Greg Cosell just posted his mock draft and it’s very interesting, so I’m linking it for you here.
Here are the highlights:
1. Cosell says Robert Griffin III is a better prospect than Andrew Luck.
2. Cosell says Stephon Gilmore is the best cornerback prospect, followed by Janoris Jenkins and then Morris Claiborne.
3. Cosell says Matt Kalil will slide to the Cardinals at pick No. 13.
4. Cosell calls Coby Fleener “a more athletic Dallas Clark,” and has the Broncos drafting him at pick No. 25.
5. Cosell calls Kevin Zeitler more athletic than David DeCastro, and says the Steelers should draft him at pick No. 24.
6. Cosell says the Browns should draft Rueben Randle at pick No. 22.
7. Cosell says the Panthers should draft Michael Floyd at pick No. 9 and that Justin Blackmon would be a good fit with the Bills at pick No. 10.
8. Cosell says the Niners will draft Peter Konz with Stephen Hill still on the board at pick No. 30.
If the first round actually breaks this way, the Niners should try to trade up six spots for Fleener. They could swap first rounders with the Steelers and give them their third rounder in the trade.
49ers RSS feed
Loading ...
Interesting mock – greg cosell does more film study than any other analyst I know.
- I agree in that the niners will not be drafting a WR in rd 1 – it makes zero sense to do so.
- I also feel that Coby Fleener is incredibly overrated (love him as a pass catcher) but if he has no ability to block, then delanie walker has way more value than him.
- I think the niners go OL in round 1, lots of value there and if decastro falls down to 17, and gets past SD at 18 (which I dont think he does), then you think about selling the latter half of the draft to get that guy.
- If they do not go OL, there going safety in my opinion. Ill put a little money on either of those 2 positions in rd 1 (unless they trade out for a rd 1 pick next season – another high possibility imo). The other option would be RB in rd 1, but I think that could wait until next year, but if they value martin or wilson they can pull the trigger.
Cant wait until thursday!
We need a free safety and I don’t think there is one worth taking in the first round. Both Barron and Smith don’t have the quickness to be good in coverage. I’d rather wait til the second and draft a guy like Trumaine Johnson and move him to safety.
Markelle Martin -OKL (FS)2nd round!
Well, we can’t accuse Cosell of following the herd. That mock is radically different than most of the draftnik community. I really like that he put some time and thought into the evaluation of each player.
It seems like everyone was saving up their draft articles for today. Lots of reading material to make work go by faster, haha!
What a mock draft, he really put it out there. Taking Konz with Brockers still on the board is something I wouldn’t go near. Getting ready for this draft is becoming really exciting, some weird stuff is likely to happen.
I’m not sure what you mean Andrew. I thought Cosell varied from the herd quite a bit in his mock. Kalil falling, Fleener, Zeitler and Gilmore rising; Cosell didn’t follow the Kiper herd in this mock at all.
Brockers is a one year wonder with work ethic questions. Konz is a polished warrior who fights on every play. I wouldn’t be excited about a Konz pick but I’d be even less excited about Brockers.
I liked the fact that he didn’t follow the same path as most mocks, plus his picks make sense. I like Brockers, many mocks have him up there. He’s the kind of pick where you roll the dice and maybe you roll a seven or snake eyes.
Why the obsession with Fleener, when we have needs because of an aging corner, rb and vacancy at right guard Grant? Let it go dawg its over.
I’m not your dawg, dawg.
Delanie Walker didn’t catch a pass the second half of last season. He’s a short tight end with shaky hands. Because of his stature, the only red zone routes he can run are shallow crosses, like a slot receiver.
Or the slant on 4th and goal
Right, slants and crosses. Shallow, inward-breaking routes because he isn’t tall or skilled enough to execute a fade or catch a jump ball.
Right. Shallow, inward-breaking routes because he isn’t tall or skilled enough to execute a fade or catch a jump ball.
I think the coaching staff covets Walker’s versatily. He had pretty good hands on that 4th down td catch to win the game against the Lions. How many drops did he have last year? Fleener is too one dimensional, can’t block. He is a specimen no doubt, but a lot of scouting reports out there have him as one of the most over rated players in this draft. Some say he wasn’t even the best TE at Stanford
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/draftcaps21-vn4vq5o-148344735.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000d5d82882e3f/article/scout-te-coby-fleener-might-be-the-most-overrated-in-draft
Remember this jump ball he caught from Troy Smith against Denver. Guy is seriously underrated in my book. He can catch a fade when given the chance. Check out the you tube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy-1Xbd3Mwg&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL0728A0529859AD41
martian9er,
Both of those reports come from the same source and have been the only negative reviews on Fleener to come out at all. If you read the review you see the guy making the statements says Fleener is strictly a RedZone threat and jump ball guy which is asinine considering Fleener averaged 20 yards a catch and has been a big play weapon his entire time at Stanford.
Grant its nice to have you back, I was wondering if you were on vacation! Anyway, D Walker is very underrated. He is versatile and a true football player. If we end up drafing Freener i would be very happy but lets give Walker credit for his contribution as well. GO NINERS
Did anyone see the workout Fleener did? Its posted on you tube and it shows his leaping ability in full pads dunking a football in a basketball hoop and then a tug o war against not just one, but 2 Sumo wrestlers. Its freakin awesome. The guy is a freak of nature. If we have the chance to get him, we need not hesitate. At the end of last year our needs were obviously playmakers. This guy is a playmaker.
Someone we already have might already be that starting gaurd. Nobody here nows that. Theres no way you can watch that you-tube video and not be sold on Fleener. Blocking is coachable. Mayock seems to think he could fall to the second round. I’d hate to see the Rams get him and we have to figure out how to cover him twice a year.
Damn. Grant take it easy “Dawg”. lol Its not a personal name. You gotta get a little street G Dawg. ;-)
Alright Dawg, I’ve calmed down.
Word! LOl
It’s spelled “D-O-Double G” on the streets. Fashizzle.
There is no such thing as correct spelling in tha $treetz.
“Da $treetz.” Come on now Gizzle Cizzle, you betta dan dat.
23 Skidoo!
…as long as we are throwing out antiquated exclamations.
you heard it here..it is a lock (insert sound effect here) that the Niners will not go with an Olineman for their first pick in the draft. After going high as much as they have in the last several years for Oline, they will go elsewhere..especially since guard is easy to get in later rounds.
The Greg Roman to Arkansas rumor is a bit scary.
…and that quickly, the rumor is proved false. Whew.
You scared me for a minute
Enough is enough. I do not want another OC leaving right before the season/draft despite having an offensive head coach. We need to have the same system in place with the same exact OC. Niners should ask for at least another year.
Greg Roman leaving would not be that big of a deal, I put him and Alex in the same category needs improvement, at time great, other times awful. With Harbaugh being a offensive minded guru, we would not miss a beat.
I never thought Roman was a great playy caller. He left a lot to be desired.
Close. The rumor was tied to the Niners but it’s Alex Smith’s uncle.
ESPN made it sounds like a caretaker/babysitter role. He’s going to have to try to ctrl+z some damage down there. A lot of repair work apparently.
why the “obsession” with Fleener? Let’s see..we were near the bottom in Redzone TD’S..many have Freener as the best receiver in the draft..that he is 6’5″, 6’6″ and knows Harbaugh’s offense doesn’t interest you? better quesion is why you aren’t…
trade VD (overrated by the rest of the league) for a probowl RB, Corner, DE, etc
trade the best TE in the league for another player. your insane
you do know VD barely cracked the top 10 rankings for a TE last year, right? And wasn’t much of a factor in the redzone..and tends to catch a case of the dropsies from time to time..and doesn’t really do much after the catch..
not saying he’s the worst..he is top 10. Just saying with Fleener taking over his pass catching duties, you could use VD’s value to secure a probowl RB..two birds..one stone
I agree that Fleener could replace a chunk of Vernon’s pass catching but Davis is also one of the best blocking tight ends in the league. I’d hate to lose that.
Vernon was a victim of a conservative game plan and being held in to block. The dude destroyed two teams in the playoffs. Was there anybody in the top ten of anything from the passing offense last year? Give me a break. Vernon should be a 1,000 yard 10+ TD TE every year. Fleener is not on V.D.’s level and it’s not even close.
Vernon Davis also acknowledged that it took him a good chunk of the season to fully understand/get comfortable with his role/responsibilities in the offense. It seems likely that he will put up bigger numbers in 2012.
I’d rather have Vernon and Fleener.
I dont think VD was catching on to the offense until about week 10. After that he put up great numbers.
BigP I totally agree. Throughout the entire playoffs last year did anyone make bigger plays than Vernon? He’s a mismatch against anyone on defense. If Brady, Brees, Mannings or Rivers were throwing to him his numbers would be off the charts. Flenner is a good player and would definitely help but there will be better players available.
@Jaxinsac:
Just out of curiosity, can you identify the Pro Bowl RB, corner, DE, etc. that teams would be willing to trade to the 49ers for Vernon Davis?
Exactly.
@BigP:
I think someone has been playing too much Madden.
Too many cheat codes. LMAO.
LOL, I completely disagree with your opinion for several reasons:
1) We had one of the best defenses in the league and our offense was ranked in the bottom so why would you improve the defense by trading your best offensive player or wr on the Team!!!
2) Running backs are much easier to find in free agency or the draft than WR or a TE that can run faster than a WR!
3) Our front seven on the defense = Studs. Probably one of the best front seven in the NFL so again why would you hurt the offense when we need more production on the offense to win!
Lastly, Alex has developed very good chemistry and trust with VD so why not continue to build the offense!
I was with ya right up to the trade VD part!
Konz ?No.
ya we draft konz while zeitler the better, stronger prospect is still there. just proof of how stubborn this old man is. funny how so many old people are stuck in the past so much
No, dude. Cosell has the Steelers drafting Zeitler at pick No. 24.
good we dont need another 1st rd pick goin to a linemen project. we need someone whose gonna improve our offense from the problems we had last year. we got a rb in fa so id say a TE or WR would be best use of a 1st rd pick even though this draft has plenty of receievrs
Fleener would be a big-time upgrade over Delanie Walker right away.
…..his he an uprade over nate byham in terms of a complete football player?………makes no sense using a 1st round pick on a TE when u have VD on the team………..a 1st rd pick on a backup TE………in my opinion is a dumb pick…..
fleener wouldnt be a backup. consider the offense the patriots put out on the field with gonzalez and gronk. U create miss match problems across the board have crabs and manningham on the left fleener next to the tackle and vd on the other side, who are they going to double? mismatch problems and gore in the backfield now the defenses cant stack the line like they have dont for gores entire career. i say fleener first round trade up 5 spots if u have too, remember all seven picks wont make the team. tight end first round and brandon brooks in the second, and draft markelle martin in the 3rd, 4th i like jarious wright or a joe adams. mutlithreat weapon
Not sure why some are saying drafting Fleener is a waste of time with Davis on the team. You guys do know that this team runs a 2 TE base offense most of the time right? Fleener is not an inline TE; he’s a matchup nightmare that you move around the formation like the Saints do with Graham. He’s a WR/TE depending on where you have him lined up on a given play. Fleener is versatile that way and he and Vernon would benefit from each other.
