2008 Niners Nation Mock Draft

by David Fucillo on Mar 17, 2008 5:38 PM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

Thanks to wjackalope, jtoj, Braekneck, wader251, Hitchcock, cheno, jfainsf49, noava22, illini49er, Sourdoughsam69, and GB for helping with this first round mock draft. I've contemplated a second round but seems thing to have changed enough that some of even this first round are outdated.

For analysis of the picks check out analysis of picks 1-23, 24-31 and the 49ers selection. I, and I'm sure the other drafters, would love to hear your thoughts. Some players slipped more than they probably will in reality and some may have gone to high, but everybody had some solid reasons for making their specifics the way they did. Also, I've included a poll in the post regarding my choice of Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College in the post.

Dolphins - Chris Long, DE, Virgina
Rams - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Falcons - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
Raiders - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Chiefs - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Jets - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Patriots - Keith Rivers, LB, USC
Ravens - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy State
Bengals - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Saints - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
Bills - James Hardy, WR, Indiana
Broncos - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Panthers - Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
Bears - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Lions - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Cardinals - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
Vikings - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
Texans - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Eagles - Philip Merling, DE, Clemson
Buccaneers - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Redskins - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
Cowboys - Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma
Steelers - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Titans - DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Seahawks - Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
Jaguars - Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
Chargers - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburhg
Cowboys - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

29. 49ers - Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College

Packers - Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
Giants - Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona

I've passed along our mock draft to the Hail Redskins Mock Draft Database. They've got quite a few mocks listed there.

Poll

Do you agree with the selection of Gosder Cherilus?

No - Suggestion in comments

36 votes

Yes

52 votes

88 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 21 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

How about a SB Nation mock draft?

Just a thought:
Since there are SB Nation sites for all teams (except the Chargers, right? But who needs them anyway), why not have a SB Nation mock draft? Each site could deliberate on which player to pick. The bloggers for each team and the readers would probably know the most about their team, so it could be pretty accurate.

by spenczar on Mar 17, 2008 6:19 PM PDT reply actions

speak of the devil

We did one last year and we're working out the details for this year. The host site last year was Field Gulls and this year the mock will be hosted at Mocking The Draft, the SB Nation scouting site.

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

by David Fucillo on Mar 17, 2008 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Too many OL

I think we should still take hardy if hes there.. although he doesnt have the physical makeup that martz likes.

If Hardy isnt there i think we should take groves.... he is a beast pass rusher and could replace tbc... there is not a guy (in my opinion) close to groves OLB potential after him.

We could take groves in the first and Carl nicks in the second. Thats what i want to do

by Qbgetter13 on Mar 17, 2008 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions

I doubt

Groves is moving into the 1st round and seeing how the Niners have the 7th pick of the 2nd round there's a good possibility he's still be on the board when they pick.

Here's to hoping Albert Hanyesworth stomps on Alex Smith's head.

by methodrampage on Mar 18, 2008 7:31 AM PDT up reply actions

As Braekneck pointed out...

... it's very likely Groves will be there at the 7th pick of the second round. In any case, if you gave me the choice between Groves or Hardy in the first round, I'd still take Groves.

I don't think there were too many OL that went in the first round. This is a VERY strong class of tackles, and there will probably be around two or three more to go in the first 16 picks of the second round.

by sfgfan on Mar 18, 2008 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Question....

Would it pay for us to trade up to get Williams or Otah?

If the Steelers need a guard, would they be willing to trade down?

What would it cost us to move up?

by BawLa on Mar 17, 2008 11:49 PM PDT reply actions

I'll let you do the math

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/features/valuechart.html

Here's to hoping Albert Hanyesworth stomps on Alex Smith's head.

by methodrampage on Mar 18, 2008 7:29 AM PDT up reply actions

In a word...

No. Why is that you might ask? The tackles, especially those that will be taken between the middle of the first and the middle of the second, are all pretty similar in how well they project to the NFL. Trading up to get Otah or Williams, who isn't much better (if at all) than Cherilus or Baker in the later part of the first. At least that's what I understand from what I've read.

