John Lynch on trading the No. 2 pick: ‘We’re open for business.’

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John Lynch spoke at the 49ers local Pro Day Wednesday afternoon. Here is a transcript courtesy of the 49ers P.R. department.

Want to start on the local pro day angle first? Just what are your thoughts on any of these guys out here?
“It’s just fun. First of all, this week’s been fun because you actually look out here and see players on the field and I’ve watched about as much tape as you can watch in a week, so it’s fun to actually come out and see the thing live and in person. Look, we’re fortunate. There’s some legitimate prospects here today and we just appreciate the sacrifice that a lot of these guys made. We had guys come from Yale. We had guys come from Stanford and Cal and San Jose State. I just think it’s a really neat deal for us and we’ve said from the beginning, we’re going to leave no stone unturned in terms of looking for prospects. I think as effective as film is, there’s nothing like live and in person. So, we got a glimpse. It’s hard to see everything, but you can see movement and all of those things. It was fun to see our coaches coaching. So, a lot of things that were valuable today.”

How do you scout a long snapper? You’ve got a Cal kid here who was invited to the combine. How do you scout that?
“I stay in my lane. I talk to [special teams coordinator] Richard Hightower and say, ‘Can he long snap?’ I know it’s really important, but I’d be lying to you if I said I was an expert on long snapping. So, that’s when I’ll talk to Richard and [assistant special teams coach] Stan Kwan and those guys and say, ‘Hey, what did you see?’ And, the same thing goes for kicking and punting.”

There are some of the local guys who are first, second-round picks, aren’t here. Have you had workouts with them? Personal workouts? Stanford DE Solomon Thomas, California QB Davis Webb, etcetera?
“Davis Webb was here yesterday. We had a nice workout with him. He brought [California WR] Chad Hansen with him. And, [Colorado CB] Chidobe [Awuzie] will be in here next week. [Washington CB] Kevin King will be in here next week, so we’re not missing anyone. We’re going to find them and in some cases the film’s enough, and in other cases I think any exposure that you can get by virtue of the league rules, something like this, where they either go to school here or are from here, we’ll take advantage of that.”

Are you going to have Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey and Solomon Thomas here too?
“I think we know those guys pretty well and at some point that may happen, but nothing is scheduled right now for either.”

So, you’ve seen all five of the consensus top quarterbacks in person with your own eyes. What’s your feeling about the five guys that you’ve seen?
“I’ve been, I think very upfront from the beginning. Other people have been watching them for three or four years. Some of these guys I’ve been watching as a fan and then watched them from a different perspective and took in a lot of different opinions. [49ers Head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] and I attacked it and [49ers quarterbacks coach] Rich [Scangarello], our quarterback coach, so we’ve looked at it from every angle. And, from the beginning, I thought that maybe the perception that this isn’t a real strong quarterback class, I think that’s in the eyes of the beholder and we have our own feelings and I think there’s a lot that we like. We’ve put in the work. I do think that’s a position where seeing it live and in person is helpful for me. I think Kyle feels the same way.”

This time of year there’s obviously a lot of information and misinformation. So, when you hear a report that maybe the Browns are considering North Carolina QB Mitchell Trubisky, does that kind of make sense to you, that yeah, why wouldn’t they?
“Sure. We’ve worked Mitch out. There’s a lot to like about him. I also know that it’s that time of year and what are we 15-16 days? A lot can happen in those days. I know it’s fluid for us, the process. I’m sure it’s fluid for them and everyone else. We’re still putting the work in that room each and every day. We’ve got guys coming in and it’s really a fun, stimulating time because there’s a lot of balls in the air, a lot of different players we’re looking at and I’m enjoying it. We all are.”

Speaking of that misinformation, just this first time around, how do you kind of sift through what’s real and what’s not, or do you even pay attention to that stuff?
“I think you pay attention to see how the rest of the world views them, but we’re going to make our own opinions on how we view them for our team. I think that’s something that Kyle and I have been really clear with everybody in our building. We really don’t want to look at what everyone else, how everyone else views them until at some point, probably next week, when you start going through scenarios. Then you have to take a look at how the rest of the world views them. But, at first we want you to go study players and give us your opinion of how they fit for us, for the 49ers. I think it’s been a real good process.”

If someone calls for the number two pick, do you have an asking price, contingency plans laid out?
“Yeah. We have, there’s the traditional trade chart. We’ve got one of our own. I think we know how we value that. As I’ve said, we’re open for business. We’d listen to anything. But, I’ve always said you don’t like being 2-14, but you like having the second pick. I think it puts you in the driver’s seat with a lot of options at your disposal and we’ll explore every single one of them.”

Have any teams called you and just said, ‘Hey, keep us in mind?’
“Some of that’s gone on, but I think we’re not going to get into specifics on that. But, there’s interest.”

