49ers 2015 mock draft 4.0

These are the picks the 49ers should make in the upcoming draft.

Round 1. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

Huge wide receiver who moves and creates separation like a small wide receiver. And even when he doesn’t create separation, he’s open, because he’s 6-5. He can catch passes over cornerbacks’ heads. He has the talent to replace Anquan Boldin as the Niners No.1 receiver in 2016.

Round 2. Shaq Thompson, ILB, Washington

The best inside linebacker in the draft. An instinctual, fluid defender against the run and pass. Thompson is too small to play “Mike” as a rookie, but he can play “Jack” – NaVorro Bowman’s old position – and Bowman can move to “Mike.” Patrick Willis started his career at “Jack,” then he moved to “Mike” when he was 26 — Bowman’s age.

Round 3. Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon State

Not big enough to be a great press-corner. Only 5-10. The Seahawks probably wouldn’t want him. But he might be the best off-man-coverage corner in the draft. The Niners defense has used that type of coverage frequently the past few years. Like Tramaine Brock, Nelson has great timing and burst to break on passes and knock them down.

Round 4. Jeremiah Poutasi, G, Utah

A powerful, slow lineman best suited to play right guard – similar to Mike Iupati. The Niners could move veteran guard Alex Boone to left guard to make room for Poutasi.

Round 4 (comp). MyCole Pruitt, TE, Southern Illinois

The Niners need a tight end who can catch. Pruitt caught 81 passes his senior season at Southern Illinois. He has long arms, big hands and he ran a 4.58 40-yard dash at the combine. He can block, too.

Round 5. Max Valles, OLB, Virginia

Had nine sacks in 12 games last season, and he doesn’t turn 21 until August. Has the frame to add 10 to 20 pounds, and the talent to become the Niners’ starting left outside linebacker in a year or two. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein compares Valles to Aaron Lynch, whom the Niners drafted in Round 5 last year.

Round 6. Thomas Rawls, RB, Central Michigan

A 5-9-, 215-pound running back who ran a 4.42 at his pro day. He’s fast, physical and agile between the tackles. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry last season at Central Michigan, Joe Staley’s alma mater.

Round 7. John Timu, ILB, Washington

A 6-0-, 241-pound linebacker who ran a 4.73 40 and put up 33 reps on the bench at his pro day. A two-down “take-on” linebacker who can play “Mike” if NaVorro Bowman’s knee doesn’t recover.

Round 7 (comp). Bryan Bennett, QB, Southeastern Louisiana

Moves like Johnny Manziel. Throws harder than Manziel. Is flat-out better than Manziel. Bennett probably will be available in Round 7 because he played at a small school.

This article has 712 Comments

  1. Great minds think alike. You have 3 of the same guys that I had in my original mock.

    1. There’s a serious problem here Grant. Your draft fills all the 49ers needs. To be realistic you need to find an AJ Jenkins, an offensive lineman or two who run block only, and pass block like a rickety turnstyle just before the shopper’s discount, Black friday, and an anti-competitive QB. Your quarterback has too much Steve Young potential and would damage Kap’s psyche. Under the York’s we’ve always had a stable of no-names…Maybe Baalke could call Cody Pickett, or somebody???

      1. I meant, just before Best Buy unlocks its front doors for the thousands of trampled 5am shoppers, going through security and rickety turnstyles like they’re not their.

  2. Nice to see Nelson there, I’m a big, big fan of him, my #5 corner. Definitely a perfect fit for the 49ers scheme.

  3. Yea, I was thinking about moving Boone to LG too. Nice draft Grant, but I’m not so sure Thompson will be sitting there for the 49ers in the second round. As far as Nelson, we don’t know how the defensive philosophy changes under Mangini if at all. Could be a fit, but not sure….

  4. Pretty good overall Grant. The Thompson pick is interesting because at first glance he appears to be too small to play ILB, and I think there has even been talk that he could be a SS in the NFL. However if he can sustain another 10-15 LB’s on his frame, he could be a good fit for the Niners.

    I might look at other options at TE and RB, but I can’t quibble much with what you’ve come away with here. Nice Mock.

      1. One of the best in the game, too bad he won’t play for the second consecutive year because of another impending suspension. MLB’s and guards are the two easiest positions to draft because of the talent pool. There are always tackles and OLB’s in college that aren’t athletic enough to play those positions in the NFL, but they often make excellent guards or MLB’s in the league. Willis and Iupati are great players, but they are also the easiest to replace. I like this mock and I love the first pick. Have Anquan get in DGB’s ass the minute the introductory press conference is over and get to work. There is no resistance to Q’s mentoring. They know that his face was blown up and that it took 7 plates and 40 screws to rebuild his sinus cavity. They also know that he returned to the field after two games. O.G. status right there, it’s time for the B.G.’s to get on their grind.

  5. Good job grant. I’d take DGB if we don’t make a move for the big 3 (cooper, white, Parker). Wr cb and lb/dl are definitely what we should target in the first 3 rounds. I actually wouldn’t mind a rb somewhere at 2-3 round either. I give you grief about getting an o lineman sometimes lol but that’s only because I think you take em too early. Regardless if these recent picks are the ones we take or not they definitely fall within the approach I think we should take going into this draft. Good job grant.

  6. Good job. Finally, DGB is the selection in the first round. Draft debates have been on-going, but ultimately, DGB is the high-risk high-reward type of WR that you want to take a chance on. Given the Niner’s existing roster, and the BPA with the 15th spot, DGB is who I would pick too. He will command the attention and attraction the team deserves, and certainly a force to drive ticket sales – makes great business sense too.

  7. Epic fail if the draft falls like that. Beckham isn’t a first rounder, Thompson has no true mastery at one position, Nelson gets way too grabby, Pruitt is too inconsistent and might be better suited switching to WR, and finally we don’t need another Aaron Lynch. Also, Bennett will be available in the seventh round because that is where his talent level is at, not because he played at a small school.

          1. Sorry dude, but I’m getting tired of repeating myself. If you the answer(s), then read the last couple of blogs on the 49ers. Skip the Warriors one.

    1. I agree. There are about 6 WRs I would rather have. This is not the right pick.

    2. Why would you not want another Aaron Lynch? He is a very talented, young player who isn’t close to reaching his potential and is cheap. Brooks and Smith could both be gone after this season. It seems like a smart choice when you look a year or two down the road. I would love to have another Aaron Lynch, we need players like that.

      *DGB may not deserve to be drafted in the first round, but 6’5″ WR’s with a massive catching radius and legit speed don’t grow on trees. The dudes talent is undeniable. I would rather sit tight and draft DGB at #15 than trade up for another prospect.

      1. Why would you not want another Aaron Lynch?

        Mainly because I think Lynch could be the starting ROLB after this season and if so would like a different skill set at LOLB if Brooks is let go.

        I’m not denying Beckham’s potential BigP, but I can’t ignore the red flags either. He has just one good year on his resume yet is said to have done a disappearing act during that season, is raw, at times unmotivated, shows no interest in blocking, isn’t aggressive enough to the ball on contested passes, and fails to utilize his legs effectively on jump balls. Beckham is a run-and-catch type of WR that wouldn’t fit with this offense but in more of a pass heavy type of offense.

        1. Dynasty

          You have your head stuck so far up your own rear it’s laughable. DGB was the top WR recruit nationally coming out of high school, his measurable are by far the most dominating in the draft, his game tape is impressive, his output was impressive, and his blocking effort and prowess impressed Greg Cosell, who I am 100% sure has spent more time watching film than you. To say DGB isn’t a top-4 WR talent in this draft is asinine.

          Just admit you don’t like that he was a pothead who might have shoved a trifling friend of his girlfriend down some stairs in the heat of the moment. If you stick to that story, you can at least maintain some credibility. But also, you should probably also do a little research on DGB’s early history and recent history, and note that he has been surrounding himself with good, family-oriented people of late.

          1. Measurements and nothing more. You and Cosell tend to loce only those.
            Beckham’s tape is average along with his blocking and output. Does he have potential? Yes, but he also red flags that don’t include his character issues. And notice that you E were the one who brought up his pot smoking and shoving of his girlfriend, not me.

        2. Mid,
          I agree about the red flags but like E said, he has been a model citizen and teammate since the incidents, despite not getting the opportunity to play at Oklahoma. Maybe a young kid learned his lesson and is ready to focus on football. Boldin is a great player to emulate and he commands respect. I think he would be a great mentor for the young man. Those are the reasons that I am willing to take the gamble despite the red flags that you mentioned, and that I agreed with you about.

          1. I agree about the red flags but like E said, he has been a model citizen and teammate since the incidents, despite not getting the opportunity to play at Oklahoma.

            That’s nice, but I’m considering the other red flags that don’t involve his character that much. I expect better numbers and play for a player of his measurements and talent has shown, especially for someone some are calling a top 5 prospect.

            1. Coach Henry along with Boldin will see to it that he adds flags of gold to the red ones….

              1. That’s assuming that Boldin is still with the team Razor. Drafting a WR in the first round round could be an indication that the team may move on from him.
                Also, Beckham would have to be used sparingly in order to acclimate to the physicality and aggressiveness expected from a 49ers receiver.

              2. besides, all of those red flags are still out on the field …where Harbaugh threw them…oops

              3. Wrong, it’s an indicator that he won’t be here next year. Why on Gods green earth would Baalke jettison the 49ers best yard stick mover? Next year sure, but this year? No way, no how….

                “Also, Beckham would have to be used sparingly in order to acclimate to the physicality and aggressiveness expected from a 49ers receiver”.

                Not much confidence in the staff’s acclimation skills I see. He’d be used sparingly but not for the reasons you cited, but because of the two veterans in front of him. Any production he could provide in the red zone would go a long way to helping this offense score TD’s instead of FG’s….

              4. Why on Gods green earth would Baalke jettison the 49ers best yard stick mover? Next year sure, but this year? No way, no how….

                Age and cap space. I don’t think it will happen, but it can’t be ruled out either.

                Not much confidence in the staff’s acclimation skills I see. He’d be used sparingly but not for the reasons you cited, but because of the two veterans in front of him.

                Boldin would most likely be in the slot leaving an opening opposite of Smith, so how exactly would he be sparingly unless he wasn’t ready?

                Any production he could provide in the red zone would go a long way to helping this offense score TD’s instead of FG’s….

                Only if he has a step on the defender and the defender isn’t physical.

              5. If you don’t think it will happen why even mention it? Doesn’t make any sense. 3 wr sets would get him on the field. The clay is there, but it’ll be up to the coaching staff to mold him and get him ready. Only? Ha! Ok….

              6. If you don’t think it will happen why even mention it?

                Because it can’t be ruled out Razor. I mean we had Willis and then Borland retire in the same off season. I guarantee that if you and I were told during last season such a scenario would happen, we’d both be asking what the person was smoking and if we could have some. Right now nothing can be completely ruled out.

                The clay is there, but it’ll be up to the coaching staff to mold him and get him ready.

                I don’t think the offense can afford to have that type of player from the first round.

            2. He put up good numbers as a sophomore. He was just getting going. You are saying you want more #’s despite the fact that you know he didn’t play much. He was productive during his playing time. He had 87 catches for 1278 yards and 17 TD’s at Mizz. He’s 6’5″ and can run. He is very talented. Everything is a risk. I’d rather take him at 15 than trade up for another WR.

              1. He had 87 catches for 1278 yards and 17 TD’s at Mizz.

                Those numbers aren’t very comforting.

                He’s 6’5″ and can run.

                Which is why I see him as more of a fit in a pass heavy offense and not a run first kind.

                I’d rather take him at 15 than trade up for another WR.

                The top three WRs are great, but I don’t think they’re worth trading up for. And there are other more polished options in the draft than Beckham.

              2. He had a better YPC and scored more TD’s as a true freshman and sophomore at Mizz then Kevin White did as a junior and senior at WV, despite having 57 less receptions.

                Those numbers should be comforting.

                He’s 6’5″ and can run. That has nothing to do with a pass heavy offense. Absolutely nothing. It’s a physical advantage over most DB’s. Period. When you combine that physical advantage with speed, it presents even more problems for the defense, regardless of the offensive system. A bigger receiver also makes for a more effective run blocker, which is important in the Niners run heavy offense. The prototype NFL receiver is big and fast. That’s what everybody wants, there just aren’t very many of them.

              3. The prototype WR is also physical and can be aggressive on contested passes. Beckham doesn’t fit either category.

              4. Mid,
                That’s simply not true. Many of his TD’s were red zone targets that were contested, he simply blew past the coverage on the others. He also shows physicality. A simple highlight tape dispels what you are saying. It seems you’re are throwing stuff at the wall at this point, it’s just not sticking. No disrespect intended, you just aren’t presenting an even mildly compelling argument at this juncture, with each of your points being countered. It is what it is, I guess.

                https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LHkWuzVscNo

              5. An ultimate highlight reel will only show the good and none of the bad on the field, so it really can’t be used for an argument or a counter. However, I can say that I see Beckham never truly see catch a contested pass. He either has a step up on the defender, is inside to where he can box out a less capable defender, or has plenty of space between him and the defender. None of those can truly be classified as contested passes or him showing his physicality.

              6. All of the red zone TD’s except one were contested. The open field TD’s weren’t because he got behind the DB. That’s what he’s supposed to do. Big receivers are supposed to box out DB’s, which he does effectively when he isn’t running past them. You are arguing about contested catches while ignoring the fact that contested catches are often a product of a lack of speed or size. Contested catches come from a lack of separation. Michael Crabtree? In the red zone, where space is limited to gain separation, boxing out defenders is the textbook method of securing the ball. He also showed the ability to go up and snag it. All good traits for a WR.
                Your ideal WR sounds like this:
                -Catches must be contested
                -Can’t be tall, big and fast because being tall, big and fast is not in anyway useful to a team that likes to run the ball.
                -Can’t box out defenders. He must allow the opposition to have a fighting chance at an interception and prove his worth by ripping the ball from the opponents hands.

              7. Jack,
                Thanks for the heads up. I was starting to feel like I did the first time I had a conversation with DS94.

              8. All of the red zone TD’s except one were contested.

                I saw only one truly contested pass and Beckham got the TD after a little pushoff. He had an extra step, was inside where he could box out a less talented defender, or had plenty of space.

                You are arguing about contested catches while ignoring the fact that contested catches are often a product of a lack of speed or size.

                That is only halfway true. Contested passes also occur when a defender is physical enough to knock the receiver off his timing or because a defender has closing speed that easily allows him to catch up or overtake the receiver.

                There are some errors in what you posted of what I think are good traits in a WR so I will correct them for you.

                Your ideal WR sounds like this:

                The types of traits that would fit with a offense in currently one of the most physical divisions in the league:

                -Catches must be contested

                Must be able to catch the ball when the pass is contested

                -Can’t be tall, big and fast because being tall, big and fast is not in anyway useful to a team that likes to run the ball.

                Can be any size or speed just as long as their skill set fits what the offense does. Speed and size a plus but not always necessary.

                -Can’t box out defenders. He must allow the opposition to have a fighting chance at an interception and prove his worth by ripping the ball from the opponents hands.

                Can catch the contested pass or keep it away from defender when his speed, ability to box out defender, or route running fails to shake defender.

              9. You’re wasting your time BigP.

                Only because there hasn’t been a good argument as to why Beckham is worth drafting with the 15th pick. I see more awe at his physique and potential than a strong reason as to why he is worth taking a chance on. I see more in Perriman, a receiver slated to be a 1st-2nd round pick, than I do Beckham. But again, I think this is all a moot point because Peters will be Baalke’s pick either at 15 or a little later in the first round.

            3. Dynasty

              His numbers were better than both Julio Jones and AJ Green at the same junctures in their careers. Then DGB lost a season. That’s it. He’s 6’5″, runs a 4.4 40 (with room to get faster), and moves smoothly in all of his game tape. You can’t NOT see that unless you have an agenda. If you truly don’t have an agenda, then look at more tape and learn more about the guy. You’re going to have to after Day 1 of the draft.

              1. His numbers were better than both Julio Jones and AJ Green at the same junctures in their careers.

                Which means what exactly? There are prospects at every position that have put up great numbers, but that doesn’t mean it translates to the next level. There’s also the fact that Green and Jones weren’t classified as disappearing acts.

                He’s 6’5″, runs a 4.4 40 (with room to get faster), and moves smoothly in all of his game tape.

                He’s also not aggressive on contested passes, a limited route runner, lazy in his blocking (appears to not be interested), and at times appears unmotivated.

                You can’t NOT see that unless you have an agenda.

                First off, that a double negative that can also mean CANNOT not. And second, I look at every prospect from the good and the bad then weigh those against each other. Finally, I also watch the tape to see if the prospect fits what the team does.

                you truly don’t have an agenda, then look at more tape and learn more about the guy.

                I have, and that is why I think he would fit better with the Patriots, Colts, Saints, Eagles, Falcons, and Lions.

              2. Dynasty

                The difference between the 2012 and 2013 49ers was Moss. If you think the team can’t use a tall, field-stretching burner, you’re nuts. Also, if you think you have even the slightest clue what type of passing offense the team will run this year, you’re equally delusional.

              3. Do I like his off-field track record? No.

                *SIGH

                Again, I am not putting any emphasis on Beckham’s character issues. If I put an emphasis on just character, then I wouldn’t have had past and current prospects with character issues, some with bigger issues than Beckham (Da’Rick Rodgers anybody) in my mocks.

                In essence, he has paid the price for what he did and it’s time to move forward.

                The only ones who aren’t moving forward are the ones who keep using the excuse that I don’t like him as a prospect because his character. (not aimed at you AES) I just don’t see enough on his tape in order to justify him being a first round. He has talent, but his skill set is more of a second round level that could push him into the third round, the latter of which I would draft him in.

                I’m hoping that CK has been in Baalke’ ear regarding drafting DGB after working with him at K.Warner’ camp back in February.

                I honestly think Baalke has already decided on the prospect he will draft in the first round and it is Marcus Peters (who I am not a fan of).

                Smelter would be a great pickup in my opinion. I’m expecting him, Dorsett, and Walford will be the draft choices for the passing game.

              4. Dude you didn’t like Roby last year because he got a disorderly conduct charge. Sounds like you only want altar boys on this team….

              5. The difference between the 2012 and 2013 49ers was Moss.

                Umm…no. Moss was a decoy most of the time and his numbers were terrible in his one year with the team.

                If you think the team can’t use a tall, field-stretching burner, you’re nuts.

                We have a field burner in Torrey Smith. And why does the guy on the opposite side of the field have to be tall?

                Also, if you think you have even the slightest clue what type of passing offense the team will run this year, you’re equally delusional.

                Tomsula, Baalke, and York have repeatedly said that they were going to run the ball more. I know it’s foolish to listen to what they said, but it’s what we fans have to go on.

