass rusher and honestly I think the guy could end up being a real match-up nightmare in any 4-3 scheme.

As for the Combine, I fully expect Smith to prove he’s one of the top athletes in attendance at his position, exhibiting an impressive initial get off burst, good straight-line speed and natural change of direction skills for his size. Plus, when you add in the fact how long he is –one of the main common dominators for big time pass rushers in the NFL- and pair that with his versatility, he could definitely end up making a run at a top-ten pick.

He does need to check out 100% clean medically, which could be a tougher task than most think after breaking a non-weight bearing bone in his leg earlier in the year. But, if he does, I expect the Redskins, Cowboys, Titans and even the 49ers to take a hard look at his talents early in round one.

Originally posted by NinerGM:

Originally posted by LAFortyNinerfan:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by LAFortyNinerfan:
If I'm later proven wrong that'll be great, but I highly doubt I will. I HATE THIS PICK.

Because? Who would you have picked?

Fresh Prince of Nebraska. I would have only been happy with Smith if we traded back and acquired more picks.

And what happens when he gets beat because his DL puts no pressure on the QB??

Why is that gonna happen? Maybe they could find a pass rusher somewhere else. I think Prince can be a shut down corner and those are hard to find. And like I said, why couldn't they maneuver a trade back and acquire more picks if they wanted Smith?

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Breaking-down-Corey-Liuget-and-Aldon-Smith.html

Quote:
Smith entered the draft with still two years of eligibility left. He was recruited in 2008 as a 3-star defensive end. Many of the top Big 12 schools offered him. He was undersized as a freshman in ’08 and was redshirted. After a year in the weight room he added bulk and strength and started 11 games in 2009 putting up some excellent stats including 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss. This past season, he missed 3 games in midseason due to injury yet still had 5.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. In watching film it was obvious that teams game-planned for him somewhat in 2010.

Aldon SmithAldon Smith had 5.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss last season despite battling an injury.

Smith has excellent defensive size at 6-4 and 263 pounds with 34-inch arms. He runs well (4.85) and is very explosive. His bench numbers are still very average (20 reps) but he has the frame to get bigger and stronger. He is an explosive athlete who plays much faster than he timed. He plays like a 4.65 type and has smooth change of direction, body control and flexibility.

He is best as a pass rusher and comes off the ball very quickly with an explosive first step. He stays low and he has a knack for slithering through blockers to find his way to the quarterback. He has quick hands and good hand use and does a good job keeping blockers off his body. While his sack numbers were down from 2009 this season he still had a lot of pressures and hits.

He needs improvement in the run game. He plays the run away from him very well showing excellent pursuit skills. This is where you see his playing speed. I have seen him a number of times make plays in pursuit and catch backs from behind. He has a strong motor and plays hard. He can struggle somewhat at the point of attack. He gets tall and lacks the bulk and strength to consistently hold up when teams run at him. Being so young this is not a big concern to me as he will get bigger and stronger.

Overall, Smith has the trait teams covet — pass rush skills! He has the tools to be a very good NFL pass rusher. He is an excellent fit to play right end in a 4-3 and if the 3-4 clubs feel he can drop into coverage they will be high on him also. He reminds some of Dallas Cowboy DeMarcus Ware with similar size and athleticism.

Aldon Smith will be a very good NFL player, the only question IMO is how long.

Originally posted by LAFortyNinerfan:

Originally posted by NinerGM:

Originally posted by LAFortyNinerfan:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by LAFortyNinerfan:
If I'm later proven wrong that'll be great, but I highly doubt I will. I HATE THIS PICK.

Because? Who would you have picked?

Fresh Prince of Nebraska. I would have only been happy with Smith if we traded back and acquired more picks.

And what happens when he gets beat because his DL puts no pressure on the QB??

Why is that gonna happen? Maybe they could find a pass rusher somewhere else. I think Prince can be a shut down corner and those are hard to find. And like I said, why couldn't they maneuver a trade back and acquire more picks if they wanted Smith?

Why couldn't they move back? Maybe no one wanted to move up.