Alex Smith would benefit from Fleener, too, since he’d have two studs he could throw to over the middle (Crabtree is no stud). I predict Smith will struggle to consistently get the ball accurately to Moss and Manningham because they mostly streak down the sidelines and Smith has trouble throwing deep sideline passes.
Fleener could single-handedly make Smith respectable on third down.
I am for drafting a guy who will demand 2-teams. I don’t care if he plays WR/TE/RB/LT/DT/Head Coach.
As long as it forces the defense to have to single VD or to double 2 players who are going out to pass (or so it would appear) I am all for drafting that player. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7th round. I can care less.
If a defense has to 2-team two offensive players, or risk looking stupid and getting burned big time, then that opens up the running game. Prevents the stacked boxes. Gives AS more time and the OL some time to actually look good, then I’m all in.
This offense is 1 Need to double player away from being completely awesome.
“to Moss and Manningham because they mostly streak down the sideline and Smith has trouble with those passes.”
GC, who in the past has consistently streaked down the sideline with whom AS has built chemistry? They haven’t had a guy here to do that. Now that they do, AS can get better. TBrady wasn’t known for a strong arm and neither was JMo. It was timing and practice. A QB can get better when making that pass.
In JMo’s book he stated he didn’t throw well long until JR arrived on the scene in 1985. Timing and practice is what will get AS better throwing the sideline pass. BTW, the pass in the NYG Champ game was to a streaking VD down the sideline which AS hit perfectly.
That’s a good point, but still, Smith has been erratic throwing those deep sideline passes regardless of who he’s been throwing to. Of course, he could improve. I just feel like Smith is definitely equipped to take advantage of Fleener in the pass game – very few QBs wouldn’t be.
There is a mindset that Flenner will be like Gronk or Graham, maybe he will, but not with his offense. His number won’t be called that often the way this offense is set up. If he’s on the field when defensive ends and linebackers blow by him watch how fast the love affair ends.
this mock is coming from the guy who said the niners were lucky last year when they wont 8 straight an they wouldnt get near the playoffs. shows how much he knows
He was right about our offense limiting the team,he ,as most , just didn’t know that the defense and ST’s and coaching were going to make up for the poor offense and lead us to the playoffs . Cosell usually knows what he is talking about but when it comes to Mock drafts,nobody ever KNOWS.
@Tim, here you go again with the offense and AS. your pathetic timmy. You just can’t get enough.. lol
Manilaboy:
You are a funny guy. I said NOTHING about our QB but just stated the FACT that our offense was the weak spot of the team,as every commentator and all fans who know anything know is the fact.
What do you think was the weak spot on the team ??? Was it the coaching,the defense ,the ST’s or the offense ??? That’s what I thought,we agree !!! (or if we still don’t agree,then you know nothing about the Niners).
You are just so sensitive that anyone might say something unflattering about Alex that you make yourself look silly in defending a slight that never happened,lol.
Tim this dude is a joke. NEVER adds nothing but patroling for a shot to defend Smiths honor. Remind you of “one” of these other clowns? Waste of time, and I cant take another one of his lame 55 year old comebacks. wheew
@ninermd,
WTF ! Mine your on business troll, and stick your nose where it belongs ! stay out off it.. I’m not defending AS nor a die hard fan of his.
Realistically you’re the comedian ! lol
@Tim,
I believe you’re the one that don’t know anything about the niners ! Everytime i read your comments you have something negative to say about the team.
Only time i notice , you didn’t say Sh.it is when they were rolling with 7 game winning streak last season. You were just riding the bandwagon with the other trolls like ninermd..lol
@Tim, Your credibility sucks ! i agree with others that make comments to your post. You sound sometimes kissing others a.s.s and sometimes you’re a negative person..your unbelievable on how you manuever making your statements and with your comments…lol
Ahhhh,
you’re right ! What can you expect from the eastern bias. All they know is how terrible the niners were for last 8 years.
@ninermd,
WTF ! Mine your on business troll, and stick your nose where it belongs ! stay out off it.. I’m not defending AS nor a die hard fan of his.
Hmmmm I would have if you hadn’t got in my business before. I wonder why you and your other post name zito always come around the same time and have the same lame jokes and comebacks… Hmm fishy. And second. Your a newbie get some stripes before calling out aaaany vet on here. Because the 49 ers are back bandwagon fans get no respect on here now. Coming on here now with your new 49er fanhood gets you nothing. Beat it son!
Lisbonio Benefouche, weight lifter from the Azores. It’s a lock he’s the first-round pick. He can play guard or nose tackle depending what they ask…
If only they knew the right language to ask it in!
If Fleener falls that late then we absolutely should trade up and grab him, my only concern for him is that a team will jump on him early. To me it makes more sense to draft a fast 6’6″ tight end that runs like a receiver, and who you could line up as a receiver anyway, than a late first round receiver. Also I’d rather have Fleener and Davis on the field than Davis and Walker.
I do not care who the Niners pick at number 30. It is foolish to think that this would not be a Best Player Available. Go Niners
Fleener looks great BUT what the Niners need is a SPEED receiver who can stretch the field. Fleener is a very good receiver but if we take him we will still need another SPEED guy on the team .
Is Wallace’s price falling the longer he is unsigned ?
The period for signing other teams’ RFAs has ended.
Jarius Wright is a speed guy who probably will be available in the middle rounds.
Fleener and Wright sounds good to me Grant ! But if we needed to trade up to get Fleener(as you are promoting),then will we have enough left to get Wright and a decent RB and OLB etc ?
Claude:
No,all you need to do is trade with the Steelers for less than his tender offer. If they are getting nervous then they might bite at a reasonable offer.
TIM:
Although that is technically correct, the 49ers will not work out a trade with Pittsburgh without first knowing that they will be able to sign Wallace to a reasonable contract. They reportedly lost any interest they might have had when Wallace said that he expected Larry Fitzgerald numbers.
The 49ers cannot contact Wallace and negotiate a more reasonable contract, or even find out if his demands have dropped, without first getting permission from the Steelers. I don’t see Pittsburgh agreeing to allow the 49ers to negotiate with Wallace, especially between now and the draft.
If this was going to happen, it would have happened prior to last Friday.
I agree Claude,that it is probably not going to happen,because of the salary demand. But things change and perhaps the Steelers and even Wallace are of a different mind set nowadays (Wallace unsigned might make the Steelers nervous and no red hot interest by teams during the signing period in Wallace’s demands might make him rethink ?)? And I believe that the Steelers could make the deal for the Niners with Wallace’s agent and then sign him and trade him. But I highly doubt that is in the works. But do you think Wallace is staying in Pittsburg or do you think he gets dealt to the Broncos,etc etc ?
Tim,
The steelers are hesitant to part ways with Wallace. Wallace is a exceptional receiver, I don’t think his going anywhere. His the leader and the play maker of the steeler offense. The steelers has alot of issues and their players are getting older.
Because the team is getting older and looking to rebuilding, they might use wallace for a trade bait, and get some draft picks in the draft in exchange for wallace.
49erman,
I wouldn’t mine giving the 30th pick to the steelers for wallace. Its a guarantee your getting a great receiver. Only thing the 49ers need to worry about is resigning wallace.
“Is Wallace’s price falling the longer he is unsigned?”
Speaking of falling price. I’ve heard that the Eagles will take a fifth or maybe even a sixth for Assante Samuel.
Hmm…
Grant it is a little disengenous to say walker didnt catch a pass in the 2nd half (or however you phrased) without noting that he was injured…and he did catch some passes in the playoff game vs giants…
He caught 21 passes last season and got shut out for six straight games. He’s not a red zone threat.
Didn’t Walker catch that last second TD at the goaline to win a game? (remember,the one where Crabs was wide open in the corner of the endzone all alone,waving his arms, but the QB chose the dangerous pass to the pretty well covered Walker,who luckily held on while getting hit hard…a great play !).
Detroit game
@Tim
I don’t remember MC being wide open. I remember all the players/announcers/writers/fans saying how great a throw that was to DW to win it.
Can you have imagined it if MC had dropped it? If AS isn’t seeing him open, maybe he needs to get his rear into camp and actually be present. That way, it will be part of the normal routine to look for MC in the first place.
Crabs was open but it was a split second thing. The easier throw would have been to him. Worked out fine, as we know, but I guess they needed to give us a little heart attack at the end of that.
Walker made up for blowing a perfectly-thrown pass in the end zone to him earlier in the game.
The following link is for the ESPN blogger mock draft. Each blogger handled the teams in the division he covers. Sando selected Janoris Jenkins for the 49ers with Coby Fleener still available.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post?id=63548
I have feeling that Jenkins will fall to the Niners. They’ll have their choice of Jenkins or Shea McClellin depending on what New England does at #27.
Janoris Jenkins wouldn’t hurt my feelers none. Off field issues aside, I think he’s the best corner in the draft!
Interesting. Jenkins might be the most talented CB in this draft. His problem is off the field with the weed and Baby Mama’s. A gamble that could pay off huge or go down in flames.
Jenkins is an ongoing train wreck. As soon as he gets the money he’s going to make it rain.
From the sounds of things Jenkins has already been making it rain.
In 2050 Cromartie and Jenkins will pass Jones and Smith as most common last names.
Ba da Bump. Nice.
What if Coby Fleener, Kevin Zeitler, Stephen Hill and David Decastro are all on the board at pick 23ish?
Decastro in a heartbeat. That being said, there is no chance of this happening.
Decastro for certain he might be the best lineman in the draft and would really help our line get a push. If you remember last year any time the niners needed to get a 4th and inches the niners line didn’t generate much of a push. It also made 3rd and shorts almost a throwing down when Gore lost his wiggle.
VD is pro-bowl worthy. If the voting took place after the playoffs VD is a shoo-in.
Sorry, but this scenario makes no sense.
He showed what he is capable of when they throw him the ball. Almost 30 yards per catch and 4 TD’s in the playoffs, that is ridiculous production.
@AES
“VD is pro-bowl worthy. If the voting took place after the playoffs VD is a shoo-in.”
AS would be as well. That is if the Pro Bowl selects more than 1 QB.
Alex was not even an alternate this year; and half the 49ers’ starters were Pro Bowlers or alternates. I would appear that those in the game do not agree with you.
DS, “AS would be as well. That is if the Pro Bowl selects more than 1 QB.”
It does DS, it selects 3 per conference.
And Cam Newton was the fourth selection as an injury substitute. Pretty impressive for a rookie.
@grumpy
You missed my point. AS was easily the 2nd best QB in the playoffs. If not for the fumble and stupid refs, AS would have clearly been the best QB in the playoffs and the Niners 6 time Super Bowl champions.
AES was making the point that if you looked at the playoff games, VD was clearly Pro Bowl worthy. And if you look at AS in the playoffs, he was easily at worst, the 2nd best QB from both conferences.
Besides, who gives a crap if he was elected into the Pro Bowl or not. JS was Pro Bowl worthy a long time before he actually got in. He’s been nearly this good all along. If you are Pro Bowl worthy, that is all that matters. That joke of a game (AR says so) is really a popularity contest anyway. JS wasn’t as popular until the past couple of years among fans, but he was still great.
I know its near heresy..but I myself noticed that Luck this year wasn’t the accurate passer he was in H-mans last year coaching. And,Andy doesn’t have a very strong arm..he gets it there on target better then most..but the time it takes to get there? a NFL CB can have time to get to it first.
He might have to alter his pro game..run more to get more time. I think with RG3 he’s as you get him from the get go. I will let you know in five years how it all turned out.
Luck threw 75 yards, into the wind, on his pro day. He’ll be fine.
Cossell is prime example that hard work is no replacement for inherent football smarts. However much he watches film, his analysis or predictions are no better than Chris Berman’s. Maybe Berman is better :)
I’m prepared to be surprised by HarBaalke’s picks. I don’t feel either Hill or Konz are essential to Niner’s plans this season (Hill is way too raw and Baalke said that they already have players in the team competing for the RG spot). Niners will want some production from their first round pick this season.
The only thing that won’t surprise me is that they may move up in the mid-rounds and end up with 4-5 picks in all.
If someone wants an actual analysis of why Luck is a better #1 pick than RG3, I recommend Matt Waldman’s analysis:
http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/23/robert-griffin-iii-2nd-ranked-quarterback-in-2012-draft/
or this one:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hank-koebler/andrew-luck-colts_b_1191067.html
These analyses are far better than Cossell’s simplistic blather based on RG2 superior athleticism and supposedly superior arm strength.
http://nflfilms.nfl.com/2012/03/23/cosell-talks-its-not-always-luck/
Cossell is lame and he writes a ends his brief comparison of Luck and RG3, bereft of technical details and full of generalizations and assertions with “A complete breakdown of both Griffin’s and Luck’s play would demand more space than allowable”. That’s deep! His generalizations are vague (“Luck was not a special passer based on film study.” Yeah, that film study again), and outright nonsense: “He primarily made efficient throws to open receivers.” Luck completed into tight coverage over the middle many times. That TD against Notre Dame was a thing of beauty.
Cossell is being fashionably contrarian, standing out from other draftniks to gain attention.
If the niners wants to move up in the draft, they’ll need to give up alot the 3oth pick and maybe CK and maybe 6th round pick.. Its hard to figure out, what the teams are going to do before and draft day..
Yeah,they will give up CK and Willis and VD to move up ,lol.
I guess anything is possible.
I don’t think Niners will move up in the first or second round. But maybe in the mid-rounds (third, fourth, fifth).
I get the feeling wild things are going to happen come draft day.
If theres one thing i knows its that i do’nt know much. if theres a second thing its i know more than greg cosell. so here is my 49er draft predictions.
RD1
coby fleener TE Stan.
devon still DT Penn st.
amini silatolu OG midwestern st.
RD2
bruce irvin DE w. virginia
jared crick DE neb.
brandon brooks OG miami o
marvin jones WR cal
RD3
brandon taylor S lsu
brian quick WR app. st.
mitchell schwartz OT cal
RD4/5
robert turbin RB utah st.
kheeston randall DT tex
trenton robinson S mich st.
christian thompson S S. car. st.
marvin McNutt WR iowa
RD6/7/fa
joe looney G w.forest
eddie pleasant S ore.
akiem hicks DT regina
chris owusu WR stan.
brandon bolden RB ole miss
duke ihenacho S s.j. st.
Irvin’s a waste. the rest look pretty good.
How is Irvin a waste?
That man is a pass rushing demon. We will need to trade up in the 2nd to get him, but that’s OK for a guy with his upside.
If VCurry were available, I’d take him over BIrvin. VC could play OLB or DE. But I’m thinking he would be a good replacement for JSmith two years out.
If this is the way the draft plays out I hope the 49ers trade back to the early part of the 2nd and pick up an extra pick. There would be some real talent left on the board at pick #30 that someone could be tempted to move up for – DT (Brockers, Poe, Reyes, Worthy, Still – keep in mind the Colts are switching to a 3-4, and if Brockers or Poe are there at #30 they could be very tempted to move up and grab them), DE (Coples, Perry) and WR (Hill), plus the next tier of QBs. Why take Konz when you can move back 5 to 10 spots, get an extra pick, and still probably get Silatolu?
Scooter i agree unless there’s something they really like at 20-24.
WHAT? now a former Saints GM had hidden mics installed in opposing coaches locker rooms? N.O.-the way they have gotten around penalty’s…it figures they have a long history of being cheats,even criminal eavesdropping.
Who said so Stan?
1050/D.Bruce show. I missed the guys name,but he ‘s still in business in San Diego working with the Chargers. He may have commited a felony.
Thanks Stan ! I just turned in to Bruce and they are talking about it.
The Saints have totally denied it but as Bruce says it is a bad time for denial by the Saints,,since they denied the bounty thing for a couple years before they were outed,lol
If that is true Stan, then the NO owner should be kicked out of the NFL.
The owner and GM are connected directly. Even more so than the owner and HC. Sometimes it is the GM who hires the HC. The GM always answers to the owner though.
If the GM did this, the owner is at fault.
Easy everyone. Let’s get the details right. And besides, its a claim currently being denied.
According to ESPN the GM before Loomis had a headset in his booth that could hear his own team’s play calling from the sidelines. Then Loomis supposedly had it changed so he could hear the opposing team’s offensive and defensive play calls. There’s no evidence yet, or practical likelihood that he was relaying what he heard.
BUT it is still illegal in USA and even Louisiana to listen in electronically, and violates League By Laws.
This is alleged in 2002-2004 and is past the Statute of Limitations. The League could react.
@Brotha
“Easy everyone. Let’s get the details right. ”
Heck No!! We are in the instantaneous media era. Don’t bother checking anything. Just post it. If enough people read it and believe it, that is going to be how/what happened.
(sarcasm in case you or anybody else were wondering)
Even if it in fact isn’t.
All of this NFL spygate stuff is ok……unless you get caught and you’re not from NE.
It seems to me that Cosell is at least as good at evaluating talent as the next so called expert. Because he has had unflattering things to say about our starting QB so often in the past,it seems some few fans are letting that influence their opinion of the man as a talent evaluator and are venting their wrath on him no matter what he says about any player in the draft or otherwise.
In reality NOBODY knows how most of these players will perform in the NFL,Cosell included. But as far as how a player who is already in the NFL has performed and wheather or not that player is apt to make a big jump up or decent down or remain at the same level ,Cosell does as well as anyone imho.(if he stinks so much then why does he get sooooooo much ink and air time in the media from all the beat writers and columists and tv talking heads ? ).
His draft info is at least good enough to put in the stack of knowledge that we all use to study the draft. But in the end that is why I call them “so called” experts,since none of them are right enough to be trusted alone.
why does he get so much ink and air time from beat writers/columnist/ tv talking heads? because he is one of them. he never played the game. he never coached the game. he has never worked for an nfl team. the media loves to give weight to other media types because it gives them a sense of actually knowing what they write/talk about and they do’nt. they have sources inside the teams where they get legitimate info but they do’nt have any real knowledge of the game
But old coach:
All the so called experts are insiders in the media. Cosell watches as much or more video than anyone and his opinion is as useful or as useless as almost all the others.
I agree Tim.
Gruden sucked/sucks. He couldn’t develop a young QB worth a damn. He chose the QB who, guess what, I had been clamoring about how good he was, Rich Gannon. Once he left Oakland, he just managed the offense slightly better than Tony Dungy had and won a Super Bowl with them. After that win, it was all downhill. For being such a young coach, he only picked up good known FA’s. He didn’t develop unknown college players at all. So I don’t know why his opinion is seeked so often as some kind of guru.
The guy was not a good coach. I could be good with Rich Gannon, Tim Brown and Jerry Rice to throw the ball to all day as well. Add Charlie Garner, and it wouldn’t be that hard to look good. If not for the flow of talent from the Niners, stupid KC and Vikings teams, Gruden would have been axed and forgotten about.
I couldn’t stand the stupid “Chucky” look and don’t find him either insightful or entertaining in the least.
At least Bill Callahan had it right one time. “We must be the dumbest team in America” comment was 100% accurate.
Grant tell us again why the Niners should draft Fleener. Do you and the haters have some sort of disability where you have to repeat your viewpoint to the 10th degree?
We get it , you like Fleener, you’ve wrote about it for the past month, now think of something else or go back to bashing Alex Smith!
@FDM
If Fleener wasn’t playing in a local school, he wouldn’t get the attention he has here.
But, I bet if Fleener is still there whenever the Niners pick and the Niners don’t draft him, we all know who to blame for that though don’t we?
Claude:
I always admitted that Alex should have thrown to Crabs,I have said that several times over the last couple Months. But the p[oint of the post was to support Walker. And while supporting Walker I also said Alex made a great play.
You have made it quite clear what you think of me Claude,although I think you have a rather mixed up set of values and a rather confused outlook on me and I also think you are one confused person full of hate,I still wish we could agree to either leave each other alone or even better have conversation like adults about the team. But believe what you wish about me,no matter how off base you are,and if it makes you happy then I have done my good deed for the day :)
Now do you have anything to say about the football team or do you only get off on attacking other fans ?
Grant:
You have now gone so far in your love for Fleener that now (according to fdm) you are a hater ? I guess that old saying is correct ,that love and hate are divided by a fine line ? lol
Tim, he is not hater nor are you, just an annoying arse who has to let everyone in the world know each and every day the same old opinion. We all know you dont like Alex, but for some reason you need to keep telling us that along with the other idiots on here.
Same for Grant, he keeps writing that the 49ers should draft Fleener, did he think no one read that the first 10 times or do you all need to keep telling us what should happen over and over again?
@FDM
It’s not like there isn’t other stuff going on. We had ground breaking of the new stadium for one.
Over on sfgate, they have a bunch of cool stuff that is not so centered around Alex Smith and Fleener 24×7
If its SF Gate,then you have a variety of pro 49 propaganda . Can Kevin Lynch be more obvious a homer? For a while he was lathering Singleton for his brilliant plan. “I see it” wrote Lynch. I know what I saw in Lynch, writes Stan.
Theres knowing you cover the home team..and theres swallowing it all hook ,line,and sinker. Or pushing the hook,etc,…
FDM:
I have sworn off ripping Alex until he does something new to praise or rip,whichever is a fair evaluation imho.
I have written over the past few weeks consistently that Grant and all of us should lay off ripping Alex. I also hope the overly zealous Alex lovers will restrain themselves and not post nonsense about how great Alex is,so others don’t feel the need to post rebuttals.
I am personally tired of the alex debate,it has all been said (at least on this site and several others). So for you to bring it up is on you,I am mostly content to hope that alex can do better and change my mind. At least I am willing to TRY to put my preconceived ideas behind me and TRY to continue to be fair to Alex. Hopefully he comes out smoking this year and I can post nonstop praise for him !!! It’s up to him,not to me,since I will only post my opinion of what I see. No hate here !!!
…so fdm,you must have been thinking of someone else,not me ? But just wait,I will watch and give my opinions on Alex ,once he does something new on the field .
@Stan
I wasn’t saying anything about the writers comments at all. Only that they are finding a lot of interesting topics which are not AS centered or Fleener centered.
FDM was talking about the lack of depth of variety of topic. At least, that is how I read it.
@TIM:
I have sworn off ripping Alex until he does something new to praise or rip
Excuse me, but you may want to know that your pants are on fire.
TIM says:
April 23, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Didn’t Walker catch that last second TD at the goaline to win a game? (remember,the one where Crabs was wide open in the corner of the endzone all alone,waving his arms, but the QB chose the dangerous pass to the pretty well covered Walker,who luckily held on while getting hit hard…a great play !).
And you wonder why I think you are a weasel.
Oh bless your little heart Tim, I can hardly wait to hear your opinion once again on Alex!
Yes Claude,I do wonder why you think such nonsense about me. I just have a vivid picture in my mind about Crabs on that play and even my wife asked after the play that wouldn’t it have been much easier to throw to the wide open Crabs for an easy TD as opposed to a short pass to a well covered Walker,who almost was stopped on the one inch line and almost was seperated from the ball because it was tight coverage and he was hit hard (a great catch and a great pass,so I am not attacking any player ). My wife likes Crabs,so she was just wondering why Alex chose Walker when they were both on the same side of the field,so Alex obviously should have seen Crabs wide open. Maybe you guys are right and alex just didn’t trust Crabs to catch it ???
FDM:
You must have been anxious to hear me comment on the QB,since I didn’t mention him by name and you brought him up and then still turned around and attacked me (or was that someone else who had a knee jerk reaction to me mentioning our offense ?). You brought him up and now look what happened,I am commenting on a play from the Detroit game . lol
Come on FDM,there are plenty of other subjects other than the QB position on OUR team. Get off it !
TIM:
I am not questioning your description of the play. I reprinted your comment to demonstrate that you were lying when you wrote to FDM that you “have sworn off ripping Alex until he does something new to praise or rip.”
…Isn’t this supposed to be a draft thread? I don’t think we are contemplating drafting a QB,so anything else other than the draft is off topic. I don’t mind off topic,as long as it is not the old repeating of the Alex back and forth.
How about as DS says,we talk about the stadium or any of the several OTHER topics of interest.
Sorry that if I post anything with the word “lover” in it or the mention of the offense that I get attacked,even if I was not commenting on alex or his talent or lack thereof.
@Tim
Maybe because DW as the primary read, and he was open, AS threw it to him? Just, maybe?
Detroit was killing AS that day with all the pressure. As the QB, I wouldn’t wait to throw it to an open target if he is open and I’d been smashed all day long either.
Also, that same type of perfect accuracy was demonstrated again in the NO game. On both plays, AS had to drill a perfect pass in there to win it. On both passes, he did. Eric Davis said after the games, that had those passes been just an inch or two in either direction, neither would have been TD’s. And the Niners guarantee lose the Detroit game and maybe the NO game.
@Tim
I would love to discuss the stadium. But the blog subject (at least initially) is set by Grant.
If the topic is Fleener, it won’t take long to get to the QB. As evidenced here. If the topic is AS, then we just skip all the other stuff and get to the thing that makes the most hits.
But if feels a little odd for us to go over to sfgate, read their articles, then come back here and discuss them. Don’t you think?
./..Claude:
Grant said Walker didn’t make any catches for half of the year. I just brought to memory the Detroit game winner. Sorry if I elaborated too much and actually mentioned the word QB in a post about a caught TD pass. Next time I will leave out giving any credit to the QB on a TD pass,lol.
That one play stuck in my mind vividly because I was watching Crabs in the end zone on that play. But that didn’t stop me from cheering for Walker and Alex on that play . You make too muchg of my comments about that play,it was not a rip of alkex ,it was just me finishing the thought and remembering vthe WHOLE play.
Yes DS,your point is well taken.
And I do blame Grant somewhat for the topics he was choosing .That is wht a couple of weeks ago I scoulded Grant for milking the Alex subject FAR too often ,just to get hits. Since then I have tried very hard to steer clear of that subject. TRIED,mostly have but sometimes it’s like the godfather movies when he says everytime I try to get out they keep dragging me back in . lol
@TIM:
…Isn’t this supposed to be a draft thread? I don’t think we are contemplating drafting a QB,so anything else other than the draft is off topic.
You’re the one who brought up Alex Smith.
I get attacked,even if I was not commenting on alex or his talent or lack thereof.
That’s another lie. How is the following not a comment on/criticism of Alex Smith? Because you didn’t mention his name? How very weaselly of you.
… remember,the one where Crabs was wide open in the corner of the endzone all alone,waving his arms, but the QB chose the dangerous pass to the pretty well covered Walker,who luckily held on while getting hit hard…a great play !).
You make this too easy.
…But I don’t blame Grant for talking about Fleener (although he is rather ovrboard in love with him). Talking Fleener is not supposed to lead to only talking about the QB. But of course the QB’s talents or lack thereof are in play in any conversation about receivers and those receivers attributes. imho Fleener would be a good fit for Alex’s style.
NO Claude: I did NOT bring up Alex . I responded to attacks from a delusional poster who had a knee jerk reaction to my statement that the offense was the weak link of the team. I think you would agree that the offense ,not the defense or ST’s or coaching was the weak link,but the offense was. Everyone knows this is the fact. I didn’t blame the QB,I simply vsaid the offense as a whole was the weak link.
Now get over the fact that I am not the one bringing up Alex and YOU can now choose another subject foir your next post,,,OR it is on you that you keep harping on Alex.
Yeah DS,I agree,Walker was probably the primary receiver on that play. Alex did well !
Hey Tim, You are right. I had never noticed how open Crabtree was on that play. Too worried about whether he actually scored.
http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?fr=ipad&fr2=piv-web&c=0&p=delanie+walker+td+vs+Detroit&vid=4c3ffb96ff3eb04db149526565b1ffa8&dt=1318748400&l=64&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts2.mm.bing.net%2Fvideos%2Fthumbnail.aspx%3Fq%3D4603866174259425%26id%3Dd69904f0330f9715249b6a731b8aeff9%26bid%3DQlgZLAlPlvzYOw%26bn%3DLargeThumb%26url%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww.nfl.com%252fvideos%252fdetroit-lions%252f09000d5d8232f043%252fQB-Smith-to-TE-Walker-6-yd-pass-TD-4th-down&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfl.com%2Fvideos%2Fdetroit-lions%2F09000d5d8232f043%2FQB-Smith-to-TE-Walker-6-yd-pass-TD-4th-down-conversion&tit=QB+Smith+to+TE+Walker%2C+6-yd%2C+pass%2C+TD%2C+4th+down…&sigr=13fokuv6u&newfp=1
@Tim
Yes. I do remember those posts from myself, you, undercenter and pretty much everybody who is a regular with the same request.
And, it technically is not correct to say the Godfather movies (plural). That quote “Just when I thought I was out…THEY pull me back in.” is a quote from Godfather III only. A favorite line of mine as well.
So, that makes two thing we agree on Tim! One being AS is to often the central point of this blog and that quote. See, two people of opposing views can find a happy medium somewhere. Even if it is on film/board and not the field.
:- )
And Claude:
I called it a great play in that post where you say I am hating on Alex. I meant a great play from Alex AND Walker.
And I never lie,so stop the hate and personal attacks ans please stick to football.
And DS,you and I and Hofer and many others who don’t agree on a subject or two DO agree on many subjects here,so having adult conversation is the way to go . It’s not healthy to carry over hatred for another fan from one topic to another (or better yet,have NO hate to start with,even if someone doesn’t agree with you !). Pretend you are at Thanksgiving dinner with your Family and you know your uncle is a dunce and your cousin is a communist and your nephew just got out of jail ,etc etc etc (not my Family,just an example,lol), and simply don’t talk about unpleasant subjects and be happy that the Family is all together.
Thanks for the backup Jackhammer. ! Can’t argue with that video.(just as I remembered it. I also still have it on video).
Tim, that throw is about the easiest one in football, 5 yard in with the guy running right at you, simple. The better throw was the earlier out route in the end zone where Smith puts the ball right in Walker’s hands but he drops the TD.
@TIM:
NO Claude: I did NOT bring up Alex.
You most certainly did bring up Alex Smith. Grant posted at 12:36 pm a comment about Delanie Walker that ended with “he’s not a red zone threat.” That comment had nothing to do with Alex Smith.
You responded to Grant with the 12:53 pm comment that I reprinted above. In that comment, you took a shot at Alex Smith.
You shouldn’t try to rewrite history on the same page on which that history is kept. It’s too easy to show what you are up to.
Pretty funny post there Tim.
Dysfunctional family R’us
: – )
Claude,Claude,Claude:
Get over it. I have explained and you refuse to accept what I wrote was not an attack on Alex. So be it,move on. But remember that In the post you say I attacked Alex I said Alex made a great play . So I mentioned off hand that Crabs was wide open and then went on to say that Walker AND Alex made a great play for the TD.
From now on I will try not to praise Alex,so you don’t have the knee jerk reaction to me being the poster and the word quarterback or the name alex being together with my name.
Maybe I deserve it for my past strong posts about Alex but I think I have always been fair to alex…I know you disagree.
Let’s just move past this and we can start over and be friendly in the future with each other …and try to remember that if I mention alex or the letters “QB”in a post it is NOT automatically an attack on Alex,even though that WAS my reputation,deserved or underserved..
…OH,and I was NOT the one to bring up Alex on this thread. And now I am sorry I rersponded to the unwarranted attacks I got when I said the OFFENSE was the weak spot on the team last year. (not Alex was the weak spot !!!).
TIM:
This is what I mean when I say you are a weasel.
I have explained and you refuse to accept what I wrote was not an attack on Alex. … But remember that In the post you say I attacked Alex I said Alex made a great play . So I mentioned off hand that Crabs was wide open and then went on to say that Walker AND Alex made a great play for the TD.
You didn’t mention anything “offhand.” Your description of “Crabs [being] wide open in the corner of the endzone all alone,waving his arms, but the QB chose the dangerous pass to the pretty well covered Walker” had nothing to do with the point made in Grant’s comment. The description served no purpose other than to take a shot at Smith.
And now you are not even man enough to admit it.
As for the “great play” compliment, that’s your MO. You regularly give backhanded compliments and then act offended that no one appreciates the compliment.
And this isn’t an isolated instance either. You do it regularly.
I am sorry I rersponded to the unwarranted attacks I got when I said the OFFENSE was the weak spot on the team last year.
This has nothing to with that exchange. Quit trying to confuse the issue.
Claude:
I always admitted that Alex should have thrown to Crabs,I have said that several times over the last couple Months. But the p[oint of the post was to support Walker. And while supporting Walker I also said Alex made a great play.
You have made it quite clear what you think of me Claude,although I think you have a rather mixed up set of values and a rather confused outlook on me and I also think you are one confused person full of hate,I still wish we could agree to either leave each other alone or even better have conversation like adults about the team. But believe what you wish about me,no matter how off base you are,and if it makes you happy then I have done my good deed for the day :)
Now do you have anything to say about the football team or do you only get off on attacking other fans ?
…see you all tomorrow.Can’t wait for Thursday !
Keep it nice folks !