              6. “Also, if you think you have even the slightest clue what type of passing offense the team will run this year, you’re equally delusional”.

                “Tomsula, Baalke, and York have repeatedly said that they were going to run the ball more. I know it’s foolish to listen to what they said, but it’s what we fans have to go on”.

                Chyrst implemented and developed the Chargers productive, no-huddle offense. In 1999, the Chargers completed the most passes (332) in 13 years, and quarterback Jim Harbaugh enjoyed the second-highest passing output of his 15-year NFL career and became San Diego’s first quarterback since Hall of Famer Dan Fouts to pass for 400 yards in a game. To

              7. Which means what Razor? Flacco had a breakout season on a run-first offense and Romo had one of his better years when the Cowboys focused more running the football.

              8. No, I didn’t like his style of play. Nice try though. If you’d like, I can go back though all of my mocks and list the prospects with character concerns that I had the team taking. They were hardly altar boys.

              9. You didn’t like his style of play, but pointed out his transgression as a component of your assessment….

              10. They ranked 5th in pass attempts and 23rd in rushing that year….

                With Muarry having close to 2000 yards on 392 attempts. Again, they leaned more on the run game last season and Romo had one of his better years because of it.

              11. The two key words there are ‘a component’. There’s also the fact that I liked Jason Verrett too.

              12. Yea I know you were a big Verrett fan, but you didn’t give his durability component the same amount of concern in your assessment as you did Robys’ character concerns….

              13. Ha! The ’99 Chargers Mid. Geep Chryst is the 49ers OC, not Linehan…

                And what exactly does that have to do with a team that focuses more on the run resulting in better QB play, especially considering that the Chargers were 18th in passing and 27th in rushing? Not really a good argument.

              14. Just a quick thanks, College football really doesn’t make waves over here, so the exchange you guys have just had is very enlightening to an uneducated chump like me! Both the positive and the negative.

                So thanks fellas, keep the draft related spats a coming!

            4. Mid,
              DGB was actually on one of my first mocks, so I have always been on board with him.
              Do I like his off-field track record? No. But I could say the same about Aldon Smith and C.Culliver who was with us last year before moving on.

              DGB was removed from the team for his off-field incident and did not play last year.
              In essence, he has paid the price for what he did and it’s time to move forward.
              If we can’t maneuver to acquire Cooper or White who are head and shoulders over the WR’ in the group, I roll the dice and go with DGB.

              I’m hoping that CK has been in Baalke’ ear regarding drafting DGB after working with him at K.Warner’ camp back in February.
              Even if we draft DGB, we could still look to draft another WR on day 2 and 3.
              A WR that impressed me is DeAndre Smelter who some here have already mentioned. Big, fast, physical, and quick off the LOS who has the ability to reach top speed after a few steps which is not always a trait that large WR’ have.

              1. This should go here:

                Do I like his off-field track record? No.

                *SIGH

                Again, I am not putting any emphasis on Beckham’s character issues. If I put an emphasis on just character, then I wouldn’t have had past and current prospects with character issues, some with bigger issues than Beckham (Da’Rick Rodgers anybody) in my mocks.

                In essence, he has paid the price for what he did and it’s time to move forward.

                The only ones who aren’t moving forward are the ones who keep using the excuse that I don’t like him as a prospect because his character. (not aimed at you AES) I just don’t see enough on his tape in order to justify him being a first round. He has talent, but his skill set is more of a second round level that could push him into the third round, the latter of which I would draft him in.

                I’m hoping that CK has been in Baalke’ ear regarding drafting DGB after working with him at K.Warner’ camp back in February.

                I honestly think Baalke has already decided on the prospect he will draft in the first round and it is Marcus Peters (who I am not a fan of).

                Smelter would be a great pickup in my opinion. I’m expecting him, Dorsett, and Walford will be the draft choices for the passing game.

              2. So you’re telling me an UFA receiver has a better chance of being great than a first round receiver?

              3. I never said that. I said he would be a great pickup but not how he would be utilized. I think he’d be an interesting developmental project.

              4. A great, interesting developmental project huh? I like DGB in the first round as better odds to be great, interesting and develop his potential….

              5. There’s a huge difference between a player being a great pickup and a player becoming great.
                Beckham may or may not be great, but I highly doubt that will sway Baalke one way or the other. If Beckham falls into the second round and Dorsett is off the board, then it wouldn’t surprise me if Baalke moved up the board and grabbed him. But it also wouldn’t surprise me if Beckham falls into the third round (where I expect him to be picked up by someone).
                One thing that is being missed here is that I haven’t said I’m 100% against drafting Beckham. It’s just that unlike most I don’t see him as first round pick or a fit for the offense, none of which has anything to do with his character off the field.

              6. AES….

                Without naming names, I have been suggesting the same thing (taking a second WR ) in later rounds. Fact is: We DO need a larger and more physical presence at WR, both sides, Boldin is aging…They are out there. Let’s not gamble that our #1, and #2 QB’s won’t get hurt also…we need a quality backup QB in around the 4th or 5th round….one who can throw short passes in the flat, crossing patterns and some deep routesto break down the ‘box’.

    1. Mid,
      Every year before the draft we get reports on players that are in the boom or bust category.
      Alshon Jeffery (who I mocked) was given a boom or bust label and so was Brandon Marshall coming out of college.

      On the flip-side, there have been players given the “can’t miss” label that have whiffed in the pros. Sometimes to reward outweighs the risk, and I put DGB in that category.

      1. Beckham isn’t the only prospect mentioned in that article AES. There are others in it sans Collins that I agree with them being boom-or-bust candidates.

        1. Mid,
          I know that DGB wasn’t the only one on the list, but I highlighted him because he was the topic of our conversation.

          If we’re going with a WR with the 15 pick I take DGB only because Cooper and White are off the board.
          Personally, I would roll the dice on Denzel Perryman with my 15th pick although he may be a reach at that spot. Also, La’el Collins is also pretty attractive at 15 if he’s still on the board.
          With quite a few needs on the team it’s hard to predict exactly what direction they will go with the 15th. Trading down could be in the offing as well in an effort to get two late picks in the first rd (?)

  8. Grant, thanks for the mock.

    Are you planning a mock based on picks the 49ers will (not should) make?

  9. Grant you and I agree on Pruitt in the 4th rd, I believe he will be the steal of the draft along with Darren Waller. I’m sticking with Marcus Peters in the 1st rd. I believe the 3 most important players you can draft are, a shut down CB, a great pass rusher and a franchise QB. You seemed pretty high on Stephone Anthony earlier what changed your mind?

    1. There’s an obscure little team up north with a secondary oriented defense that’s done rather well.

      The great 49er teams of the 80’s had good linebackers, but were also secondary oriented defenses.

      I would not want to throw against Brock, Peters, Reid, Bethea.

      The best short term cure for the ILB depth issue is a safety closer to the box. If Peters is a true “shut down” corner, that will happen.

      1. Peters isn’t athletically unique. Alex Carter is a similar athlete, maybe a better athlete, and he’s almost two years younger than Peters.

        1. Nice to see another “athletically unique” fan.

          True he’s not especially tall or has an especially fast 40. At first glance he seems a bit too “Even Steven.”

          But what I hear about Peters… he transitions from backpedal to run extremely well has great closing speed. That’s a killer combo. Makes it very difficult for a receiver to get behind him no matter how fast. The closing speed suckers quarterbacks into throwing picks.

          Add excellent ball skills and the fact he plays both press and off, and you have a very dangerous corner.

          My only concern is if he’s “mentally unique.”

        2. I like Carter he reminds me a lot of Cully he’s played tough competition for a while he went to Briar Woods near where I live and would go against teams like Stone Bridge who had John Allen before he went on o Alabama he’s well coached.

  10. Grant, Grant, Grant!!!
    Haven’t you learned Baalke loves trading around his picks; he wants more picks next year and even more picks this year. In any case, he would be wise to trade down or up to get DGB in the 2nd round, to which all other experts have the talented receiver sliding. Your other picks are fine, though I think lately Trent has begun to appreciate tall CBs, such as Dontae Johnson. Before last season, he learned the hard way with short CB liabilities. Last draft, he picked up short Ward in the first round with the intentional of having him eventually converted to Safety. With Ward, he must be feeling all the more anxious because the short Ward currently has to play as a CB, where he is getting manhandled by tall receivers like Marshall.

    1. I agree that tall CBs are needed, but where is your source that Baalke wanted Ward to “eventually converted to Safety”? We all know Ward is the slot CB to cover guys that play the slot WR position (e.g., Percy Harvin, Victor Cruz). Or are you just making sh!t up?

      1. Nothing made up. Google it, if you wish. The intention of getting Ward was not in his ability to be a good CB, but to “eventually” become a Safety with the design of having Ward and Reid working expertly together. That is a future goal. For the time being, we have the aging Bethea and we have the need for Ward to muscle up and grow more into his body.
        Now, if you don’t believe this, go ahead and google this “sh!t up” [sic].

        1. Dude, you are making s**t up! I googled 10 minutes and couldn’t find anything to indicate Baalke will will eventually convert Ward to a safety. You have no source, admit it.

          1. Matt,
            He was a safety in college and had to learn the safety positions on the 49ers. He was expected to contribute as a slot corner early in his career with the possibility of moving to safety when Bethea is done. Why do you need a source? Everybody already knew this, it was common knowledge.

            1. BigP

              Because it was media speculation, not something that Baalke actually said about Ward. Not that I don’t agree, but Baalke never actually stated that award was in line to play safety. I hope he does though, because he could be a poor man’s Earl Thomas.

              1. He was a safety in college and he was required to learn the position as soon as he became a 49er. I don’t really care one way or another. I just look at the way the Niners do business and I see him as the future FS with Reid at SS, assuming he can stay concussion free. His value right now is in slot coverage, where he is a liability if the opponent has larger receivers. I always envisioned him as the ball hawking safety, like Earl Thomas or Ed Reed.

              2. Baalke also added another note on the team’s defensive back group. Depending on matchups, the team could employ second-year cornerback Dontae Johnson (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) as a slot defender.

                “You get (Seahawks tight end) Jimmy Graham in there — and I’m just throwing this out; it’s for the coaches to decide — maybe they look at it and say, ‘Maybe Dontae’s a better matchup because he’s 6-2, good arm-length and can match up maybe a little bit better than Jimmie (Ward),'” Baalke said via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
                —————————————–
                I interpret those comments as a common sense response to the reality of the situation. He isn’t big enough to match up one on one with big receivers but he was excellent as a safety in college. At the end of the day, you don’t draft an excellent safety to be a below average corner.

              3. BigP

                Good point. The NFL this era requires its safeties to be better cover guys than in the former era where the position was a lot about laying the lumber. By sticking their 1st RD draft pick at the slot, they get usage out of him while also training him to be a great cover safety. And for all the naysayers out there, after Marshall torched Ward, the rookie had a great campaign until he was sidelined by injury.

            2. Thank you!
              I do remember immediately after he was drafted, Harbaugh praising Ward for his tackling and the “violence” in his play while 49ers reporters who were communicating with 49ers management and summarized that this later on would lead to efficient tandem of Reid and Ward as safeties. Initially, he wouldn’t be a 3 down player, but close to 50% of the snaps. Make no mistake, everyone on the 49ers knows that Ward was drafted to eventually play safety. Ironically, he may end up replacing Reid, who has become ever so fragile with his head traumas.

  11. I like DGB in the first round and overall I like your mock, but maybe you took one too many Linebackers, we need to grab a safety. Reid’s concussions have me worried.

  12. DGB hasn’t played football in over a year. He had 12 reps of 225 at the combine and his vertical leap is very unimpressive. As Stephen A. Smith would say DGB is a bonafide scrub.

    Literally laugh at people that think DGB will be successful on the 49ers. Hello Idiots he hasn’t played in a game and we’ll over a year.

    1. so just because DGB hasn’t played a year, he’s no good?
      that’s really poor logic.

      Look, Kap finished his 10-week training session in Arizona, and DGB was one of the players training there as well. Kap knows if DGB has the “it” factor or not. I’m sure Baalke will get the real answer from Kap privately.

      1. Bad example. Kaep also had good things to say about Richard Lockette, so I would take his praise with a dose of salt.

          1. Never said that, but I think any type of preliminary praise should be taken with a grain of salt. Many fans (myself included) were impressed that Patton came here as quick as he did shortly after being drafted and the previous coaching staff plus a few analysts praised him for it. Nothing has yet to come out of that praise except for injuries and a crucial fumble that kept us from being over .500 last season.

            1. Maybe that was on Patton, or maybe that was on a stubborn-like-a-jackass coaching staff that would rather play aging vets than give young guys a chance. Who won the Super Bowl 2 years ago? Oh yeah, one of the NFL’s youngest teams. Who won the SuperBowl this year? Oh yeah, one of the league’s youngest CBs. Harbaugh was a fkn FRAUD and this team will be better off under Coach Tom Shuler.

              1. Agree with you on Patton. He was hardly ever given a chance to play last year, due to all the new & newly aging prima donna WR veterans, e.g. Brandon Lloyd and Stevie Johnson, plus Boldin, Crabtree, and rookie Ellington. I think Patton has the goods, but the very few times he ever played it seemed Kap threw it in the dirt or 15 yards over his head. Patton’s whole season was tough luck..

              2. Maybe that was on Patton, or maybe that was on a stubborn-like-a-jackass coaching staff that would rather play aging vets than give young guys a chance.

                Yep, that fumble and his injuries were all on the coaching staff.

              3. Dynasty

                Do you also remember the epic catch he made as a rookie that won us a game and gave us home field? Nah, of course not.

              4. Yep, and I remember the fumble from last season and his injuries since he came into the league as well. But you’re only interested in believing that I have an agenda and blaming any and everything on the previous coaching staff. The fact of the matter is that Patton has been inconsistent and injury – plagued. Does that mean that I’ve given up on him? No, but it is what it is.

        1. With that kind of logic, why let Baalke select any wide receiver given his return to sender envelope pick of Jenkins….

            1. In the 4th Round, now it’s time to put on the big boy pants and draft a future number one receiver in the first round. Maybe you don’t think he’s up to the task….

              1. I believe so, I believe he is up to the task. Last draft he recognized the brilliance of Beckham and tried to trade up, until realizing it would take nearly all his draft picks to get him. But, he understood Beckham’s talent. 2010 draft = good; 2011 draft = great; 2012 draft = horrific; 2013 draft = good; 2014 draft = great; 2015 draft = ??? 2012 was a failed experiment when the team had no weaknesses. That year, he only took players from small schools and has obviously learned a lesson about his ego.

              2. He better be Razor. This draft had some very nice first and second round options plus some potential steals after that.

      2. He also worked with Kevin White so what. The fact that DGB hasn’t played in a year is a huge deal. That’s how you get behind in the nfl. Players that get behind end up getting cut. The nfl is a huge step up from college no matter how much athleticism or physical size you have. Combine that with the fact DGB hasn’t played in a year and obviously isn’t very smart and there is no reason to pick him. If his name didn’t have “Beckham” and “Green” in it he wpuld be so much less hyped. Even his numbers aren’t that impressive in the 2 seasons he did play. Look at Jon Baldwin he was athletic and physically gifted and he didn’t do shut in the nfl.

        1. They just got one of the best WR coaches in college football James. Might as well utilize him to coach up DGB so he’ll be prepared to take over for Q. In the meantime, he’ll have Red Zone packages where he’ll give Kaepernick the corner fade, then you two can hug it out and Bond….

          1. I haven’t been impressed with Beckham in a corner fade, especially when he doesn’t utilize his legs in jump ball situations like he should.

            1. If you haven’t been impressed by Beckham, you must have been thoroughly uninspired by Mr. Crabtrees’ effort in that regard….

              1. A raw and at times unmotivated WR that isn’t as agressive as his size indicates and would fit better in a pass heavy offense. Oh joy. -_-

            2. I hate the corner fade, its a give up route that has one of the lowest completion rates in the NFL. This is magnified when you have a qb who cant drop the ball in the bucket and throws everything on a line.

          2. If you want a red zone target it’s Funchess. He can line up anywhere. People think DGB has a big catch radius lol. Funchess 6″4′ 33.5 inch arms 38.5 inch vertical 9.75inch hands VS DGB 6″5′ 32.5 inch arms 33.5inch vertical and 9inch hands.

              1. WR- Perriman, Agholor, McBride, Davis, Hardy, Smelter
                TE – Williams, Walford, Anderson

              1. If that’s the case, why is DGB the plucker and Funchess the one who has trouble catching the ball?

    2. “Hello Idiots he hasn’t played in a game and we’ll over a year.”

      Why is it that people always make idiots of themselves when calling other people idiots on the Internet? Measure twice, cut once. It’s a good rule to live by and you could apply it to your grammar.

      1. nobody cares about grammar when blogging. It makes me look dumb when I call people dumb and spell well with an apostrophe. But still no one cares, cuz its a blog and people have lives and grammatical errors on 1 out of 183 comments is just not that important to most people. But for you I can see it is. Why comment on bad grammar in a blog that’s about the 49ers?

        1. Because you called everyone and anyone on this blog that doesn’t agree with you an idiot, that’s why. And yes, grammar does matter, on a blog or anywhere else that you want people to care about what you have to say. And, especially when you are questioning another persons intelligence.

        2. James,
          You referred to people as idiots, yet due to your grammar, you are the person that comes across as being one. It’s both ironic and funny. I like how you capitalized idiots, that’s a nice touch. It’s almost like you thought you were capitalizing somebody’s name.

  13. Shaq Thompson is a Joker, in the way that Honey Badger was a Joker coming out of college. You could question where he fits (I did), but you know he’s a baller. I wasn’t a fan of HoneyBadger due to his previous immaturity, but he’s done fine personally and on the field. So maybe Thompson is that guy. It’s hard for me to spend a 1st or upper 2nd as just an ILB candidate due to his size, but if SF has the vision to see him in that role I won’t gripe.

    1. Daryl Washington- 74″- 230 lbs – 4.58 Forty – 17 reps Bench – 31″ Vert
      Shaq Thompson- 73″ – 228 lbs – 4.64 Forty – N/A Bench – 33.6″ Vert

    2. I we going to trade with PHI at 15. They take Armstead at 15. We will draft Perryman he is essentially Chris Borland but stronger.

      1. Unless we trade with KC. They will take Perryman, then we will pick Johnson from Wake Forest at 18. Sadly, Johnson is short and skinny, might not last beyond two seasons.

  14. Grant, it’s difficult to know what the 9ers draft needs are, without
    knowing how players coming off 2014 injuries are responding! players like Bowman, Thomas, Williams, Dorsey, Hunter, Kilgore, Ward, etc.. will determine positions the 9ers need in the draft. Any insight into how they’re responding would be appreciated!

    1. Yea, not the time of year for that type of information. It’s all about disinformation right now. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain as Brotha would say….

