5/27/08
DE/DT Kentwan Balmer (North Carolina) �
He was an underachiever prior to his senior season.
But Butch Davis was able to light a fire in Balmer that resulted in him
having a productive 2007 campaign. However I am always wary of players
that are one-year wonders especially when they breakout as seniors.
They know that they are playing for a contract, and I hope that Balmer
doesn’t go back to being an ordinary player. Balmer is a perfect fit as
a DE in the 3-4, but over time he will also be able to play NT if
needed. He has ideal size and strength. He has the frame to add more
weight. The major negative with Balmer is his questionable motor. He
is still too inconsistent. He will need to improve from a technique
standpoint and play with better leverage. This was a risky first round
pick. Phillip Merling out of Clemson, drafted by the Dolphins with the
first pick in the second round, would have been a better selection here.
OG Chilo Rachal (USC) �
This offensive guard left school early after his
junior season. Rachal was a player that was rapidly moving up the draft
boards leading up to the draft. He was a two-year starter for the
Trojans. He is an athletic OL with very good size. He is a good run
blocker. Rachal plays with a nasty demeanor on the football field. He
just needs to improve from a consistency standpoint. He also had some
durability issues in college. This player has some intriguing upside
due to his physical tools. He will be given a chance to compete for a
starting job in 2008 due to the departure of Allen and Smiley. Just
don’t expect him to compete for the RT position, he is a guard.
CB/S Reggie Smith (Oklahoma) �
I absolutely love this pick. This has to be the best
selection that the 49ers made on draft weekend. Smith is a very
versatile defensive back. He was a starting safety the first two
seasons at Oklahoma. In 2007, he made the switch to cornerback. He can
also help out as a return specialist. Smith is an athletic defensive
back with good size. He has terrific ball skills and seems to be around
the ball. He is a good open field tackler. His stock dropped after he
was unable to workout for scouts until the middle of April due to a toe
injury. When he did workout at his Pro Day, he ran a disappointing 4.6
forty. The 49ers see him as a corner in their scheme. I just don’t
think that it is a wise decision because his speed is only average.
Smith belongs at free safety in the NFL and would be an upgrade over
Mark Roman.
C Cody Wallace (Texas A&M) �
This was a reach. Wallace wasn’t worth a fourth
round pick. He had lots of starting experience in a run-oriented
offense in the Big 12. He played center for the Aggies, but he can also
play guard at the next level. He will need to bulk up. Wallace also
has to improve his technique and footwork. I don’t think that he will
ever develop into a starter in the NFL, but he could be a quality
backup.
WR Josh Morgan (Virginia Tech) �
He is a talented receiver with good size and speed.
He is a physical receiver with good ball skills. Yet Morgan has been
unable to reach his full potential up to this point. He has been
considered an underachiever throughout his career at Virginia Tech due
to his questionable work ethic. He also had some off-the-field issues
in college. He could surprise some people and get on the field early,
but don’t count on it. He will most likely be a roster casualty at the
end of training camp.
LB Larry Grant (Ohio State) �
He spent two seasons in the JUCO ranks before
transferring to Ohio State. He is an athletic LB with good speed. He
does a good job as a pass rusher. He is a winner. He does lack ideal
size. Grant also has limited starting experience (only started his
senior season). He has some upside. He should be a very good special
teams player early on his career.
I wasn’t
impressed with San Francisco’s draft. Even though they added much
needed depth on the DL by selecting Kentwan Balmer, he has to be
considered a risky pick in the first round. Juniors OG Chilo Rachal and
DB Reggie Smith were very solid picks and could pay huge dividends over
time. C Wallace and WR Josh Morgan were reaches. Larry Grant could
turn out to be a major find in the seventh round. I was very surprised
that the 49ers didn’t address the wide receiver position in the first
three rounds of the draft. OLB Manny Lawson is coming off season ending
ACL injury, yet they didn’t select a linebacker until the seventh
round. They didn’t draft an OT in the draft. I guess this is a signal
that they feel comfortable with Adam Snyder as their RT in 2008.
Signed
Undrafted Rookie Free Agents
WR Cameron Colvin (Oregon) �
He was a highly touted recruit coming out of high
school. All of the major programs were after him, but he settled on
Oregon. He has good size and speed ratio. He is a naturally gifted
wide receiver. But he was never really productive in college. Colvin
was starting to come on during his senior season prior to his injury. I
will never forget his fumble at the end of the Cal game when he was
about to score a touchdown. He has the physical tools to make the
roster and surprise at the next level. I will be pulling for him. I
was very impressed with the ESPN article on Colvin right before the
draft. He had an inspirational story to tell about his life. I also
had the pleasure to speak with Cameron leading up to the draft. Here is
the link to the interview below.
WR Robert Jordan (California) �
He was overshadowed by his former teammates DeSean
Jackson and Lavelle Hawkins at Cal. He was never the primary option,
but he put up some respectable numbers in college. Jordan is quick,
elusive and will pick up yards after the catch. He runs very good
routes. He does lack ideal size and bulk. He projects as a sub-package
receiver at the next level. He will need time to develop. He will be a
candidate for the practice squad.
TE Joe Jon Finley (Oklahoma) �
Finley is a very good athlete for a player his size.
He is a pass-catching TE that will need to work on his blocking. He
uses his size to beat the jam and get open. Finley is a good route
runner. However he has average speed and won’t be a downfield threat.
He has a chance to make the team.
OG Brian De La Puente (California) �
Another Cal player that the team decided to sign as
an undrafted free agent. He started all 13 games last season at guard.
De La Puente is a good run blocker. He will need to add bulk and
continue to refine his technique. He is a developmental prospect at
this point.
OG John Booker (San Jose State) �
He is a versatile OL that has seen time at both
tackle and guard for the Spartans. Booker has a lot of starting
experience. He has good size. He moves pretty well for a big guy.
This team is always looking for quality OL, so this guy will be in the
mix for a backup spot.
DE Louis Holmes (Arizona State) �
He was considered one of the top junior college
recruits a couple of years ago. The expectations were at an all-time
high when he arrived in Tucson. But Holmes failed to live up to
expectations and was unable to develop into a feared pass-rusher. He
played DE in college, but he projects as an OLB in the 3-4. I don’t
think that he has the speed or the instincts to play that position. He
definitely has a questionable motor. The team felt that he still has
some upside. But he is still pretty raw.
LB Ezra Butler (Nevada) �
He has the best chance to make the 53-man roster out
of all of the undrafted free agents that the team signed after the
draft. Butler was projected as a middle round pick until there were
rumblings about his frequent marijuana. He is a disruptive pass rusher
that made a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage at Nevada. He is
an athletic LB with very good size and speed. He needs to get better in
pass coverage. The 49ers are always looking for quality pass rushers,
and Butler could fit that bill.
LB Shaun Richardson (Tennessee State) �
A small school prospect that will have to make the
transition to linebacker after playing DE in college. During his senior
season, he proved that he can get after the quarterback. He will be
another developmental prospect.
S D. J. Parker (Virginia Tech) �
He is a player that has a lot of experience playing
in a lot of big games for the Hokies. He is an athlete that shows
excellent range in coverage. He has good instincts. He does struggle
against the run. Parker also lacks ideal size and speed to develop into
a starting safety in the league. He will have to make a name for
himself on special teams if he wants to make the roster.
S Lewis Baker (Oklahoma) �
He played mostly linebacker in college. But
if he wants to make the team, he will have to make the transition to
safety. It will be an uphill battle for him to make the roster.
4/14/08
San Francisco 49ers Draft
Biggest Needs:
WR (playmaker), OLB (pass rushing specialist),
OT (ideally a RT that has the versatility to play guard as well) and DE
(more depth on the DL).