Hilarious video. Too bad this kid is 28 instead of 22.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/video-brandon-weeden-uses-rifle-passing-arm-hunt-180146210.html
I think Zeitler would be a considerably better pick. He’s exactly the kind of blue collar player Harbaugh loves. He’s also been practicing at C this of-season, so could end up being a two-for-one player Konz could (OG to C), except Zeitler’s stronger and would arguably hold up better in the NFL. I still like Fleener as Grant does and would be thrilled to see him get picked, as well. He could literally add another dimension to our offense.
It’s ABSOLUTELY IDIOTIC to trade up for a player that isn’t even the consensus best at his position in the draft at a position that isn’t of immediate need for the 49ers.
Grant, there is no RATIONAL reason for this idea. Every objective analysis of the NFL Draft shows that the cost of trading up is not worth it. Teams do this when they believe that despite empirical historical data that tells them that trading up in the Draft isn’t worth it, they believe they have “the sure thing”…”they guy”.
So you’re going against 1. objective reason AND 2. it’s not even mitigated by a high end “sure thing” prospect AND 3. it’s not a position of immediate need.
The sporadic use all-caps definitely strengthens your argument.
It’s almost as bad as speaking in absolutes with regards to the draft picks.
Speaking of Absolutes, Faithful says the pick will be an Olineman or Dlineman and that’s that. No need for us to try to determine what will happen anymore. The experts have spoken.
BigP,
Where did you get that I was “speaking in absolutes”?
wow Grant, way to refute my critique of your Draft analysis and opinion. I was hoping for a professional response in which you would at least attempt to defend your draft statements. But I see that you’ve stooped to the level of a below average poster.
I really don’t want to make it personal with you and your postings. I was hoping that you would provide interesting content. I realize you don’t have deep personal connections to the players, coaches or any of the 49ers personnel current or former…which takes time to develop. But I hoped you could make up with good info and analysis born of research and understanding of the game of football (I sometimes wonder if you’ve ever actually played the game or even played a game of Madden). I generally disagree with almost all of your analysis. Which is fine if it were backed up with some form of well thought out research and deep knowledge of football, personnel…etc… But so far I’ve seen little substance from you.
I keep coming back to this blog because it was once a great place to read insider info and get experienced analysis. Now I look forward to most of the poster’s comments more than anything. I’m still rooting for you Grant to do better but you have to do better than a petty comment on the structure of my post.
Thanks for your continued support.
Define “consensus” please? Last year I recall us “reaching” for Aldon Smith, Chris Culliver, and Bruce Miller. All three were “consensus” “reaches” and many of the so called draft experts had Aldon Smith ranked well outside the top 15 picks in the draft . So I’m curious, how did that work out for the 49ers?
Consensus
1. An opinion or position reached by a group as a whole: “Among political women . . . there is a clear consensus about the problems women candidates have traditionally faced” (Wendy Kaminer). See Usage Note at redundancy.
2. General agreement or accord: government by consensus.
Come on you can do it. Think about it objectively. Is the consensus opinion of NFL analysts and scouts more often right or wrong? Of course they’re going to be wrong a significant amount of the time. But without inside knowledge (which Balke/Harbaugh may well have), would you bet against the consensus?
If the draft plays out like Cosell’s mock, the I’d trade up with New England to get Shea McClellin, DE/OLB. NE has two 1st round picks and may be willing to part ways with their 27th pick. McClellin will be a monster on the opposite side of Aldon Smith and backing up Brooks.
I’d be happy with moving down and taking Vinny Curry. I think he’s underrated. A bit of a self made player – not the greatest athlete but he just wants it more than most. In that respect I think he is a lot like Shea McClellin, but I actually think he will be the better pro.
That’s a good call Scooter. Curry’s pro day boosted his draft stock. From what I’ve seen, he’s projected as a 1st-2nd rounder. He might be a solid pickup in the 2nd round.
@tim i just find the opinion of media types who have played or coached [more the coaches] far more credible than those who have’nt. i’ve watched film with plenty of people who have’nt played and their opinions usually are drivel. i read cosells opinion on a game or a play that i saw myself and because of experience know that his opinion is based on faulty or no knowledge. where when i listen to lets say ron jaworski or john gruden there opinions are based on solid football knowledge. dont get me wrong i still enjoy most writers or radio/tv pundits but for their entertainment value not their football knowledge
fair enough Oldcoach !
I just know that some rip Cosell only as a knee jerk reaction because of his constant negative opinions about our QB and not the valid reasons you give for not believing in him.
The thing is you put all these so called experts in the same room and watch the same film you will have varying different of opinions of what they actually saw. Most people will choose the analyst that suits their views to say they are the best ones. Face it the draft is a crap shoot, you do you due dilegence and hope for the best.
Grant
According NFL Value Chart, moving from 30th to 25th would cost the 49ers their 1st and 3rd round picks. That’s too high a price for a TE given the fact that this years top 5 TE prospects are pretty much comparable.
http://www.ourlads.com/nfldraftvalue/
They are not comparable as pass catchers. Fleener is the best pass catcher in the draft.
No he isn’t. Best TE prospect, yes. Best pass catcher, no.
Yes, the best pass catcher. No. 1. He’ll prove it quickly this season, too.
No, he isn’t. He is a borderline 1st round prospect that has benefitted from a weak TE class this year.
Bet you a nickel.
Why don’t you put yourself out there as I have: Who will prove to be the best pass catcher in this draft?
Here are the top 10 TE prospects. There’s not much of a drop off from #1 to #5. Even at #10 – James Hanna of Oklahoma may be a solid pick in the mid rounds rather than reach for Fleener in the 1st and trading away a 3rd round pick in the process.
Ladarius Green and Michael Egnew look like very intriguing prospects and much safer picks also.
Coby Fleener, Stanford, 6-6 247
Dwayne Allen, Clemson, 6-3 255
Ladarius Green, La.-Lafayette, 6-6 238
Orson Charles, Georgia, 6-3 251
Taylor Thompson, Southern Methodist, 6-6 259
Michael Egnew, Missouri, 6-5 252
Deangelo Peterson, LSU, 6-3 243
Rhett Ellison, USC, 6-5 251
Chase Ford, Miami, 6-7 255
James Hanna, Oklahoma, 6-4 252
I think Egnew is an interesting pass catching TE option. He really can’t block, but as a receiver he’s quite good.
Nick, some thought AldSmith would be a reach last year in the 1st round as well.
CF would be utilized well because JH would play to his strengths. He’d be a hybrid WR/TE which just adds to his value and upside.
Grant,
You are not really putting yourself out there, you are generating more hits for the blog. Justin Blackmon will be the top pass catcher from this draft. Fleener is talented, he just isn’t the prospect you make him out to be. I feel like you try to craft your argument for a player around his 40 time.
Yes, I am, and you are not. Fleener will be a better pass catcher than Blackmon, who will be a slot possession receiver in the NFL just like Michael Crabtree, i.e. not a vertical or a red zone threat. He faced awful cornerbacks in the Big XII.
No, I answered your question. I think Blackmon will be very good. You overrate Fleener because he ran a fast 40. He is a early second round talent that you would mortgage half the draft for because he ran a 4.45 in his underwear. I have said that Fleener would be a good pick at #30, I am fully aware of his skills and I think he could contribute. I just don’t think he plays as fast as his 40 time suggests and I would not trade up to get him.
Your analysis of my analysis is wrong. Fleener’s 4.45 merely confirmed what I already knew – he’s extraordinarily fast for a 6-6 250 lb. dude.
Do you think Blackmon will end up being the best pass catcher in the draft? Why do you think he’ll be very good in the NFL? He’ll struggle to get open against starting caliber NFL corners, just like Crabtree. Hasn’t the NFL learned it’s lesson regarding Big XII wide receivers?
Grant,
So the best pass catcher in the draft was a no show against Oregon, USC and OU. Also this best pass catcher dropped more than 10% of the passes thrown to him last year, while only recording 34 pass receptions as the best receiver on his team, catching balls from the most accurate qb in the nation.
Hmm I guess their isn’t a receiver worthy of a first round grade if that’s the case.
BigP, Grant was calling for Fleener long before the combine or his pro day.
Grant,
Watch Blackmon’s games, the guy is legit. He is physical, tough and has had great production. He ran a 4.39-4.46 at his pro day. I believe Crabtree can be a very good receiver, they need to utilize him better. He is not be a blazer, but neither are any of the Packers receivers and they seem to get the job done. You even agreed with me that he would be a 1,000 yard receiver if he had Rodgers throwing to him. You said he would “easily” be a 1,000 yard receiver, every year. Is it his fault that he doesn’t? Fleener had the top QB prospect since Peyton Manning throwing to him. I think it’s strange that Fleener has never had more then four catches in a game in his entire career and had Luck throwing him the ball. I don’t really care what conference the players come from unless it’s from such a small conference that there are question marks about the level of competition the prospect faced. I expect Blackmon to go to the Rams and produce with Bradford throwing him the ball. Like I said, Fleener is an intriguing prospect. I just wouldn’t trade up in the draft to get him, I don’t think he is worth it.
I’ve watched Blackmon. Crabtree and Blackmon can both be good slot possession receivers, maybe even great ones with an elite quarterback, but how desirable is a slot possession receiver? I’d much rather draft the big, fast slot tight end who’s the better vertical and red zone receiver.
Best pass catcher will be Criner, Blackmon, Floyd, Fleener
Criner No. 1?
Grant,
I hear what your saying. I like Fleener, I just don’t think they should trade up for him. As far as slot receivers go, it doesn’t really matter to me where they play as long as they are productive. It’s really about putting the player into a position where he can produce. I see Fleener as a one trick pony right now, although he could eventually develop into a complete tight end. If they get him at #30, great. If they traded up to the early 20′s I think it would be a huge reach. I think he comes off the board a few picks ahead of the Niners, but that team will not have had to trade multiple picks to acquire him.
“I’ve watched Blackmon. Crabtree and Blackmon can both be good slot possession receivers, maybe even great ones with an elite quarterback, but how desirable is a slot possession receiver? I’d much rather draft the big, fast slot tight end who’s the better vertical and red zone receiver.”
Hmm Wes Welker seems to be a pretty good player to me. I’d probably take him over any TE in the NFL, but thats just me.
NickRow, Who do you want the 49ers to take in Rd 1?
@Jack,
I’d like the 49ers to go defense: either CB Jenkins or OLB/DE McClellin would be my choice.
NickRow, Why would you go there in Rd1? Especially when you are set at both spots for a few years.
@Jack
The Niners got lucky last year that none of their OLBs were injured. They carried only three OLBs on their roster last year. I believe they won’t do that again this year. Also, how can you pass up a chance to improve the front 7 even more? As for CB, I think a top notch prospect creates competition for the cornerback jobs
@Jack:
I am not convinced the 49ers have completely solved their pass rush issues. Brooks is average/better than average, but he is not a great pass rusher. The 49ers could stand to add a pass-rushing OLB to the rotation.
Plus, I guarantee you that Fangio would find a way to get another pass rusher on the field. Aldon Smith recorded many sacks at Missouri rushing from the DT position. The 49ers could move him inside on some passing downs to accommodate another outside edge rusher.
Finding such a rusher in this draft, however, may be a challenge.
