Wide Receivers

In regards to the current set of receivers (including Vernon Davis), I think the 49ers have a solid corps of wideouts.  They now have speed (potentially) on two sides of the field at all times in Lelie and Davis.  They also have a surehanded "possession" receiver who will fight for the ball in Battle.  That is as balanced a receiver group you're going to get.

I don't think Nolan envisions an offense that will score 30+ points per game or will rack up a ton of yards.  He seems to want to play the good defense and ball control type of game.  With that said, the 49ers have everything they theoretically need as it is.  Rock solid offensive line (especially in the running game), a smart QB who will continue to make fewer mistakes, an elite (albiet potentially fragile) runningback, and a group of solid receivers.

Best case scenario, Lelie turns out to be the 49ers go to guy, drawing double teams.  That leaves Davis one-on-one with a LB or safety a lot of the time, and Battle one-on-one with the opponent's "weaker" corner.  

Worst case scenario, Lelie turns out to be no better than Bryant.  I don't think this would be all that bad.  Bryant did a solid job last season as the team's "primary" receiver.  Smith made a few bad throws from here to there, and the lack of VD for weeks didn't help.  I would like to believe that with VD healthier this year (cross your fingers), he'll have more chances to develop into a suitable alternative weapon to Lelie/Battle.

With that said I really don't think they NEED to draft a wideout, meaning they shouldn't feel compelled to trade up to land one.  Now, I'm not saying that another wideout won't be beneficial to them, either.  I think they for sure need a more "definate" #3, and maybe even a #3 that can act as a #2 from time to time.

While Rice and Meachem definately fit that role, it's hard to justify trading extra picks to move up.  As I've mentioned before, the team has to consider the loss of potential depth they can pick up with those extra picks.  Is it really worth giving up a solid backup tackle or guard (who may actually move into second string if certain trades end up happening) to pick up a wideout like Rice who isn't that much greater than Jason Hill, if at all?  Hill was regarded as one of the nations top wideouts before last season, and being slated to go in the second round (which is where I see him placed most) is a testiment to that.

In regards to trading down to land Meachem: no way, no how.  At #11, the team is looking at potentially Willis, Carriker, or even Branch (yes, its possible, as much as I wouldn't like it to be).  Trading down from that is giving up one of the best defensive players in this year's draft for a wideout who is on the fringe of being considered "second-tier".  Thats a no-no.

There are some potentially top-notch offensive linemen that may fall to #42 in Grubbs, Sears, Ugoh, and Blalock.  

There are a couple of wideouts that will be available in Rice, Hill, and possibly Jarrett.  I'm curious about others thoughts on guys like Steve Smith and Anthony Gonzales at WR.

Tank Tyler will more than likely be available at that point.

A DE like Ika Ilama-Francis should be available, but may be a stretch.

Two CBs worth a look at #42 (while not a dire need by any means) may be Marcus McCauley and Eric Wright.

So really, this pick can go in any direction and the 49ers could come out winners.  Preference wise, I'd hope that Rice is there at #42.  If not, then I hope one of those Sears, Ugoh, or Blalock are available.

Lelie has the speed we are looking for, but his production has been that of a #3 at best. If he steps up and performs as at solid #2,that would be great, but we should not be assumed he will.

Battle has showed some promise, but he has questionable knees. The WR position is a weekness that needs to be addressed in this draft. Our starting O-line is solid and we have a strong running game, but teams will plan to stack the box and force a position (WR's) to carry the offense. We have to field tallent at that position, to create matchup problems and strive to develop a ballanced attack.

My suggestion would be to take the best available defensive player at #11 Willis LB 4.37, Okoye DT with the quickness to play 3-4 DE, Carriker strong 3-4 DE, or Branch DT the big body in the middle.

Pick #42 The best available player would be nice and I feel Jason Hill WR 4.32 and very quick would be a great pick.

Instead of trading down in the second, we could consider trading #76-3rd rd, and #100-4th rd for an extra 2nd rd pick. Their are a couple of teams with two 2nd's. If we did such a deal we could draft a quality 2nd rounder and we would still have #97-3rd and three 4th's.

We could add quality depth at OL, or a pass rush OLB with the extra 2nd.

Would you consider a trade of our 1st rd picks this year and next year, second rd #42 and third rd #76 for the opportunity to move up and pick Calvin Johnson WR the highest rated draft pick in years?

The year we got Rice, he was the only pick in that draft, that panned out and our draft was considered greatly successful.

Consider seeing QB A.Smith, RB F. Gore, TE V. Davis and WR C. Johnson lining up together for years to come. That group has to be considered awsome! Just a thought, please give me your feedback.