I have seen a lot of mock
drafts on the web, and they have the 49ers taking either RT Gosder
Cherilus out of Boston College or a DE/OLB Quentin Groves out of Auburn
with the late first round pick. I am not enamored with any one of these
two prospects. Here's my reasoning.
I came away unimpressed
when I watched Gosder Cherilus during his senior season. There is one
game in particular against Virginia Tech that exposed his biggest
weakness. Cherilus went up against speed rusher DE Chris Ellis and he
ate him up. Ellis didn't have to do anything special in that game. He
used his speed around the corner and beat Cherilus on almost every
play. Ellis is a nice player, but he is no Dwight Freeney. There were
other games when Cherilus was slow getting off the snap and was beaten
by speedy defensive ends. Even though he will move to RT, he will have
the same problem in the NFL. His footwork in pass protection is average
at best. Boston College linemen have had a great track record in the
NFL and that would bode well for Cherilus. He will be selected higher
on draft day than he should. I think that the 49ers should steer away
from Cherilus with their first round pick.
Another player that a lot
of experts are high on is hybrid DE/OLB Quentin Groves from Auburn.
Groves is an athletically gifted player with good speed. He has a great
first step which is important for a speed rusher. The problem with
Groves is that he is not an instinctive player. He will overrun a
number of plays and will get caught out of position. When you look at
his physical tools, you expect more out of him in terms of production.
His work ethic and his motor have been questioned in the past. When he
was moved to OLB at Auburn for a few games, he looked lost and out of
place. It takes time to make that transition, but I believe that Groves
will have a real difficult time making it. Speed rushers are always in
high demand on draft day and therefore I just hope that Groves is off
the board by the time the 49ers are on the clock.
The more I start to examine closely as to
which player might be available at the end of the first round, the more
I become convinced that the 49ers should part ways with their first
round pick. There will be teams that would want to trade up into the
first round and might be willing to offer a couple of extra picks in the
second or third rounds. Teams like the Falcons or the Packers with
extra picks will be the likely candidates. But if the Niners stay put,
here's who I think that they should go after with the 29th
pick.
MOCK DRAFT A
(My ideal
scenario):
1st Round Pick:
ILB Dan Conner (Penn
State) -
Will the 49ers choose another LB in the first round for the third
straight year? It is a possibility if Conner falls to them in the late
first round. Penn State has been known as Linebacker U. Conner might
be the best of that bunch. Some people think that he is overrated, but
I am not one of them. He took over for Paul Posluszny last year and
became the leader of that defense. He is a good open field tackler with
excellent instincts. He is a pretty good blitzing LB. He is a really
hard worker. Conner started a lot of games at Penn State and was very
productive. He became Penn State's all-time leading tackler with 419
total tackles. Derek Smith is gone, and I am not sure that Brandon
Moore will ever be the starter again. Conner would fit in great right
next to Patrick Willis.
2nd Round Pick:
DE Trevor Laws (Notre Dame) - The 49ers have shown interest in
Laws ever since the Senior Bowl. He would play DE in the 3-4 scheme. I
think that Laws presents great value here in the second round. He might
be undersized, but he has a non-stop motor. He is the one guy that
constantly stood out on Notre Dame's defense last year. He makes plays
in the backfield and is strong enough to hold his ground against double
teams. Justin Smith will be the starter on one side, but the
competition is open for the other starting DE spot. Laws would compete
with Ray McDonald and Ronald Fields for the other starting spot.
3rd Round
Pick: Earl Bennett (Vanderbilt) -
For a receiver that played
in the SEC, this guy just doesn't get the credit that he deserves
because he played at Vanderbilt. He emerged as the go-to-guy for Jay
Cutler during his freshman season. He didn't have a good QB the last
two seasons, but Bennett (5'11€ 209, 4.48) still put up big numbers.
