2014 Team Needs - Updates

Originally posted by juycho:
I think we may trade back a small bit and take advantage of the strong second players. I agree Pryor would be great. Fact is we don't to draft a starting SS. We can find what we need in the 2nd an 3rd rounds easily. OLB and CB on the other hand we may need who we draft to start. Who ever we select should be considered able to start from week 1 on. I think we can find that talent for CB, OLB and WR at the top of the 2nd round. So why not trade back get an extra 2nd and work to board in the 2nd and 3rd rounds for next year starters?

I've thought about this one as well. It does make a lot of sense since we're so close to the 2nd round anyhow that someone may want to trade up to 30th to make a "splash" on that first day. That could secure a couple more 2nd round picks which would almost be unfair!

Originally posted by Born49R:

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:
What a great summary NC, on the entire team. No question the F.O. has performed spectacularly. You did omit Qb, which I suppose means we are betting on kap, but somehow, I don't see that extension this yr. I think they want to see how he improves (reads, progressions)and progresses thru the yr. The athleticism and strength are all there. My guess is they wait to see how he picks up the stuff he needs to improve on. Having gabbert as backup doesn't fit with the quality of the rest of the team so I suspect we will see a qb in late draft or UDFA that JH or Trent knows a lot about. I still think gabbert was a draft pick incentive to use for trade. That means we will really need a good backup, but late, may be whistling past the graveyard. If we keep him then I think we get a career backup like a Flynn...but who knows.

Like you I see a spectacular FA season, getting rid of overpaid under producing guys, who we replace with younger more talented guys and at less money. And we have the picks to do it. Our weakest link, CB, now has the opportunity to become one of our stronger ones, depending on which CBs we take. We take one high for sure, and a second either high or mid rounds if TB and JH really like him. Addition by subtraction...that's us. Bethea for Whitner...that was a huge winner, esp in coverage.

PasoDoc, I've read with interest your evaluation of Gabbert as trade bait but I have the gut feeling that Harbaugh's ego tells him that he can make Gabbert, at the very least, a backup QB. I never underestimate a head coach's ego when it comes to coaching up a player. I would rather see a second day draft pick, but I wouldn't be surprised either way.

Agreed, either way would be fine. Gabbert would probably be an ideal backup (and happy with that role) for a long time here in SF. So far, the Qb's we've worked out/interviewed are:

--Jimmy Garoppolo (Eastern Illinois): Coach Jim Harbaugh attended pro day and conducted private workout, March 4.
--Logan Thomas (Virginia Tech): Harbaugh attended pro day, March 19.
--Derek Carr (Fresno State): Harbaugh said he plans to attend private workout.
--David Fales (San Jose State): Harbaugh said he plans to attend private workout.

Originally posted by NCommand:
One thing I like to do pre-draft is to look at who we visit with. In the past, IIRC, there was a correlation to visits and draft day selections; as to what degree, I can't recall.

MM has done a fantastic job updating this information for us here: http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/2014-49ers-pre-draft-tracker

Let's take a look at NT's top 3 needs: WR, CB & S through the eyes of MadDog & AB81Rules's Big Boards: http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/nfl-draft/178041-maddog-masters-edition-big-256-board-whole-enchilada/ & http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/nfl-draft/176327-top-board-2014-nfl-draft-plus-positional-rankings/

Wide Receivers:
X & Z (Outside) Receivers:
--Mike Evans (6'5" 222)(Texas A&M): Met with 49ers at his pro day, March 5. - Projected to go around the 9th or 13th pick
--Kelvin Benjamin (6'5" 245) (Florida State): GM Trent Baalke attended pro day, March 19. - Projected to go around the 40th or 43rd pick
--Martavis Bryant (6'4" 201)(Clemson): Baalke attended pro day, March 6; private visit, April 14 (Bee). - Projected to go around the 47th or 73rd pick
--Paul Richardson (6'3" 204) (Colorado): Private visit, April 15 (Bee). - Projected to go around the 53rd or 91st pick