On top of that, I'd rather take Cherilus/Baker and keep whatever pick(s) I had to give up to move up.

by sfgfan on Mar 18, 2008 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Thank you

This is all I wanted to know...that Cherilus is on the same level as Williams and Otah. I read the mock draft breakdown and it said that Williams and Otah are on the 2nd tier. Well that made me think, is Cherilus on the 2nd tier and if not would it be worth it to move up. Sounds like it is not.

by BawLa on Mar 18, 2008 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Tier 2

I don't think people should look at any of the offensive tackles in the first and (early) second rounds as tier 2 guys. From what I understand, 5 or 6 of them can come in and start immediately, so in that light, you'd think they should be considered tier one. The way I look at it, there is tier one and then there is tier one plus. The only member of the tier one plus (in many people's eyes) is Jake Long. I don't even think Long is THAT much better than the other guys like Otah, Williams, Cherilus, etc. I haven't seen much film, but based on scouting reports, there isn't that much of a drop off after Long.

by sfgfan on Mar 18, 2008 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Good pick

When it comes to drafting, the safest bets are always offensive or defensive linemen, so I can live with this pick and I actually like it. I have heard good things about this guy and he could keep the line in solid shape, which is a necessity when running a passing offensive under Martz. I love the thought of our quarterback (Go Hill) not spending as much time on his back as a call girl for the season. This move makes sense. I will say I wouldn't mind a WR that falls, since that is still a position of need, or a DT.

by Gailikk on Mar 18, 2008 7:16 AM PDT reply actions

like the pick

I also like the pick. At 6-7 315lbs Cherilus is big & nimble enough to quickly get out of his stands on passing downs yet have the bulk to maul on running plays. Plus the guy has long arms in order to get his hands on those quick "edge" rushers like Dwight Freeney. He's an OT that can be a Pro Bowler & play for the 49ers 6-8 years. We need to shore up that O-line & get some more depth, this is a no-brainer. As for WR's there are plenty & we can come back on the 2nd day of the draft to get one. The 2nd pick should either be an "edge rusher" or a stout NT like Red Bryant.

George Fernandez

by StonerLab on Mar 18, 2008 7:32 AM PDT reply actions

Good points.

Imagine Cherilus and Staley holding down the edges for the next decade or so: the 49ers would be pretty much set there. I agree with your assessment that the team could easily come back on the second day and get a WR, so there's not pressing need to draft one. I also agree that I would like for them to end up with an "edge rusher" in the second round. Someone like Groves.

by sfgfan on Mar 18, 2008 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Dolphins...

To move away from our team for a second, if you guys were all Dolphins fans, wouldn't you want to draft Matt Ryan considering the franchise hasn't had a solid QB since Dan Marino? Thoughts?

by jaytierney on Mar 18, 2008 1:58 PM PDT reply actions

I wouldn't...

I think I would go with one of the Long guys, as they're probably more likely to pan out. I'm just not that high on this year's QB class, Ryan included.

by sfgfan on Mar 18, 2008 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, I guess...

I'd definitely go with the DE long as opposed to the OT... and since the Dolphins aren't looking to really compete next year (maybe the year after) I suppose they don't need their star QB just yet.

by jaytierney on Mar 18, 2008 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions

No

I'd give Beck another shot and Matt Ryan could turn out to be the next Alex Smith, historically bad QB (statistically this is a fact until proven otherwise). I know a lot of people are down on Ryan, even a lot of Falcon fans don't want him and their QB situation is worse than the Dolphins, and Bromm will probably slip into the 2nd round anyways.

Here's to hoping Albert Hanyesworth stomps on Alex Smith's head.

by methodrampage on Mar 18, 2008 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought about that

when I was drafting for the Fins. They certainly NEED a franchise QB, which that haven't had since Marino. There's a chance that Ryan is that guy, and if I were them I might go with that chance. But I don't think they will.

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Mar 19, 2008 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions

There's always a chance

Ryan Leaf, Tim Couch, (Alex Smith anyone) and David Carr, to name a few off the top of my head, all had a chance at becoming a franchise QB for their respected teams. It's all about the risk/reward and the bottom line is they spent a 2nd round pick on a QB last year and I doubt they're ready to throw the John Beck towel in yet when they'll have their pick of a players who are more assured to be impact players than Ryan.

Here's to hoping Albert Hanyesworth stomps on Alex Smith's head.

by methodrampage on Mar 19, 2008 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions

From a Carr fan

I do believe that Carr's career is essentially over, but I don't think he was really a bust. Rather, I think he was that rare breed that was just astronimcally screwed by the people who drafted him.

Or, I mean, I think it's the rare case where it's not his fault.

But I'll go ahead and add to the pile, too: Akili Smith, Joey Harrington, Cade McNown.

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

by howtheyscored on Mar 20, 2008 11:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Seriously?

So I guess you're implying that under different circumstances Carr would have been at best an average NFL starting QB? He was the first pick of the draft, I think, and he can't even catch on somewhere now as a back-up. He's a monumental, I mean there are QBs drafted in the 4th round and later that can catch on somewhere but Carr can't seem too.

Here's to hoping Albert Hanyesworth stomps on Alex Smith's head.

by methodrampage on Mar 21, 2008 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions