2015 NFL Draft wide receiver comparisons

This is what I see when I watch the wide receivers in this year’s draft class. If you disagree with me you’re probably right. I will revisit this after the Combine. Amari Cooper: Torry Holt. Smooth route-runners who are fast, big-play receivers. Value: First round, top 10. Kevin White: Sidney Rice. Tall, lean downfield threats who jump high and crash to the ground. Both accelerate quickly, but neither creates much…

February 10, 2015
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Do the 49ers really need a speed receiver?

The 49ers need a third receiver. That is clear. Most draft gurus agree that the Niners need a burner, someone who can “take the top off the defense,” someone who runs a 4.3 40-yard dash or a low 4.4. Someone like Brandin Cooks or Odell Beckham. I agree, the 49ers need a deep threat. The Niners already have two possession receivers who excel on underneath and intermediate routes — Anquan…

April 9, 2014
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The problem with LaMichael James and A.J. Jenkins

When the 49ers drafted A.J. Jenkins in the first round and LaMichael James in the second round, all we heard was how the 49ers didn’t need those guys this season. The 49ers are so deep and talented, those two high draft picks could afford to “red shirt” their rookie seasons, just lift weights and learn the system. Forget all of that. The 49ers need Jenkins and James right now. James…

December 3, 2012
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Fangio on the Giants offense: “They haven’t had Nicks for three games and they haven’t missed a beat.”

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent on Thursday afternoon. Here’s what he said about the New York Giants offense, courtesy of the 49ers.   Can you point to some of the major differences with the Giants offense from when you played them nine months ago? “There’s not much difference. No sense for them to change a successful formula. They have a real good offense, starting with…

October 11, 2012
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Coughlin on New York Giants: “We haven’t gotten much pressure this year.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what Tom Coughlin said to Bay Area reporters about the New York Giants Wednesday morning on a conference call. Q: How much of the success of your defense is related to your abilities to get pressure on the quarterback with just four guys? COUGHLIN: That’s always been our strong point. We haven’t gotten much pressure this year comparatively. Obviously it’s something we’re trying to regenerate. Hopefully…

October 10, 2012
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49ers-Giants matchups: Part III – Culliver vs. Hixon and Randle

The 49ers play the Giants on Sunday at Candlestick. In the meantime, I’ll break down a couple of key matchups per day. CB Chris Culliver (6-0, 199 pounds, 4.36 40-yard dash) vs. WRs Domenik Hixon (6-2, 197, 4.39) and Rueben Randle (6-3, 208, 4.43). When the 49ers played the Giants Week 10 last season, Culliver mostly matched up man-to-man against Mario Manningham, who caught 6 passes for 77 yards and…

October 9, 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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Combine: Forget Sanu and Randle. Enter Wright and Hill.

The wide receivers ran their 40-yard dashes this morning at the combine, and just like that, you can forget about Mohamed Sanu. He ran a 4.67 40-yard dash today at the NFL Combine, which means he’s slower than Michael Crabtree, which means the Niners probably aren’t going to drafting him. So, that narrows things down a bit. What else did we learn? Michael Floyd ran 4.47. He’s probably not going…

February 26, 2012
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