Y/Slot (Inside) Receivers:
--Odell Beckham (5'11" 194)(LSU): Met with 49ers prior to pro day, April 9. - Projected to go around the 14th or 33rd pick
--Kain Colter (6'0" 194)(Northwestern): Spoke at length to 49ers at pro day, March 4. - Projected to go as an UDFA or 246th pick
--Albert Wilson (5'9" 200)(Georgia State): Private visit, April 14. - Projected to go as an UDFA by both

Analysis: We pick 30th, 56th, 61st, 77th, 94th, 100th, 129th, 170th, 242nd, 243rd & 245th. We've talked about how we need two very different types of WR's here. First, we need the bigger-bodied WR's on the outside to help face press CB's and block in the run game/AR2 passing game and be groomed behind both Crabtree and Boldin for a year. But we also need a swiss-army-knife, smaller/quicker/faster inside WR who can help stretch the field and also be dynamic in the return game (he's a package WR in our offense). We have no shot at Evans or Beckham here unless we move up and forfeit a lot of picks. For the purpose of this post, let's stay pat. We have great shots in the second round for Benjamin, Bryant & Richardson. It appears if we don't move up and take someone like Cooks with the first overall pick, we'll look to the much later rounds for this type of WR which makes sense esp. in our offense.

Cornerbacks:
--Kyle Fuller (6'0" 194)(Virginia Tech): Harbaugh attended pro day, March 19. - Projected to go around the 20th or 40th pick
--Bashaud Breeland (6'0" 185)(Clemson): Baalke had dinner with him after pro day, March 6 (Draft Insider). - Projected to go around the 65th or 46th pick
--Stanley Jean-Baptiste (6'3" 220) (Nebraska): Interview at NFL Scouting Combine (BSN). - Projected to go around the 74th or 89th pick
--Jaylen Watkins (6'0" 187)(Florida): Baalke attended pro day, March 17. - Projected to go around the 87th or 92nd pick
--Marcus Roberson (6'0" 194)(Florida): Baalke attended pro day, March 17. - Projected to go around the 92nd or 47th pick
--Loucheiz Purifoy (5'11" 190)(Florida): Baalke attended pro day, March 17. - Projected to go around the 134th or 156th pick
--Aaron Colvin (6'0" 192)(Oklahoma): Private visit scheduled, TBA. - Projected to go around the 159th or 230th pick

Analysis: We pick 30th, 56th, 61st, 77th, 94th, 100th, 129th, 170th, 242nd, 243rd & 245th. Well, it's safe to say Baalke wants another 6'0" tall CB...at least. It really does seem like we'll be playing more press this year along with a single high-FS. The second and third round seems to really open up for a number of these CB's here. Like with the WR's, we need outside CB's as well as inside. We could use another slot CB to compete with Morris as well as a blue-chip CB to compete with Culliver and Wright for the #2. Slots #3-5 are pretty well locked up with the loser of the #2 battle (plus Culliver & Wright), Cox, Cooper, Swanson and Morris.

Safeties:
--Calvin Pryor (5'11" 207)(Louisville): Formal interview with Harbaugh and coach Ed Donatell at NFL Scouting Combine. - Projected to go around the 23rd or 39th pick
--Marqueston Huff (6'0" 195)(Wyoming): Formal interview at Combine (BSN). - Projected to go around the 198th or 111th pick

Analysis/Overall: We pick 30th, 56th, 61st, 77th, 94th, 100th, 129th, 170th, 242nd, 243rd & 245th. I have a sneaking suspicion that Pryor is not only going to fall to #30 but that he will be our #1 overall pick. Our WR's are set with veteran depth now in Patton, Baldwin, Lloyd and Osgood should either Crabtree or Boldin go down, not to mention VD played mostly WR last year and McDonald can now slide into his receiving role this year at TE (as noted by the coaching staff this off season). So, a developing red-shirted 2nd rounder seems most plausible here for us. Our utility WR can be found all over the map this year as well and Patton with his 4.4 speed may be incorporated more into that Y/slot/utility spot as well.

So overall, in reality, we need competition at the #2 CB spot and a developing big-bodied WR outside and a utility WR with dynamic return abilities but at S, we only have Dahl and Spillman behind Bethea and Reid. While both are excellent ST players, neither seem the type to be able to step in for either as a starter should Reid or Bethea go down. It's going to take a year or two to develop the S next to Reid either in 2015 or 2016 d/t the complexity of the position. So, my best guess is we go Pryor, then CB-WR, whichever type is BPA (inside or out positions) and we'll probably do that again with our 4th and 5th picks as well. We might see a top C or ILB thrown in there as well. In short, I don't think we even need to move up this year but if Baalke has a Reid-like crush to seriously compete for the #2 CB position, he may do just that but it will be for a CB such as Fuller, giving up minimal picks to do it.

OK here you go! I've added in both MadDog's and AB81Rules Big Board projections, respectively, to the list of players we've met with/had private workouts with.

This is even more interesting now...

NC--just when I think Pryor is going to fall, as you have mentioned, there are several pundits talking about him going in the top twenty. Several teams evidently love the guy. So...what a crap shoot! Thanks for your write up and additions. As usual, Baalke is filling needs with veterans before the draft so that they can go BPA...which I love!

Here you go dtg_9er.

Here, I have two Mock Drafts of mine based on two different Big Boards (MadDog's and AB81Rules, respectively).

I also note who the FO had in for private workouts, meetings/interviews, dinner, etc. and Stanford connections (Italicized).

MadDog's Big Board
First Draft:
30th = S Calvin Pryor 5'11" 207 4.65 (will drop to 30th from 23rd); if not, CB Darqueze Dennard 6'0" 199 4.38
56th = X or Z WR Donte Moncrief 6'3" 226 4.50; if not, X or Z WR Kelvin Benjamin 6'5" 234 4.60
61st = Y/Slot WR + Returner Paul Richardson 6'0" 175 4.43; if not, S Deone Buchanon 6'1" 211 4.40
77th = CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste 6'3" 220 4.44; if not, G Dakota Dozier 6'4" 313
94th = C Marcus Martin 6'3" 311; if not, OLB Kyle Von Noy 6'3" 245 4.59
100th = CB Jaylen Watkins 6'0" 187 4.41; if not, CB Marcus Roberson 6'0" 194 4.52
129th = QB Logan Thomas 6'6" 260; if not, RB Storm Johnson 6'0" 215
170th = ILB Shane Skov 6'3" 245 4.79; if not, CB Antone Exum 6'0" 213 4.58
242nd = TE Blake Annen 6'4" 247 4.38; if not, TE/OT Jordan Najvar 6'6" 257 4.82
243rd = FB Trey Millard (drops) 6'2" 253; if not, NT Shamar Stephen 6'5" 313
245th = PK Jarod Brown; if not, P Pat O'Donnell

AB81Rules Big Board
First Draft:
30th = CB Kyle Fuller 6'0" 194 4.52; if not, S Calvin Pryor 5'11" 207 4.65 or Y/Slot WR + Returner Odell Beckman 6'0" 193 4.43
56th = X or Z WR Donte Moncrief 6'3" 226 4.50; if not, QB Jimmy Garoppolo 6'3" 223
61st = SS Deone Buchannon 6'1" 211 4.40; if not, Jimmie Ward 5'11" 192, Dion Bailey 6'0" 201 or Ahmad Dixon 6'0" 205
77th = C Marcus Martin 6'3" 311; if not, WR Martavis Bryant 6'4" 201 4.42 or OLB Demarcus Lawrence 6'3" 245 4.65
94th = CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste 6'3" 220 4.44; if not, CB Jaylen Watkins 6'0" 187 4.41
100th = Y/Slot WR + Returner Paul Richardson 6'0" 175 4.43; if not, ILB Yawin Smallwood 6'2" 236 or C Weston Richburg 6'4" 300
129th = QB David Fales 6'2" 220; if not, DE Dominique Easley 6'2" 283, CB Antoine Exum 6'0" 213, or RB Storm Johnson 6'0" 215 4.55
170th = OT Seantrel Henderson 6'8" 344; if not, FB J.C. Copeland 5'11" 271
242nd = CB Aaron Colvin 6'0" 192 4.40; if not, FB J.C. Copeland 5'11" 271
243rd = PK Cairo Santos; if not, PK Jarod Brown
245th = P Kirby Van Der Kamp; if not, FB Gator Hoskins 6'2" 244, FB Trey Millard 6'2" 253 or NT Vilamia Moala 6'2" 315

NC--either one of your mocks would get me excited...OK...more excited than I already am about this team! Not sure which I like better but I'm getting sold on Pryor to team with Reid for years to come. Would be a great tandem. Also think Baptista and Watkins may be as good or better than Fuller and Baptista. Some player may be over rated in this deep draft and the second or third tier guys may be just as good once on the field. Also, with a great safety tandem the CBs are helped a great deal. If Pryor is that much better than Buchannon...better stop here and take a breath...can we draft today?

