2007 49ers Rookies
by Fooch on Oct 19, 2007 8:55 AM PDT
in News
2 comments
Over at ESPN, Matt Mosley put together some quasi-rankings of the first round of the 2007 draft. This list seems like a good time as any to take a quick look back at the 49ers draft and where we're at.
So the good news is Patrick Willis is a beast and Joe Staley is our most consistent offensive lineman. The bad news is we've received no production from the rest of our draft class....so far. We all realize Willis is awesome and Joe Staley is making great strides. Now seems like a good time to consider some of the other guys.
Jason Hill
He's missed significant time with hamstring problems and thus hasn't had a chance to make much of a contribution. According to Rotoworld:
The Washington State alum has missed the last two weeks. He's currently the No. 3 flanker behind Arnaz Battle and Bryan Gilmore, but that will change when Hill recovers, as he's expected to pass Gilmore. Gilmore and Ashley Lelie will likely split third receiver snaps until Hill is ready.
Thomas Clayton
Considering how bad the offensive line has been, it's probably a good thing Clayton is on the practice squad. Although, I have been keeping an eye on the transaction line to make sure Clayton isn't signing somewhere else. The Bucs could have used him before trading for Michael Bennett.
Tarell Brown
He's definitely a future impact guy, but considering the level of our secondary he's just able to watch and learn. I'd like to hope he's staying close to Nate Clements and Walt Harris. While Harris is a solid corner, at 33 I don't think he is in the long term plans of the 49ers. I'm very curious to see how things develop next training camp for Brown. Spencer is clearly a #3 corner and I think Brown has the talent to pass him on the depth chart at some point.
Dashon Goldson
Goldson definitely has project written all over him. Michael Lewis is in for the long haul at strong safety, but considering Goldson's flexibility to potentially play safety and corner, he has some options down the line. Again, the secondary is our strength so I'm not sure where he'll fit in beyond nickel and dime situations.
Ray McDonald
McDonald actually got into a game right before the bye and grabbed a tackle. Our defensive line has actually been pretty solid since Marques Douglas and Bryant Young are playing out of their minds. McDonald could be very useful in spelling both guys over the course of games. Douglas and BY are both not guaranteed to be back next year for various reasons (free agent & retirement respectively) so there could be spots open for McDonald.
Anyways, I've got to run to class so I'm going to cut this short. Joe Cohen and Jay Moore are both on the IR so obviously not making an impact. Considering present performance and possible future returns, thoughts so far?
0 recs |
2 comments
Email
Print
Comments
Hmm
I think being on the practice squad has been a good thing for Clayton. From what I understand, he's a pretty well balanced back. Decent hands, and he knows how to block. A year on the practice squad will no doubt allow him to learn the playbook thoroughly, which should help him next year. It's very unlikely Hicks will be back next year, as the only reason he came back this year was because he was a RFA. So expect Clayton and Robinson to duke it out next training camp for #2 RB.
Brown, hopefully, by next year will be a fairly decent #4. Walt Harris signed an extension during this past offseason, so even considering his age, he should be part of the team's "long-term" plans. If age catches up to him, Spencer will gladly step up to #2 across from Clements. In any case, I'm very excited about the 49ers CBs the next two or three years.
Goldson will probably have to find his fit in the nickel packages. Mark Roman, the current starting free safety will probably be the only guy he can take a starting role from. Even then, though, it may be unlikely (at least this year and next). He could be part of a "big" nickel, like the one the 49ers played against the Seahawks. They go 5 DB, but chose three safeties instead of three corners. Goldson and Strickland will eventually share time as that third safety this year, with Goldson the front runner for next year (if all things go well).
Ray McDonald could become an starter as early as next season. As Fooch pointed out, Marques Douglas and Bryant Young are both FAs after this season. It's highly likely that Douglas returns, but if he doesn't, McDonald and Ronald Fields should be the front runners to replace him (and B.Y.).
With defensive line in mind, it brings me to Cohen. I don't think he's big enough to be an effective nose in the 3-4. Hopefully the 49ers draft a big man (or two even) in the upcoming draft, allowing Cohen to shift to DE in the base defense. Thats where I ultimately think he'll best contribute to this defense.
Jay Moore is a mystery to me though. I still don't really know where he fits in the grand scheme of things. He's not big enough to play DE in a 3-4, but he's not very fast either. He could possibly end up being a backup for Tully Banta-Cain on the weakside, as they're less likely to cover TEs during games. However, I could be completely wrong and he turns out to be a very good platoon guy or even special teams kind of guy.
by sfgfan on Oct 19, 2007 9:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hill as a punt returner?
by Nosetackle Supreme on Oct 19, 2007 10:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