      1. Razor: You trying to say, who you going to believe, me or your lying eyes? Grant may have strong opinions but he can pass along what he’s seeing on the practice field!

        1. Grant is in the same boat as the coaches right now….

          Per NFL rules, the 49ers’ coaching staff will not be allowed to work with Kaepernick on the field until the third week of the offseason program.

  15. If trade opportunities never develop and “high ceiling – high floor” players are gone at 15, the choices seem to be.

    – “Reaching” for a solid but unspectacular player
    – Drafting a “high ceiling – low floor” guy

    If we’re willing to take big risks like DGB or Peters, why not make a far smaller risk trading back a few spots?

    Baalke never trades back in the first, but multiple “high ceiling – low floor” players screams trade back.

    The roster 2011 to 2014 had fewer holes. “Secure the prime need day one” strategy made sense. Not so much this year.

    The exception is Peters. If the scouting dept. thinks he can be a true “shut down” corner with a low portability of being a lunatic, grab him at 15.

  16. That’s a good mock. My only change is selecting Stephon Diggs in the 4th instead of the TE. Diggs would give us a dangerous return game. And he’d be our quickest slot receiver.

  17. Has the team even worked out or visited with DGB? They are being neglectful if they are not even looking at the guy. Seems like a potential Megatron to me.

    1. It’s my understanding they’ve put him through a battery of psychological tests and plans have been made to meet with Jack Byrnes as part of an impromptu lie detector test….

      1. Razor, just let Jack Bauer administer the polygraph. If DGB can handle that kind of scrutiny, he’ll probably be worth the pick.

    1. I am no fan of Armstead, nor of Oregon’s potential for NFL superstars. Armstead is big and strong with lots of “raw, untapped potential.” Those qualifiers mean nothing to me. I prefer people who can play the game and know how to be in the middle of every big play. Armstead is young, but his learning curve is younger. I’d pass on him in the first round, if not also later on.

  18. Older Baalke quote about the AJ Jenkins pick was noted by Maiocco this morning.

    “It ended up being a bad decision. I think what you learn from is that to consistently stay with your philosophy. So much of what we do is based on scheme and fits. We’ve always said that there are certain characteristics we look for in players. Sometimes you make exceptions. When you make an exception, what do you learn from those exceptions?”

    1. “When you make an exception, what do you learn from those exceptions.” The most important lesson to learn is the reason for making that exception. It might actually have been valid. In AJ’s case it was not. Always felt TB was a smart guy, and smart guys can learn. The problem is that smart guys who make the types of mistakes he makes are not making them for lack of ability to reason, rather because there is an emotionally based blind spot. Going back and relying totally on methodology will not solve the problem. He really needs to get away from that buy taking some calculated risks. Take risks but let them be based on reason rather than impulse. The impulse being an eventual reaction to the restrictive methodology. Become active rather than reactive.

      1. Wo hoss! It is not as though Trent Baalke has not been great at his job. 2012 was a luxury draft, for which the 49ers had not holes on offense or defense. If ever there was draft to mess up without too much harm, 2012 was that draft. As for his others, he’s been good, great, and getting better. I hope I don’t have to remind you that his selection of Taylor Mays in 2009 was not his mistake, but a highly pressured appeasement for coach Mike Singletary. Some, but not too many mistakes in the other drafts.

        1. FolkWolf: Baalke Great! In what reality do you live. It wasn’t just in 2012 that he didn’t have too many holes to fill with a lot of extra picks to burn. The problem is that he burned too many picks during those years and the Niner’s went from a team with few holes and a lot of picks to today when they have a lot of holes and less picks to fill them with. These sort of transition in such a short time is not the sign of a Great GM. What he will or can develop into is another issue, but he certainly was never a great GM. He just has made too many unnecessary dunder-headed moves. We went though that issue plenty of times before and I just don’t feel like rehashing old issues. I didn’t see you posting on this site in his defense when it was being discussed. Should have done it then if you wanted to paint him as a Great GM. No one was willing to go that route then. Your unsubstantiated opinions of Good and great ( minus the 2012 ) ) for his drafts mean diddly with out substantiation. If they were so good why does the team have so many needs now?

      2. I heard Baalke talk about drafting players to fit a certain scheme and mindset in other situations. He noted specific properties like size, competitiveness, natural football instincts, athletically unique.

        My take on his comments above is that he was dazzled by AJ Jenkins positive qualities like speed and route smoothness, without making sure he had 49er traits like physicality, competitive nature and natural strength.

        Look for the next receiver to have size, physicality, a competitive nature and strength.

        Even Ellington (though short) has these traits relative to slot guys.

        Makes guys like B. Perriman and Jaelen Strong a logical choice.

        1. B2W- Jalen Strong!!!!! i was strolling down to mention him somewhere…..and i seen you beat me to it! Good job!
          Watching some tape on him yesterday, he’s in the news due to his injured wrist ( its healed, needs no surgery).
          Guy looks like a young Boldin that runs a 4.4!
          I would have no problem trading back a few spots and taking him.

  19. I like this mock as long as we trade back and get DBG in the mid 20s.
    Grant, In previous articles you emphasized the need to replace Iupati in the early rounds . Is that no longer the case?
    What about a back up safety?
    I’d like to see the niners draft a P or K late to replace Lee/dawson and clear some cap space.

    Ill be curious to see the development and recovery of B Thomas, acker and reaser .

    1. He will not be there in the Mid 20s,got to get Him where he is,@15 you do know KC is picking after us, and if he is thereafter we TRADE back it will be a waste to come up empty cause KC will be lying in the wait ,you can bank on that.

  20. I like the first five picks. There are others I prefer, but I’d be good with those picks. I see after knocking Agholor for not having a big day against a “nobody” in Nelson you’ve come to realise he is indeed a legitimately good player in his own right. I really like how competitive he is. And you’ve included the only TE other than Williams, Walford and Funchess that I think are worth drafting in the first four rounds – Pruitt had great production and is a fantastic athlete as he showed at the combine.

    After round 4 its a bit “meh”, but then I’m not sure how you make late round picks sound anything but “meh”.

    1. Couldn’t help but notice the about face on Agholor also, but I’m used to it by now….

      1. He wasn’t referring to an about face on Agholor, he was referring to the about face on Nelson.

    2. Thanks.

      Steven Nelson is really, really good. He got the better of Jaelen Strong.

      1. Yeah. I mentioned him a couple of months ago and I think it may have actually been you that said you didn’t think much of him, but maybe I’m mis-remembering. I like him, he’d be a good late 2nd through 3rd round pick.

    1. Another person getting on board with my four potential elite prospects at pick #15!

  21. Here is my unrealistic “no excuses for Kaep” mock draft:

    Step 1. Draft DGB in round 1
    Step 2. Draft Devin Funchess in round 2
    Step 3. Draft Donovan Smith in round 3
    Step 4. Draft Cameron Artis-Payne in round 4
    Step 5. Focus on D with the next four picks (4b. Jake Ryan, 5. Kyle Emanuel, 6. Darryl Roberts, 7a. Tory Slater)
    Step 6. Draft Chris Bonner to back up Kaep with pick 7b.

      1. Yeah, that was my thought process. I think I’m borrowing that idea from someone else though – from memory I’d seen another blogger suggest those guys as potential round 1 and 2 targets.

        1. Scooter

          That would be the only way we could find a dependable passing game…interesting take….

    1. Here’s the Ugly Gorillia problem with the early selections of your mock. Colin Kaepernick is mentally-challenged when it comes to going through his progressions, e.g. scanning multiple receiving options. Perhaps Warner & Co. changed all that and made Colin a better QB. Perhaps, maybe, but not likely. Until I see it, I would bet against it. This past season, Colin had numerous superstar receivers in Vernon, Crab, Bolin, Stevie Johnson, as well as Patton and Ellington. What happened was his worst season ever. It seems the more talent he has to throw to, the worse his throws become. So, how is your youthful mock draft going to fix Colin, if he also has to contend with the egos of receivers who want the ball?

      1. Take a breath dude.

        First off this was meant in fun – I don’t think this is what the 49ers should do – and as the first line specifies it would be a “no excuses for Kaep” type of draft. If he can’t make an offense work after adding these players to what they already have he’ll never make it work.

        Second, I think your comments re: the superstar receivers they had last year is off the mark. It became pretty clear the receiving core wasn’t as good as advertised as they couldn’t stretch the field and didn’t create much separation. There is a reason Crabtree took so long to find a team, and it wasn’t because of Kaep. Davis was injured and looked out of it pretty much all year. Johnson was an ok #3. Lloyd didn’t offer much. Boldin was once again the only real consistent performer.

        1. Scooter

          I disagree with your assessment of both Stevie and Brandon LLoyd; both of them gave the best they had for not being thrown to….

      2. Folkwolf; You just answered the question I had about your previous post of Trent Baalke. It is obvious you did not really watch last season so you would be able to observe the games objectively because you had your head stuck firmly up Tent Baalke’s rear. It explains your simplistic perspective of the role of a GM. You are obviously one of those simpletons who can not put more than a few concepts together so you find the simplest explanation possible that doesn’t require too much thought. It’s all the QB’s fault.

  22. Do we have a QB that warrants a first round WR? If we do I sure hope he shows up this year. Do we have a defense that is somewhat lacking in the front, the middle, and the back. Do we have a RB that can get that “1” yard, that 4th and inches game on the line? Along with the left guard position the center is still not a settled position.

    I believe if Justin Smith was going to retire he would of done it by now. He isn’t the type of man that would leave the team hanging.
    Wayne is the best CB in the draft, he plays hands on that has to change.
    What if Mariota does an Aaron Rodgers – Do you grab him?

    1. I agree with you regarding Justin. I’m wondering, though, if anyone has seen any pictures of Justin going through OTAs.

    2. He isn’t the type of man that would leave the team hanging.

      Tomsula gave the impression that they will wait for Smith’s answer but have been preparing the past few years for when he does hang it up.

      1. I read what Tomsula said and that’s a good thing. On the other hand I see him salivating, and knowing this team still could make a Super Bowl run. If CK can have the kind of year most of us expect of him and the defense shines this team could go a long ways into the playoffs. I think he sees that. If he doesn’t I do:)

    3. Okay, I’ll bite…

      To date, Kap has not shown the elite QB ability to make his receivers better. His lack of strong progressions reads, touch passes, check-downs, and throwing open his receivers means his receivers end up “playing down” to Kap’s level. Brady, Rodgers, Brees, Payton, and yes, even Wilson on his scrambles all make their receivers perform at a higher level. Thus, mid to low-round WR draft choices and UFAs end being dependable and even elite receivers.

      While logic says the Niners should draft a high ceiling WR (like DGB) at #15, will Kap take him to the elite level or bring him down? That’s why I am for drafting a high ceiling CB, at least he will be joining a solid front 7, who can showcase his shutdown skills.

      1. Kezarsplinters; You still have splinters from Kezar? Perhaps you should pull them out since they seem to be affecting your brains ability to function properly.

        Lets just for arguments sake assume you are correct in your assessment of Kaep not making his receivers better. You would still advocate not drafting a top receiver to compensate for and improve our passing shortcomings. Far be it to acquire a #1 receiver who would make Kaep look better and elevate his play. You would prefer that they draft a CB who would really look good behind the solid defensive line. So lets not focus on our weakness but shore up our strength.

        Sounds more like you don’t want to improve the offense so that you can continue to use Kaep as a target to blame things on. Pull those splinters and remove that pressure on your brain.

  23. I think this draft will answer the question if Baalke lacks confidence in drafting WRs in the first round. His confidence may be returning but I think he still is not all that comfortable. To support my position I’d point to Torrey Smith and Boldin as free agent pickups. OTOH, he did look at trading up for Beckham last year which is encouraging.

    If he does pick a WR in the first round, I think he will trade up, if necessary, for one of the “safer” WRs available (Cooper, White, Parker and Perriman) assuming that one of these four is available at a slot that won’t cost the farm. Cooper and White will no doubt be gone early so the likely tradeup candidates would be Parker or Perriman. DGB has huge upside but is relatively risky. OBJ would have been a relatively “safe” acquisition last year and Baalke considered him. I think that viewpoint applies this year and that will leave DGB out. Also, with DGB I am somewhat concerned that he missed a whole year of football. I’m hoping Kaep will provide some insight at least with regards to his work ethic.

    1. cubus: With Harbaugh gone Baalke might take an approach we haven’t ever seen from him. I am hoping it will be for the better. I think this will be an important year for Trent and I for one am giving him a clean slate. Everything is different so I want to go into the season with as little a negative carry over as possible. As much as TB was a negative for JH, JH also had a negative impact on Trent as well. Lets see what Trent can accomplish with JH gone.

    1. I think it’s the exact opposite. If he was going to play he likely would have said so by now. There’s no benefit to him or the team by taking so long to decide.

      1. That could go either way though Rocket. Smith could very well be sitting until it’s as close to the new season as possible in order to keep his self fresh or he could could be waiting to see what the team looks like after the draft.

      2. rocket…

        I’m afraid that I have the same read on ‘Cowboy’ as yourself….does this remind anyone else of ‘BY’s” retirement…?

  24. You call Thompson the best ILB in the draft but this is your fourth mock and only the first time you’ve listed him; did you only just come to this conclusion or when you made the other mocks was it under the assumption that the 49ers wanted the second or third best option at the position?

    I also notice and correct me if I’m wrong but the only player that shows up on all 4 of your mocks is the late round QB project Bennett. I’ve got to say that doesn’t show a lot of conviction in your previous mock draft selections, outside of Bennett at least.

    1. It’s strategy CFC. Grant has named over 30 different players in his mocks which means he can say he called it when the Niners ultimately take a player he mentioned in one of them.

      1. That’s straight from the Mike Mayock how to be right about every pick manual.

  25. Cosell would take Mettenberger over Winston
    NFL Films guru Greg Cosell said Wednesday that he’d pick Zach Mettenberger over Florida State QB Jameis Winston.
    Rotoworld: Greg Cosell: If Mettenberger were in the draft, he’d take him over Winston and Mariota
    “Greg Cosell said last week that he also prefers Winston over Marcus Mariota, so it’s safe to say Mettenberger would be Cosell’s top QB if he were in this class. “Mettenberger and Winston are very, very similar in style of play,” Cosell said. “I’d argue Mettenberger is more advanced as an anticipatory thrower and has a little bit better arm.” Mettenberger (6’5/224) and Winston (6’4/231) are about the same size and both are pocket passers with limited movement skills. They also both ran pro-style offenses in college. The Titans will face the decision to have either Mettenberger and, let’s say, USC DL Leonard Williams or Mariota or Winston.”

    1. Agree with your takes the four players you examined. Sums up how I feel about all four guys.

  26. Nice Mock. Just don’t through a hissy fit again when none of them get picked. We have 2 extra picks this year and 3 next year. It’s the year we move some picks to get into the top 10 with Cooper WR being the target. Then we’ll go for an ILB like Dawson in the 3rd. .We’re not picking a WR that will likely bust or an OL in the 1st after stocking up last year

  27. Green-Beckham shows the ability to make the plays underneath with YAC and also be able to blow past the defense. If he has his act together he can really be special.

    1. When he has space. No space has equaled an incomplete pass or being dropped instantaneously. He hasn’t a consistent effort in breaking tackles despite his size.

  28. Devin Smith from Ohio State said on the radio that he felt that the Niners were really interested in him. Said though there visit went really well. He could be a trade back candidate.

        1. I do. There are a lot of WRs I think are ahead of him. If he doesn’t last to #46 then so be it. No way the 49ers should use a first rounder on him, even if they trade back.

            1. Yeah, I meant I don’t think he is a guy you would even trade to the back end of the first round and take. He should be a mid 2nd round prospect at best.

              If the 49ers are interested in him, I would expect it is as a 2nd rounder.

          1. A few months ago people had Devin Smith sneaking into the first.

            Then he seemed to disappear, especially after Torrey Smith was signed. He ran a slightly disappointing (for a designated “burner”) 4.42 at the combine. He was off everyone’s radar.

            Now we are hearing his name kicked around again.

            The 49ers need an all round receiver like Parker or Perriman, but what if Devin Smith falls? He’d be a nice BPA snag.

            Yes, he’s a one trick pony. But one thing stands out from his highlights. At the end of contested long bombs he keeps his footing while the DBs fall like bowling pins. Mike Evans has that quality times 10.

            Devin Smith is no Mike Evans. Totally different body. But its rare for a guy running full speed to keep his feet after 40 yard receptions. He plays big.

            Imagine the deep threat Torrey Smith, Devin Smith and a refreshed Vernon would represent. Boldin or Ellington in the slot. Single back formation.

            1. I didn’t understand then why Devin Smith was being touted as a potential first round pick, and nothing has changed since.

              He’s a big play WR, but nothing in his college film provides strong evidence he will develop into a more rounded WR in the pros. He’s a big time projection as anything more than a deep threat. A good #2/ #3 option though.

              1. Yup. Third round would be a good spot to grab him. This is too deep of a draft class to use high picks on a specialist.

              2. I’d be ok with Devin Smith in the second. He’s a playmaker who needs some Coaching on his route running. Lot of talent to work with here and we could do a lot worse.

              3. I like Devin Smith, but he definitely is a one trick pony at this point. He’s just so damn good at that one trick, though. He’s a player that you would love to have but his skillset might be redundant with Torrey Smith on board and a strong running game.

      1. How is Devin Smith saying he thought the meeting went well a smokescreen for the 49ers? Or do you mean the 49ers meeting with Smith?

          1. Hmmm, I wouldn’t be surprised if the interest is genuine, but as I’ve said elsewhere, as a second round (or even 3rd round) option.

  29. Scooter here is the order I think your top 20 WR’s will get selected;

    1. Cooper
    2. White
    3. Parker
    4. Perriman
    5. Beckham
    6. Strong
    7. Agholor
    8. Coates
    9. Lockett
    10. Dorsett
    11. Greene
    12. Smith
    13. McBride
    14. Hardy
    15. Bell
    16. Crowder
    17. Diggs
    18. Lippett
    19. Conley
    20. Davis

    1. That sounds about right CfC. I wouldn’t expect too much deviation from that order.

    2. Thanks CFC. Well thought out list. If Smelter was healthy, where do you think he’s be?

      1. Based on Scooter’s list, in the order I put them I think he’d come somewhere in the 13-17 range.

        I’m a big fan of Smelter. He’s a low risk high upside pick. Someone will get him in the 6th round and put him on the pup. Let him learn the offense and continue to rehab that knee for the first season. Let year two be his rookie season.

    3. I think Beckham slips down past Strong and Agholor while Coates has a free fall due to his drop ratio and his limited route tree running. I also think Smith could get drafted earlier than expected. The one to keep an eye on is Dorsett. His tape is in between good and great, but he’s done everything right from his time at the Senior Bowl to the present.