As bad as we need that starting CB, plus a second one, I think AB 81 is right on target with QB Garoppolo (or whoever trent and jim have at that position), because I just do not see us going into the season with gabbert as our backup.

I agree with the point made earlier that JH could very well coach up gabbert to be a big time Qb. Problem is we need a backup to kap in worst case scenario(injury) and Gabbert isn't it. So I agree with AB that a qb( I don't know who) is going to be up there as a high pick, something I definitely did not consider earlier on. I would hate to do it, but frankly, we don't have a choice. Or is there someone out there who truly thinks gabber can come in here and sub for kap? Man, I don't see it.

I also like AB's picking CB(if Moncrief is gone) over SS first rather than the reverse for mad dog. Also interesting to see MD and AB go #5/#4 for a C, and both like Marcus Martin. I would add that we may have to move up for martin, but...

Of the two, overall I go with AB moreso, but think both are excellent. Still say we get two CBs early on, which would mean two move ups...and that would be a first for trent, so unlikely,but... We'll see.

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:
As bad as we need that starting CB, plus a second one, I think AB 81 is right on target with QB Garoppolo (or whoever trent and jim have at that position), because I just do not see us going into the season with gabbert as our backup.

I agree with the point made earlier that JH could very well coach up gabbert to be a big time Qb. Problem is we need a backup to kap in worst case scenario(injury) and Gabbert isn't it. So I agree with AB that a qb( I don't know who) is going to be up there as a high pick, something I definitely did not consider earlier on. I would hate to do it, but frankly, we don't have a choice. Or is there someone out there who truly thinks gabber can come in here and sub for kap? Man, I don't see it.

I also like AB's picking CB(if Moncrief is gone) over SS first rather than the reverse for mad dog. Also interesting to see MD and AB go #5/#4 for a C, and both like Marcus Martin. I would add that we may have to move up for martin, but...

Of the two, overall I go with AB moreso, but think both are excellent. Still say we get two CBs early on, which would mean two move ups...and that would be a first for trent, so unlikely,but... We'll see.

For sure pas. Just to clarify, these are MY mock drafts based on where we pick and using MadDog's and AB81rules' Big Boards with the added emphasis of who the FO has interviewed/had private workouts, etc. and Harbaugh's association with a couple Stanford players and one's he's privately worked out (like QB's).

In short, I'm trying to get as close to FO picks as possible short of having their Big Boards.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:
NC--either one of your mocks would get me excited...OK...more excited than I already am about this team! Not sure which I like better but I'm getting sold on Pryor to team with Reid for years to come. Would be a great tandem. Also think Baptista and Watkins may be as good or better than Fuller and Baptista. Some player may be over rated in this deep draft and the second or third tier guys may be just as good once on the field. Also, with a great safety tandem the CBs are helped a great deal. If Pryor is that much better than Buchannon...better stop here and take a breath...can we draft today?

LOL! Right!?

I'll be honest, you guys are the draft experts in here. I never watch college football. So I lean heavily on you all to gauge player strengths/weaknesses BUT I put my Mocks together using what I know about this FO (i.e. visits, measurabls we like, gold star info, etc.) and how these players would fit into our current offensive, defensive and ST systems/schemes. So it's a little different approach than most. And I try to think like Baalke and how HE would pick vs. what I'd prefer/want. In the end, will it matter? Probably not...haha.

But in the two above, you see in both drafts we address the two inside and outside WR's and CB's positions "with" Return abilities, a S, QB, FB, depth, etc. and potential starter-pushers this year or actual starters next year, etc. In short, we fill all our needs this year and next with the BPA where we draft.