In those many scenarios that you talk about, are there any scenarios where you could see yourself moving up to go to number one?
“We’ll see. Like I said, we’re going to look at every possible scenario and we’ve done that.”

Did the two of you meet with Texas A&M DL Myles Garrett or has he already come through?
“I went to his pro day and we spent time with him. We saw him at the combine in our 60 interviews. We went and watched his workout and spent some more time.”

I think he said at Texas A&M that he was going to pay an official visit to you guys. Is that not the case? I know those things change.
“I think we’ve spent our time with him and we’re good.”

Oklahoma RB Joe Mixon qualified for this local pro day, he’s from the area. Did you guys try to get him in here? Is he on your list? Have you crossed him off the list at this point?
“I honestly don’t know the answer to the first question in terms of was he asked to be here. I think in terms of our board, we’ve made an effort to be as transparent as possible, but just one thing that I believe is that we’re not going to share some specifics of our board, who’s on it, who’s off it. So, I think that applies to that young man as well.”

With regards to former 49ers CB Tramaine Brock, you’ve talked about character and I think a lot of people look at it as it’s not just talk, there’s some action there. I know it’s a case-by-case basis, but do you have a thing like if you put your hand on a woman physically, you’re out of here?
“I think where we’ve been consistent is we have said that character is important to us, football character and I think that’s for a lot of reasons. First of all, just the right thing. How you want to carry yourself as an individual and as an organization. But, Kyle and I also believe and some of our conversations that led to us coming together is that that’s how you put together a great football team too. And football character means a lot of different things. But, as Kyle I think articulated very well and I feel the same way because we kind of forged these philosophies together, as those situations arise and hopefully there won’t be a lot them, we’re going to treat each one of them as a unique and different situation. That’s what we did the other day. I can tell you guys that I understood when I stepped into this job that there would be tough decisions and I also understood that part of my job is to make tough and hard decisions. I can tell you that the gravity of that situation, you’re affecting an organization, you’re protecting your organization, but you’re also dealing with the family. So, that was not easy. I think there’s been some conjecture that we didn’t think highly of him. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. He was a starting player for us. So, that was not easy. I can also tell you that it wasn’t meant to send a message. I think you let those things happen organically and we did what we felt was the right situation in that situation. It was not easy and felt like it was something that we needed to do.”

Was he a guy that you were even thinking about giving an extension to or pursuing an extension?
“We had not gotten to that, but he was a guy we were happy to have on our team.”

Does this team need a cornerback?
“I think every team needs cornerbacks. You just look at 75-percent of our snaps in this league are played in what we call sub situations where you’re playing three receivers and I think the response to that for teams is you better be strong and healthy at those positions. And so, we’re looking and the draft’s a great way to acquire some of those guys and there’s other avenues as well. And so, it’s something that, yes, we need to get better at that position. We like some of what we have, but we’re always looking.”

Is it unlikely at this point that you’re not going to be able to trade for a quarterback? I guess you can’t really say the names in Washington or New England, but they have guys that have been mentioned. From all the reports out of those places that they’re not willing to deal them, is that your understanding as well?
“I can tell you, [San Jose Mercury News reporter] Cam [Inman], that we’re really happy with what we have right now. But yet, I’ve been very upfront with you guys, with everyone, that Kyle and I, when you start talking about priorities, this is a quarterback driven league. I knew that when I played. I learned it even more as a broadcaster because I don’t think I could ever admit it as a player because I didn’t want to give those guys that much credit or respect. Respect, yes, but not credit because I had to play against them. As I stepped into that broadcast booth, you talk about commonalities between the teams who have had sustained success and they have that guy. Minus a few anomalies. Some of the teams I played on in Tampa that were defensive-driven. But, that’s a common thread. And so, as long as Kyle and I are here, we’re going to be searching for one of those guys. We’re really excited to see what [QB] Brian Hoyer and [QB] Matt Barkley can do and I think they sense the opportunity at hand at their disposal and I think they’re both working really hard to try to take full advantage of that and that excites us.”

Even though you played for Tampa, you had defensive linemen like former Tampa Bay Buccaneers DE Chidi Ahanoto, Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Brad Culpepper, Tampa Bay Buccaneers DE Simeon Rice, those types of players that can rush the passer. What have you seen about University of Tennessee DE Derek Barnett and what do you like about his game?
“Derek’s a very good football player. Productive in a tough, tough conference at the highest level of competition. So, he’s a guy that we think highly of. I think the rest of the league does as well.”

You’ve mentioned DB Jimmie Ward potentially playing safety. Are you going to be able to make that determination before the draft or is that something that’s not even on your radar when you’re going in?
“I think, and maybe I misspoke, I think we’re going to give him an opportunity to see where we feel like he’s the best fit and safety is going to be an area where we’re going to look at him at. A lot of people, I think the automatic assumption is with what happened here in the last week that maybe we’d change and redirect. No. I think we’re going to do what we think’s best for our team and Jimmie I think provides a unique versatility and we’re going to try to take advantage of that.”