He came out after his junior season, but he became SEC's all-time
receptions leader. He doesn't have elite speed and won't be able to
stretch the field vertically on a consistent basis. I went back and
forth on whether he would be a good fit in Martz's offense. His career
average is only 12.1 per reception. But he ran better at the Combine
than what was expected of him. He is blessed with tremendous hands. He
is a physical receiver that runs terrific routes. Timing is so crucial
in this new offense, and the team is looking for receivers that run
precise routes. He is a hard worker that doesn't have off-the-field
issues. Line him up opposite of Jason Hill, and I think that this
passing attack would be ready to go. Veteran Isaac Bruce would a great
mentor to him next year.
4th Round
Pick: OT John Greco (Toledo)
- He played LT at Toledo.
He is a powerful offensive lineman with a nasty streak. He has the
footwork and the athleticism to stay at tackle. He is a good run
blocker. Greco has the intangibles that teams are looking for. He
could turn out to be a versatile OL. He projects as a RT or even as a
guard at the next level. It doesn't matter where he plays, I would love
to have him on my team.
6th Round
Pick: OG Kerry Brown (Appalachian State)
- I am just hoping that
Brown is still available in the sixth round. He didn't play against top
level competition on a weekly basis, but he had a very good game against
Michigan last year when Appalachian State pulled off the upset. He is a
pretty athletic OL with very good size. He shows the ability to get to
the second level. He is a tough and hard-nosed player. He is a guard,
but don't be surprised if he will be able to make the transition to RT
as well.
7th Round Pick:
OLB Casper Brinkley (South Carolina) -
I guess that I should have
addressed a pass rushing OLB earlier in this mock draft. But I like
Casper Brinkley as my sleeper. His twin brother Jasper got most of the
attention at South Carolina, but Casper is an intriguing player in his
own right. He is a reliable tackler and is very good against the run.
He is former DL that knows how to use his hands. He is an effective
blitzer as well. He will struggle in coverage and he is a bit raw in
terms of playing LB. But he is worth taking a flyer on late in the
draft.
MOCK DRAFT B
(Always have to have a contingency plan):
1st Round
Pick: FS Reggie Smith (Oklahoma)
- How can the 49ers choose a safety in the first round when they have
much more pressing needs? That is the type of reaction that I am going
to get from people that read this column. Sometimes teams just select
the best player on the board. In my opinion, Smith presents the best
value here with this pick. He is a better player than Kenny Phillips
who might also be available at the end of the first round. Smith is a
very versatile defensive back. He has played corner and safety at
Oklahoma. He could definitely help the team as a punt returner. The
team is looking for someone to replace FS Mark Roman. Smith will play
free safety at the next level, and I think that he is going to be an
upgrade over Roman. I realize that Goldson was drafted by the team last
year, but I don't think that he will ever develop into a starter.
2nd Round
Pick: WR Andre Caldwell (Florida)
- Caldwell is a very good athlete that showed off his speed at the
Combine. His elite speed makes him a legitimate deep threat in the
pros. He is a receiver that would be a good fit in this offense.
However with all of his physical gifts, he never quite lived up to
expectations at Florida. A lot of it had to do with him being injury
prone in college and this could be a problem. He will also need to work
on his route running. He is the receiver that this team has its eye
on. Remember the 49ers have been known to draft players from the Senior
Bowl. Martz trusted Caldwell when the South squad was down a touchdown
with two seconds left in the game. He gave the ball to Caldwell who
scored on an end around on fourth and goal. The coaching staff had to
be impressed with that play. Caldwell is a real possibility here. I
don't believe that he will ever develop into a No. 1 target, but he
should turn out to be a good pro. I have been a big Manningham
supporter this year. I still feel that he is one of the best receivers
in this class. He would be a great fit in this offense. But with his
off-the-field issues that have been well documented recently, I can't
put him in my 49ers mock draft. He could turn out to be the next
Antonio Bryant (the guy with all of the physical tools who just doesn't
get it).