Originally posted by NCommand:

For sure pas. Just to clarify, these are MY mock drafts based on where we pick and using MadDog's and AB81rules' Big Boards with the added emphasis of who the FO has interviewed/had private workouts, etc. and Harbaugh's association with a couple Stanford players and one's he's privately worked out (like QB's).

In short, I'm trying to get as close to FO picks as possible short of having their Big Boards.

You focus on CB, WR, S, with a OL (C) and TE thrown in. Seems like those are the areas of greatest need.

But I wonder, with the talk of trading away LMJ, and having already traded away the No.1 pick, Jenkins, last year--if I remember correctly, Baalke tried to address the lack of speedy, quick playmakers that year, and now the team is back to where they were.

In short, is there a need for another RB, with speed? Or is Lattimore the answer?

Originally posted by oldninerdude:

Originally posted by NCommand:
For sure pas. Just to clarify, these are MY mock drafts based on where we pick and using MadDog's and AB81rules' Big Boards with the added emphasis of who the FO has interviewed/had private workouts, etc. and Harbaugh's association with a couple Stanford players and one's he's privately worked out (like QB's).

In short, I'm trying to get as close to FO picks as possible short of having their Big Boards.

You focus on CB, WR, S, with a OL (C) and TE thrown in. Seems like those are the areas of greatest need.

But I wonder, with the talk of trading away LMJ, and having already traded away the No.1 pick, Jenkins, last year--if I remember correctly, Baalke tried to address the lack of speedy, quick playmakers that year, and now the team is back to where they were.

In short, is there a need for another RB, with speed? Or is Lattimore the answer?

Yeah, that is exactly what I tried to do OND!

Very good question re: RB. In terms of personnel, if there was something critical missing from our team, I'd list the following:
1. Dynamic Returner. As if we haven't had proof of this issue enough with the Ravens and Hawks hurting us (and us doing nothing on the flip side), we need to look back at Ginn and even John Taylor who was clutch for us in the playoffs and even Superbowl.
2. A blue chip CB to push the #2 very hard (Culliver/Wright)
3. Potential starter at S behind Reid (2 concussions) & Bethea (older)
4. All-ability RB. This is a FT RB who can run inside AND outside, something we've never had here. He has to be able to block well. No need to be a good catcher in this offense (so far).
5. Utility WR (Y/Slot) for this year and X & Z Receiver (for next year)

So we have Lattimore who's on two critical knee injuries who's expected to push Gore; he ran 4.7 last time he was timed. Does he have the lateral speed to get to the edges and force the 8-9 men out of the box between the tackles/DE's? Both Hunter and Jewel have 4.4 speed but are they used enough inside not to be predictable for a defense when they come into a game; when we run much from the Q (shotgun) formation?

The only three RB's we've visited with are Storm Johnson and Terrance West and Cobbs.

Good stuff NC.

MD and My boards do differ on some prospects. I have some higher, and lower, and vice versa for him. I can't wait for May 8th.

Originally posted by AB81Rules:
Good stuff NC.

MD and My boards do differ on some prospects. I have some higher, and lower, and vice versa for him. I can't wait for May 8th.

Oh for sure which is why I had to make one for each...when OTC does his, well, we'll see how much time I have. LOL

But much appreciation to all the work you guys do on these boards and for "putting yourself out there."

This kind of sucks.

FB Alex Debniak released.

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers/2014/04/22/stanford-product-debniak-released/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+49ersHotRead+%2849ers+Hot+Read%29

This probably means we're looking more for an H-back in the mold of Boobie/Walker to back up TE and Miller as the FB. If so, why didn't they stick with Gray or Chris Harper from last year?

Maybe Carrier is more in the plans that we realize and I see we've been looking at a lot of H-backs for pre-draft visits.

AB, here is one for you. You know our situation at QB backup. Gabbert. What do you think might happen if we still have pick #30, and sitting there is Bridgewater? I didn't see all his games but maybe 1/3. The kid was phenomenal, can already make great reads, doesn't have kap's arm but who else does? Not many. So what would happen if it is our pick and there is Bridgewater, catastrophic pro day and all. Would F.O. take him? What a fascinating situation for a kid who looked great virtually all yr long then just folds up like a cheap suit in his pro day.(oh, that's right, he didn't use his glove for pro day.)