  30. Best case scenario for we have all kicked around… an “elite” player falls to 15. The 49ers can pick him or trade back for high value.

    The 49ers will need a little luck. We could get a sign early. If a team trades up to #2 for Mariota, the Raiders might pick Leonard Williams. That bumps White or Cooper down, and the ripple effect begins.

  31. After the Beckham pick everything falls off the table for me,

    Your going to pick an OLB in the 2nd round to play inside? You can’t afford experiments in the early rounds of 1-3. Those Picks should be “Plug & Play”

    That’s why the 3rd Round Pick of CB Steven Nelson doesn’t make sense either. No question the 49ers need Corners but you don’t wait until the 3rd Round to select one, particularly in this Draft. If the 49ers are going to select a Corner with Value it should be in rounds 1 or 2 where you will find it.

    1. Thompson certainly would plug&play in the Nickel defense as a rookie. If he can’t handle Jack as a rookie, he can take that spot his second year like Bowman did.

      1. Thompson is faster than Kendricks, so good coverage potential, but is he a better ILB prospect?

    2. Selecting a 4-3 WILL to play the weakside ILB in a 3-4 is very common. The positions are very similar.

  32. I’ve seen this comment a couple of time, but seem to be having selective memory. Once again I’m surprised. From Rotoworld:

    “Torrey Smith dropped 18.33 percent of his catchable targets last season.
    Smith had the second-most drops (11) among receivers despite ranking 50th in targets (89). He was only outdone by Mohamed Sanu, who dropped 14 passes on 97 targets. We like Smith’s new landing spot for the 49ers’ offense, but Colin Kaepernick’s shoddy accuracy isn’t going to benefit Smith. Anquan Boldin should remain the go-to target in the middle of the field, on third downs, and in the red zone. Smith may be more of a decoy lid-lifter just to open up the field.”

  33. Here’s something interesting regarding the likelihood of a team drafting a player that had a pre-draft visit with that team.

    “Bleacher Report’s Mike Tanier, then of Sports On Earth, reviewed the 2013 draft visitation process and noted that of the 495 recorded Pre-Draft Visits, only 33 players went to a team that brought them in. While the information isn’t based on a perfectly comprehensive set of data, the results are clear enough: only a small number of players brought in for a visit will actually go to that team.

    Tanier found 6.7% of players in the 2013 draft went to a team with a visit. Using the same methodology, we see that of reported 501 official 2014 visits, teams selected 38 players with invitations, or a rate of 7.6%.”

    Note that this doesn’t include unofficial visits.

    http://www.patspulpit.com/2015/3/22/8275269/do-official-nfl-pre-draft-visits-mean-anything

  34. Helmet Head just did his 3 round mock for each team and while I can’t post the whole thing, here’s what he drafted for the Niners:

    Round 1 (15) DE Arik Armstead, Oregon
    Round 2 (46) LB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi St.
    Round 3 (79) WR Stefon Diggs, Maryland

    I’m not sure if all the draftnicks have had a conference call to decide the Niners first round pick, but this is getting ridiculous. Armstead is size and potential, with little on field production. I can’t stress enough how bad a pick this would be based on how little he’s shown and the players they would be passing up to take him. I can’t see Baalke making this pick, but if he does I’d be very disappointed.

    McKinney makes some sense obviously, but he’s not going to hold up in coverage which makes him a likely two down player. I think there are better options at the ILB position that would fit the scheme better.

    Diggs in the third would be a big time reach imo. There’s a number of WR’s I would take over him going into day 3, nevermind day 2.

    Let’s hope Mel continues his trend of not being anywhere close to right on his projections.

    1. I’d be extremely disappointed with all three picks if that was how it went down. I don’t like Armstead or McKinney as prospects much, and Diggs is a 4th rounder at best for mine. What is Kiper thinking?

      1. Don’t go there Scooter. You might never come back if you delve into Kiper’s mind.

  35. Anybody see Kiper’s latest mock? Here’s who he had the 49ers picking:

    Round 1- Arik Armstead (of course he does)
    Round 2- Benardrick McKinney
    Round 3- Stefan Diggs

    Here’s the writeup
    “At this point, I’m not banking on the return of Justin Smith, and while we added Darnell Dockett, he’s going to be 34 in May and is coming off a season lost to injury. Armstead is a player with star potential if we can develop him, and I think he represents good value in the middle of Round 1. (It wouldn’t shock me at all if he came off the board inside the top 10.) The retirements of Patrick Willis and Chris Borland open up a void at inside linebacker, and while McKinney is limited in coverage, in our system I think we can do a decent job of limiting exposure and letting him do what he does best, which is tackle. He’s a true thumper who will make hay against the run. While Armstead needs some seasoning, I think McKinney is ready to play right away. Diggs adds some explosiveness in the passing game and offers some depth behind Torrey Smithand Anquan Boldin. At this point, we don’t know what we have in Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington, but it makes sense to add some competition. We also have a need at guard, but there are some good interior lineman who will be available with our next pick”.

    Can someone please explain to me the love affair these “experts” have with putting a d-lineman with the 49ers in the first round yearly and with Armstead specifically. I mean, I get the potential he brings but do these guys really see a first rounder in him because I don’t. And the highest Baalke has gone on a d-lineman was for Tank in the second round and that was only because he fell due to injury. To me, if you’re going to spend a mid 1st on a raw prospect you might as well spend it on Dorial Green-Beckham. At least he’ll give you some TDs while he learns on the job.

  36. Alex Carter is a sleeper. He is bigger, faster, quicker, more explosive, he has longer arms and bigger hands and is almost 2 years younger than Marcus Peters.

    1. True but his play on the field doesn’t match up to Peters. Peters is a baller Carter is not.

        1. I’m not disputing that Grant. Just saying one guys production and play was clearly superior to the other, and if I’m a GM, that is what I’m focused on.

      1. I’m not saying Carter is better, just that he’s a sleeper. Opposing offensive coordinators schemed around him. He wasn’t targeted often.

    2. I really like Carter. I’d be happy with him in round 2 or 3.

      But Peters is a ball hawk – excellent at making plays on the ball. Carter is not.

      1. True, but Baalke seems content to get corners who aren’t ballhawks. Culliver made zero picks his junior and senior year. Rogers made 8 picks in 6 seasons with Washington. Shareece has made just one pick in his career, etc., etc.

        1. Sure. I’m not arguing against taking Carter, as I said I like him. To be honest he reminds me of the type of CBs the Steelers typically look for – big, good in zone, keep the play in front of them, and good in run defense. Also happens to be the type of CBs the 49ers have looked for in recent times.

              1. I wouldn’t be surprised if Carter ends up with the Bears. He and Fuller would make a good tandem.

        2. Every secondary could use a ball hawk, and the 49ers could have used one when it was drafty….

  37. Here’s 2 sleepers for you Grant:

    Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DL, Southern Mississippi

    Craig Mager, CB, Texas State

    1. I like Mager’s physicality. Good in run support. I think he’d make a good nickel/ dime back.

    1. “The physicality you see from Peters all too often feels out of control and reckless, and it will cost him big at the next level where officiating is more strict.”

      “Had the 55th-ranked coverage grade at CFF, even when limiting the list to only draft eligible players this year.”

      1. “There really isn’t much to separate this cornerback class, and not just among the Top 5 group. You can go 10, 15 players deep and still find yourself watching players that look very similar in ability to the top of the class.”

        Not saying I agree. In actuality I have no idea. But it is food for thought.

        1. That’s what I see from the incoming CB class as well. There is not difference between the cream and the milk this year.

  38. My Draft Plan for TB:

    Rd1: Trade back a few slots to pick up draft capital and then draft CB Marcus Peters, who will still be available around the #20 pick.

    Rd2: Use some of above trade capital to trade near the top of the 2nd round and pick Maxx Williams

    Rd3: Stephone Anthony. Probably goes early in the 3rd, so we may need to move up a few slots. Size, Speed, and gets to learn from Bowman – nuf said

    Rd 4 P1: Dezmin Lewis. Small school, big upside.

    Rd 4 P2: David Cobb. A power running team kind of back.

  39. Titans and chargers likely to trade on draft night. Titans to trade the number 2 pick for rivers and the 17th pick.. Reports are the it’s very probable. Trade won’t occur until Titans are on the clock. All this confidence in mettenberger is a smoke screen.. Whisnhunt wants rivers.

    1. As much as I’d like that move for the exciteent factor on draft day it’s a hard one for me to believe. That trade is a “win now” kind of move. Do the Titans really feel like they’re poised to make a run, do they feel like their window is now and all they need is a veteran QB to take them over the hump? I doubt it. Rivers is not a long term answer at QB. Many were thinking he might hang it up this past season given how much his play dropped off. Plus, there are plenty out there that think Rivers lacks that ability to win the big game. Anyway, to me the Titans aren’t ready yet to pull off this kind of trade, they are more then just a QB away from leading their division and the #2 spot can be better used either by selecting a player or by making a trade that gives more picks.

      1. Whisenhunt is not worried about draft picks.. He needs to win now so he has a job in 2016.. He loves rivers.. Fits his style QB.. Rivers can play at a high level for another 3-4 years.. I can tell you who will get him fired and he knows it would be mettenberger..

      2. Let me retract the statement “given how much is play dropped off.” That was not only not correct but not what I meant to convey. Since 2010 the Chargers have been riding River’s arm. He was averaging around 465-470 attempts per year before 2010 and has since averaged closer to the 540 range. The team has been grinding him down. Does he really have 3-4 good sesaons left in him? Are the Titans a better overall team then San Diego? Can he switch systems take on new receivers and still have the same level of success?

        A young building team like Tennessee only hurts themselves by trading a high pick on a veteran QB that may or may not actually help them. The only concession is that at least they’ll still have the #17 pick. Mettenberger doesn’t need a year to sit, his problem isn’t development as a QB it’s health. Would surprise me to see them make a trade that doesn’t involve Zach going to a new team.

  40. Grant, after all the love you gave him the past couple seasons where do you ultimately see Hundley being drafted? What team can best use him?

    1. It doesn’t matter. He’s going to fail. A beaten down prospect who got worse every year. Too bad.

    2. What team can best use him?

      Whichever team that can have him sit while developing for a year or two.

  41. Local Pro Day attendees:

    http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/49ers-Local-Pro-Day-Roster-Includes-Stanfords-Ty-Montgomery-Henry-Anderson-Texas-Nate-Boyer/678ba8fd-3b6f-4479-9915-b88ce05083b2?campaign=social_20150416_43952006&adbid=588806237522759681&adbpl=tw&adbpr=43403778

    I note that Andrus Peat is not on that list. Grant, didn’t we have a conversation about whether Andrus Peat and the 49ers would meet at their local pro day? I guess there is still a chance he just shows up to meet with the 49ers rather than participate, but wouldn’t hold my breath.

    1. You don’t have Montgomery on your list but if you did I’d have him drafted in the middle of the list. I don’t like him but he’s got a lot of buzz that he’ll go higher then he should.

      1. Interesting, I’d not heard about the buzz. I think he’ll get drafted around the 5th round.

        1. Maybe it was just the fluorescent lights in the background while I was reading profiles on him. Buzz is probably not the best way to say it. When I first looked into him I remember reading “sources” that suggested teams were high on him and that he could be a late day two pick. I had a hard time imagining that.

          1. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Seahawks add him in the late 4th round. He reminds me of a Percy Harvin/ Cordarrelle Patterson type player, and the Seahawks need a PR/KR.

          2. He looks the part getting off the bus but he’s a pr/kr specialist for the first year or two and maybe for his entire career. He needs a lot of work to become an NFL receiver. He shouldn’t go higher then the 5th but he probably will.

  42. With Peters and B. Perriman now hot commodities, a few mocks have Trae Waynes falling to 15.

    I like him at corner, but I think he’d make a great free safety. He’s light at 186 lbs, but he plays bigger. His range would make a good fit for Baalke’s “control the middle” approach. Could go like Lott’s career path… CB first, then safety.

    To everyone that knows about DBs… am I barking up the wrong tree?

    1. On second thought, I’m backing off Waynes at Safety. Have to remember… think before type.

  43. Maiocco suggesting the 49ers are interested in a corner either day one or two, with a subtle indication Peters might be the apple of their eye. I’m starting to think Peters is a smokescreen….

    1. I agree with Maiocco’s take that a CB will be drafted on day one or two. I’m still thinking Peters is high up on their list of targets.

      1. Let’s rule out Baalke trading up due to cost and holes, plus the value he puts on picks. Let’s also assume Waynes is gone. Collins could have been the guy they were genuinely interested in while visiting LSU, while the headlines screamed Alexander/McGee. Just like a magician, slight of hand, and the lovely assistant Coach Henry providing valuable Intell….

        1. I like Collins and think he’d be a better fit, but Peters feels too much like a guy Baalke would target and Mangini would prefer.

            1. Meeting lots of early round WRs and lots of early round CBs. I’d be very surprised of the 49ers come out of day 2 without having added a WR and CB.

              1. I’m not sure what you mean? As in what are my thoughts on the potential round 1 CBs for pick #15?

              2. I think there are 3 CBs that wouldn’t be aout of place being picked at #15 – Trae Waynes, Marcus Peters and Byron Jones. Of those, I think Peters and Jones are the best fits for the 49ers.

                Jones reminds me of Desmond Trufant.

              3. Second day, I’d expect the 49ers would be looking at Nelson Agholor, Devin Smith, Phillip Dorsett, Sammie Coates, Devin Funchess and Tre McBride. DGB too if by some miracle he falls. Maybe Jaelen Strong if he falls too.

                Of those (not including DGB and Strong as I think it is highly unlikely either is available), I’d be happy with Agholor, Smith, Dorsett, Funchess (assuming they want to play him in the slot/ flex TE role) or McBride. Coates not so much.

                I don’t think the 49ers will look at Lockett, Greene or Hardy, even though I’d rate them in that group.

              4. I like Rashad Greene better than Agholor, Smith, Dorsett, Coates, Funchess and McBride.

              5. You think Agholor will be there? If so, hell yea! Peters or Jones and Agholor would be A+. If he’s not available, I’d probably prefer Smith over the others….

              6. Grant, do you think Baalke would draft Greene? I just don’t think he fits the type of WR he is after. Too frail.

              7. Agholor I don’t know, razor. Certainly getting some buzz as a potential first rounder now. I’m just being hopeful!

                Of the others, my pick would be Dorsett or Smith in round 2, or McBride in round 3. Actually I’d rather McBride in round 3 than Dorsett or Smith in round 2.

              8. Hmmm, I just don’t see it happening, Grant. I think he’d only go for someone smaller than say Agholor/ Smith if they brought something electric to the team like Dorsett.

              9. The Niners need a future No.1 receiver. Dorsett definitely isn’t one, and neither is Smith.

              10. McBride accounted for almost 40% of his team’s total receiving yards, Grant. Comparing him to Greene (32%) needs to take that into account.

              11. Greene had at least one concussion that I know of, a bruised knee. If he’s going to make a living over the middle from the slot, he better save his money….

              12. String bean. He won’t last in the NFL. His speed is average, and he’s not a blocker. Body catches a lot too….

              13. Meeting lots of early round WRs and lots of early round CBs.

                The one thing that I have noticed is that the team is meeting with WRs that are classified as deep threats or have the potential to become deep threats.

              14. OK. Greene is a better prospect than McBride.

                I can’t really agree with that Grant. McBride is tougher, faster, and has shown the ability to catch anything thrown his way. He’d be a great heir apparent to Boldin. If they draft Dorsett and then McBride, we’d have one hell of an awesome aerial attack to go with the run game.

              15. Greene creates much more separation than McBride. Greene is one of the best route-runners in the draft.

              16. I agree with Grant on this one. I like what I see in Greene more than I do with McBride. More polished route runner and for all the questions about his speed, he didn’t seem to have problems getting open.

              17. Just to clarify, I like Greene too, and I also rank him ahead of McBride (I have Greene as the #9 WR and McBride as #12). I wasn’t trying to suggest he can’t play, just that I don’t think he’s the type of WR Baalke will be after. I think he’ll want a more sturdy player.

                Greene measured in at 5’11”, 177 lbs at his pro day, and he’s not overly fast or quick. That doesn’t sound like the type of WR that fits the Baalke mold to me.

              18. He’s the same size as Shareece Wright. Baalke just gave him $3 million. I asked Baalke if he considers Wright big, and he said yes.

              19. Wright is over 180 lbs. Greene added some pounds for the combine but was unable to keep them on by the time his pro day rolled around.

                I also think it is a given that big WRs are bigger than big CBs. Greene is small by WR standards. 177 lbs would put him as one of the lightest WRs in the NFL once he is drafted. Even Paul Richardson who is rail thin is bigger than that.

                Do you see Greene’s 177 lbs frame providing much in the blocking department? I don’t. And while I am not suggesting run blocking is a big reason why you draft a WR, on a team that runs the ball like the 49ers the WRs need to provide one of two things – a threat to get deep which keeps the DBs further back, or a physical presence that can help block the way for the RB. Greene provides neither.

              20. I’m not worried about his frame. He’s exceptionally tough and durable, he’s fearless over the middle and he finds the soft spots in zone coverage, he has exceptional hands, body control, instincts and intelligence and he’s an exceptional route-runner. He is an outstanding receiver.

              21. I think you are over-stating how good he is. He looks a good prospect, very smart WR that runs good routes and knows how to get himself open, with good hands. But I don’t see an ‘exceptional’ or ‘outstanding’ player that will convince Baalke to draft outside the mold, unless he were to fall.

              22. FSU’s all time leader in catches and yards. He is a baller.

                Baalke’s mold has yet to produce a single good receiver. Maybe he should ask Adam Henry for advice.

              23. He’s got a well rounded skill set, but he doesn’t have any elite traits that scream number one receiver. He just doesn’t have the frame, length or strength Baalke will look for. What he does have is spatial awareness, with some elusiveness in the open field to be a solid two or three receiver in the NFL someday though….

              24. I’m really trying to avoid the argument of whether Greene is a good receiver. We’ve discussed this before, we both agree he is good. I don’t think he’s as good as you suggested earlier with the exceptional and outstanding superlatives, but he’s definitely good.

                Perhaps Baalke should ask Henry for his opinion, and I’m sure he will. But Greene isn’t the only good WR in this draft. How the WRs are ranked by each team will not just be based on talent but also come down to fit. Does Greene fit the 49ers offense? I’m sure if they took him he’d find a role, but he’s not what I’d consider a good fit.

                If he develops into an Antonio Brown or Emmanuel Sanders then of course he would be a good fit despite his size. There are always exceptions. But I’m not thinking Baalke will bank on Greene being an exception like those guys.

              25. My guess is Baalke would be more apt to be asking Coach Henry if he can teach Coates to catch the football consistently, improve at high-pointing the football and gain separation more consistently as a route runner, because he has the NFL frame Baalke covets. Ceiling would be star and his floor reserve backup….