Originally posted by JBatta49erfansince81:

Originally posted by miked1978:

Originally posted by JBatta49erfansince81:
Strike 1 for Harbaugh.
Going with Alex Smith next year will be strike 2.
Strike 3 right around the corner.....

Who will be the next coach?

maybe you should apply since you know all.

Hey I didn't say I know it all. But when was the last time a team reached in the first round, the crowd and announcers went silent, and the player actually turned out to be good.... Um never. One of the worst picks for the draft spot I have ever seen from this team.

Oh and by the way, there is no way this guy plays DLine for us. Only spot for him is OLB to replace Manny.

Everyone was like "Who the f**k is Tyson Alulu?" that was a top 10 pick last year. Turns out he had a pretty decent rookie year... Just sayin.

[ Edited by DaDivaRecieva15 on Apr 28, 2011 at 20:26:57 ]

I don't mind the pick, it's just confusing as hell. First of all, they could've traded down and still gotten. Second, how many people had him ahead of Quinn as the second OLB on the board after Miller? I like the fact that he played on a broken leg last year. Shows some heart and some balls that can be added to the team. I don't like the fact that we're sitting there without a corner and perhaps more importantly we're going to need a nose tackle too. Say you trade down and he's gone you can still take Phil Taylor and shore up a need. At least it serves a need and we finally say bye to Lawson's underachieving ass. As for the second round, I can't say how imperative it is that we take a CB. Forgot Kap, i don't think Dalton will be there. We need to take either Aaron Williams or Ras-I Dowling. Then in the 3rd we can take Stanzi if he's still there and then take another rb in the 4th. While the Aldon Smith pick is underwhelming much like last years two first rounders, if he's as steady as Iupati was we won't be complaining too much.

Originally posted by LAFortyNinerfan:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by LAFortyNinerfan:
If I'm later proven wrong that'll be great, but I highly doubt I will. I HATE THIS PICK.

Because? Who would you have picked?

Fresh Prince of Nebraska. I would have only been happy with Smith if we traded back and acquired more picks.

Traded back to where? Pick 9? Smith wasn't going to make it past Pick 11 for sure, so exactly where were you planning on trading back?


Explosive and dominant pass-rushers like Smith usually don't fare so well late into a draft.

[ Edited by Phoenix49ers on Apr 28, 2011 at 20:29:20 ]

Originally posted by Multibomber:

Originally posted by NinerGM:
ROFL!! I love how the zone is usually WRONG!! ROFL!!! And the overreaction is hilarious as usual.

It's simple. The 49ers DO NOT HAVE A PASS RUSH. End of story. LOL! Everyone is hammering Baalke but this is absolutely 100% what Fangio saw on film AND his comments about our starting so-called outside LBs. Just because you arm-chair GMs didn't scout this guy, that's up to you. Clearly Prince is over-rated because we're not the only team passing on him.

Again, the 49ers will be stronger at the LOS.

Clearly Aaron Rogers is overrated cuz 21 teams passed on him.

You're comparing Prince to a player who sat for four years behind a future HOF and made his first start for a team that had just made the NFC championship the year before? I know Rodgers is good, but you have to realize Thompson made a hell of a team to surround him with talent.

You also forget the main reason why Rodgers fell. It was because no team that year had an immediate need for QB, and it was speculated at the time that he could go into a deep free fall because of this lack of need. Put Rodgers in this class and you would've seen him go a lot earlier. But you saw teams like the 49ers and Texans (worst secondary in the NFL) pass on Prince, so you know something is wrong.

Originally posted by LAFortyNinerfan:

Originally posted by NinerGM:

Originally posted by LAFortyNinerfan:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by LAFortyNinerfan:
If I'm later proven wrong that'll be great, but I highly doubt I will. I HATE THIS PICK.

Because? Who would you have picked?

Fresh Prince of Nebraska. I would have only been happy with Smith if we traded back and acquired more picks.

And what happens when he gets beat because his DL puts no pressure on the QB??

Why is that gonna happen? Maybe they could find a pass rusher somewhere else. I think Prince can be a shut down corner and those are hard to find. And like I said, why couldn't they maneuver a trade back and acquire more picks if they wanted Smith?

Yeah he can be a shutdown corner.....which is why 4 or 5 CB hungry teams passed on him.