Did the 49ers consider drafting Fleener? “Yes, of course,” says Harbaugh.

SANTA CLARA — Jim Harbaugh spoke in the media tent Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript courtesy of the 49ers.   You were with Colts QB Andrew Luck for three years, three seasons. What did you teach him that helped him become the football player he is now? “He came in with a lot of talent and a lot of things taught by his mother and father, and other God-given ability….

September 18, 2013
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How the A.J. Jenkins mistake affected the 49ers’ past two drafts

Let’s pretend the 49ers didn’t make the A.J. Jenkins mistake last year. Let’s pretend they drafted someone else. How would that have affected the 49ers’ past two drafts? Say the 49ers drafted tight end Coby Fleener instead of Jenkins with the 30th pick in 2012. In that case, the 49ers’ wouldn’t have needed to draft tight end Vance McDonald with the 55th pick in 2013, and the 49ers could have…

August 22, 2013
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49ers facing a summer of questions

This is my Monday column on the top-five questions the 49ers face this summer. Even though the 49ers are among the odds-on favorites to win the Super Bowl, like any other team, they confront certain issues. Two of their best players – Justin Smith and Frank Gore – are in their 30s and declining. The 49ers’ offensive MVP last season – Michael Crabtree – tore his Achilles tendon in OTAs….

July 22, 2013
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49ers blow their first round pick, draft A.J Jenkins

SANTA CLARA — I give the Niners an F for their A.J. Jenkins pick at No. 30 in the first round, and here’s why. We all know the Niners’ biggest weaknesses are third down and red zone offense. They will not win the Super Bowl this season unless they improve those two areas. So, they needed to spend a first round pick on a player who would help the cause….

April 26, 2012
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Grant’s Final Mock Draft

This is exactly how the draft will play out. 1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford. 2. Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor. 3. Minnesota Vikings – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU. The Vikings think they’re drafting the next Champ Bailey. 4. Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama. The Browns replace Peyton Hillis with the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson. 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers –…

April 24, 2012
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Greg Cosell mock draft: The Niners draft Peter Konz

Greg Cosell just posted his mock draft and it’s very interesting, so I’m linking it for you here. Here are the highlights: 1. Cosell says Robert Griffin III is a better prospect than Andrew Luck. 2. Cosell says Stephon Gilmore is the best cornerback prospect, followed by Janoris Jenkins and then Morris Claiborne. 3. Cosell says Matt Kalil will slide to the Cardinals at pick No. 13. 4. Cosell calls…

April 23, 2012
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The top-10 pass catchers in the draft

Here’s my list of the top-10 pass catchers in the draft. Feel free to tear it apart and make your own list. 1. Coby Fleener, Stanford, 6-6, 247 lbs., tight end, h-back, slot receiver, split end, flanker. Fleener has the potential to be a faster Tony Gonzalez. As a pass catcher, Fleener’s the total package. He’s big, he’s fast, he’s quick, and he has good hands. As a blocker, he’s…

April 18, 2012
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Why Jarius Wright is better than Kendall Wright, and more

We’ve been doing a lot of Fleener talk around here recently. For the sake of discussion, let’s say the Niners don’t end up with the Stanford tight end in the upcoming draft because a team in the top-15 drafts him and the Niners don’t get a chance to trade up. What do they do then? They need a pass catcher who can make the big play to complement Vernon Davis…

April 16, 2012
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Greg Cosell on 2012 WR draft prospects, plus Fleener

Greg Cosell has done some serious tweeting about the NFL draft over the last month. Since many of you are not on twitter, for you convenience I’ve compiled all his recent tweets on offensive skill players. Some people don’t take Cosell as the gospel, but he’s very interesting and he gets the discussion going. To read him, click here.

April 9, 2012
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How the draft will play out for the 49ers

Here’s how the 49ers 2012 draft will play out. 1. They’re going to draft the best player available in the first round, and he will be Stanford TE Coby Fleener. He will instantly improve the Niners’ biggest weakness – their passing attack – and he will eventually replace Delanie Walker, who will be a free agent after this season. 2. They’re going to trade up in the second round for…

March 29, 2012
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TE Coby Fleener runs unofficial 4.45 40-yard dash at Stanford Pro Day. Niners: Draft him.

Coby Fleener just ran an unofficial 4.45 40-yard dash at his Pro Day and emerged as the Niners’ no-brainer first round pick if he’s still available for them in the upcoming NFL draft. To compare, Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots super tight end, ran a 4.65 at his Pro Day, and the Saint’s super tight end Jimmy Graham ran a 4.53 at his Combine. There are very few six-foot six-inch people…

March 22, 2012
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49ers need Mike Wallace

The NFL draft combine starts today, and as soon as something happens I’ll break it down for you. Stanford tight end Coby Fleener will not run this week because he has a high ankle sprain, so we won’t know how fast he is until he runs at Stanford’s Pro Day on March 22. If he runs a 4.5 40-yard dash, he would be a good pick for the Niners with…

February 22, 2012
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How the Niners offense can improve on third down and in red zone

This is a blog about Stanford tight end Coby Fleener, but first, some context. According to Matt Maiocco, Dashon Goldson is the Niners’ top candidate for the franchise tag. Franchising Goldson would cost the Niners $6.2 million in 2012, while it would cost them $10.6 million to franchise their other top free agent, Carlos Rogers. So, Goldson most likely will be a Niner next season. But, will Rogers? He wants…

January 28, 2012
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