@Claude
That is why I have them taking Bruce Irvin in Rd 2 of the mock draft I just posted about 20 minutes ago.
I completely agree with you NickRow and claude balls – we can’t rely on going a second full season without a major injury to either one of our starting DL or one of our OLBs. If (touch wood) Aldon Smith, Justin Smith or Sopoaga got hurt for any length of time, there would be a noticeable drop off to the next guy up.
I also agree our pass rush isn’t quite as hot as is being made out – it’s good, but not elite. Its not as scary as the Giants.
The quality of pass rushers drops off noticeably after the late 1st/ early 2nd round prospects. I’m not sold on Irvin – the film I’ve seen of him he appears to be a one trick pony.
Scooter, his one trick is getting to the QB.
Here is Irvin as a Junior. The sack about 3/4 of the way in looks very similar to Justin Smith last year.
http://vimeo.com/21703194
Here is another video on Irvin.
- 2011 1st Team All American
- 40 time of 4.4 at the combine
- 23 reps on bench press
- High School WR
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d828544fe/2012-Draft-profile-OLB-Bruce-Irvin-West-Virginia
Jack – I may have been a bit harsh on Irvin. I will say though that the speed rush won’t work so well in the NFL. He is strong for his size and runs like the clappers, but to this point he has relied on his athletic talents alone. He’s very raw. If he takes to coaching he could be a very good player, but for a 1st or 2nd round player I prefer to see someone that not only is athletic but also has shown they understand the nuances of the game of football. But for a late 2nd round pick, he could be a good one.
Scooter, He is so quick he is getting around the edge, that his inside moves don’t show up on film as much. He is already past the tackle before the guy can even get out of his stance. He is wicked quick.
@Jack:
I like Irvin, particularly because his relative lack of experience suggests that, with proper coaching, his ceiling could be pretty high. I also wonder what he could have done at WVU this past year if they had not played him so much at the 3-4 DE spot. That doesn’t seem to be the best use of his skills.
He may well be available at the end of the second round, but I worry that Pittsburgh, Green Bay, or Houston will snag him.
@Claude,
West Virginia runs a 3-5-3 as their base defense, and in that concept the end plays much like a 4-3 end.
I like the explosiveness out of his stance, and think he has the athleticism to excel in coverage when asked to do that.
@Jack:
I agree he is explosive. My only real concern is his size. 6’3″ and 245 pounds is small for a 3-4 OLB. That said, if his pass rush skills translate to the NFL, he could be put to good use.
Thanks Jack, good take on Irvin. I’m guessing Baalke and Harbaugh like him too as he came in for a visit. I’ve been convinced!
From what I’ve read the knock on Irvin is he’s a one trick pony. He can rush the passer – which is a very good thing – but he could be a liability in run stopping and coverage.
There are character concerns about Bruce Irvin. He’s a high school drop out and spent some time in juvenile jail. His athletic ability is above average, but his draft stock will depend greatly on how he performs in one-on-one interviews – how does he explain his past and what will he be like moving forward.
Your obsession with Coby Fleener is getting out of hand. He’s Greg Olsen without the ability to block. Similar size and 40 times.
Fleener’s faster than Olsen and just a flat-out better pass catcher, and a far superior red zone target.
How can you make that argument when Fleener has yet to play an NFL snap? They have identical 40 times and height.
LOL,How far will Eric Davis stretch to defend the status quo? He just said that even though the N.O. GM,had bugged the other coaches room “He’s not a X’s and O’s guy and had no way to relay any info to the Saints coaches”..WHAT???..If he heard “Go deep,first play of the game” by say the 49ers…that GM had no way to tell?? Eric,..what goes through that head?..one too many car wrecks.
Walker could not block when he was drafted. As it has been said, blocking can be taught.
That’s a ridiculous oversimplification. Go teach Rachal to block, or Kwame Harris…or me…
Talent can be nurtured, but if there’s no seed to germinate, watering the plant becomes making mud pie.
teaching an o lineman to block and teaching a TE to block is competely differant. it is much easier to teach a TE
I didn’t take it like that Angus. The gist of what I think Mid West was getting at is that college players can come into the NFL being weak in some area, and thru practice, get better.
Look no further than VD. He came in as a strictly pass catching TE with limited blocking skills. Now he is the best blocking TE in the game, and his pass catching skills (- playoffs) are no longer his strength but his weakness.
In the case of CR, that is completely different. Fleener’s job is not 100% blocking. CR’s job is.
Asking Fleener to block is like asking Aldon Smith to drop back in coverage. They both can be taught to do it but…. Why? Why? Why would you waste a players best asset and have him do something else? I want Aldon going after the quarter back just like I want Fleener running down the hash marks. You guys are missing the point on Fleener. He is a slot TE. You don’t want him blocking. You want him running patterns in the passing tree. This is the modern NFL TE in the Fleener mold. They are oversized receivers and match up nightmares for opposing D-coordinators. And by the way, something tells me Roman and Harbaugh already know this. Not sure why I think it, I guess its just a hunch.
Look what Roman and Harbaugh did to Virginia Tech with Fleener in the Orange Bowl – 6 catches, 173 yards, 3 TDs.
I enjoyed that game.
Cosell is knowledgeable, but it doesn’t mean he is always right.
He also has a thing for “arm talent” which I think he means arm strength. I would love to see what he thinks of Joe Montana’s “arm talent” based on his “film study”.
I like Cosell’s draft.
Personally, I think the 49ers take advantage of the deep guard class, and grab one of the top guards with their first pick. Out of DeCastro, Glenn, Silatolu, or Zeitler, the 30th pick will be one of them. I have absolutely no way of knowing, but I think the brass has them all rated as mid-to-high 1st round talents, their position notwithstanding. The NFL has changed, and interior offensive linemen get drafted in the 1st round now.
Physical with an “F”!!
Also….someone posted some really interesting stats in an earlier thread about sacks, and how the 49ers were terrible at giving up too many quick sacks (Rachal the matador…..). This pick will help address that.
I don’t see a run at CBs like Cosell is predicting in the 1st round. One of these guys will fall to the 49ers – Dre Kirkpatrick, Stephon Gilmore, Janoris Jenkins. Most likely Jenkins will be on the board at the 30th spot.
@Nick
I agree with you on Kirkpatrick and Gilmore; I would shy away from Jenkins for his off-the-field issues. I think that Gilmore will be available to us at #30, and I say TAKE HIM!
@OregonNiner:
Gilmore may not be available at #10. He won’t be available at #30.
Interesting pick at #30 with Konz. Gil Brandt has him as the #50 guy in draft and CBS Sports draft has him at #36. Would they play him at guard and then move him to center in a couple of years? It would not be an exciting pick, but could be an effective pick two years out! Hmmm.
I’d rather grab CF, RRandle (moving up), an RB and safety. We’ll know in 3 days!
Hof:
I have been meaning to ask you,is your name an abbreviation of Hall Of Fame er fan (HOFerfan) . Or is it that you really liked the old Niner’s running back Paul Hoffer ? (spelling ?)And what about the ’67 ? (year of birth ?).
@Tim
I suspect the answer is the same that is known about “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll?”
The world may never know.
Tim, don’t you remember my avatar with the great number 36 before they changed the password sign in to email? That was back in the MM days remember? Bay, Crab15, MD, and a few others suggested I change it back, but I’ve grown accustomed to my blue avatar with the sunglasses. LOL
…Old quotes from the “Godfather” and now an old commercial,what’s next a quote from Confucius? This is fun !
Yeah,your glasses have that cool ‘The Matrix’ design.
@Hofer
I can’t wait for the draft. We’re all guessing and have our favorite prospect(s). Let’s see how things shake out. I’d like to see the Niners drafting a WR, CB, RB, OLB/DE, OL, and return specialist (late rounds or as an UFA: Chris Owusu?).
Nick, it may just turn out that way. If the 9ers can get another pass rusher, imagine the pressure they could put on the QB’s in the 4th qtr especially given the schedule with the offenses they will face. Can’t wait for the draft…
You SHOULD change it back ! I loved Hofer (or is it hoffer?).
…see you all tomorrow.Can’t wait for Thursday !
Keep the conversation nice folks !
Good news for the Niners: The Rams are all-in on Big XII offensive skill players. They could potentially draft Justin Blackmon AND Kendall Wright to pair with former Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford, according to this report. http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/7425/kendall-wright
Here’s a prediction: The Rams are going to bungle this draft and finish last in the division for a few years in a row. The smart move for them would be to draft Fletcher Cox or Coby Fleener in the first round. We’ll see what they end up doing.
That would be hilarious to see them use two 1sts on WR’s. Is Matt Millen advising them?
Has to be.
The Rams will take Fletcher Cox in Rd 1.
Be careful what you wish for. The Rams almost won the division two season ago with Bradford throwing to Danny Amendola as his primary target.
If they’re smart they take Cox.
With Jeff Fisher now in charge I really think Fletcher Cox is the pick for the Rams. Fisher likes to load up on DL.
Kind of looking like Brandon Jacobs might be in some trouble. I understand profesional sports people are just like the rest of us but I would think they could maintain/control themselves till they are done with their job. There is a lot of money at stake I would think morals and eithics combined with monetary value would be enough motivation for them.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/brandon-jacobs-involved-jersey-death-race-2012-scandal-190320062.html
Anthony Dixon’s 49er prospects just improved.
Thats what I am thinking.
What are they going to do, give him a speeding ticket?
If he scores a TD they should blast Hagar, “I can’t drive 55″
Or maybe Turbin’s!
Here is how the draft will play out for the 49ers:
Rd 1 – Coby Fleener – TE – Stanford
Rd 2 – Bruce Irvin – OLB – West Virginia
Rd 3 – Marvin Jones – WR – Cal
Rd 4 – Akiem Hicks – DT – Regina
Rd 5 – Joe Adams – WR/KR – Arkansas
Rd 6 – Eddie Pleasant – S – Oregon
Rd 7 – Jeremy Lane – CB – Northwestern St
That would be a great draft.
“Here is how the draft will play out for the 49ers:”
You should say, “this is how I’d like the draft to play out for the 9ers.” Do you see the difference Jack? lol
Not bad but you needed to add an RB – OLB isn’t as high a priority.
The Niners would benefit more from another reserve pass rusher than another reserve running back.
An RB that will be heir apparent in a year, where the add’l pass rusher (OLB) won’t start over AlSmith or ABrooks. PHaralson is the backup and LGrant can play outside as well.
Instead of drafting a mid-level RB prospect, I think it’s a better idea for the Niners to get a top-level RB prospect next year.
Next year they’ll still be drafting #25 or better in the 1st round so the top RB(s) will be gone next year as well. Most teams don’t make RB a key position, but JH and staff need a productive RB for their offense that doesn’t dance and gets positive yds with each touch. They can find a very good back in rounds 2 or 3 this year.
Montee Ball and Michael Dyer will probably be available in the 20s next year.
GC, I hear you I’m just not impressed with ADix to date and the BJac signing wasn’t much. FG is a play from getting hurt and then the 9ers are in trouble. KH is solid but just a complimentary guy. An RB drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round could beat out ADix and BJac. My fear is that the 9ers are treating the RB position like they did the WR position last year.