Did you invite former San Francisco 49ers QB Steve Young or did he just show up on his own?
“Well, you know as a local pro day and we felt like there was a lefty at BYU who might be able to help us. So, no. Steve has a player that was here today that he’s buddies with and I got a text today in the middle of draft meetings that said, ‘Hey, John. This is Steve Young. Do you think it would be possible if I might be able to come out to the Pro Day?’ I said, ‘Steve, whatever you want and I’ve told you that. You’re always welcome.’ It’s a treat to see him as always. He’s a good friend. I think he’s a big part of the fabric of this organization and any time we have him out here, I think we’re better for it. I always feel like I get smarter when I talk to Steve. He’s a bright guy and he’s got a unique perspective on things.”

If Ward isn’t your single high safety, who else are you looking at at that spot?
“I think there’s a lot of guys in this draft. One of the really cool things for me is in the system that we’ve chosen to play, we’ve got a good road map for what you’re looking for. Not that it’s a cookie cutter, but everybody would love to find [Seattle Seahawks S] Earl Thomas. There are not many of those guys out there. And it doesn’t mean that we’re looking for a 5-9, 195 pound guy that Earl is, but we’re looking for some of those traits. It’s a credit to Earl. He’s put it out there that this is the profile that you’re looking for when you’re playing this scheme. We’re going to make this scheme our own scheme and we’re going to have some wrinkles that they don’t have, but that position’s pretty defined as to what the standard is and I think he’s done a fine job. We’re looking for that next guy.”

Do you have anything there now, if you were to line up today? Who would be the frontrunner at that spot?
“I think Jimmie’s going to get his chance. That’s something we’re excited about seeing. I think even for great players, people have always said that’s an easy transition. If he could play corner, he certainly could play safety. It doesn’t always work like that because you see a position a different way. And so, like I said, we’re going to vet that, we’re going to look at it, but we don’t know. I don’t think Jimmie knows. So, we’ll see.”

There was a report that you guys were ready to move on from RB Carlos Hyde. Where does he stand? Does he have to prove anything to you guys during this offseason program?
“I know that when I was a player and I went through a couple coaching changes, I think as a player, one of the great things about this league and frankly what drove me to get back into it is that you’re always proving yourself, I think in particular when there’s a new regime. And, I hope Carlos feels that way, but I can also tell you that we’re really high on him and what he might be able to do in this offense. We think he can be a highly productive player, but we’re eager to see. You have these thoughts as to do these skills translate to what we do? He’s a very talented young man and we’re very excited and hopeful just in the interactions we’ve had that he’s come ready to play.”

This article has 114 Comments

    1. Can’t really say that unless we know for a fact that no team is willing to trade up.

  1. I think if Garrett is there they stay, if he’s selected the talk turns into reality. They trade back.

    1. I was thinking the opposite. If the Browns take Garrett, and the offers for pick 2 stink, the Niners are forced to stand pat.

      But if Garrett falls, the Niners could run the ticket to the podium, but the trade offers will be much better with Garrett still on the board.

        1. I can only guess at what Lynch/Shanahan’s trade back price is. Lynch said they customized their own trade value chart. I’ll ask him to send me a copy.

      1. If Garrett is there at two do you trade or take him though. I think you take him.

  2. “According to Mike Freeman’s source, the 49ers want to trade out of the No. 2 pick “pretty bad.” However, the issue for San Francscico is the fact that everyone is aware of this.

    “http://nfltraderumors.co/nfl-notes-t-j-watt-draft-broncos-steelers/

    1. So much for transparency. The game only works if there is a bit of unknown. If everyone is aware that you want to move then you have no leveredge.

      1. Leverage will come when several teams start vying for that pick. Carolina, Jags, Jets, Browns, Saints, and Buffalo may want to move up.

      2. I don’t think leverage is based on knowing a team wants to trade out… it’s based on how many teams, and what teams are willing to give to move up. This year, I think Garrett is the only player worth trading up for… if I am the niners, I even make a call to see what it takes to move up one spot.

        1. Some may think that trading up to get a player a team covets is a terrible strategy.

          I just wish to point out that the Niners traded up from last to 16, and selected Jerry Rice. I think that turned out well.

          1. It all depends on what you get and what you value.
            For example if they were all the same age and you could have either Vonn Miller or Jimmie ward and say Brandon Cooks which option would you choose?

              1. I agree, and I think Garret might be even more freakishly talented than Vonn Miller, (what he does with this ability is still to be determined) that’s why I would make the call.
                This year was a down year for him, but he was playing with a high ankle sprain from the 4th game on (he had 3 sacks at that point), which would severely limit his ability to bend around the edge for the rest of the season.

        2. Leverage Schmeverage. The 49ers have the #2 pick, therefore the 49ers have the leverage. It ain’t like the old days when rookie contracts killed your salary cap so you had a financial incentive to get out of the top 5 picks. The amount of leverage will boil down to who’s still on the board and how badly a team wants that player. If someone is willing to pay a high price for a player in exchange for picks then the 49ers get the chance to turn 1 great pick into multiple really good picks. If teams aren’t willing to pay then the 49ers get a chance to pick one of the best players available at the top of the draft. The 49ers hold the cards here. No matter what happens they win because they get to control the decision about a trade or a pick.

      3. Trading back makes sense, but not for a GM with no experience. Draft a sure-fire starter – like Reuben Foster – and move on.

    2. How exactly is that shocking? Every team in the top 5 most likely wants to trade in order to garner more picks, and usually it is because they desperately want or (more to the point) need to, with the exception being that the team is wanting a certain prospect they know will not be available if they trade down.

      1. But some teams will be more interested in trading back than others. I think the point they are making is the 49ers will be one of the teams most interested in trading back. Again, hardly shocking, but I don’t think the statement was meant to be shock.

        1. My point isn’t that people are unaware of the 49ers wanting to move down, or of other teams wanting to move down but rather that in order to make trades feasible the team has to convince others that perhaps they may also want to stay and keep the pick, otherwise the pick carries little to no value and the trading value goes down.

          1. No, both sides just need to be fair and balanced. Just because the Niners have the second pick, does not mean they will give it away.

            Sure, the Niners should have contingency plans, and one of those is staying put and selecting at number 2.

            Some say that it is very uncommon to trade away the second pick, but Cleveland did it last year, and garnered 5 picks from it.

    3. Well, to be fair, Seb did demand that Lynch be open and honest about wanting trade the pick…any pick actually.

      1. Yup, Lynch is doing exactly what I wanted him to do, but it is just an amazing coincidence.

            1. I also mentioned trading back with the Jets and still getting Malik Hooker because he reminds me of Earl Thomas.

              Lynch mentioned trying to find a player like Earl Thomas, and how difficult it is to find that type of player, and how important that type of player is to run that defensive scheme.

    4. Jeez, Freeman, way to state the obvious. And, really, you don’t need a ‘source’ for that. You just look at the potential first-rounders they’ve been interviewing. Many of them imply a trade-down: Cook. Foster. Allen. Those area three guys that should be there between 6 and 10. Then there’s McCaffery and some others that are more mid-Round-1 that they’ve sniffing hard at.

      After that, you look at the stratification of the prospect pool. After Garrett, the only elite of the draft, there’s a huge drop off. There’s really nobody who’d be a Top-5 in your typical prospect pool. So there’s not a lot reason to move to #2 to grab an ‘elite.’

      Making it worse, this prospect pool is very broad. So not only is it missing a second elite worth trading up for, there’s probably going to be a good selection of players that meet your needs when it’s your turn.

      So unless a team feels that it has a compelling reason to trade up, like the Jets or Jaguars who might want to get ahead of the Bears for Trubisky, why bother? So you don’t get Thomas, but Howard is a great TE prospect and is probably better than most high drafting teams have. There are couple of good safeties. Most bad teams could use a corner. You have Fournette AND Cook at RB, and they’d be good picks at #6… Or #8… Or even #4…

      1. “I think Foster is going to slide. Combination of some character concerns and poor interviews.”

        “I’ll be surprised if Solomon Thomas doesn’t go ahead of Jonathan Allen. That probably wasn’t the thinking right after the season ended. Allen just isn’t very explosive. Good player but I could see him sliding a little bit more than people think.”

        1. Not more than I think… Because I don’t think he’s really a Round 1 guy. I really think he should be drafted in Round 4 as a developmental prospect who’ll take at least a year in an NFL weight room to become the run-stuffing DT he projects as…

          But someone will reach. They always do…

          1. “I really think he should be drafted in Round 4” Jonathan Allen in the 4th? You can’t be serious.

            1. I wasn’t high on Allan until the championship game. He got worked and looked a lot like tank carradine. IMO

  3. Seriously, name a draft where our GM hasn’t said we’re open to trading down? Find 3 examples of any teams GM saying they weren’t open to trading down?

  4. Since Lynch is exploring all potions, here is another one.

    Niners do an innovative trade back with the Saints, which includes players and later picks.

    Niners offer their Number 2 pick, along with pick numbers 143 and 161.They also sweeten the deal by designating Celek, Burbridge, Tank and Reaser, and allow the Saints to pick one of those players to facilitate the deal.

    In return, the Saints offer pick numbers 11, 32 and 76, along with a 2018 conditional second round pick to help balance out the trade value. If the Saints make the playoffs, the pick elevates to become a 2018 first round pick.

    Niners benefit because they would have 4 of the first 76 picks. They move back 9 spots, but get 3 picks in the first 34 players.