3rd Round
Pick: OG Mike McGlynn (Pittsburgh)
- Smiley left in free
agency. Right now the team has David Baas and Adam Snyder and therefore
they will be looking for more help on the interior line. McGlynn was a
four-year starter at RT. But he is projected as a guard in the NFL. He
played guard at the Senior Bowl. He is an excellent run blocker. He is
very strong. He is another player that has all of the necessary
intangibles. McGlynn also was a long snapper at Pitt and could save the
team a roster spot. If the team drafts him and moves him to left guard,
I don't have a problem starting Adam Snyder to RT.
4th Round
Pick: OLB Bruce Davis (UCLA) -
Davis played a little
linebacker during his sophomore season. Then the Bruins moved him to DE
permanently and he really flourished there. He recorded 33.0 TFL and
25.5 sacks over the last two seasons. He is an athletic player with an
explosive first step and a non-stop motor. He has been the leader of
the Bruins defense. His father played in the NFL, so he knows what it
takes to be a pro player. Davis had better numbers than Quentin Groves
over his career. I would rather take Davis in the fourth round than
Groves in the late first round. He is a bit of a project because he
will need time to adjust to a new position, but he is a player that I
would like to see in the 49ers uniform.
6th Round
Pick: DE Keilen Dykes (West Virginia) -
Dykes was the anchor of that defensive line. He won't wow the scouts
with his athleticism, but he gets it done on the football field. His
best fit would be at DE in the 3-4. He is a player that has bulked up.
He is a strong DL that is good against the run. The 49ers are looking
for depth on the defensive line, and Dykes could develop into a starter
in this league.
7th Round
Pick: OT David Hale (Weber State)
- He played RT at Weber
State. Hale (6'5€ 314) was named an All-American at the Division IAA
his senior season. He performed well at the East/West Shrine
practices. He also did well at the Combine and demonstrated his
surprising athleticism. He is a mauler in the run game. He uses his
hands well. He also has a nasty streak in him. Hale needs to play with
a proper pad level all the time. He needs to improve in pass
protection. He comes from a small school and will need time to adjust
to the speed of the game in the NFL.
3/31/08
QB Shaun Hill - will get the
chance to compete with Alex Smith for the starting quarterback job.
With the arrival of Mike Martz, could he be the next Kurt Warner or Marc
Bulger?
TE Billy Bajema - has been a
pretty good blocking tight end for the 49ers. He received a low tender
offer from the team and he should return.
DT Isaac Sopoaga - received a
five-year, 20 million deal to return to the team. He had a couple of
good games last season, but he is still too inconsistent for my liking.
There were some good NT in this draft, but the 49ers will not be
drafting any of them now.
OLB Roderick Green - was released
at the end of training camp last season. But he was brought back midway
through the season to provide much needed depth at LB. He was resigned,
but he will have to fight for a roster spot during training camp again.
CB Donald Strickland - received
some attention on the free agent market, but he decided to resign with
the 49ers. The veteran CB should once again be a valuable backup in the
sub-packages.
QB J.
T. O'Sullivan - Martz stated that he also expects O'Sullivan to compete
for the starting QB spot. He is definitely more of a backup. He knows
the offensive system and he was bought in here to help Smith and Hill
make a smoother and quicker transition.
RB
DeShaun Foster - was supposed to be the steal of the 2002 draft when he
was selected by the Panthers in the second round out of UCLA. He has
battled various injuries during his career and has had trouble holding
on to the ball. He was signed to one-year deal to be the main backup to
Gore and he is definitely an upgrade over Robinson or Hicks.
WR
Isaac Bruce - is very familiar with Martz's offensive system. The
veteran is not the same player that he once was, but he will still put
up good numbers. You can bet that he won't have too many drops like
some other wide receivers last year. Bruce will also help mentor Jason
Hill and some other young WR that the team will select in the draft.
WR
Bryant Johnson - this player received some attention on the free agent
market, but he didn't get the long term deal the he was looking for. He
had over 40 catches the last four seasons in Arizona, but it is safe to
label him a first-round bust so far. Remember he was stuck behind
Fitzgerald and Boldin. The 49ers are hoping that he thrives in this
system and doesn't turn out to be the next Darrell Jackson. But he is
just a decent No. 3 target; don't expect him to turn into a No. 1 or No.