Valid concern. I’m more confident Gore and Hunter can stay healthy and collectively share the load this season than you are.
Travaris Gooden – Appalachian St – Undrafted FA
**Cadet**
@Hofer:
I think Grant’s point is that next year’s RB class will be deeper than this year’s class.
I also wonder whether you are so focused on need that you would be willing pass on a superior player to take a less talented player merely because he plays a position of need.
That way lies the path to ruin.
Claude, I don’t think there is any right or wrong here since we don’t know who they are looking at in terms of value and who they ultimately are able to draft. A deeper RB draft next year doesn’t mean they forego picking an RB they value this year in a certain round. When BW had that spectacular draft in 1986, many of those drafted didn’t start for another couple of years yet they played in two SB’s and kept the dynasty alive. I still expect them to draft an RB possibly RTurbin in the 3rd round.
I think a guy like Michael Smith in the 5th round would be a very good option. He’d probably be drafted higher if he hadn’t been playing in the same team as Robert Turbin. As a result he becomes great value in the 5th and also has very little wear on his tires coming into the NFL. He may never be a guy that will carry the load, but I think at the least he will be a very good change of pace back.
I dont think much to my dismay that Joe Adams will be there at 5 if so that would be great. I like Pleasant at six of we still have that draft pick.
Yeah, that Adams pick probably won’t happen.
It will happen.
My mock assuming we trade down out of the first into the early 2nd round (36 – 40 pick mark) and get an extra early 4th rounder. The 5th and 6th rounders are then traded to move up into the end of the 4th, giving three 4th rounders in total.
2a. Vinny Curry, OLB
2b. Josh Chapman, NT
3. Robert Turbin, RB
4a. Greg Childs, WR
4b. Jarius Wright, WR (yes, just like Grant, I really like this kid)
4c. Mike Brewster, OC/OG
7. Sean Richardson, SS
Scooter, if the 9ers could pull off a draft like your mock, it would be astrounding! Getting close…I can’t wait!!
Scooter,
Not bad but too high for Chapman imo.
Scoot-the same WR’s are in my mock( love both of those guys )-Turbin also was in one of my mocks- Hof has been onto him all along=yes.Brewster was in one of my mocks …V Curry is a guy Hof turned me on to and your inclusion of Chapman is a great addition.Good one!
Jack, i would be jumping in joy if we could draft the players you listed. GO NINERS
Since all the cool kids are doing it, I thought I would try a mock draft. It’s not so much a mock draft (what I think the 49ers will do) as it is a wishlist draft. I tried to get maximum value from the players who I think will be available at each spot.
I envisioned two trades. First, the 49ers trade back from 30 to the early 2nd round and pick up an early 4th. The 49ers then package their original 2nd, original 4th and 5th round picks to move up in front of Pittsburgh, Green Bay and Houston in the 2nd round.
2a. G Amini Silatolu, Midwestern St
2b. OLB Bruce Irvin, West Virginia
3. NT Josh Chapman, Alabama
4. WR Marvin Jones/Jarius Wright/Greg Childs/Tommy Streeter (pick 1)
6. CB Jeremy Lane, Northwestern St.
7. Some RB to make Hofer happy
#7 made made spit out my coffee.
I sort of hope if the 49ers trade out of the first they find a sucker willing to give them a #1 next year. This year’s draft is middle heavy while next year is shaping up (admittedly, very early to speculate) to be top heavy. Two firsts next year could be huge.
@msclemons:
I would not be averse to that. I would ask, however, that Baalke make such a trade with a team he has reason to believe will be terrible next year, even with the extra first round pick.
What other compensation should the 49ers expect? This year’s third?
Depending on the sucker a 3rd or low 2nd this year. I could see the Jags wanting to jump up for someone like Jerel Worthy if they don’t take Cox at #7.
Nice one!
Might be nice to tell the average fan what position Konz plays and what college he played for and why he could help the Niners in the opening graph of your story. Thank you.
Konz can play center or gaurd out of Wisconsin I do belief. I doubt if he makes past 20. Dawg gone good ballplayer. But who really knows.
My prediction is that the WR or TE with the best career taken in this draft will be chosen in round two or three. It won’t be Blackmon, or Floyd, or Wright or Fleener. It’ll be a second tier guy like Sanu or Criner who surprises everyone and becomes a Pro Bowler.
That’s not a bad bet.My dark horse =Greg Childs if he stays healthy he could be a big time NFL receiver.
Hightop
Remember when we were worried if Frank Gore could stay healthy? I agree that Childs could be one of the great “thefts” in this draft, and might be available in the 4th round.
Oregon-yes brother, indeed!
Well said Grumpy
Konz is a 2nd tier talent. There is a wide gap between Konz and DeCastro, Kalil, and Reiff.
We could chose from a pool of Silatolu, Osemele, and Zietler who would likely be available in the second round and are closer to Konz talent wise.
I’m leaning towards Fleener with our 1st pick. He is custom-built for our offense. May biggest concern is his blocking but that isn’t what we would need from him. He, more than Moss and Manningham could be the ticket to the Superbowl.
The way I look at it is ide rather have fleener over delanie walker anyday. delanie has terrible hands and vd doesnt have the greatest either but he’s more talented.vernon davis and fleener in two tight end sets is a nightmare for oponents with our talented wide recievers and gore. Defense is only going to be better scary for who ever has to play us! ha.. plus you have 3 lineman in which are all lokking for a spot (boone just got an extension not too long ago, kilgore is very talented and could be thrown in there and ther is some other dude persing pearson or somethin like that). depth on the defense wouldnt hurt and ofcourse receiving, big time hands are needed and dont be surprised if they get a rb next year but i think Kendal Hunter and Kaepernick are the future.
*** What do you think Grant?
O yea and i think Kendal Hunter will have a huge season!
How great is it that we’re finally in a position to draft the best player available instead of drafting for need? I agree with Grant as far as Fleener is concerned. I think he would be a great pick at 30 but I wouldn’t trade up to get him. I’ve always been a big Delanie Walker fan, but Fleener would be a much better weapon and Walker’s hands have been inconsistent the past couple years.
I would be okay with Konz because I think he will be great, but I’ve never been a fan of drafting interior offensive linemen in the first round. It’s pretty easy (compared to other positions) to get a solid starter in free agency or in the later rounds of the draft.
I don’t think we should draft a halfback this year. No need just yet. I think adding depth at DL/LB should be the first priority in the 3rd round and later, but above all, we should target the BPA at pretty much every pick.
LSX
There will be a lot of overlooked RB’s going undrafted this year. Remember Blount? And we can pick one who won’t smack coach in the mouth….
marvin jones is a great fit for the niners i believe he can replace crabtree one day
I agree. I think he’ll be a better pro than Crabtree, actually.
I think Jones will end up being a mid-second round pick, which is why I don’t think he’ll end up a 49er.
If Jones is gone, let’s get Joe Adams.
I feel very strongly that Jarius Wright will be a better pro than Joe Adams. Still, the Niners need Moss insurance (backup split end) more than they need depth at flanker or slot receiver.
Adams also gives them Ginn insurance. He was one of the best return men in college football last year, in the SEC.
That’s true. Adams will be a great returner, but Wright will be a better receiver.
I really like Jones but I don’t think he would replace Crabtree. Different types of WR. Jones to me looks like a guy that will make a great “1b” WR (i.e., not good enough to be a true #1, but plenty good enough to be productive in a strong WR group). He can attack all levels of the field. I believe Crabtree is a good possession style WR and he and Jones would complement each other well.
After reading the comments my pick is still Mr. Fleener. Mr. Konz would not be my pick.
“Cosell says Robert Griffin III is a better prospect than Andrew Luck.”
Wrong. Luck is slightly better. Hard to tell. All that stuff about Luck’s arm is absolute fiction. I will say RG3 is going to a much better team and will have the better first 3 years under Shanahan.
My take? Luck is more athletic then people realize, RG3 is smarter and more football polished then many realize. They are not so different.
“Cosell calls Coby Fleener “a more athletic Dallas Clark”…”
True. Fleener is a natural pass catcher. The kicker is can he learn to block better. He must at least be able to block most safeties and occasionally linebackers, with chip blocks on defensive ends. If not, he’s just a big possession receiver. Still valuable, but not the superstar one hopes for. (I’m all for drafting Fleener BTW)
“Cossell says the word “tape” 3,000 times a day.” True.
I find myself often agreeing with Cossell, but I don’t find his opinions unique or insightful. He’s a nice guy, certainly smart enough, but tends to state the obvious that’s already a part of the internet echo chamber, frequently interspersed with the word “tape.”
Here’s an interesting thought: Brandon Weeden. This guy is would be a top tier QB if he were 22 instead of 28.
But look at the 49ers’ history over the past few years – age doesn’t scare them. While searching for a franchise QB they’ve tried to nab a 37 year old Warner, a 35 year old Hassleback and a 35 year old Manning in recent years. Weeden is a spring chicken compared to those guys.
Weeden isn’t any older than Warner was when Kurt came into the NFL and he has fantastic accuracy. He will likely be there at #30. Having missed out on Manning does Baalke take a stab at Weeden?
Very interesting. With kudos to Artie Johnson.
nope, not a chance…too much vested in all of our QB’s
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/video-brandon-weeden-uses-rifle-passing-arm-hunt-180146210.html
That would fix Crabtree’s attitude real quick, eh? A little pouting on the sideline? Football explodes the head.
LOL. Throw into his head every time he is not looking for the ball until he learns. Self-preservation is a powerful thing.
@ Clemons-
But the age issue doesn’t stand alone; Warner & Hassleback & Manning were proven NFL QBs with play-off experience. The situation with Manning was unprecedented; never before had a player of Manning’s stature gone through the UFA process. Weeden looks like a decent prospect, but it’s still a crapshoot.
I wouldn’t spend a high choice on a QB for SF. I admit that I would be intrigued if the QB from Boise State were still there at the end of round #7; he might have more upside than Tolzein.
Interesting thought msc, but not gonna happen. They’ve got 4 QB’s they like on the roster already and a chance to fortify some other positions with the best talent available.
April 23, 2012 at 5:48 pm
@ninermd,
WTF ! Mine your on business troll, and stick your nose where it belongs ! stay out off it.. I’m not defending AS nor a die hard fan of his.
Realistically you’re the comedian ! lol….. Manila boy
Ha ha haaaaaa. One season under his belt, and he’s a die hard longtime niner fan????? These new guys are a hoot! Stand down private. Aka Zito!
@Tim,
I believe you’re the one that don’t know anything about the niners ! Everytime i read your comments you have something negative to say about the team.
Only time i notice , you didn’t say Sh.it is when they were rolling with 7 game winning streak last season. You were just riding the bandwagon with the other trolls like ninermd..lol
@jackhammer 5 of your 7 picks match with mine. i make more than 1 pick per rd but we were pretty close. i posted earlier in this article
@old coach,
Great minds think alike : )
My mock last year was *one* 9er picked from TB and staff. It was KH in the 4th round. Let’s see if this fabulous mock has a match with TB and team. Good luck!