    Saints benefit by depriving the Panthers from selecting Fournett. He will help the Saints by helping grind it out on the ground and eating up the clock, which will allow the defense to rest.

    Saints would also benefit by getting a pick in every round, and could select the best player after Garrett.They did not have a pick in the 4th and 5th rounds, so the 143rd and 161st picks provide them with those opportunities.

    Then, the Niners should trade back with a team that wants to jump back into the first round to grab a player they covet. I do not know which teams would want to do that, but the Chargers would give almost exact trade value if they offered their 38th and 113th picks for the 32nd.

    The Niners would end up with pick numbers 11. 34, 38, 66, 76, 109, 113, 146, 198, 202, 219 and a conditional 2018 second round pick from the Saints.

    Using the CBS draft board and trying to pick within 5 of the rankings, the Niners could select-

    11- Haason Reddick ILB
    34- Kevin King CB
    38- Budda Baker FS
    66- Jordan Willis DE
    76- Zay Jones WR
    109-Jordan Leggett TE
    113- Brad Kaaya QB
    146- D’Onta Foreman RB or Jeremy McNichols RB.
    198- Jadar Johnson SS
    202- Stevie Tu’ikolovatu NT
    219- Corey Levin OG

    First 4 picks on defense. 6 defenders, 5 on offense. 11 different positions to provide depth.

    1. I would take Haason Reddick over Foster.

      Foster was aided by being surrounded with elite talent, and has to work on his people skills.

      1. You might have something there, Sebs……..Foster is great, but he also was surrounded by great talent. Something to study carefully. This is where having a former NFL payer as the GM comes in handy……..

    2. “Scott Wright has Foster sliding all the way to the 32nd pick.”

      Thanks for the laugh Scott.

    3. I trade up for foster at that point. I wasn’t a fan of him at 2 but I would love him at 20 something.

    1. Alabama owned LSU. The head coach was fired because his offense was so bad:

      For all of Les Miles’ good qualities, the way he related to his players, the way his players swore by him and the way he made college football fun with his quirkiness, it was his stubbornness that brought about his demise.

      He was the Mad Hatter, the guy who would munch on grass during tight ballgames, but he was also the guy who squandered a maddening amount of talent, according to his critics, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

      On Sunday morning, LSU athletic director Joe Alleva told Miles that the coach would no longer represent Louisiana State. Only hours earlier, LSU had lost 18-13 at Auburn, the third time in four games that LSU had failed to score more than 23 points.

      http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17637322/lsu-tigers-coach-les-miles-fired-due-stubbornness-offensive-struggles

      It’s a good read. And you can kind of see why Fournette was not able to succeed against Alabama. (Dinosaur offense.)

  5. Not like it was a secret. Lynch can always elect to stay at #2 and since he’s created his own chart, that means he will never trade out of that spot unless the right offer is given. That just creates pressure for teams to match that chart or go beyond it if they really covet a top 5 player like Fournette. He’s basically a businessman, putting the #2 pick on sale and if noone buys it, just simply use it for himself.

    1. He’s probably using the Harvard Chart. It’s far more accurate/realistic than the made-up BS of the Jimmy Johnson chart which massively over-rated top-picks and under-rated later picks.

      1. I disagree. The Harvard chart is just as inaccurate, and the parameters do not take into consideration that the value is higher for thee top picks because the top picks are the elite players, and there are a lot fewer elite players than the run of the mill players.

        Harvard chart starts at some random number too and may try to quantify past performance, but the draft is all about the future.

        In the end, it just matters how much value the GM puts towards players, and usually there is a reason why they will not trade a first round pick for a 7th round ranked player.

        I read an article that had the Harvard chart person admit that the HVC system is arbitrary and can be skewed, so both systems are flawed.

        They are meant to be used as a guide line, not the bible, and if both sides consult both systems and have their own, maybe they can come to a consensus.

        Obviously, when the Rams traded for the first pick last season, they threw all the charts out the window. Same with the Eagles.

        1. That’s because you don’t ‘math.’ Seriously. It’s just past you. That’s why it came from ****ing Harvard, not Joe’s Chainsaw Repair.

          1. How many national championships has Harvard won lately?

            I just read what people wrote about it. Maybe you should argue with them.

            Maybe Baalke only consulted the Harvard chart. That is why his drafts sucked.

            1. Seb,
              The Ivy league chooses not to participate in the national championship tournament so Harvard doesn’t compete for national championships anymore.

              1. So noted, but just because Harvard is known for its intelligent thinking, does not mean it translates to the football field.

                Harvard makes all sorts of economic prognostications, but that did not prevent the 2008 economic meltdown.

              1. Bimbo eruptions of snark are predicted every day with pyroclastic flows wiping out everything in its path.;p

              2. He is a perpetual caricature of himself without a shadow of self-objectivity, the wiseman of blathering, me-important redundancy . . .

