SBN Mock Draft: #42 pick

by David Fucillo on Apr 12, 2007 10:11 PM PDT in NFL Draft

With the 10th pick of the second round, the San Francisco 49ers select...

Sidney Rice, WR, University of South Carolina

I'll be the first to say that Jon Beason was tempting after he fell to us in the second round. However further research proved why he would not be a good fit for the 49ers. The switch to the 3-4 requires outside linebackers who can rush the passer and play the run and are bigger than 4-3 linebackers, something that our current OLBs fit into. At 6 feet and 237 lbs, Beason is a little too small to fit into that role, while our rotation of Lawson, Banta-Cain, Haralson, Green and even Moore are all bigger bodies. Additionally, Beason is projected out as the weakside, "Will" linebacker in the 4-3.

While Sidney Rice does not necessarily give the 49ers the game-breaking big play receiver every team wants, he does give them a big body to provide additional wide receiver depth. A trio of Lelie, Battle and Rice, combined with Vernon Davis gives Alex Smith several weapons on top of 2006 leading receiver Frank Gore. While I enjoy watching Frank Gore carry this offense, the 49ers will need some more balance from the passing game to take the next step. Furthermore, if Lelie does not work out and is shown the door, it'd be nice to have a solid option to step in in 2008.

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Should have gone with Beason

Beason would have fit just fine as a ILB in the 3-4, just like Willis would have. I understand that WR might be a bigger need that LB, but we're in a position to take the best talent available. Beason is a first round talent, and he's the kind of guy you just don't pass on.

by gatling on Apr 12, 2007 10:19 PM PDT reply actions

Beason

I was definitely considering Beason. In the end I just really feel we can do better with Rice as an additional receiver. Sure Jacoby Jones or any number of receivers could be an option but I like Rice's size and hands. I really think he could step up at the next level.

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by David Fucillo on Apr 12, 2007 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Ok

I guess that makes sense, but it doesn't sound like Rice uses his height to his advantage as he should. To me, his height is his biggest assest, but if he can't use it to go up and get balls in traffic in the end zone. If his height doesn't come into play enough, then he's really not much better than many of the other options at receiver. Aundrae Allison, Laurent Robinson, Rhema McKnight, and Paul Williams all seem to be not much of a drop-off from Rice, and could be had in the fourth round or later.

Beason reminds me of Okoye, a guy that seems to be pigeonholed into a spot that he wouldn't fit. You mentioned in your explanation that Beason isn't the right type of player of an OLB spot in the 3-4, which is totally correct. However, his skill set fits the role of an ILB in the 3-4. He's like Okoye in that regard, as people around here seemed to blow him saying he wasn't a NT. They were right about him, he's not a NT, but he'd be an excellent DE in the 3-4. I know that for a long time guys have been looked at as fits for either the 3-4 or 4-3, but anymore there isn't that big of a difference personnel wise.

It just seems to me that in a few too many discussions we've had here, people are trying to look at guys as if they're a square peg we're trying to put in a round hole. Instead, we should be looking at the talent they have, what their abilities and strengths are, and how the package of skills they bring to the table could be incorporated into our system, not the other way around.

by gatling on Apr 12, 2007 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Interesting

You definitely make a good point about the square peg in a round hole. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in who will fit what system. That's one reason I still think Okoye could be turned into whatever you want him too because of the huge talent and youth.

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by David Fucillo on Apr 12, 2007 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmmmm

I've been waiting for this for a few days. I just had this feeling that if you didn't "get your way", some kind of a fit would be thrown or the name calling would start. Looks like I was right on both counts.

by enut21 on Apr 13, 2007 6:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Huh

That's interesting, seeing as how I didn't call anyone a twit as you did when Branch wasn't selected. I guess this isn't the first time you've confused "rational argument" with "throwing a fit", as you've thought you've done the former when you've actually done the latter. Guess you still don't know the difference. Also, you never got back about the bust % debate, after I showed that you even consider Willis and Carriker to be safer bets by your own numbers. You were so interested in seeing my numbers, but once I posted them and pointed out what your numbers actually showed, you never responded. I wonder why...

by gatling on Apr 13, 2007 7:34 AM PDT up reply actions

Huh?

I copied and pasted what you said about me. You had a little hissy fit yourself over the Rice pick. As for the #'s thing, it wasn;t worth it for me to keep it going. I don't really need to defend my support for Branch, every other blog in the SBN thought fooch was crazy.

by enut21 on Apr 13, 2007 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Wrong

Sorry if you don't see the difference between explaining why I think Beason is a better choice and you whining and calling names when Branch didn't get chosen. As for the numbers, it's very convenient that after asking multiple times for me post numbers that "it wasn't worth it" to respond, since I showed with your own numbers you didn't know what you were doing. But that's ok, I didn't expect much more from you.

by gatling on Apr 13, 2007 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions

ummm

what the hell are you talking about? I love how in the same post you try and scold me for calling you names you attack me. Way to go. Leave me alone and keep your carriker and sears fantasies to yourself.

by enut21 on Apr 13, 2007 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Those guys couldnt carry Rice's jock strap

You need to get on youtube and search sidney rice....search those other guys and see what you get.......rhema mcknight is bad....he's not good...the other three didnt play against good competition.....i like robinson but Rice played in the best college football conference and dominated with a sub par QB and no complementary WR on the other side.....(Mckinley is good but probably doesnt have much of an NFL future).....Rice hands down......YOUTUBE

by Qbgetter13 on Apr 13, 2007 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Ok

I understand you saw alot of Rice since you went to the same college. Familiarity with a guy sometimes leads to overvaluing a player, which I think you're doing here. Reading more objective looks at Rice and other receivers, I just don't see this huge gap you're talking about between him and others. That's not to say I don't like Rice, he seems to be a solid receiver. But I just don't see him as head and shoulders above the guys available in the next few rounds, when draft position and value are taken into account.

by gatling on Apr 13, 2007 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions

geez

I guess everybody has to agree with you. He likes Rice and thinks it was a good pick, get over it. Btw, Did you used to post on the ESPN boards?

by enut21 on Apr 13, 2007 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions

What?

I didn't once say he should change his mind or opinion, I just happen to disagree. I don't care how many people agree with me, when someone responds to a post of mine with a solid comment like QBgetter did, I'll respond in kind. It was nothing personal, it wasn't an attack, it was just an explanation.

You seem to have some kind of a problem with me, for whatever reason. I'm not going to continue along with you and this junior high-type flame you're trying to incite. I haven't posted on the ESPN boards in my life, mainly to avoid people like you. I feel this board as well as you and I will be best served to ignore each other here on out.

by gatling on Apr 13, 2007 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Rice

Alright Gatling.....you think we should hold off on receiver til a later round bc there isnt much of a dropoff in talent. I searched for highlight reals and didnt find anything on Laurent Robinson, found little on Aundrae allison and it wasnt impressive.
Found a lot on Williams and liked what i saw.....he was always fighting for extra yards and i like that. He made some big plays but mostly against Toledo and San Jose St. After every play he gets up barking which can bring positives and negatives. I dont know a lot about him but if he is someone that thinks he's God's gift to football then he should go to Dallas and be the #2.
McKnight had two catches that were good. The others were routine and wide open (bc of his competition). Not to mention that guy on the other side of him that got most the attention (Jeff samarjd.....whatever).
Rice is a good kid. He barks sometimes but not a lot bc he is a leader. Not a gangster wanna be, but a hard worker who has great football smarts. He uses he heighth advantage constantly (u said he doesnt) and sheilds defenders from the ball all the time. I knew someone would call me out about playing favorites but im not. Fred Bennett is a bum and i would have been the first one to tell you that no way is Jonathan Joseph worth a first round pic. His speed got him that but hes not good. I dont put my stamp of approval on every Carolina football but Rice is one of the best receivers ive seen...(ps i also didnt approve Williamson either bc all he had was speed).
There is huge drop from what ive seen between the guys u mentioned and Rice. I hope youre not reading articles and just saying that. Watch some film and if you have some other guys in mind let me know.

by Qbgetter13 on Apr 13, 2007 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Thats fine.

I think i'll pay attention to you again after we draft Branch. I can't wait to read how big of a mistake Nolan made.

by enut21 on Apr 13, 2007 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Should have drafted Beason

Crazy value at 42. He could have trade up for another 2nd round for WR later.

by ALottOfSense on Apr 13, 2007 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions

O.K.

But he must be required at all times to have his first initial on his jersey, clothing, and extraneous marked property.

Either that, or change his last name.

Still don't really agree with going with a wideout so soon, but if that's what the big board had left, got to take the best value remaining.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down... over and over...

by howtheyscored on Apr 12, 2007 11:22 PM PDT reply actions

oh fooch...

it's easy to get caught up in gaudy talents and yes we have a glaring need for that star #1 wide out, but...

the games are won and lost in the trenches! It doesn't matter if we have 3 all pro receivers, if we have the turnstile Harris at tackle again this season, Smith will be on his back more than Anna Nicole was.