              26. If Coates can be taught how to run routes well and catch the ball he could be something special with his combo of size, speed and agility. Big ifs though.

              27. When you go out and hire one of the best coaches at the wide receiver position, you want to utilize him, and give him a guy like Coates in the late 3rd or early 4th round and see if he can get him there….

              28. To be honest I disagree with that statement. You don’t hire good coaches and expect them to work miracles. You expect them to take good players and make them better, and make average players decent contributors.

                Sometimes it just doesn’t matter how good the coach is though. Is Coates a good coach away from being a good player? Maybe, I can’t say with any certainty. But I have significant doubts that someone that drops as many as he does and has such a rudimentary understanding of how to work himself open without relying solely on speed will be transformed.

              29. Scooter:

                In 2014 Sammie Coates drop rate was 19.1%, while Torrey Smith’s drop rate was 18.3%.

              30. Scooter, if Coach Henry said he can’t work miracles when asked about Coates, I believe that would be the end of the discussion.

                TO was a split end. TO had suspect hands. TO was built like a god. I guess one has to ask himself, could the 49ers take a roll of the dice in the late 3rd or early 4th round on a possible TO?

              31. Cubus, Torrey Smith’s drop rate last year was concerning, but in previous years he’s not been anywhere near so bad. Smith is also a superior route runner to Coates.

              32. Greene creates much more separation than McBride. Greene is one of the best route-runners in the draft.

                It doesn’t matter how much of a good route runner Greene is if he doesn’t have the speed or strength needed to negate his small size. A short WR with a 4.5 40 time that can be outmuscled won’t last long in the league.

    2. Its in the 49ers interest to make at least 15 players seem “elite” to get better trade value.

      Not saying Peters isn’t elite, but it might help the 49ers for more teams to know he’s elite.

    3. I don’t think so Razor. They met with him at the Combine, his Pro Day, and brought him in for a visit. He also would be a fit for a Mangini run defense.

  44. Does anyone know how many of the past first and second round selections came in for visits prior to them being drafted?

    1. Eric Reid is the only Baalke first round draft pick they didn’t meet with prior to the draft. However, there was strong rumours they really liked him at the Senior Bowl (with Walter Football going so far as to designate Reid as a player the 49ers were “very interested” in).

      So, history suggests the guy they will draft in the first round is someone they have met with.

      1. The news that the Niners met with Ward didn’t come out until after they picked him.

        1. Yeah, but they did meet with him. Good chance whoever they pick in the first round this year they will have met with too. As to whether we will know about it beforehand is another matter.

      2. Harbaugh had tried to recruit Reid to Stanford and had spent a lot of time with him and his family during that process. If the team didn’t in fact meet with Reid in a private meeting that was never discovered then they were probably going straight off of film and Harbaugh’s experience with trying to recruit him.

        For the team to draft someone that they haven’t met with my guess is that it would require a special circumstance similar to Harbaugh’s experience/history with Reid. How many players has Tomsula spent recruiting? Probably safe to assume they’ll be drafting players that they’ve sat down with. The only question becomes how much can you rely on the idea that the visits that have been announced are the only ones that have happened.

  45. Kind of seems to me take the ones that are projected for first maybe real early second into a pool, and wa la there’s your man. Check out for need and BPA should narrow it down. Now after saying this Baalke will cross me up and choose someone they didn’t meet with.

    1. “Wa la?” That’s so wrong that it’s kinda cool.
      ; >)
      Seriously, if you ever want to watch a French person’s eyes bug out, type it that way. Or if you’re with them in person, pronounce it (loudly) “Waahhh -Laaahhl!”; and give them a robust slap on the back.

      1. Hey Bro lol, from your comment it appears like I need an education in the world of wa la, care to enlighten me. :)

        1. Under-
          1st & Foremost: Thank you for taking the tease in the spirit offered.
          I believe the term you seek might be:
          “Voila!”
          You obviously understood the context just fine.

  46. Britt McHenry temper tantrum while paying to claim her towed car:

    https://vid.me/n4mn

    The person she verbally abused was the poor clerk at the window. “Lose some weight, baby girl.” Hopefully her last recorded words.

    1. She’s going to get a chance to use that college degree for something besides berating tow lot employees.

    1. Rotoworld is reporting that:

      “Bucs officials tell the Tampa Tribune that the civil lawsuit filed against Florida State QB Jameis Winston on Thursday will have “no effect” on their draft plans.
      In other words, they weren’t caught off-guard. Winston is being sued by the woman he was accused of raping in December 2012. Winston was never charged in the case.”

      1. We here know all too well the trouble that false accusations cause, but I read what this woman said happened. From what I read (sorry, don’t remember where) I understand the difficulty in prosecuting the case, but I am NOT really OK with the situation as portrayed by the accuser.

        1. My question was more with regards to how it will impact his draft stock. But it looks like the Bucs are saying that it doesn’t have any effect on their draft plans. I wonder if that’s because Winston isn’t in their draft plans.

        2. Also, since it is a civil suit, I suspect the outcome will be a monetary settlement that subsequently prevents all parties involved from speaking about the case.

      1. It’s cleaner than the cure for what I accused the Niners offense of being last year: constipated.
        I wish I could remember who to credit, but in the last couple of days some gabber on NFL.Net or ESPN said something to the following:
        -The days of thinking you can win by playing small ball and big D is OVER. You have to score to win.-

    1. Grant: I admit to not having followed Reggie Bush’s career. But what makes you think he still has his combine speed from nine years ago?

    2. The article would have been good if you had just talked about Torrey Smith and what he brings to the offense, but you kind killed it’s impact by including 30 year old back coming back from an injury plus a troubled WR that is more likely a backup at best and and TC fodder at the worst.

    3. Grant

      Great piece.

      How much of the “tough” template is Baalke/Parcells, and how much was Harbaugh/Schembechler? And more to the point, to your knowledge, has anyone in the press corps ever directly asked Harbaugh or Baalke why, with unlimited access to Walsh practice archives, the team’s offense has never looked like a Walsh offense since HarBaalke took over?

      Maybe you can take up the mantle of championing a return to the offense that made the 49ers the 49ers. It’s high time.

    4. Good article Grant. Another addition that could help the offense improve would be to have a healthy Anthony Davis.

      1. They definitely have incorporated more speed into the offense that’s for sure. With Bush it’s all about whether he can stay on the field. If they give him 6-8 touches a game I think he could be a nice weapon.

    5. I am not convinced that CK can make that pass to the check down receiver with any consistency.

      1. Me neither, but I’m hoping that his work this offseason will help convince us otherwise.

      2. Kap did quite well with completion percentage in the short passing game. The bigger question is will the game plan include more designed throws to the RB’s. That was not a big part of the scheme under Harbaugh and Roman.

  47. CFF has an analysis of the offensive tackle class:
    https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/04/13/cff-sig-stats-offensive-tackles/

    They grade them in two categories — pass blocking efficiency and run blocking efficiency — and list the top guys in each category (top 12 for pb, top 10 rb).

    Here are the players on both lists:
    Chase Nelson, Toledo (3 pb & 9 rb)
    Andrus Peat, Stanford (5 & 10)
    Ereck Flowers, “The U” (12 & 2)

    Nelson, they say, was “quietly one of the best right tackles in the nation.” I’ve looked on the web for him but all I can find is something on nfldraftscout, whose link I will post next.

    Anyone able to add something about him?

  48. Re our top pick in the draft, I ask myself who’s likely to see the field this year barring injuries. On offense, it would be OL and RB. On defense, OLB and CB, but only if the CB is the shut-down type. Now wondering if Peters is in that category. Thinking that, if he’s not, and if Gurley or one of the top pass rushers doesn’t fall, the pick will be at OL. Boone’s projected leaving is another consideration. The sexy pick would be WR, but we have solid starters there, plus don’t forget Simpson. Watched him again, and he’s amazing, and has shown he can win against NFL defenses. Can’t say that about anyone coming out. Also there’s Ellington. If we draft D. Smith/Dorsett and Smelter, that’s all we need going forward. Suspect Patton will be traded or released.

    1. I think it’s one of —
      — Peters
      — Gurley
      — One of the top edge guys
      — An olineman (maybe Peat)

      1. Yes, it really supports the idea that inconsistent OL play was a large reason for the poor offensive performance last season. Further, Kaep is not an elite enough player to make up for that inconsistency.

        1. cubus, I assume you mean that Indy’s situation was worse and they made the playoffs with Luck?

          1. Yes, an elite QB can coverup problems with OL consistency and to a degree mitigate the effect of team injuries. I’ll post some statistics regarding injuries in the next week or so.

            1. Agreed. That’s one reason Walsh never drafted an OL in the first two rounds.

              1. Harris Barton and Bubba Paris 2 Walsh Draftees. Keith Fahnhorst and Randy Cross 2 first rd picks who Walsh didnt pick but they started for him for many years.

              2. Bubba Paris was chosen in the 2nd round, 29th overall.

                But your point is right on. A quick release quarterback can hide a multitude of pass protection problems.

                Walsh also had a contrarian advantage. His offense required smaller, quicker linemen with quick feet that could pull wide. Other teams didn’t covet these players, so they were usually available in later rounds.

      1. Yes. Nice to have two guys doing evaluation… one studies strictly film, the other gets his info from a little film and a little media buzz.

        Also nice that’s its not NFL Network screamers campaigning for or against certain players.

        Pick 46 will be a pickle. There will be sure thing running backs. Almost sure thing receivers. Nothing close to sure thing 3-4 ILBs worthy of a pick that high.

        1. As you know, so much of this depends on how they feel about their current players. For example, if Hyde ever went down, do they think Hunter could step in? If not, second round could be where they pick one.

          1. I agree. You often hear people say “they picked a [position name] in the [number] round last year. They won’t do that again this year.

            I don’t see the reasoning. The depth behind Hyde is injury prone or old. I’m fine with taking advantage of a very good running back class.

            If they alternate snaps, Jay Ajai and Hyde could attack defenses with physical running, but still have log careers. Ad if Hunter held together all the better.

            1. There is something I am trouble imagining, though: Their suiting up four RBs for a game. What do you think?

              1. Hyde, Hunter and Bush would suit up in the early part of the season. The rookie only if he had ST value.

                At some point one of the three will get dinged up. Remember last training camp? We were overflowing with running backs. Even tried to stash Winston on the PS. Yet towards the end of the season, we completely ran out. CK was handing balls off the backs I never heard of.

              2. Rotating depth is a major component of being a physical team.

                With Bell Cow Gore gone, the offense should be rotating more. A physical back to compliment Hyde is just the ticket.

                I’ll miss Fangio, but I’m expecting Mangini to rotate all of Dorsey, Williams, Tank, Dial, TJE, Dockett.

  49. Just don’t see Baalke taking a chance on DGB…at least not in the 1st rd. I get he’s big, has good speed and all. But, is he a guy you can trust…that’s the big question. He’s still fairly raw…has issues vs big CB’s which he’ll face every week in the NFL. I can see Baalke taking a WR, but not him and not necessarily in the 1st rd.

    Shaq Thompson’s a freak athlete/player…but he’s not stout enough to take on the blockers he’d face at ILB. He’s arguably better suited to play OLB in a 4-3 or S. He’s had trouble keeping weight on…not a recipe for ILB. The pick for ILB is Stephone Anthony.

    Nelson may have trouble in the NFL because he struggles to cover receivers he can’t keep in front of him. The off-coverage you refer to is best suited for the Tampa-2 scheme, which the Niners don’t play. That’s per NFL.com draft profiles…that NFL scouts, GM’s and Personnel guys contribute to. They also think he’s a 4th rd pick. Options: take one of the top CB’s earlier, unless Baalke’s ok with letting a guy like Nelson develop…not usually what you’d expect from a 3rd rd pick. Another option: DE Henry Anderson.

    Poutasi’s another guy who’s arguably not ready to start in the NFL…he’s big, but has to learn leverage and how to sustain blocks. NFL.com draft profiles rates him a 5th rd pick. NFL player comparison: Mike McGlynn.

    1. Barrows: “Trent Baalke says Carlos Hyde is down into the mid 220-pound range, his lowest weight since early in college, and looking “extremely good.””

    1. Regarding QB, Baalke said ” “I think right now our coaches are enjoying the fact that there are two (quarterbacks) because those two are getting a lot of coaching.”

      I thought coaches were prohibited from working with players for at least the first couple of weeks of OTA??!

  50. Maiocco: Baalke comment on Justin’s possible departure affecting draft plans:

    ““It doesn’t make a difference,” Baalke said. “We’ve addressed the plan internally. We know what we’re going to do regardless of what he chooses to do. And feel good about that plan.””

  51. Takeaway number 9 from Baalke’s press conference (as per http://www.chatsports.com/san-francisco-49ers/a/17-Takeaways-from-Trent-Baalkes-Predraft-Media-Session-1-11350619):

    One of the most fascinating comments from the GM touched on overall draft philosophy. “We want to be big,” Baalke said as a rule of thumb in selecting new players. “We want to be physical. You’re going to give up speed at times, but we don’t want to give up too much… We want to be built for late-season play.” Baalke went on to say that size isn’t everything. There are certain players who are worth making exceptions for but they have to be exceptional.

    This isn’t new, but worth keeping in the back of the mind when thinking about players the 49ers might draft. It is why I don’t think Rashad Greene or Tyler Lockett will be 49er picks, as both guys are very small but I don’t see either guy falling in the “exceptional” category to convince Baalke to make an exception (unless they fall a ways of course).

  52. 7. Baalke raved about the fitness of Carlos Hyde. The second-year running back is down to 220 pounds, which the GM said was his lowest playing weight since college. Baalke added that Bush, who was signed to give the 49ers versatility out of the backfield, hasn’t lost a step by any means. The 49ers have drafted a running back in seven-straight drafts dating back to 2009, but perhaps this year they stand pat due to the depth on the roster.

      1. why not mid? ’cause he’s 6’2 and not 6’5?? ’cause he runs a 4.4 and not a 4.3????

        the guys looks like a freaking boy builder while most of his peers look like string beans. he’s got #1 written all over him!

  53. i was watching footage on prospects last night and came away thoroughly impressed with Shelton’s size and explosiveness. Creates a ton of pressure for a big man( i thought they said he had 9 sacks last year) and seems to have the stamina to chase guys all over the field , defiantly a three down guy. He could play any spot on the D-line, like a joker, drive offensive coordinators nuts!

    if there’s any chance of landing him at #15 and Jalen Strong in the 2nd……i’d be jumping for joy!

    1. Should have already been posted as another thread, but Grant is too busy with his man crush on Greene….

    2. Was it a video recorded press conference? Always nice to get tone along with the words, especially if he says “our coaches are enjoying the fact that there are two (quarterbacks) because those two are getting a lot of coaching..”

      Don’t want to have any CBA issues.

  54. This will be the year that Trent Baalke finally drafts a wide receiver in the first round.

      1. I did one a few weeks back which included 3 of the top 4 picks in the mock Grant did here: Beckham, Thompson, Poutasi.

    1. agreed. no real elite talent here. guys with speed are too light, others are just too slow. Dont see any rookie taking the job away from Whilhoite, so we mine as well wait till next year.

  55. Just watched DeAndre Smelter’s games against Clemson and Georgia Southern that Draft Breakdown recently uploaded. He’s going to be a mid to late round steal for some team. Might not play this year due to the ACL injury he suffered at the end of last year, but he looks a guy that is worth stashing for a year.

    1. Shows natural receiver instincts, even though his focus was baseball up until a few years ago. He’d be the perfect understudy for Boldin. Too bad he may have to sit out a year.

      Snag him with a 4th rounder?

      1. I don’t think Baalke has the luxury of drafting anymore ACL injured players that have to sit out a year before playing. Maybe if and after the injured guys from last year’s draft Brandon Thomas, Reaser, Acker, etc., actually contribute this year and make a difference somewhere he could justify doing something like that again, but so far his ACL experiments (Lattimore) have contributed zilch to this team. If the only WR Baalke picked out of this strong class was one that can’t even play this year I’ll lose my S@#T!

        1. There’s no way in hell Helter Smelter goes in the 4th round. If he was healthy maybe….

        2. Smelter should absolutely not be the only receiver taken. I’d lose my sight too.

          Give the redshirt program time. NFIs get an extra year added to their contracts. This is their “real” rookie season.

          Overall – Name – How they are doing
          40 – Tank Carradine – Looking good. Might start next year.
          100 – Brandon Thomas – Hasn’t started actual rookie year
          131 – Marcus Lattimore – Out of football
          170 – Keith Reaser – Hasn’t started actual rookie year
          180 – Kenneth Acker – Hasn’t started actual rookie year
          245 – Trey Millard – Hasn’t started actual rookie year

          Lattimore is the only redshirt out of six that we know didn’t make it. He was an extreme long shot.

          Tank looked good the last three games. Gaining 25-30 lbs and moving inside made him a two year project. Baalke’s mistake was activating him in 2013. They lost the extra year on his rookie contract.

          1. He very well could be if Baalke decides to wait and see if Patton can stay healthy and break out this upcoming season.

          2. That would be the first question I’d ask of Baalke. What was the thought process that went into activating Cornelius in 2013 as opposed to waiting and thereby retaining that extra year?

            1. Me too.

              Tank was a two year project because of the radical position switch. He had to recover from the ACL, then gain a whopping 25-30 lbs to move inside. The 49ers only have him two years before he’s FA.

              That makes me see the value in “right now” players like Cooper. Teams get a full 4 years production + 5th year option for first rounders.

          3. Brodie, rookies that miss a year due to injury do not have a year added to their contracts. The players are signed to a 4 year deal and they are paid in each year of that deal.

            What happens if they miss their rookie year due to injury is the player does not accrue a year, which means at the end of their rookie deal they have only accrued 3 years not 4. This is important as it means they are a RFA, not a UFA, at the end of their rookie deal, so the team can keep them relatively cheaply for an extra year on a RFA contract.

        3. im sure he’ll take at least one injured red shirt guy, but not 4 or so like in past years

      1. Agreed Mid.
        A little surprised that D.Smelter has gone somewhat under the radar. He is a big, fast WR who explodes off the LOS to reach top speed after a few steps.

        I don’t recall seeing his name mentioned on Walter’s Football 2015 WR list. Is there a reason why the football talkingheads have been very low-key on him?

        1. A late season ACL tear with a vague timetable to return may have something to do with it AES.

  56. Thinking out loud here, now that Gurley has checked out medically, would the Vikings trade away Peterson and select Gurley at 11?

    1. Razor

      They SHOULD, because no team should be paying a RB $13M, but this is the Vikings we’re talking about, so they probably won’t.

      Also, I know he received a lot of hype before getting injured, but Gurley is not Peterson, nor is he Lynch. RBs not named Peterson or Lynch should never be drafted in the 1st Rd in today’s NFL.

      1. Lynch wasn’t Lynch either until he left Buffalo!

        point being:you never know who the next big star is, and you’ll certainly never find out without rolling the dice!

        1. Correct, and I think it important for some to remind themselves that opinion however strongly felt is just that- opinion, not the absolute.

    2. Why not? The Vikings could trade Peterson for a pick. Trade 11 back for a 2nd or 3rd. Still get Gurley in the mid first.

      Or they could bundle Peterson with their 45th pick to go way up into round one. Keep the 11th pick for an elite player. Use the extra first rounder on Gurley.

  57. Here’s my 4/18/15 Mock (but likely not my last).

    1. La’el Collins – OT/G LSU. 49ers not only grab arguably the best Tackle in the draft, but make a strong statement that keeping Kaepernick upright is key to their success in 2015 and beyond.

    2. Denzel Perryman – ILB Miami. Size and combine numbers not great, but a tackling machine who is instinctive and a proven productive commodity. In a word; Ball’r!

    3. Chris Conley – WR Georgia. A steal at this pick. This is the big, fast and good hands WR we’ve been longing for. Most impressive for me: His 45 vertical jump. He will out-jump any CB in the NFL. Will not need to be rushed onto the field as would a 1st rd pick and could be allowed the time to refine his game.

    4. Craig Mager – CB Texas St. Good skills and solid and willing tackler.
    COMP pick: Jake Ryan – ILB Michigan. Was injured last year but came on strong by season’s end. Very good run stopper and smart (Derek Smith 2.0).

    5. Jarvis Harrison – G Texas A&M. Three year starter at Guard who can shift to tackle if needed.

    6. John Crockett – RB N.Dakota St. COP (change of pace) RB, not sexy but productive and a proven blocker in the backfield.

    7. Taylor Kelly – QB Arizona St. A poor man’s Kaepernick, but had good production and a good completion percentage in college.
    COMP pick: Cody Prewitt – S Ole Miss. Good size, good open-field tackler with an ol’ school knack playing with fundamentals.

    Really like everyone’s Mock’s as well. Two weeks and counting before Draftmas!

    1. You’ve got some players in there I really like, but I wouldn’t call Conley in round 3 a steal (if anything its a reach). Cody Prewitt in round 7 would be the biggest steal of all time. He should go in the 2nd/ 3rd round.

      Chris Conley is a guy I like the look of as a player, but I question how much desire he has for the game. If you look at some interviews with him he sounds like a guy that is already planning for his post playing days life, and sees the NFL as a great way to make contacts. In some ways it is good that he’s thinking of his prospects outside the NFL, but it does raise the question of how committed he will be to making a fist of it as a player.

      1. Scooter I hear your concern but the kid took the task at hand seriously enough to nail the Combine, who cares if he wants to be Gene Rodenberry after football,he just exudes winner imo.

        1. He’s smart, likes to keep himself busy, and is an exceptional athlete. Makes you wonder why he didn’t develop into a better player in college, because he has the gifts.

          I think one of the reasons is that while he likes to keep himself busy, at college he busied himself with non-football related activities when he wasn’t required to be doing football activities. He worries me as a prospect. If he’s there in the 5th he’s worth taking a flyer on, but in the 3rd I wouldn’t consider him.

          1. I’d take him the 4th,like a lot of these kids high potential but you need to put your big boy pants on in the pros. One thing is certain character is not an issue with him.

    2. AES

      Good mock…! Taylor Kelly would be a great sleeper at QB (as would almost every Pac 12 QB)…you have to pass in this conference. I would defer to Grant’s pick at 7th round however Bryan Bennett is good stuff

      1. Thanks OREGON,
        B. Bennett is too much of a mystery for me. His numbers were very good at SE Louisiana but I’m always concerned about the level of competition at small colleges. Having said that, I wouldn’t have an issue with us drafting Bennett in the 7th because it represents a low risk high reward scenario.

        I like Kelly’ ability to show patience in the pocket and is a very good runner which he uses as a last resort ala Aaron Rodgers. Also, playing in the PAC 12 is always a good resume when making the transition to the pros.

    1. At which pick E?
      I like Waller as well and he could be my COMP pick in the 4th, but I really like J.Ryan at that spot and the LB position could use more help than WR imo.

  58. AES

    I don’t know much about him. I saw him projected Rds 3-4, and read that he’s 6’6″ and runs a 4.46, both of which are “better” figures than DGB. Not saying I don’t still want DGB in the 1st Rd, tho.

    1. E
      I would be happy with DGB, and if the team really wants him he likely will be there at 15.
      I had DGB in one of my earlier mocks and think highly of him.
      But with the signings of T.Smith and J.Simpson, I just don’t see DGB as a priority especially at 15.
      For me, Boldin, T.Smith, J.Simpson, Ellington, Vernon, VMac or Carrier is a formidable receiving corps. With the team keeping their personality as a run-first offense a WR in the first seems a reach.
      Chris Conley has the ability to high point the ball because of his incredible leaping prowess which like DGB makes him a redzone threat and teams will obviously need to respect his 4.3 40 speed. At 6’2″ and 215 lbs he’s no shrinking violet either. Also, as I mentioned earlier, as the rd. 3 pick he would not be rushed to take the field.

    2. Looks like we’ve found E’s secret to scouting – take the biggest dude. ;-)

      1. Scooter…take the TWO biggest, fastest, dudes, DGB in a trade down in the first, and Darren Waller in the 4th (comp pick)….Grab Peates in the second, Alex Carter in the 3rd,QB Grayson with the trade 3rd, and save the remaining picks for ‘scrap iron’, or whatever’s left….

  59. The positive medical reports for Gurley are good news for the 49ers. The more “risers” in round one, the more value Baalke can get for trading 15 back. And if Gurley somehow goes top 14, it bumps an “elite” player closer to 15.

    1. Mostly a blocker with the Rambling Wreck, so he’ll need to add to his repertoire in the NFL. Technique, technique, technique will need refined and strength developed, but I kinda like him as a WR/TE Hybrid who could turn into a Red Zone dream for the 49ers and a Red Zone nightmare for the Seahawks….

      1. That bumps an elite in the direction of pick 15.

        The best case scenario is to see Winston and Mariota going 1 and 2, the Raiders taking Williams at 4. That bumps the elite receiver group down too.

        Suddenly pick 15 becomes part of the “elite” range.

          1. Good question, dunno. Maybe, I’d think long and hard about it, depends who’s left. I’d go Cooper over him, I know that….

          2. I would not take Gurley.
            It’s Hyde’ time to shine. Gurley is a great runner, but in our scheme he would need to be a good blocker and he is not as proficient in that area as is Hyde.

            I feel if we want a RB early we take Ameer in the 2nd rd. He would be the perfect COP RB for us especially if KHunt is not ready or has a setback.

            1. Unless you’re counting on the Hayne Plane touching down, you’ve got nothing if Mr. Hyde has to see Dr. Jeckyll. Hunter won’t hold up, Bush won’t either. Gurley is a top ten talent and Wrathman will insure he’s ready for anything the coach might ask of him….

              1. In my opinion he is. Man, I’d really hate to see him running behind Iupati….

              2. Gurley may be a ‘can’t miss’ prospect, but I still would pass on him because we already have Hyde. It’d be better to find a back that can be a quality backup and be able start if need be.

              1. He also has more fumbles for a whopping total of 23. Somebody pass me the bottle of stickum….

          3. I’d consider Gurley.

            Arguments For Gurley

            – I love Hunter, but I’m not counting on him. Neither are the 49ers. They will draft a running back. Why not the best?

            – NFI will tack an extra on Gurley’s rookie contract. The “5th year option” would be a 6th. That’s Gurley three full years (in his prime) after Hyde’s contract expires.

            – Baalke’s said for years he wants a three back rotation.. Imagine Hyde and Gurley hammering dead legged offenses later in the season.

            – Power running offenses need more then one power back. If your only remaining backs are COP, you have to adapt the whole offense.

            – Backs that can power run inside, are fast enough to hit the edge, and are good receivers make the offense less predictable.

            – Remember the big running back surplus we had before last season? Just melted away.

            – Hyde’s running style makes him an injury risk. He struggles in the pile (which is great) but that makes his knees vulnerable. A certain team up north has a habit of piling on when they see a 49ers leg caught awkwardly in a pile.

            – Backs might actually like sharing the load. It keeps their legs fresh for that lucrative 2nd contract. Long careers = more money.

            – Many have speculated that because of the shortage of good college QBs, pro teams will be forced to use run based offenses. We already have two more power run teams (Buffalo, Washington).

            The contrarian advantage is ending. The era of the best running backs lasting till day two is ending. Better get a superstar now.

            – Gurley is the best player in the entire draft. Maybe not the most valuable, but still the best.

            Arguments Against Gurley

            – He tore his ACL. You want to toss a 15 pick on a hurt player? Are you crazy?

            – You might wind up with two sour apples who think they should be the #1 back.

            – The key to a power run game has been a a good, deep offensive line. Juts look at how things perked up when Anthony Davis came back. There’s a dang good reason why almost all teams go O-line first, running backs later.

            – Top level running backs will be there on day two. Guaranteed starter quality. Can’t say the same for most other positions.

            – At 15? Trade back and get an extra 2nd or 3rd rounder. Gurley should still be there. If not other players mocked to 15 will be.

            1. Against continued…

              ACL players are gambles. If you are going to gamble, draft Peters or DGB.

              1. I’m not sure if you saw my post earlier, Brodie, but no it wouldn’t. As a first round pick Gurley would already have a 5th year option in his contract. Going on NFI/ injured reserve all year would mean he would accrue one less season, but by the time his 5th year option ends he would still have accrued four years and would be an UFA.

                The contract does not get extended one year just because he missed the year with injury. You sign a contract, that’s what you get.

            2. According to Pro Football Focus, Hyde forced a whopping 25 missed tackles on just 83 carries. That’s a ratio of .301 missed tackles forced per carry. Translated, that means he had the most missed tackles forced of any back with under 150 carries. For reference, Marshawn Lynch, who had a league-leading 88 missed tackles forced on the ground, had a .314 ratio. For the record, I don’t believe Baalke will draft a running back in the first round, however if you take them at their word of wanting to run the football more and allow Kaepernick to run the read option, while looking down field for Smith, I’d expect them to find a good running back in this draft….

              1. I’m still pegging Ajai or a few other guys as the backup “power” depth behind Hyde. Millard should also provide emergency depth.

              2. I missed your above post re RFA instead of “extra year.”

                If I’m hearing you right, NFIs don’t get an extra year, they become RFAs instead. In Gurley’s case there would be no “6th year”, only one of RFA or 5th year option. Not both. Who ever drafts him will play him if he becomes well enough during the season.

                Thanks for the info.

                I based my “extra year” on articles similar to this…
                “The Niners likely will put Thomas on NFI in 2014, extending his rookie deal another year.”

                http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap2000000353475/article/san-francisco-49ers-at-forefront-of-redshirting-trend-in-nfl-draft

                So… the 49ers didn’t miss an “extra year” in 2016 by activating Tank in 2013…. but they did miss an opportunity to make him RFA in 2016. Is that right?

                So lets say one of Reaser/Acker/Millard/Thomas make the squad. Its
                2014 – NFI/IR
                2015 – Contract
                2016 – Contract
                2017 – Contract
                2018 – RFA

                For non-first rounders it sounds like six of one, half dozen of the other. Who cares if you call it “extra year” or RFA.

                But… depending on round the player was drafted (and if they are a hot commodity i 2018), RFAs and extra years can affect the salary cap quite differently.

                Interesting stuff.

              3. Correction in [ ]: So… the 49ers didn’t miss an “extra year” in [2017] by activating Tank in 2013…. but they did miss an opportunity to make him RFA in 2017. Is that right?

              4. Razor

                I don’t care what ‘they’ said, they’re not going to run Kaepernick in the read option….unless we can find at least two backup QB’s who will have to be able to ‘shadow’ CK’s running ability (consistancy) in case he gets injured. If our QB can’t find his receivers quicker, and become decisive quicker as when to run and when to pass, we’re doomed to “8 in the box” forever. With as much of that as he’s already faced, I think that it makes your stat even more relevant.

            3. So Gurley is supposedly “good to go” for the draft. What does that mean? Will he be ready for training camp, for the season? Which teams can afford to pick a 1st round draft player that is not good to go for the next season?

  60. My latest mock draft attempt:

    Round 1. DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville. This year I think Baalke is either going WR or CB first round. I think he will be hoping one of the top 3 WRs (Cooper, White and Parker) fall to #15, and if they are gone then it will be Marcus Peters or Byron Jones. But I’m starting to think Parker may well just fall to #15. If he does he’d be a really good pick up for the 49ers offense. Probably the most reliable hands of the top receivers in the draft, with good size and enormous catch radius. Good runner after the catch, and really improved his route running in 2014. Also has deceptive speed downfield, similar to Alshon Jeffrey. I love how he highpoints the ball. 49ers have met with him.

    Round 2. Paul Dawson, ILB, TCU. The most instinctive LB in the draft, is always around the ball and simply makes a ton of plays. There are question marks over his athleticism, but you wouldn’t know it by watching him. There are also question marks over his dedication and film study, but I’m of the opinion that if he didn’t study film he couldn’t be so good at reading the play. 49ers have met with him.

    Round 3. Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon State. I agree with Grant on Nelson. He’s a guy I’ve liked for a while, and think he is an underrated prospect. Very aggressive, very physical, and makes a lot of plays on the ball. Would fit nicely as a zone and off-man coverage CB for the 49ers, and could even slide inside and play some slot. Alex Carter would be a nice other option here.

    Round 4. Jeremiah Poutasi, OG/OT, Utah. Developmental prospect with good frame and strength. Only 20 years old, and will likely take a year or two before being NFL ready, but could be a good RG option down the track. 49ers have met with him.

    Round 4 (comp). Kyle Emanuel, ILB/OLB/DE, North Dakota State. Despite playing DE in college, for the 49ers Emanuel could fit not only at OLB, but also as a strongside ILB in their 3-4. He’s a small school prospect with impressive but inflated pass rush stats. Short arms, but has a very high work ethic and displays good quickness and strength at the point of attack. Great hustle. This is higher than most draft sites have him going, but I love the way this guy plays and he’s become one of my draft crushes this year.

    Round 5. Matt Jones, RB, Florida. Big and powerful RB that moves well for his size and will carry defenders to pick up extra yards. Never put up big stats, but was somewhat hampered by a torn meniscus in his knee in 2013 which required clean up in 2014. If healthy, could be a late round steal. Met with Tom Rathman.

    Round 6. Darryl Roberts, CB, Marshall. Roberts brings exceptional athleticism to the table with decent size. 49ers have met with him, and he fits the mold of late round athletic DB that Baalke loves.

    Round 7. Tory Slater, DT/DE, West Georgia. DII prospect that is starting to generate some buzz, and had a meeting with the 49ers. Big guy (6’5″, 290lbs) that is very strong and explosive. Had 31 reps in bench press at pro day, as well as 35″ vertical and 10’3″ broad, very good marks for a DL. Had 10 sacks last year and 16.5 TFL. Former high school WR.

    Round 7 (comp). Chris Bonner, QB, Colarado State-Pueblo. Big time project with great height, strong arm, and nice pocket instincts.

    1. Good mock overall Scooter, although I’d pass on Nelson on the account he gets too grabby and was one of the worst penalized CB in 2014.
      I also don’t see Parker making it past the Dolphins if the Rams go another direction with their pick.

      1. What do you think of Alex Carter as another option at that 3rd round pick?

        With Parker, I’m starting to hear (well, read) that Perriman may have overtaken him on some team boards. The Dolphins are meeting with both Parker and Perriman. If Parker is gone, then Perriman wouldn’t be a bad pick, but I reckon Baalke would take Peters or Jones ahead of Perriman.

        1. Carter wouldn’t be a bad option if Baalke can’t get Peters in the first round, but I don’t know if Baalke would go that route. He may choose to take Jones or Collins instead.

    2. I’d feel great about DeVante Parker. A perfect compliment to Torrey Smith’s speed. He has better shiftiness then you would expect from a tall guy. And he’s productivity right away.

      His skill set could pair well with Adam Henry, who has produced some pretty good “attack the ball” receivers.

      1. I am overcome by podophobia when considering Parker after Mr. Crabs podiatric perdition….

    3. Nice, but I don’t see Jones going that high and Bonner you can get UDFA, although I’m certainly not opposed to using your 7th as insurance if you want him that bad. Jones would certainly be a nice running back to get in the 5th round, which demonstrates the depth at the position….

      1. Baalke has a history of using his 7th round picks on guys most people would have pegged as UDFAs.

        When you say you don’t see Jones going that high, who do you mean? Matt Jones? You then say he would be a good 5th rounder…? Or do you mean Byron Jones as an option in the first? I think he will end up going in the first round, and could easily slot into the 15 to 25 range.

        1. Yea, I see Byron early 2nd, maybe late 1st. Certainly not at 15, but you never know….

          1. I’m feeling pretty confident he’ll be a first round pick, and he’s the type of CB Baalke would love. That type of CB/S hybrid with exceptional athleticism and good tape.

            1. No argument in that regard but I still think that would be a reach at 15. Feel like you could do a trade with Jerry and still get him no problem at all….

              1. Just out of curiousity, where did you guys have Jimmy Ward going last year? Point being, if Baalke likes a guy he’ll take him a bit earlier than most would project.

              2. Without wanting to sound like I’m patting myself on the back, I had him as a late first/ early second and said before the draft he could be a surprise pick at #30 to play the nickel.

              3. Just to clarify, I thought he’d be a late first, early second. Scooter was the one who called it though….

              4. To be honest I was so focused on receivers, Ward was totally off my radar. He was a total surprise, like the AJ Jenkins pick.

                Last year’s first round was hard to watch. All the players I loved (like Evans) were getting picked really high. Too high to package a 3rd to move up for.

                But shortly after Ward was picked it began making sense. We had Harvin and Austin in our division. More teams were using slot guys in base downs. A slot corner that also provided safety depth made total sense preserved scarce roster space.

                Then I watched his film. Loved the ball skills. Loved how his instincts for which way the play was going.

              5. I don’t think I had us taking Ward, but I do remember saying that his skill set and body type seemed more suited to the CB position.

              6. I liked Verrett and Ward, but the only choice I ever predicted was Aldon, and I only came to him in the last few days before the draft. AJJ? Didn’t see that coming, LOL!

              7. Verrett was my draft yes and I did have them taking him in most of my mocks. However, I was referring to a confab Scooter and I had when he first started talking about Ward well before the 2014 draft.

          2. In retrospect, I’m still completely OK with the Ward pick.
            I kinda like Landon Collins, but:
            A/ I doubt Trent goes Safety 3 years in a row; he’ll want to mix in a Big; offense or defense.
            B/ BPA (almost) regardless of position; with CB, WR leading the tie-breakers.

  61. The more I look at the players in round one, the more I think Baalke might reverse his “target day 1, maneuver day 2” pattern.

    I can see grabbing BPA or trading back in the first. Get what ever value he can.

  62. Mock 7.0

    1)Dupree DE/OLB
    2)Agholor WR
    3)Donovan Smith OT
    4)Sean Mannion QB
    4)Alex Carter CB(Comp Pick)
    5)Xavier Williams DT
    6)Malcom Brown RB
    7)Jeff Luc ILB
    7)Johnny Lowdermilk SS

    1. Agree with your first pick. I think Baalke will go OLB and Dupree is most likely to be available at that spot. I still think they’ll go with ILB earlier.

    2. Nice one razor. I can’t help but think some of those guys don’t last as long as you have them… what would be your fall back options for each pick?

      1. Sorry mate, went to bed. 7.0ptions

        1)Gregory slides and if the Saints opt for Dupree instead, he’d be my pick
        2)Agholor gets obtained from another patron then it’s P. Dorsett
        3)Donovan Smith gets swiped up then Ty Sambrailo
        4)Alex Carter disappears then Jacoby Glenn
        4)Someone falls in love with Mannion so no quarterback here, lets go with a SS in Clayton Geathers(Comp)
        5)Xavier extricated? How about Leterrius Walton?
        6)Malcom Brown missing, then it’s Malcom Agnew
        7)Zach Vigil replaces Luc
        7)Shane Carden is the 49ers Mr. Irrelevant

        I’d be willing to give up that 4th rounder to move up and secure Agholor high in the second round to make sure they got him if possible and available.

        5 receivers went in the first round last year, with 3 more in the top 13 picks of round 2. Makes me believe there’s a shot Agholor is a strong possibility with a small move up in the second round….

  63. 49ers mock draft. Some picks have a selection range indicating the possibility of a trade.

    15-22. Breshad Perriman WR UCF: This is the first time this season that I haven’t put a CB as our first pick. The interest in Peters is real but not as our first round choice. Baalke has enough in the hopper that he can take a chance on the player he wants falling into the first part of the second round. If he misses out he’ll have a chance on a mid round talent plus the recent draft choices he’s made. I still see it as a key need but no loner convinced it will be addressed with our first choice. Baalke might have learned from Jenkins but he’s still human(we think at least) and he’s still going to be attracted to speed. Perriman has the speed Baalke liked in Jenkins but he also has the body that Jenkins didn’t. Ideally Baake would trade back to the low 20’s to pick him up but that’s contingent upon finding a trade partner.

    30-38. Marcus Peters CB Washington: If Marcus is still on the board when pick #30 comes around I think Baalke makes a move. If I was to guess at a trade I’d go with the 49ers giving #46 to Tennessee for #33 & #177. Why the Titans? Because the Bucs, Raiders & Jets all need a CB pretty bad and if none of the them take a CB in the first you can bet there’s a good chance at least one of them will in the second. Alternative trade would be #46 straight up to the Pats for #32.

    #79. Tre Jackson G FSU: Iupati’s doppleganger(with a helmet on at least). Big beffaroni type guard that’s worthless in pass protection but if you need a steamroller to flatten a path he’s your man. I always give extra draft consideration to players that had good Senior Bowl experiences and apparently Jackson impressed during the week. Left, right who knows as long as they can teach him some basic pass protection he’ll be an adequate replacement for one of our current starters in the near future. Or a total bust.

    #103-112 Hayes Pullard ILB USC: I like Pullard a lot. He’s a natural linebacker and to me that means he has a feel for the flow of offensive plays. He doesn’t have to think he can feel which direction the ball is going and his athletic ability and natural instincts give him the ability to always put himself where the ball is. Does he have the size to play both positions inside? Maybe in the future but right now he’s better lined up as the stack backer. Tackling machine that will make the recent departures a bit easier to manage. I’m not sure he’ll make it to #126 so I think the team moves up to get him. The team gives up #126 and their 2016 4th rounder to get #103 from the Jags. **Rabble rabble rabble…Baalke doesn’t trade first round picks!!! Calm thyself child. It’s just a 4th rounder and just because he hasn’t doesn’t mean he wont.**

    #151 Lynden Trail. OLB Norfolk: Ok let me be clear. I hate this pick. With a 1.77 10 yard split he doesn’t have the explosion off the line to be a pass rusher in the NFL. Plus he was arrested for assault. But I’m simple and like I said I like senior bowl stars and he was one of them. Plus he has airplane wings for arms and we know Baalke loves those. He also carries the dubious vint tag from WF. This will turn out to be a total waste of a pick.

    #177(from Titans) Chaz Green OT Florida: All around solid lineman that not only should be receiving more press then he is will most likely be long gone before #177. My late round mock choices are replete with wishful thinking and this one is no different. To get Green in the 6th round would easily be one of the great steals of the draft. Hopefully Davis can last another year before his degradation becomes to severe and Green can take over in 2016 at right tackle.

    #190 Sean Mannion QB Oregon State: Mannion can one day be a really great back up QB. Strong arm and natural pocket presence will give him the ability to come in and win a game when the starter goes down. He could even win 2-3 games for you while the starter heals up but he becomes too rattled when forced out of the pocket and in the NFL defenses will feast upon a weakness like that all too easily.

    #246 Ray Drew DE Georgia: I’ve been watching Drew since 2012. Unfortunately he dropped a little bit each year and didn’t quite enter the 2015 draft with the fanfare I had originally though he’d bring. I still like the kid quite a bit and think he can be a quality starter at DE in a season or two.

    1. “Rabble rabble rabble…Baalke doesn’t trade first round picks!!! ”

      Oops, meant to say “Baalke doesn’t trade FUTURE picks”

      dang.

    2. Another oops. Just realized my goof on the Titans trade. Not sure how I did that. Will have to rethink that move on the next one. Sorry. /bonk

      1. Not to worry CFC, I like where your going here. Perriman in the lower Ist would make me happy.Peters in the second ,a nice one two there!

        1. ill admit its almost too good to happen but we’ll see. If Peters doesn’t go quite as high as the buzz has him going then those first two choices are possible.

      2. CFC,
        Good stuff bud.
        Especially like the Mannion pick at that spot. If he’s still there at 190 that could end up as the steal of the draft. I see a little bit of Tom Brady in this guy with his ability to be patient in the pocket and scope the field.

        As a side note; I’ve noticed that most mocks over the last couple of months have been bereft of selecting a Tight-End.
        Are we (inwardly) feeling that Vernon will have a comeback year, or that VMac will finally awaken from his coma and provide some production?

        I didn’t include a TE in my recent draft and now I’m sensing a little mock remorse because there is no way this team will have a successful season with our present TE frontline players having another season like last year.

        1. Grant may be onto something with his mock of TE MyCole Pruitt as our COMP 4th rd. pick. That’s a good “get” at that spot.

        2. No argument regarding the lack of a TE. The only one I like wouldn’t work with the mock I made this morning. Maybe on the next one.

    3. I understand what I did now. I forgot that the trade was supposed to be #46 and #79 for #33 & #177.

      So the only thing to change would be to remove the #79 pick of Jackson.

    4. Nice one CfC, I can see a lot of that happening.

      If Peters isn’t there for a trade up, what do you think the fallback option would be with pick #46?

      1. On Trail, I’ve been tempted to add him to my mocks a few times because like you I think he’s someone Baalke would draft, but I just couldn’t make myself do it!

      2. Thanks Scooter.

        I’ve remained high on Jake Fisher from Oregon and could see him as the pick at #46.

        1. Going with Fisher at 46 I’d put a CB to them at #79. Maybe Shaw or Nelson if he’s still on the board.

  64. C4C

    Nice work! Some of those trades only enter your mind between 2 and 4 AM…I think you had a short nite’s sleep….For the most part I agree, and you gave fair warning on the others…we’ll all have a couple of dogs….

    1. Thanks. Somehow I got it swapped in my head and went forward with the idea that #46 was worth more then the picks before it…/sigh. The really embarrassing part is that I went over it at least a couple-three times and it didn’t stand out until after I posted it, of course.

  65. Compliments to the many fine contributors here for drilling down into late round prospects whilst the Big Time Media guys focus on top two rounds.
    Can we her a bit more about Mariota & Winston?
    Gag.
    Many a quality starter has been drafted in rounds 4 & 5; nothing to scoff at.

  66. I’m with you Bro Tuna….If this goes the way the last 5-10 years have gone, everyone should be calling me to ask about my choices….and then draft 180 degrees differently. I think that the only two times I was correct, were Jerry Rice, and Alex Smith. Let’s see some action after the third round….IMHO, that’s where the real meat of this draft is going to be found…lost…and found again…..

    1. Knowing the way Boone talks, he might actually be paying Harbaugh compliments.

    2. Boone looks a lot worse than Harbaugh after this imo. Looks like he still has some Meathead left in him from his College days.

    3. Managers in the business world can make a similar mistake. In many corporate environments an ambitious new guy/gal will come in and light everybody’s socks on fire with the whip and the spur and achieve a spike in productivity. The heavy handed approach doesn’t often create sustainable improvement. It is important to push people out of their comfort zone to get what’s possible from them, but intimidation usually eventually evokes resentment and <100% motivation.
      Little details I heard, like not letting the guys wear earbuds on the plane, even on return trips kind of gave me the creeps.
      I wonder if Chip Kelly's demanding lifestyle requirements of the Beagles' players will continue to get buy-in by the players?

  67. Anyone see the HBO special on Harbaugh and why he wears out his welcome? Boone sounds like he’s never learned that discipline is the bridge between thought and accomplishment….

    1. Discipline is important, but you can instil discipline without making everything seem a chore, without sucking the fun out of playing the game. From everything I have read about Harbaugh, he doesn’t know where that line is, and operates well beyond it.

        1. I imagine he was using a simple metaphor there, razor. Referring to how Harbaugh would push them even after they’d gone the extra mile in training.

          1. Scooter

            Of course that was a metaphor, read the statement….Harbaugh was a total control freak…no talking to journalists,etc….he’s where he belongs, bullying college kids; these guys are pros, they’re not fooled after awhile….

      1. Even if Harbaugh’ coaching track record is looking like a Dow Jones quick spike up than a spike down after a few years he has certainly set himself up to make a lot of coin with that philosophy.

        Most teams weather pros or college are looking for the quick fix path to winning and Harbaugh has been able to provide that with his coaching style.
        I would venture that teams are willing to sacrifice the residual effects of where their team will be 4-6 years down the road if they could have instant success.

        Did Harbaugh’ coaching style cause burn-out on the 49ers team in 2014?
        Perhaps.
        But it also gave the team 3 years of playoff football, a Super Bowl appearance and likely a new stadium.
        Not to bad if you ask me.

        1. Well, we still have Jolly Jim to look forward to.

          Noll, Lombardi, Walsh, and Landry wore people out too. The difference is ownership understood.

          Then there’s Tom Coughlin who’s worn people out and into the Superbowl just in time for a miracle play to win two close ones.

        2. No arguments there AES. Harbaugh was fantastic for the 49ers. He had taken this team as far he was going to, though. Harbaugh’s methods have a shelf life. It was time to move on.

          1. You’re probably right Scooter.
            But looking back at the 2014 8-8 record I believe it had more to do (500 record) with key players being injured as opposed to Harbaugh driving his players to hard.

            The other culprit was his insistence on keeping G.Roman. Why Harbaugh felt so tied to Roman (even after mid-way in 2014 when the 4th qtr lack of scoring was inexcusable) was his worse mistake and had more to do with his dismissal than his uber competitive personality imo.

          2. It doesn’t happen often, but I disagree Scooter. We’ll never know, but I don’t think they had gone as far as they could have, and I don’t see them getting as far under Tomsula.

            1. Even considering all the injuries, did you see a team last season playing with the same intensity as the three seasons previous?

              1. Scooter,
                No, they did not play with the same intensity as in previous seasons, but going deep into the playoffs and add to that many other underlying layers that may have sapped the life out of the 2014 team could certainly point to some lackluster play.

                I guess what I’m trying to say, is that I’m not putting it all solely on Harbaugh.

              2. I’m not trying to suggest the team’s lack lustre play last season is all on Harbaugh. Not by any stretch. But I do find it interesting that other successful teams appear to be maintain their level of play for more than three seasons, without looking like they are suffering from burn out.

              3. Last year was an anomaly Scooter. There was the constant media leaks about Harbaugh being let go, player unrest, injuries, Davis and Boone missing the offseason workouts because of contract disputes and having poor seasons as a result.

                There were a lot of reasons last year was a disaster, but we now know it was dead from the start because the owner and possibly the GM, were undermining the HC.

                I truly believe this was a SB contender for the foreseeable future if the parties involved had sucked it up and figured out a way to work together.

              4. Are you still certain it was 49ers ownership/ management leaking about player unrest?

              5. I think it would be naive to believe Jed wasn’t the source of most of the rumors. There all always going to be disgruntled players that say things, but not to the extent we saw last season.

              6. The Patriots were the last team to win back-to-back SB’ then there was a pause before winning last year. The NYGiants went a couple of seasons between SB wins.

                So yes, high level teams win consistently but they also have down years as evidenced by the above mentioned teams.

                I wasn’t the Pat’s (before this season) or the NYGiants going deep into the playoffs between the 2011 thru 2013, it was the 49ers.

                And I don’t believe for a moment that Robert Kraft would have put up with the slightest hint of any player spewing dissatisfaction in the locker room.
                Now, I know that Harbaugh did not have the pedigree of Bilicheck, but I firmly believe that had the FO come to his defense (if there was in fact locker room discontent) rather then stand on the sidelines until they were forced to make decision, Harbaugh would have weathered the storm and had this team ready for another playoff run in 2015.

                The FO has now handpicked their headcoach and as a 49er faithful I will stand by him the way I did with Ericsson, Nolan and Singletary.
                Tomsula certainly seems to be the antithesis of Harbaugh and time will tell if NOT doing it Harbaugh’ way will keep the team on the winning side of the ledger.

    2. Boone sounds like he’s only in it for the paycheck. He never made it over any ‘mountain’ so there was absolutely no reason for Harbaugh to let go. Do yourself a favor Boone: don’t sign with a team that is in contention for a Super Bowl.

  68. What I think Boone meant was that at some point JH had gotten as much out of his players as he was going to get. That’s what it sounds like to me. I wonder what kind of conversations Harbaugh had with Roman re the offense’s lack of production.

    1. Sounds to me as if he would have had Harbaugh coaching him in college, he’d not have carried on like a drunken buffoon and ruined his chances of being a number one draft pick. He could have been a LT like Staley making more money instead of holding out, playing like poo poo and whining about how he’s climbed the mountain and stood and looked down. He lost a lot of friends there baby, and Harbaugh ain’t got time to fock around….

      1. I agree Razor. Sounds to me like Boone was content in relishing what they had already accomplished instead of pushing harder to take the final step. Whatever the case, if your biggest complaint is that your HC kept pushing you to be better, then you may be in the wrong business.

        As to Harbaugh wearing out his welcome, there is likely some truth to that because players get tired of hearing the same guys talk all the time, but the facts remain that Harbaugh succeeded everywhere he went, and that is all that really matters or should matter to players.

        1. Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t Boone the dude who went on to say how much he loved Harbaugh and was behind him 100%? I’ve got my suspicions that Lombardi, Charles Henry Noll, etc. would not succeed in today’s NFL….

          1. For what its worth im with boone on this one.harbs turn the culture around,turn a loosing team to a super bowl apperence but for harbs that wasent enough to have a winning team you can only push so much before the water dam breaks.

          2. That’s true. In the midst of the media turmoil before JH was fired, Boone stood up for him.

        2. I think you are both misinterpreting Boone’s comment. You see the mountain as the SB. I believe Boone was being far more simple in his metaphor and just outlining that Harbaugh would keep pushing them even when they’d been pushing themselves very hard. It burns people out, and is not sustainable.

          From everything I have read, Harbaugh knows no other way, and does not know when to let up.

          1. Can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen and look for another line of work. I can see it now, Tomsula takes Boone aside, “Hey big guy, we’re not pushing you too hard are we”? “If we are, you just let me know and I’ll make sure we ease up on ya”….

            1. You’re just being ridiculous now, razor.

              I know you loved Harbaugh and you are still sore about how he was let go. But seriously, the guy does have a shelf life wherever he goes. The level of intensity and level of commitment he requires of his players is simply unsustainable. It eventually grates on the players. They aren’t robots, and they aren’t in the military.

              1. Yea, good thing. I can tell you from experience the military wouldn’t want Boone. War is hell, where football is just uncomfortable….

                Harbaugh brought life after death to the team I love. Now that might not have meant that much to you, but it did to me. To suggest Harbaugh is the reason for Boones’ failure to climb the mountain ignores what got him near the top. NFL stands not for long and the reason is it’s a tough go. Has nothing to do with my “love of Harbaugh”.

                As far as you calling me ridiculous, I’d remind you all it takes is one malcontent within the ranks to create dissent….

              2. Just to clarify, I didn’t call you ridiculous, razor, and I never would. I said your previous comment was being ridiculous, and by that I meant you were taking it over the top.

              3. Scooter, I’m surprised that you’ve bought that “shelf life” story. His first head coaching job was at a none sports scholarship small private University with a team that rarely won a game. Harbaugh, according to the AD wouldn’t take no for an answer and that made him a pain in the ass but he was their pain in the ass.

                Basically the situation was the same at Stanford, but in a place like Stanford there are a lot of “pain in the ass” people. The bottom line was that Stanford tried to keep Harbaugh.

                In both NCAA and NFL football, the moment that a coach is seen to lose his power, there will be complaining in the locker room. That process started right after the 49ers lost to Seattle in the NFC championship game. From that point on, throughout the 2014 regular season, the ending had already been determined.

                During the 2012 and 2013 seasons there was a lot of speculation that at some point the 49ers would have a down year due to the stress of so many playoff games. Add that to the injuries, and the rumor mill and you get the “horror” of a 8/8 season. An example of a similar situation would be the SF Giants winning three championships in five years with down years in between.

                It’s really funny that now Harbaugh is the slave driver who wouldn’t settle for anything less than a Superbowl win. What happened to Jed’s attitude toward not winning three Superbowls?

              4. Htwaits,

                All of what you said in that comment was regarding how he interacts with management. I’m not arguing the 49ers front office could and should have made more of an attempt to suck it up for the good of the organisation.

                Regarding Harbaugh’s success at the college level, one thing that must be kept in mind is that playing rosters are turned over at a much faster rate in college. The core of the team changes regularly. So he is far less likely to get to a point where his antics create discord in the locker room at the college level.

                In the NFL it isn’t the same. Core players will be at the club for 8 to 10 years.

                I keep going back to this excellent article by Seth Wickersham last year on Harbaugh:

                http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11625088/san-francisco-49ers-head-coach-jim-harbaugh-thrives-chaos-difficulty

                Harbaugh is a fantastic coach. He really is. But even when they hired him I said he’d be a short term solution. His personality is hard to take and eventually wears thin on the players (let alone the front office). No team is capable of maintaining the intensity he strives for.

              5. “But seriously, the guy does have a shelf life wherever he goes.”

                If college didn’t count then where does the “wherever he goes” come from other than the 49ers? It sounds like Monday morning quarterbacking.

                From my perspective Boone is making a play for a new contract by giving Jed and Baalke what they want to hear.

          2. Scooter,

            What I get from Boone’s comments is that Harbaugh wouldn’t let up even when Boone thought he should. What Boone needs to realize is there is a reason the HC does what he does and the results bore that out.

            Coughlin is a great example of why you listen to the HC even when you think he’s pushing too hard. I’m guessing Belichick would be another. I highly doubt Belichick is well liked and takes it easy on the players.

            The key difference in this whole comparison is those HC’s were not fired by their respective owners. You put up with HC’s who win and Boone himself said the players had nothing to do with this firing meaning they were willing to put up with Harbaugh because he delivered.

            I’m sorry we have to keep rehashing this, but every time it’s brought up again it is a reminder of what I consider to be the mistake that took this team from a SB contender to a non contender and it’s hard to accept. I would love nothing more than to be fed a plate of crow when Tomsula is holding up the Lombardi trophy, but there is no part of me that believes that is possible.

            1. Yeah, Coughlin is a fantastic example. It took a player revolt in 2007 to get Coughlin to ease up and they eventually went on to win the SB after a disastrous start to the season.

              There is nothing wrong with being a hard task master. I’d say it is almost a requirement for a head coach. But you also need to know when to let up. I don’t think Harbaugh does yet.

              1. There was give and take from both Coughlin and the players Scooter. Both sides learned to coexist and it eventually led to SBs. In this case, it wasn’t nearly as bad as the Coughlin situation as there was no player hostility and the team was playing at a high level.

                I would argue the Coughlin example was far more volatile than what transpired here with Harbaugh. The difference was that the front office got involved, and the owner couldn’t get past his animosity toward the HC.

              2. Rocket,

                I don’t recall Coughlin ever getting too far sideways with ownership and/or the FO. That would represent a pretty big difference between JH’s and Coughlin’s respective employment situations.

              3. Ex,

                Coughlin had players openly criticizing his Coaching style. That was worse than what was happening with Harbaugh and yet they figured out a way to make it work.

                We can speculate about how many players didn’t like Harbaugh and believe this fan/media made narrative about Harbaugh not wanting to stay somewhere for very long, but all I know is this team played hard for him, he won a lot of games and he didn’t want to leave. He was fired because the guys above him couldn’t figure out a way to make it work and that is a recipe for failure in this league.

              4. Rocket,

                Yes, Coughlin’s PLAYERS haven’t always liked him. My point is the he has generally got along with, and has been open to make changes requested by, management.

                As far as is known, Harbaugh was unwilling to discuss how the team was run with management.

                BTW, this style is fine, as long as the coach always (or almost always) makes the correct decisions. I just don’t think Harbaugh met that standard, and then wasn’t willing or able to discuss how the team was run with the FO.

                I would like to see the 49ers adopt a team structure similar to the SF Giants and GSW’s. They epitomize a team style of management / coaching.

                Of course, it wasn’t only JH preventing such a style. Baalke would have to be willing to listen to someone else (maybe he is, but we don’t know) and Jed would have to be willing to bring in someone to be team president (that seems pretty unlikely, at least right now).

                The more time that goes by, the more I believe that it was time to let JH go.

              5. Ex,

                We have no clue what the problems were between Harbaugh and the front office; it’s all speculation just like the belief Harbaugh doesn’t like committing to one job for very long. They are stories made up to try and find an answer to a question we aren’t sure of.

                All we truly know is Harbaugh took a bad team and turned it into a contender. The other stuff is just noise and trying to make sense of an insensible decision.

              6. Rocket,

                So you think that one day York and Baalke just decided they didn’t like Harbaugh any more?

                “The not knowing what happened” thing works both ways. It seems you’ve decided you know that Harbaugh was malevolently fired for practically no reason. How do you know?

                You’ve stated that based on performance Harbaugh shouldn’t have been fired. Obviously, there’s a very rational argument for that opinion (although, I think you’re somewhat overvaluing JH’s coaching – he’s very good, but with pretty clear, and un-addressed, flaws, IMO).

                Now, let’s look at non-performance issues. Certainly, you would agree that there would be a certain level of disagreeable behavior by an employee, no matter how talented, that beyond which termination would be justifiable. Since, as you stated, we don’t know what really went down between JH and the FO, how do you know that Harbaugh’s behavior didn’t cross that line?

                I’m not saying that it would’ve been a bad move to keep Harbaugh, I’m simply saying it might not be the abject disaster that it’s being made out to be.

            2. I agree that Coughlin is a good example, but I’m not sure Belichick is. What you hear from Patriots players (or at least I have) is that the Belichick you see in public is different than the one the players see. With Harbaugh it just seems like it’s a 24-7 grind and while that can be effective, it can also burn people out. I think there’s a balance there that Harbaugh doesn’t have and it lends to his short stays.

              1. That’s true, he was never fired. But for example, I bet if you asked Stanford’s AD privately he wasn’t terribly sad to see him go to the 49ers. Not saying everyone always gets sick of him or feels the 49ers management apparently felt, but he seems like a guy who you’re not completely broken up to see leave, if that makes sense.

  69. Actually Stanford was making 11th hour pitches to retain Harbaugh before he signed on with the 49ers.
    The sweepstakes for Harbaugh included Miami, Michigan, Stanford and the 49ers.

        1. By any means necessary, Rocket…

          In fairness to my own half baked opinion, though, it wouldn’t be the first time that boosters wanted something different than the school, would it?

          Also, I did use the word “may”…

          1. Anything is possible ex, but from what I recall, Stanford was in full court press to try and retain Harbaugh by any means necessary.

  70. Hoo-Boy, those Eagles!
    From shirtless T.O. to shirtless Tebow.
    Supposedly signing manana

    1. Is Chip trying to deflect the negative attention he received when he jettisoned Foles out of town by a Tebow signing?
      He may have further hurt his chances to quell the noise by bringing in Timmy T.

      But according to some sources Tebow has been diligently working to get back to the NFL, and I for one would like to see him have success.

  71. I think to Boone the “mountain” is the 49ers becoming a top flight team and understanding what is required to maintain that level. Perhaps Harbaugh kept grinding the players as if they didn’t have the professionalism to take care of business like the top flight team they had become.

    There are lots of coaching styles that can be effective. It’s the same as managing people in business. You can get the best out of people with encouraging self motivation whenever possible or you can use confrontation/pressure/fear.as your primary tool. The latter appears to be the Jim Harbaugh method and it’s pretty clear it wears people out. I just don’t see how that can be argued. The argument can be made that the churn that JH puts an organization through is worth it. Maybe, maybe not. We’ll see this year.

    Initially I thought it was a mistake to get rid of JH, but there were serious problems with the offense that, to the detriment of the team, he simply refused to address. If you’ve got a QB who is struggling to go through his progressions, does it seem like a good idea to get him to the line with the play clock running down almost every time? Doesn’t it make more sense to get him to the line as early as possible so he can feel better about his pre-snap reads? Doesn’t it stand to reason that a QB will make better post snap reads if he has made better pre-snap reads? Harbaugh apparently wouldn’t address these issues, evidenced by little or no improvement throughout his time as 49ers HC.

    1. Ex,

      I’d agree with you if the players had stopped playing hard for the guy but that clearly wasn’t the case. With all the issues this team dealt with last season, 8-8 was an achievement.

        1. Rocket and Razor,

          I generally agree that the team didn’t quit on JH, but is it possible that they were worn out a bit? Before you answer, remember the losses to the Rams and Raiders.

          Besides, working harder isn’t always the answer. If you’re not directing your energy in an effective direction, all the hard work in the world won’t do much for you.

          Don’t get me wrong, i’m a Harbaugh fan, I appreciate what he did for the 49ers, and I’m going to root for him at UM, but it was confounding to me how unwilling to change his approach he could be, when a need for change was so obvious.

          1. Ex,

            What needed to change in your opinion? Keep in mind this was a team that went to 3 straight NFCCG’s and were a play away from going to and winning SB’s.

            1. Getting the plays to the QB in a timely fashion. After all, not doing so cost the 49ers the super bowl against the Ravens. CK would’ve scored untouched on the QB sweep had the clock not run down to the point where JH had to all a TO.

          2. I also meant to point out that Harbaugh actually did change his approach on offense quite a bit last year. If you listen to Baalke and Tomsula, there plan is to go back to what they did before; not change the system.

            1. MM made an interesting point in his chat last week. He said “I think the offense will be more streamlined. One team source told me that the 49ers’ offense relied a lot on game-planning. Let’s just say, 30 percent of their offense was the same every week and the other 70 percent was game-specific. This year, they’ll try to flip it. Most of their base offense will carryover from one week to another. There will be less shifts and motions and fewer adjustments required from Kaepernick at the line of scrimmage. The thought is to keep it simple and avoid the kind of play-clock issues that plagued the team in the past.”

              Sounds alot like common complains regarding the offense the last two seasons.

            2. I’ll bet you CK gets to the LOS a whole lot earlier in the play clock this year. If so, that can only help him make his reads.

    2. Ex, I enjoyed your post. Thanks. This recent spate of comments about Harbaugh has got me wondering if that’s a reason CK regressed last year. I view Kaep as highly self-motivated and his own worst enemy. You can see his work ethic. First in, last out, etc. The line’s problems can explain his regression; also opposing teams’ scheming him better. But could Harbaugh have contributed as well? Yes, he always was praising him, but that doesn’t mean much regarding fostering Kaep’s self-confidence. It’s the Jewish mother kind of thing — always praising her son but always meddling with his mind.

      1. George,

        Thanks.

        I’ve had the same thoughts. This year will tell us a lot. If nothing else, it will be an interesting year (an old Chinese curse says, “May you live in interesting times”).

    3. I’m not sure where you’re finding “confrontation/pressure/fear” — especially the fear part. I thought I was watching a much more complex situation. Anyway, it’s time to move your razor sharp analysis on to Jolly Jim.

  72. I’ve heard alot Boone interviews on 95.7. Knowing his interview style, I can’t come to any conclusion about Boone’s statement until I actually hear it.

    1. I never was too keen when people spoke kindly in front of me, only to have them show their true colors when I’m gone. Can’t respect it….

      1. I get what you’re saying, Razor, but if you watch the video of Boone “supporting” Harbaugh, keeping his recent statements in mind, it might be he was protecting the team, as much as he was defending JH directly. Maybe.

        1. Right, you mean like when he held out with the teams best interest at heart? I’m not buying what you’re selling….

          1. Razor,

            I’m not saying Boone isn’t full of sh–

            It just seems to me that he was more tired of answering questions about Harbaugh, as much as he was purely defending him.

            What do you think Boone’s motivation might be? No chance his comments reflect his current thinking?

            1. There’s an old adage my grandmother, and probably you’re grandmother and I’m almost positive Boones’ grandmother used to say. “If you don’t have anything good to say about someone, keep your mouth shut”….

    2. B2W,

      That’s plain crazy! Why wait to actually hear Boone speaking? It’s never too early to interpret a quote, even if you haven’t heard it yet!

      On the other hand, maybe you have a point…

      1. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding….

    1. I’ve come to realise there really is a bunch of players I’d be happy with the 49ers drafting, Dupree obviously right near the top of that list. Not sure they go OLB in round 1 though, unless it is an obvious gap in talent level to the next best WR and CB.

        1. If I was running the draft I would be highly tempted to take Dupree. It would be out of Dupree, Perriman, Peters and Erving at that pick for me, as I have them all pretty equally rated (funnily enough, the four potential elite prospects at #15 I profiled). But I think Baalke would go the guy they took in that mock draft – Marcus Peters.

      1. I feel the same way which is amazing considering how worried I was a month ago that they would have to trade up to get anybody I felt was worthy of the first round. I like the options that figure to be there, and even if some are not, there will be at least one of: Perriman, DGB, Peters, Dupree, Shelton or your guy Erving still on the board at #15 in my opinion.

  73. From Rotoworld on Ajayi. I didn’t realize his knee is a concern.

    “According to CBS Sports’ Dane Brugler, teams have “strong concern” about Jay Ajayi’s right knee following his Combine medical recheck.
    Per Brugler, the primary concern is the “longevity” of Ajayi’s knee stability. Running backs already have short shelf lives, so the NFL team that drafts Ajayi likely won’t be counting on him for a ten-year career. It’s still noteworthy, just not necessarily for the near-term future. If the reports about Ajayi’s knee diminish his fantasy draft stock, be sure to capitalize.”

    1. I would be so underwhelmed by such a draft. I don’t like any of the top 3 picks.

      1. Agreed. I’d be much happier with Dupree, Agholor and the best OT on the board in the 3rd Round….

    2. I don’t know about the rest of you but as soon as I see Armstead’s name as our first choice I don’t bother looking at the other picks.

      1. That’s been my reaction too, but I got the impression that the folks at CSNBA think its a possibility on their draft preview broadcast yesterday. idk
        One other tidbit I picked up was Matt M. saying in regards to VMac “…if he makes the team…” I thought he’s been a disappointment as a receiver but has developed well as a blocker. idk

      2. I seriously hope this isn’t a case of the NFL world knowing something the rest of us don’t about the 49ers interest in Armstead. He’s the most commonly mocked name to the 49ers in round 1, and I quite honestly don’t get it.

      3. Tomsula said at the owners meeting the D line has never been deeper. At last weeks presser he said the team’s been preparing for Justin’s departure since 2011.

        All the “national” (east coast) media sees are departures without bothering to examine the roster. With all the TebowBieberManziel chasing they probably don’t have time research actual roster needs.

        1. Armstead is not my favorite, but I wouldn’t cry if the 49ers grabbed him.

          There are alot of big risk, big reward players that will for 15-32 like headcases BGB, Peters and injured Gurley.

          Armstead is a developmental risk. Very athletic for his size, but really hasn’t shown much yet. He could be the best lineman in the draft, or the next Kentawn.

        2. If Baalke drafts a defensive lineman at #15, does that make Jolly Jim a player in the disinformation game all teams engage in before the draft.

          1. It could. Or it could also mean they really like the player.

            Also, good depth doesn’t mean the starters can’t be improved by the addition of a stud player.

            My main grip is the lazy effort of the “national” (eastern) press. D-line is one of the bigger need spots?

            The Armstead echo chamber gets old fast. That’s not a knock on Armstead. He could turn out great.

            1. This much I know from direct experience over the past many many decades. Forget the Eastern press. There is nowhere you can go with them.

    3. I would be disappointed if that was how the draft went for the Niners. Really underwhelming and over valued selections all the way down. I really can’t figure out the love for Armstead. Yes he has great size, but his play is worthy of the 3rd round; not the first. Teams get into a lot of trouble when they draft potential in the first round. I want somebody who is playing the game at a high level; not a physical specimen who underachieves.

      1. “potential” is the magic word. At 15, the 49ers deserve something more then “potential.”

        1. I would submit “potential” equates to “high ceiling” when discussing a player. For instance, the majority of the mock draft experts have the 49ers taking Arik Armstead at 15. His measurable suggest a high ceiling, i.e. multiple PB’s, MVP, championships, and maybe HOF, however his tape suggests he hasn’t reached that level for whatever reason. Technique, scheme, hasn’t grown into his body, off the field issues, lack of discipline-whatever….

          An example of a “high floor” player would be Amari Cooper. He may not be a “superstar” or measurable off the charts, but he’s a consistent big play producer game in and game out. He’s a safe pick and the minimum of what you’d expect at the next level….

          1. And therein lies the difficult decision between drafting for future potential vs safety of a high floor.

            1. I think too that the first round draft position plays a factor. At #15 we’re at that shelf (cliff) where there may be one or two players left that have a high floor but there will be many more players available that have future potential. An earlier pick could equate to making the decision to draft future potential vs. safety of a high floor much easier (i.e. there are more high floor players available so easier to make that pick).

            2. In the decision making process, is there an ideal ratio of “high floor” to “high ceiling” players you would want your team composed of?

              1. I think in the first round, especially top 15 – 20 picks, you want to be going for players with high ceilings but relatively high floor also. Once those guys are gone, the difficult decisions between decent ceiling, relatively high floor (i.e., good, safe but not exciting prospect) vs high ceiling, low floor (high risk, high reward) come into play.

                If you’ve got a good, solid team, you don’t mind going the high risk, high reward player. If you’ve got a lot of holes that need filling, you’ll probably lean more towards the safer picks.

                In later rounds you don’t mind taking a flyer on a high ceiling, low floor prospect.

              2. It looks like Randy Gregory’s stock is falling fast. If he’s there do we take him with the #15 pick?

  74. If Baalke wants to trade down, might it not be an advantage to leak word that the 49ers are strongly interested in 1 or 2 players. Those players would be players that teams below us really want and have more or less telegraphed because they don’t have the depth that the 49ers do. It would seem to me that a strategy like this might be effective particularly because we have a lower numbered first round pick than usual. OTOH, our pick might not be high enough to say with any certainty that we could even select the players and thus bluff our way into more picks. Still, there will probably be a few players available that might make a bluff like that work – DGB for example.

    1. I feel better about “covet” players teams will want to trade up for after hearing Gurley’s knee news. The more players considered “elite”, the better the trade down offers will be from 15.

  75. If the NFL schedule has the 49ers playing the Bears and the Lions back to back, anyone think they’ll camp out in Ann Arbor?

    1. I think the league earmarks teams expected to have losing records as expendable when it comes to fair travel schedules and rest days.

      The 2011 49ers were expected to be in disarray with a new coach and shortened offseason. So what’s the harm in making the 49ers the first team to ever travel out of their timezone for a Thursday game? On Thanksgiving? They have no hope of making the playoffs, so no harm not foul right?

      I think the 49ers have the 3rd hardest schedule, despite going 8-8. They are pegged to get s*****d again. Expect alot of travel days to tough teams on short weeks after Monday games. Far away Thursday games. Stuff like that.

  76. B2W,
    They may not make the playoffs, but Boone better have an Pro-Bowl year. After all, climbing down from the mountain is easier than climbing up isn’t it?

    I’m anxious to see what type of season Boone has on the heels of being pushed to hard by Harbaugh. We’ll see if a more laid-back and unrelenting approach by Tomsula gets Boone to the pro-bowl.

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