              3. You bring nothing to the table. Why dont you make up a mock so I can get a good laugh?

            2. Sigh. Thing is, Seby, nobody for the Cowboys actually had a clue. They literally made the chart up.

              “Jerry and Jimmy both liked to trade from Day 1,” McCoy recalled. “I was always in the draft meetings. So I said I would give it a try. It took only two days and a few tries. I started out with the basic assumption that a second-round pick is worth two third-round picks. That was the rule of thumb that owners and coaches used for a long time. It wasn’t hard once you figured out how to do it.”

              That’s the fallacy used for the construction of the chart. Two thirds are worth more than one second. The reason is that success-and-failure of prospects in Round 2 & 3 are very close. So if you make that trade, you’re expected net value of players given up is less than players obtained.

              (Anti-Baalke rant for his idiotic draft day BS deleted.)

              The Harvard chart, OTOH, is based on net present value of expected future performances of a market-basket of potential players coupled with expected success/failure rates of both the pick surrendered and the picks obtained. In short, it’s trying to get you equal value of player.

              And because of that, in the Harvard chart, you don’t do stupid things like trade away to potential 33% starters for one potential 36% starter. Which you’d think was a good deal under the old Jimmy Johnson chart.

              1. Interesting, then why does every team consult it?

                Like I said before, it is just used as a tool, and the Harvard chart could also be factored in.

                Lynch even mentioned that the Niners have their own chart. Just like they have their own draft board.

                Expected future success. That means nothing when there is a 50% chance of a player being a bust, along with being a success. The draft is an inexact science, despite your proclamations.

              2. Seb, the ****ing Cowboys don’t use their own chart anymore! When Baalke traded up to get Reid they took back a 3rd, not a 2nd as their chart would indicate!

                Do try to keep up.

              3. Moses, I did not say hat they had to follow the chart exactly, and last year’s number one and number 2 picks were skewed, and favored the teams who traded back.

                It all depends on how badly does a team want to trade forward or back.
                Sure there will be many trades where a team will seemingly get the better deal, but there are others where both teams benefit.

                In that Cowboy deal, the Cowboys deemed that they could get a good player moving back in the first and in the third round. They drafted Travis Frederick with the first pick, and he has turned out to be a stalwart Center.
                They drafted Terrence Williams in the third, and he has made 177 catches for 2791 yards, for a 15.8 yard average and 20 TDs.

                Sure sounds like the Cowboys did fine with that trade, even with an unbalanced TVC.

                Try harder, your arguments seem to prove you wrong.

  6. Watching D Watson on Gruden camp. His int’s on the footage weren’t flattering. Surprised his agent let him look that bad on an edited show. The lack of MPH shows up on his interception footage.

    1. I believed there was some correlation. Thanks for the confirmation. Wouldn’t touch him before the 3rd round.

  7. When “It” is the Draft and draft prospects and trades and roster options:
    We’ve carved it up. We’ve chipped it. Diced it. Minced it. Hashed it. Rehashed it.
    Now two weeks of staring at the blender watching “it” whirling round and round.

  8. So far, Lynch has done a good job with the draft. He is doing his due diligence by studying every possible player, so no team can divine who they will pick or who is the favorite. Baalke was so secretive, and would not interview a targeted player because he thought it might tip his hand. Too bad he did not get that personal interview, so he missed on the red flags, and that may have been a reason why his drafts were so bad, relatively speaking. Whiffing on an entire draft class doomed the Niners to end up with a 2-14 record.

    Baalke also relied too much on Anal lytics, which told him to pick ACL players because they had few teams interested in them, with high potential. Too bad there was also high risk. Hopefully Lynch has learned from Baalke’s mistakes, and will not draft an ACL player in the second or third round. If Lynch does select an ACL player, I hope he waits until the 7th round to do it. Then it would be less risk with a high reward.

    I sure am glad that he was open and up front by declaring that the number 2 pick is available for teams to trade up to. The fact that he said that, will not devalue its worth, but will raise the value when teams start bidding for it.

    Now he needs to start negotiations by offering fair and balanced proposals, that would benefit both sides and be a win/win scenario. He did not state that they would forego quality for quantity, but he implied the strategy, and since the Niners are 2-14, they desperately need new bodies.

    This is the fun part of the off season, when every poster can put on his or her GM hat and idly speculate about how the draft will go. I will keep on putting up mocks because it seems like things are changing daily, and the QB situation is in flux with the wildly fluctuating assessments of the players, with FAs like Kaep waiting to see how it shakes out.

    Glad to hear Lynch state that he will explore every option.

    The draft is important for a team to replenish its roster. How well a team does in the draft may determine if that team will win, or lose. With the Niners, it is crucial because they need to improve at almost every position, even with all the FA acquisitions.

    2 weeks from now, I hope Lynch will put on his ‘Trader Bill’ hat and try to emulate the master, and select another ’86 draft.