2 guy.
DE
Justin Smith - the team targeted Smith from the beginning. He is very
good against the run. He is a hard-worker with a high motor that has
been extremely durable over his career. Smith has spent his entire
career playing for the Bengals in the 4-3 defense. The problem with
this signing is that he has never played DE in the 3-4 scheme. How is
he going to hold up at the point of attack at 275 pounds? It also won't
be an easy transition for him to be an OLB on obvious passing downs
since he has never played standing up in his seven years in the league.
LB
Dontarrious Thomas - could turn out to be a major steal for the 49ers in
free agency. He has been a backup for the Vikings during the first four
seasons of his career. Thomas has played OLB and ILB. I believe that
he is a very good fit in the 3-4 defense. He should be able to start at
ILB and would be a nice compliment next to Willis.
CB/KR
Allen Rossum - the team was looking for an upgrade in the return game.
Maurice Hicks and Michael Lewis were not the answers there. Veteran
Rossum has been a good return specialist over the years; let's hope that
he provides a boost.
The
team brought in LB Takeo Spikes for a visit and offered him a deal, but
he left town without signing it. The offer is still on the table, but
Spikes is looking for more money. There is still a pretty good chance
that he signs with the 49ers.
Another player that the team should look into is RT Shane Olivea. He
was released by the Chargers in the off-season. He was hampered by a
back injury last season and didn't look like the same player that he
once was. If he is healthy, he would be a good signing for the team.
QB
Trent Dilfer - it was time for him to go. The veteran QB should find a
comfy place in the announcer's booth. The 49ers have Smith, Hill and
O'Sullivan on the roster. Don't expect them to draft a QB in this
upcoming draft.
RB
Maurice Hicks - has been a part of this team for four seasons. He got a
three-year deal from the Vikings in the off-season.
WR
Darrell Jackson - released after spending only one season with the
team. He got off to a slow start and had only 46 catches on the
season. The coaching staff was not pleased with his work ethic and he
had too many drops. The Niners are regretting the fact that they gave
up a fourth-round pick for Jackson. But it looks like they are pressing
their luck again when they decided to sign a couple of more receivers
from their division rivals. Isaac Bruce formerly of the Rams will turn
out to be a solid signing, but I can't say the same about Bryant Johnson
of the Cardinals.
OT
Kwame Harris - I can't find anything nice to say about Harris. But he
did get a nice contract from the Raiders and they expect him to start at
LT. Boy, are they in for a rude awakening?
OG
Larry Allen - is expected to retire from the league after a brilliant
career.
OG
Justin Smiley - the team didn't try to resign him to a contract. The
money that the Niners gave to Sopoaga should have been spent on Smiley
instead. Even after a down year, Bill Parcells and the Dolphins didn't
hesitate to sign Smiley to a five-year contract.
DE
Bryant Young - retired at the end of the season. He led the team with
6.5 sacks. His presence will be missed on and off-the-field. Even
though the team signed Justin Smith, they should still draft a DE in the
first three rounds of the draft.
DE
Marques Douglas - they let Douglas walk in free agency. This was a
smart move by the team. The 31-year old got a four-year deal from the
Bucs.
ILB
Derek Smith - was released early in the off-season. The Chargers still
felt that he had something left in the tank and they locked him up to a
two-year deal.
The 49ers were found guilty of
tampering charges in regards to Lance Briggs. The NFL determined that
the team violated league rules when they made contact with Briggs last
season without the Bears' knowledge. This is an absolute joke because
almost every team in the league has been guilty of this. However, most
teams have been able to get away with it. The Bears thought that they
would lose Briggs in free agency and they wanted to get something in
return for him. In the end, not only were they able to resign Briggs,
but they also got a fifth round pick and a higher third round pick from
the 49ers. The 49ers couldn't afford to lose draft picks because there
are still some glaring holes that the team needs to address through the
draft.
In the next column, I will talk
about the 49ers needs in the draft.