Matt Maiocco’s Mock Draft is up: http://www.csnbayarea.com/football-san-francisco-niners/niners-talk/49ers-seven-round-mock-draft?blockID=694952&feedID=2800
It’s got something for everyone:
1. OG Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin
2. DE Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati
3. RB Bernard Pierce, Temple
4. WR Tommy Streeter, Miami
5. OLB Miles Burris, San Diego State
6. SS Duke Ihenacho, San Jose State
7. WR Chris Owusu, Stanford
Interesting. I think they will draft an RB and I’ve been saying it for weeks and in my mock drafts, but I think it is RTurbin or possibly CPolk.
I like it. Especially Wolfe in the 2nd. Let that kid learn from the Cowboy for a couple of years and watch out.
@Claude
I like the Tommy Streeter and Chris Owusu picks. I’m not sure about Derek Wolfe in the 2nd rounds. If they go DE/OLB, there are better prospects IMO – someone like Irvin might be available in that spot.
Rumor has it (in NFL circles) that the 9ers will draft an RB as early as the first round. The player is DMartin Boise St. I thought they would draft an RB but in the 2nd or 3rd round. Hmmm.
which circle exactly are you a part of that makes you privy to such information?
NFL Network insight from CCasserly.
And we should believe a rumor spread to Casserly three days before the draft because …
I know, I know…just interesting since some don’t believe the 9ers will draft an RB at all this year which I disagree with.
If the 49ers let it get out that they are interested in Martin, it’s fairly conclusive evidence that they are not interested in Martin.
Unless, of course, Baalke is running a counter-counter rumor. He’s devious enough to do it.
It could be a smoke screen, but that’s what makes the draft intriguing and somewhat silly since this isn’t top secret NSA information. lol
I doubt they go RB in the first, but I could see it after a trade down. I truly believe this will be a draft of taking best talent on the board. They are in a position to do this and not worry about need.
Martin is getting a lot of love and would be the bell cow when Gore is gone in a year or two.
@Hofer
According to Gil Brandt, Martin, Lamar Miller, and David Wilson will all be available at the 30th spot. I think the 49ers FO will have a major dilemma. Here are some other prospects that might be on the board when they pick:
Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
Nick Perry, DE, USC
Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State
Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
Nick, there will be some very good DBs available also. It still wouldn’t surprise me if they went with a DL or CB with pick #30.
we all have our opinions theres about 20 so called draft experts out there who have their picks but when you are picking # 30 there is a vey good chance that we will be totally shocked by who they pick. who had ever heard of kentwan balmer before his name came out of goodell’s mouth. hell even aldon smith surprised alot of people
Yup, yup! It would not surprise me if they drafted DT/DE KReyes who like AldSmith last year, is accelerating up the board at the 11th hour.
old coach,
I think we should refer to Balmer as “he who should not be named.” What an awful pick he turned out to be. Right up there with Reggie McGrew in 2000.
How ’bout Kwame?
Without Kwame we never would have had this gem:
http://blip.tv/49ersnews/kwame-harris-lowlights-4602367
i’ve had years where i nailed as many as 3 of the niners picks but i have a feeling this yr could be one of those yrs where i’m shut out and i make more than one “prediction” per rd
I’m nowhere that good! Last draft I only picked Kendall Hunter correctly.
Glenn Coffee:
I’m sure a lot of 49er fans hate the name Glenn Coffee and think he’s a bust, but I holdout some hope for the guy. Here’s my thinking. Al Davis used to draft guys just have rights to them. If they decided to play football, they were a Raider. For as long as Glenn Coffee’s out there and young enough to play, he’s a 49er.
And I, unlike a lot of 49er fans, have sympathy for anyone who left the organization under Singletary – Al Everest, Micheal Lewis, Glenn Coffee – Singletary could burnout the brightest star. I’d end up retired in Florida wearing an orange jumper with a gun in my car too if Singletary was my head coach – and happy to do it.
Now the 49ers need a running back, Harbaugh loves a power run game, and Glenn Coffee is probably wising up a little bit thinking, “Hey, I can do a lot of good with the money I’d make playing pro football,” (if Coffee is legitimately religious – the gun made me wonder).
Now a lot of you will write or think, “Piss on Coffee. He abandoned his teammates and his organization. He isn’t dependable and his presence would erode team chemistry.” There is some merit to that. However, a team and organization must be just and fair. There must be some compassion. This is the difference between Walsh and Belicheat (besides Belicheat’s cheating). Walsh was a tough, ruthless competitor and evaluator, but he was also human. There are a million different stories of Walsh helping young players out like Jeff Garcia or John Lynch. Walsh was the perfect blend of compassion and competition, where Belicheat is a cold fish…. and a cheater.
The 49er organization would benefit from extending an olive branch to Coffee, seeing where his head’s at. If Coffee is up on a hill, legs crossed, eyes closed, in full Jesus trance, not coming down – so be it. But if Coffee misses the game, Harbaugh should do something about it. And Coffee has to see that the 49ers are going to be a winning organization for the next ten years. Championship ball is a little more fun than playing for Mike Singletary. Just a smidge.
@ Spit
I like outside-the-box thinking and this certainly qualifies. You explained your thoughts, so its interesting. My take however, is that the 9ers have moved on. K. Hunter is a better option for us anyway, Glenn’s commitment would be a question mark, and ‘Preacher’ Coffee got arrested for packing a concealed handgun! Can o worms; imo.
I agree…. I wouldn’t bring the full court pressure on Coffee if I was Baalke, but I’d at least reach out to him.
Spitblood
Would Coffee still be available for Practice squad?
I have no idea, but I don’t think you pull him off a hill, praying twelve times a day to Sidhartha, in full lotus mode, while reading the Koran and channeling his inner Trinity just for the practice squad.
Totally agree with BroTuna. Coffee had a very good chance at being backup to F.Gore. Given Singletary’ penchent for ‘smash-mouth’ football this was a ready-made offense for him.
He chose to walk away from a RB’ idea situation. Singletary did not drive him out of football, his religious beliefs did.
Hunter is much better then Coffee because he gives you many more offensive options with speed, inside running, pass catching and the occasional K.Return.
Hunter and Coffee are two totally different running backs, and the 49ers need more YOUNGER running backs. We all dread the end of Frank Gore’s career, but it’s close. Brandon Jacobs is a one year stop gap. In two or three years the running back roster will only have Hunter on it, and that’s not nearly enough. Hunter is a change of pace back, who will always require limited touches (hence the addition of Jacobs). You can’t tell anyone you know Coffee’s reasons for leaving. Just because a player says one thing to the media, doesn’t make it so. I agree, it’s a long shot, but worth a look – for the future. I won’t cost us a draft choice…
I am confident that no one in the 49ers’ personnel department, coaching staff, or front office is wasting his/her time thinking about Glenn Coffee and wondering if he wants to come back.
We shouldn’t either.
So you know the inner workings of the 49ers’ front office? Awesome. And you’re only blogger? With that much insider information, you should have an article or something….. oh wait, you don’t know any more than the rest of us…. but you sure think you do.
We don’t know they aren’t thinking about resigning Braylon Edwards either, but we can speculate it won’t happen because it would make no sense. Glen Coffee fits in the same category.
There’s hypethetical scenarios and there’s spitblood out of left field never a chance in hell scenarios.
@Spitblood:
Like you, I have no inside information. You do not need inside information, however, to conclude that the 49ers are not considering Glen Coffee as a possible answer to their long term RB needs. You just need some common sense.
First, the man made it clear that he did not want to play football any more. Second, he wasn’t good enough to want back. There was nothing special about Coffee. I cannot think of one “wow” play during his one year with the team, and he averaged a measly 2.72 yards/carry: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CoffGl00/gamelog//
That’s the guy you want back? There are dozens (hundreds?) of RBs the 49ers could sign off of the street who could come in and give them 2.72 yards/carry. Why aren’t you clamoring for any of those guys?
coffee’s attitude aside he was’nt talented he had terrible vision. he ran behind a great bama line that opened holes i could have run through. through no fault of his own he was drafted way way way to early
He was young, though, too. Coaching is important. Harbaugh or Singletary? I’ll take Harbaugh every. damn. time. The one thing you can’t teach a player is how to have a physique that withstands an NFL pounding. Coffee had that.
i agree i think harbaughs is on a whole other level than singletary as a coach but i think he is also on a whole other level as a talent evaluator and wouldnt have drafted coffee before the 5th rd
I agree with that as well, but Coffee is a resource for the 49ers and good organizations maximize resources.
I think also, though, that Harbaugh defers to Baalke regarding talent evaluation. I think Harbaugh has an idea of what he wants (see Bruce Miller), but I think he also has a healthy amount of respect Baalke – and that’s a huge difference between Singletary and Harbaugh. I think Singletary usurped Baalke’s authority in the 2010 draft – drafting Iupati, Mays and Davis where I don’t believe Harbaugh would ever have done that. Jed York came out and admitted, “Trent and Singletary didn’t see eye to eye.” I think that prompted Jed to say, “I want a GM and HC who work well together. ”
So, when you say Harbaugh would have drafted Coffee in fifth, I tend to think more that Baalke would have drafted Coffee in the 5th, and Harbaugh would have agreed. I’d be willing to bet you that Harbaugh has some say, but that he treads lightly on Trent’s draft work – out of both respect for his relationship with Trent, and Trent’s history last year.
Spitblood,
I don’t know what your affinity or connection to Coffee may be, but he will not be back. Not only did he walk out on the team (which is a mild way of saying he quit on the team), but he only had 2nd to 3rd tier talent.
A player of average talent who walked out on the team is not going to be a resource as well. His chances of coming back are about as good as Troy Smith, Nate Davis and Taylor Mays.
Sorry Spitblood, but this horse will never run.
Former Colts GM Bill Pollian said on ESPN today that he thinks there are only 20 1st-Round-Quality picks in this class. I think most years average around 23-24. We knew going in that #30 was going to be a borderline 1st/2nd guy.
” 1st-Round-Quality picks”
In a world where 6th round QB’s can become known as one of the greatest ever I have a hard time correlating ‘quality’ with what round someone is taken in.
Two things from Cosells mock;
1) Grant even Cosell considers us a run-first team why cant you accept it?
“The 49ers team profile will not likely change in 2012. Run the ball…”
2) Given that his list doesn’t take into account off field issues, personality or trades I would say that more then a mock this is really just a very decent Top 32 players list.
How do I get a fancy avatar, I have an image I’d like to use. Do I need to do it myself or do I send one for approval? I promise it’s decent.
Gravatar.com
danke
That avatar has Favre in it. That is NOT decent.
You LIED Faithful.
Sorry but anyone that can start 297 consecutive games at the QB position deserves respect no matter who they play for or how many times the sob kicked our ass.
The fact that it’s an awesome photo of two of this sports greatest legends makes it very decent imo, tyvm )
I will hate Favre forever for kicking the 49ers butts during the late ’90s
Also, the tiny weenie he sexted to Jenn Sterger makes him an all-time laughingstock.
If Grant doesn’t mind (notice I’m posting this after he’s asleep), Greg Cosell will be doing a semi-live Q&A over at Cris Collinsworth’s site on Thursday at 3PM EST.
http://www.footballpros.com
The Smithers can let him know how ignorant they think he is.