  9. Drafting down with significant point sacrifice will be worth it in this draft deep in rounds 1-3. Wonder how the Niners chart differs from the conventional draft chart. Guess who developed the Niners’ chart? Yes, it was Mr. Rasputin himself…

    1. Rasputin is gone. There is an new sheriff in town.

      The stench of Baalke is dissipating.

      1. Fighting the urge to rework Carly Simon’s ‘You’re so Vain’ for Mr. Seb…

        1. Hah!
          Or how about:
          “So far Lynch has done a good job with the draft.” ??????
          WHHAAA-Hahahaha-UUTT?!?!??? The dude must have a Time Machine, cuz for the rest of us……the draft hasn’t happened yet. I guess it helps with his mock drafts.
          Or:
          “If the Browns make the Playoffs.” ?!?

          But def’n’tly take him seriously! ?

          1. Lynch has prepared for the draft by interviewing lots of players and working out the QBs.

            It is called prep work.

            No, the draft has yet to occur, but when he says that the board is not set yet, I am glad he is working through all sorts of permutations, and considering all options.

            In fact, I am ecstatic that he declared that he was open to trading back, while he is looking at many players who they may pick at 2. Looks like he is looking at players where the Niners may pick from if they move back, so it sounds like he is doing due diligence.

            One thing I will fault him for is his waffling on Mixon. I consider Mixon to be radioactive because he did not only hit that woman, he knocked her out and broke her jaw, from what I heard. If Mixon is picked in the first round, I will scream, because Mixon should not be drafted, but he should be signed as an UDFA, and paid at the league minimum. I do not care if he was provoked, he should have shown restraint.

            Flying off the handle about something that everyone knows is in 2 weeks is pretty lame. Lynch is doing well, preparing for this draft.

            1. Everybody prepares and does interviews. Everybody has a belly button. So what?
              Folks are judged by what they do (not fantasized mock drafts); and Lynch
              HASNT DONE ANYTHING YET.
              there hasn’t been a draft, so he can’t have done well or poorly “so far”

              You’re passing multiple judgements daily on Lynch and Shanny when in fact, you know not what you speak is true. None of us do. We have to wait and see.

              1. BT, my last sentence in the original post was- ‘ 2 weeks from now, I hope Lynch puts on his ‘Trader Bill’ hat, and try to emulate the master, and select another ’86 draft.’

                That gave a time reference, so your critique sounds desperate. Lighten up.

              2. Yeah, No. Nothing desperate about pointing out you’re rating a GM for a draft that hasn’t happened yet. You live in fantasy.
                It hasn’t happened yet.
                PS- How’s your Kap fantasy doing?
                It hasn’t happened yet either.

              3. Compared to Baalke, Lynch has so far worked his tail off, and is leaving no stone unturned.

                Maybe you do not realize this, but there is a lot of preparation before a draft. So far, Lynch has done a good job leading up to the draft, but I guess you think he will hibernate and wake up one hour before the draft starts.

                Passing multiple judgements? I am just commenting on the process, and since they have spoken at press conferences. there are things they have done and said to talk about.

                Why are you so bent out of shape about my comments? That is the problem with you and other posters. Flying off the handle over a post just shows how thin skinned you are, and are so easy to upset.

                I want this site to grow up, stop being so emo, and stop the juvenile attacks. Believe me, many are reading your posts and are shaking their heads. Guess you think your snark makes you look smart. I hate to disillusion you, but it just defines you as being an easily upset lightweight.

                I had hoped that once Baalke was gone, there would be a change in the culture. Attacking me, who is a die hard faithful fan, is counter productive. Intolerance to different ideas is not admirable.It is pitiful.

            2. Whatever, Seb……

              You can never just stick to football. You always have to give a sermon on something that is politically correct and more obvious than the zit on your butt.
              Everyone knows he shouldn’t have decked her…..why lecture the obvious??

              1. Saw, because Lynch himself talked about Mixon, so it was a subject he talked about. Maybe you should rag on Lynch for his response.

      2. Hmm, did he mean that Paraag is Rasputin because he came back after he was demoted?

        Baalke reminds me of Rasputin.

    1. #80, I’m interested to know where you stand on Mixon? Do you think Mixon is a strong option during Lynch’s first, and arguably most important offseason for establishing a new team identity and culture?

      Would you draft Mixon if you were trying to establish a new, no nonsense, team first identity in which players will be held accountable for their actions on, and off the field?

      1. If we drafted Mixon it would be the big media story for us throughout the year. Lynch and Shanahan would be asked about it in every interview in the offseason.

        Mixon would get hounded by the press after every game until some other NFL player does something stupid. Mixon is a young A-hole. I don’t know if he can handle the media circus.

        Lynch would have to meet with Mixon personally to see if he is a changed man. Until we schedule a meeting I don’t see it happening.

  10. Another option, with kudos to Old Coach who thinks the most logical choice would be a trade back with Cleveland, but with a tweak in the compensation.

    Cleveland sounds so enamored with Trubisky, they might pass on Garrett, which would be a classic Browns move.

    Since they have so much draft capital, they easily could move up to the number 2 pick and select both Garrett AND Trubisky.

    Niners should offer their first and 7th round picks to the Browns. In return, the Browns should offer pick numbers 12, 52, 175, 181 and 188. The Browns would end up with the first pick in every round, along with the number 2 pick. By trading back 10 spots, the Niners would gain 3 additional picks, including number 52 which would help mine the sweet part of the draft. The Browns could throw in a 2018 conditional second round pick to help balance out the TVC.

    The Niners would end up with pick numbers 12, 34, 52, 66, 109, 143, 146, 161, 175, 181, 198, 202, and Cleveland’s 2018 second round pick. Maybe make the 2018 pick conditional, and if the Browns make the playoffs, it is upgraded to a first round pick.

    Niners could then bundle some of the later round picks to move up into an earlier round, or bundle them with a player or 2 and move up even farther. Maybe bundle 4th, 5th and 6th round picks for the Saints third round pick. Numbers 143, 181 and 202 for the Saints number 103. Saints might do that 3 for one deal because they do not have picks in the 4th and 5th rounds. Niners would sweeten the deal by throwing in Burbridge and Reaser.

    Lynch should go bold and trade back with the Ravens because he has done it before this year. he should offer the number 12 pick and the 161st pick for the Ravens pick numbers 16 and 47. It almost balances out on the TVC. Baltimore could move up 4 spots and select the player they covet, and leapfrog over 3 teams with similar needs.

    The Niners would then have pick numbers 16, 34, 47, 52, 66, 103, 109, 146, 175, 188, 198 and Clevelands’ 2018 conditional second round pick.

    Using the CBS draft chart and trying to pick within 5 of the rankings, the Niners could select-

    16- Christian McCaffrey RB
    34- Carl lawson DE
    47- Raekwon Mcmillen ILB
    52- Duke Riley OLB
    66- Quincy Wilson CB
    103- Danny Isadora OG
    109- Carlos Watkins DT
    146- Julie’n Davenport OT
    175- Josh Reynolds WR
    188- Jadar Johnson S
    198- Jerod Evans QB

    Christian McCaffrey is too good to pass up. The next 4 picked were defenders. 5 offensive players and 6 defenders. 11 different positions. Wanted to get a TE, but the Niners have bigger needs elsewhere.

        1. Yep you seem incapable of conjuring up an original thought, so you just go attack dog mode. Same old drivel.

      1. Old Coach, with the first and second picks of the draft, the Browns will upgrade their defense and offense. Those first picks of each round are like lower picks of the previous rounds.

        I also am looking at their division. Seems like the Bengals are regressing, and both the Steelers and Ravens have aging QBs and question marks on defense.

        I think Hue will go all out to build a team that can compete for the division. Last season, they did do well at times,but imploded in the second half. With a stud defender and competent QB, they could do a lot better than many think.

        Of course, these are the Browns, and they might snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. ;p

    1. I like that trade. Niners get Christian McCaffrey at #8, and obtain Panthers 2018 first round pick and a fourth.

    1. +1

      Neither Armstead nor Buckner are getting the kind of respect they deserve, and both players are going to be MONSTERS in their new roles, IMO! Buckner turned heads a couple days ago, showing up to the 49ers offseason program with a noticeably larger, stronger looking physique added to what was already a very impressive frame. And Armstead is also looking stronger, according to a source.

    1. Signing him makes sense from the point of view of filling a need, but isn’t he more of an off coverage guy? Also, he’s not a big guy – not sure why his NFL profile says he is 6’0″ because he was 5’10” when he was drafted. Is he really a fit for this D?

      With a deep CB group where they can choose a guy to fit the scheme, I think they are better off just drafting a CB.

      1. I think they should do both. If we wait until the 2nd round or later to draft a CB, that CB might not start.

  11. I don’t care if the Niners trade down, up, sideways or keep their picks.
    I want two pro bowl caliber players with leadership ability. I also want 2 multiple year starters I would like a couple of backup players.
    This years model of the Niners is not the 1986 model. There is no Montana, Lott,Rice, Craig or any other great players. There maybe a couple of very good ones on defense, we will see, but that is about it.
    It is also unlikely the Niners or anyone else is going to draft the next Charles Haley in the fifth round.
    The Niners need the type of players who in addition to being great players can set the tone for the team. A Lott or Earl Thomas or Justin Smith is needed. On offense a Rice (not going to happen), a Craig, a Larry Fitzgerald is needed.
    The culture of the Niners needs to be changed as well as the quality of the players.

    1. Agreed. I know we need a Ton of new players but I think that is the wrong way to go about this. This team has no backbone, no foundation to build upon. We have to get a player that is a borderline all pro every year, and one additional starter at minimum.

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