Sears for OT. We need a new guy on the line, and bad. Plus as others have mentioned, Rhema McKnight and others will be available. Plus, to be completely honest, I wouldn't be surprised to see Steve Smith drop. A lot. Not because he's a bad receiver, but for some reason the Pete Carroll era players who haven't been can't miss top 10 picks have had their stocks drop, a lot (the only exceptions being Polamalu and Tatupu).

I hope you have time to reconsider, but I doubt you do...

Anyways, I should have my writeup of SS by the crack of noon tomorrow. I hope :)

by noava22 on Apr 12, 2007 11:51 PM PDT reply actions

oops

just saw that sears was gone. my bad.

but we really need o-line help. badly.

by noava22 on Apr 12, 2007 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Sears

Yea Sears was picked up. The good thing about this draft is that by having several options at each of their picks, I think I'll be much happier by the end of the real draft. If we took Branch or Okoye (assuming Willis is gone) I'd be happy. If we took Sears or Steve Smith or Beason potentially instead of Rice I could very well live with that. That's what's good about being a team on the upswing and you can afford to mix things up in the draft for once.

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by David Fucillo on Apr 13, 2007 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions

Don't worry...

... from what I've read over the past few weeks, the OL prospects from the 3rd to 4th rounds aren't that far off from the ones that go in the second. Starters-wise, the 49ers are pretty set, except maybe on the Kwame/Snyder end. But, with Nolan inking Snyder to that extension, it seems that Nolan is determined to get Snyder to take that job and hold onto it.

Great depth (and potential starters) will sitll be available in the 3rd/4th. Just kinda sucks that the mock won't go that far.

by sfgfan on Apr 13, 2007 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Mock

Although not a guarantee, it looks like we might be able to get through a full 3 rounds. I haven't had time to post the updated picks, but we're through pick 44 (The Falcons) with Carolina on the clock now.

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by David Fucillo on Apr 13, 2007 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Good value

Rice was considered by many as a first round pick. It hink getting him in the second is a good value and it fills a solid need for you guys. He'll be the big possession type body you need to compliment the speed of Lelie.

by JasonB on Apr 13, 2007 7:44 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Sidney Rice

Great pick. I was praying he'd fall to us at No. 56.

Battle Red Blog--where Super Mario is always the right pick.

by Tim @ Niners Nation on Apr 13, 2007 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Rice is very nice

Ok fine pick Fooch, quoting one of the revolutionary bands of the '90s, 311, "F... the naysayers".

Moving on to round 3. I think we try to target Michael Bush with our 3rd Round comp. pick if they go that far. But with our regular 3rd pick I like Quentin Moses. You went the safe route with Carriker now its time to take a guy with some upside, Moses is one of the most athletic players in the draft and in my opinion would make an excellent OLB in a 3-4.

by methodrampage on Apr 13, 2007 8:20 AM PDT reply actions

Bush

Target Bush? I NEVER would have seen that one coming from you!

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by David Fucillo on Apr 13, 2007 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Is that a hint of sarcasim

OT: Fooch how is your UID 6? Didn't you start the site, so shouldn't you be #1? And who are these UID 1-5? I can rectify the situation for the right compensation.

by methodrampage on Apr 13, 2007 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions

User IDs

I actually didn't handle the technical creation of the site. We have our main tech guy who sets everything up so he's user #1. User 2 is blez from Athletics Nation and user 3 is Kos (From Daily Kos) who are the 2 head honchos around these parts. I'm not sure who 4 and 5 are, although I'd assume they're tech guys as well. And thus I become 6. I'm satisfied being 6th in this...I'm but a humble servant to SB Nation and you, the readers.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by David Fucillo on Apr 13, 2007 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Remember...

... Vernon Davis was chosen at #6. It's a good slot.

by sfgfan on Apr 13, 2007 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree.

I like the pick of Rice as well.

Moses could be a pretty good pick at that first third spot. DraftTek has him falling off of the board just before we pick. I don't know how accurate that is, as I have a feeling he's going to disappear late in the second round.

I don't think Bush is going to make it to the comp pick. After you get past Kenny Irons, the RB prospects begin to look a little bleak. If a team is looking for a RB and Irons is off the board, I'm willing to bet that Bush would become the obvious pick. He's definately better than Irons, Pittman, and Leonard, who are a predicted to go before him.

I guess it depends on who's available at that time. I'd also keep an eye on Brandon Siler. Like Moses, he'll probably come off the board during the second, but maybe he'll be overlooked. Depending on other teams' "needs", Kalil (C) and Uhoh (T) may still be available as well.

by sfgfan on Apr 13, 2007 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions

3rd round

While I do like Bush as a running back, I think we have more important depth issues to address early on in the 3rd. If we get lower in the 3rd and Bush is there I'd definitely jump on it but I think it depends on what falls to us early in the 3rd.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by David Fucillo on Apr 13, 2007 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Whoops.

Didn't know that Kalil and Ugoh were already gone.

by sfgfan on Apr 13, 2007 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions

I LIKE!!

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Apr 13, 2007 10:27 AM PDT reply actions

Good call

he can get downfield and has great hands. he has enough speed to go the distance on shorter routes. He can leap. he needs some route-running work, but don't they all.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Apr 13, 2007 10:55 AM PDT reply actions

Hey Fooch,

Is there any way you can further update the draft list, maybe thru the end of the second round?

by gatling on Apr 13, 2007 11:06 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah.

After all of those trades, its kind of hard to figure out who has the next pick.

by sfgfan on Apr 13, 2007 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Sure

I'll try and get it done during my lunch break if I get a chance...It might not happen till tonight though depending on how busy it gets.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by David Fucillo on Apr 13, 2007 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Is Beason Still Available in 2nd Round?

If so, can we trade our 3rd and 4th to get him in 2nd?

by ALottOfSense on Apr 13, 2007 1:19 PM PDT reply actions

Really?

Thats almost (read: theoretically) like trading Michael Bush and Paul Soliai for Beason. Is he really worth that? I'd like to think not.

by sfgfan on Apr 13, 2007 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions

I think so

Beason is a tackling machine. Undersized, yes -- but so is Zack Thomas, London Fletcher. If we came out of this draft with Carriker/Beason/Rice, we got 3 players with 1st round grade. Now that's worth it.
Looking at the point value, I think it will take 3rd this year, and 3rd next year to get a deal.

by ALottOfSense on Apr 13, 2007 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Deal

I'm certainly intrigued by that idea, although not something I'd necessarily do...Just to check interest, what team do you think would be worth dealing with?

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by David Fucillo on Apr 13, 2007 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Before Rams Please

Who's on the clock? But try to do it before the Rams.

by ALottOfSense on Apr 13, 2007 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe Houston?

I know that they had their eyes on Rice and Merriweather, but both are gone. They've been wheeling and dealing all draft long, so they might be worth a shot.

by gatling on Apr 13, 2007 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions

According to Battle Red Blog:

The following picks are in:

BUF--Antonio Pittman (RB, OSU)
ATL--Charles Johnson (DE, Georgia)

by gatling on Apr 14, 2007 9:35 AM PDT reply actions

Who to pick at #3

Responding to the post that stated we should take DE Moses in the 3rd RD, he was at one time rated a top DE prospect, but he had a disappointing senior year. He was totally dominated during senior bowl practices and he displayed the lack of quickness to play OLB. If you pick him to stand up and strickly rush the passer, then ok, but that is a high pick for a situational player.

There will be athletic LB's available like Durant,Everett, or Shaw. Other player who should be considered are OG Beekman, CB Irons, OT Free, DE Alama-Francis, OT Yanda, CB/FS Coe, or a rising prospect to make note of CB/FS Courtney Brown of Cal Poly 6'2,, 200lb, 4.32(40), 41(vert), and a 10'11(standing jump). He is racing up draft boards.

Bush would be a great steal at #97, or we could consider another one of the above mentioned players.

I love the moves this off season and we are sitting in a great position in this year draft. (numerous extra picks)

by alliyah1122 on Apr 15, 2007 11:12 PM PDT reply actions

Yanda

I think he should/would yield some serious consideration in the third. He's a pretty good sized guy, but he may still be too small for Nolan.

It has been reported by Matt Maiocco on a few occasions where Nolan would like guards to be bigger, and thats why Smiley is getting a "cold shoulder" when it comes to contract talks. Smiley is pretty comparable to Yanda in size, except maybe he's 5 pounds or so lighter than Yanda.

Alama-Francis would have to be an early third round selection (if he lasts that long at all). Irons has also had a fluctuating stock.

by sfgfan on Apr 16, 2007 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions