49ers Draft Review: Just when you think you know the answers, I change the questions

by Fooch on Apr 28, 2008 11:56 AM PDT in News

I figured that with all the questions surrounding the draft yesterday, it was easier to roll out answers and try and at least allow for some clarity. We didn't answer a ton of questions, but there are some things we can be safe in knowing going into the season.

However, the grayer area comes when we start discussing the questions raised as a result of the draft. There are questions raised on both sides of the ball and I'll do my best to answer them for now. However, it's pretty clear the answers won't come until training camp at the very earliest.

1. What defense will this team be playing?

This draft leaves me wondering whether we'll see the 3-4, a 3-4/4-3 hybrid, a bit of the old 3-3-5, or some combination of everything. The team did not address the supposed outside linebacker need (especially considering Larry Grant will be competing at the inside linebacker position along with special teams). They've added Balmer to the mix and he appears like he could fit in as an end, a nose tackle, or a defensive tackle if they roll out the 4-3 on occasion. Justin Smith can play end, but could get into that elephant role discussed previously. I have no problem with a mix of defenses but it still leaves me curious.

2. What position will Kentwan Balmer play?

Depending on the defense used, he could be anywhere from a nose tackle to a defensive end in the 3-4 to a defensive tackle in the 4-3. It didn't help that MM and Barrows mentioned him as both potentially filling Bryant Young's role to being the nose tackle and ESPN referred to him repeatedly as a nose tackle. Any thoughts? I'm not concerned because I think he could handily develop into any of those roles. My issue with it deals more with the next question:

3. What of Ray McDonald?

McDonald has some work to do to get more playing time, but I was quite pleased with his development towards the end of last season. Now, Isaac Sopoaga has been resigned to get time at nose tackle and defensive end. If Kentwan Balmer plays mostly nose tackle, he'll be splitting time with Aubrayo Franklin meaning Sopoaga gets even more time at defensive end. Justin Smith is clearly the man on one side. Or maybe it turns into McDonald being in primarily on passing downs since he's more of a pass rush threat than Balmer. The one plus to this is that you can mix and match bodies and keep guys fresh. At the same time, I would imagine it would mess up the line's timing if you're constantly rotating bodies in and out.

4. How will the offensive line shuffle shake out?

While the offense might have issues, I don't see a whole lot of questions. The primary one is how the drafting of Rachal and Wallace affects the rest of the offensive line. Will the team try and get some versatility out of the draftees at different positions, or will they be there to only learn and compete at guard and center respectively? Dave Baas is expected to miss a chunk of training camp, which definitely could help to speed along the development of Rachal. I'm not expecting a big impact from Rachal right away, but it will be interesting to see how he handles the chance to compete for an immediate starting role. As for Wallace, I'd expect him to get some playing time spelling Heitmann but I really don't expect to see him on the field much barring injury. Let's hope that doesn't happen. Of course maybe can shock us and win the job in training camp.

Feel free to throw out your own questions and answers. I know there are plenty of them out there.

0 recs | Comment 33 comments

Read Related

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Real Good Draft

I liked the pick of Balmer before the draft and I still like it now. Any time you can address the the DL and the OL in the first two rounds of the draft, you have done well. Todd McShay just said on ESPN that Tennessee made a huge mistake in passing on Balmer. Look at the Patriots. They almost always go DL or OL in round one of the draft (there whole DL is 1st rounders). Plus, the guys the Niners got are exactly what they needed. Balmer is a 3-4 DE opposite Smith. This DL will have a dramatic impact on the pass rush, because they are space eaters and will tie up some blockers and free the LB’s to roam. Willis will have an even bigger year, Banta-Cain will be improved and Lawson will be a beast. Lawson and Willis should both be pro bowlers.
Then you look at the added depth on the OL. Chilo was probably the best run blocking guard in the draft and he will provide depth should Allen go down again. The niners want to run the ball effectively and use the run to set up the rest of the offense. Plus, Wallace adds additional depth in the interior.
The fact that not one WR was drafted in round one shows that the receiver class was lousy. Not one of them had a real shot at starting for the niners this year.

by The Roach on Apr 28, 2008 1:20 PM PDT 0 recs

+1

The 07 SPYtriots would be 13 point DOGS vs the 89 NINERS,,,and SF would still cover by 10 points!!!

by 49er BOMBERO on Apr 28, 2008 2:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

+2

-- Jay T.

by jaytierney on Apr 28, 2008 8:44 PM PDT up 0 recs

Nice post..

But I question your judgment on Balmer at DE in the 3-4. I can easily see what you are saying, because in the 3-4 the DE is more concerned with positioning than getting to the quarterback. In this case, Balmer seems like a quality player to have at DE. But I have 2 concerns with this. 1. Balmer has “the quickest and most explosive hands in the draft”. So I would think he has more value at the Nose because he can use his hands to turn the Center one way or the other, which should lead to double-teams. 2. Balmer looked kinda sluggish in the video I saw of him. Maybe it was a bad judgment on my part, and I know the scouts say he has good athleticism for his size, but I would much rather see him on the inside of the D-line. Plus he is so much taller than Sopoaga and Franklin, so I would like him at NT eventually, or as soon as he gains a little more weight.

I think I pulled my swagger muscle...

by BawLa on Apr 28, 2008 11:36 PM PDT up 0 recs

Oh yeah...

Forgot to add:

So I think ultimately that we slide Sopoaga over to end. He seems to me to have a high enough motor to get the job done. Maybe he cuts some weight in the offseason to get faster. Or maybe he becomes trade bait.

I think I pulled my swagger muscle...

by BawLa on Apr 28, 2008 11:42 PM PDT up 0 recs

I think Sopoaga at end with Franklin at DT was/is already the plan. Now, this obviously can change but, before the draft, my understanding was that the line would shake out, left to right, Sopoaga – Franklin – Smith. I assume the addition of Balmer just allows them to do some fun rotations across the whole line, with everyone lining up everywhere. Then, if they’re running a 4-3, they just slap McDonald and Balmer in, taking out their pick of Sopoaga or Franklin. That’s my take, at least.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Apr 29, 2008 1:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yeah

I mentioned it in another thread (I think), but Balmer would even allow Sopoaga to slide inside when Franklin needs a breather. I think the depth is the most important part of the 3-4 defensive line, and with someone of Balmer’s size (and potentially more), they have quite a bit of useful depth.

On downs where they slide to a four man front, I’d like to believe that Sopoaga and Balmer will occupy the middle with Smith and McDonald on the outside. Heck, you can have Smith and Balmer line up inside with McDonald and Lawson/Haralson/Moore/Moore/Banta-Cain flanking them.

Endless possibilities!

by sfgfan on Apr 29, 2008 2:07 PM PDT up 0 recs

Exactly, a lot of options and hopefully that will help in case of injury.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Apr 29, 2008 5:53 PM PDT up 0 recs

there is a lot of depth now

dont forget melvin oliver, I really thought he looked good before the injury. The front 7 has a ton of depth and versatility, hopefully the coaching staff can get situational packages figured out quickly.

by sam23 on Apr 29, 2008 8:41 PM PDT up 0 recs

testing

I would rather have a nose guard that looks like this.

"To know clearly what pleases the world is but a brief dream." --Machiavelli

by jfainsf49 on Apr 28, 2008 2:09 PM PDT 0 recs

nevermind, it was a picture of Casey Hampton though, for you curious cats

"To know clearly what pleases the world is but a brief dream." --Machiavelli

by jfainsf49 on Apr 28, 2008 2:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

My own questions and answers

Do I think the Niners did okay during this draft? Yes I do. How do I know? I don’t, I’m only guessing. Do I follow college sports, or have any insight on these players? Not in the least. Should we make it back to the playoffs this year? I really hope so.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Apr 28, 2008 3:04 PM PDT 0 recs

Awesome

Love the expert analysis

by good as gold on Apr 28, 2008 6:10 PM PDT up 0 recs

I’m still amazed that ESPN hasn’t hired me yet. That’s good enough to be in their Insider section.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Apr 29, 2008 9:49 AM PDT up 0 recs

gary guyton

do we have him or is he a patriot?

by sam23 on Apr 28, 2008 9:54 PM PDT 0 recs

I don't see it

I have to say I was disappointed with the Niners draft. I have doubts about Balmer, mostly based on his lack of production before this past season, and I am completely disappointed in drafting Rachal. Now maybe Rachal will become a very good lineman, but I can’t help but think this was an overreaction to the David Bass injury. Going into the draft I think most of us were saying the biggest needs were Pass Rushing OLB, OT, WR, and adding depth along both the OL and DL. Of the three biggest needs we didn’t get anybody. I understand taking the best available player and everything, but in the second round we could have picked any of the WRs or three or four Pass rushing LBs. In the third round we passed on Early Doucet and Crable to get a DB that everyone acknowledges isn’t fast enough. This is made even more puzzling considering many on this board believe that Shawnte Spencer could be a number two CB and is more than adequate as a third DB. Then in the fourth round we pass on Lavelle Hawkins to get a center who likely can play C or G on the interior. I understand being conservative and not getting wrapped up in the “sexy pick” but how can we say, given our needs, that these picks are going to make us a playoff contender?

Tom will never be as cool as Joe

by wader251 on Apr 29, 2008 11:23 AM PDT 0 recs

Hmm.

While I agree that the 49ers may have made a mistake by passing on Crable (or a pass rusher in general) and taking Smith, I don’t disagree with the idea that the team lacked depth at DB as well. Walt Harris is getting old (not just older, but old), and as we’ve seen with many veterans, they don’t just have a slow drop off when it comes to physical ability. It tends to all fall off the bus at the same time. I agree that Spencer has the talent to be a fairly good #2 and is more than adequate as a #3, he has serious durability issues, and would need a solid backup behind him. The 49ers backup CBs, aside from the top three, are all either uncertainties (i.e. Brown and Strickland) or injury prone as well (i.e. Hudson). This is not to mention that the 49ers could use a true FS, and while they liked Goldson, apparently they’re not convinced he’s ready to take the job on himself. There’s the old adage: you can never have too many DBs.

As for passing on Hawkins to take an interior lineman, I don’t see too much flaw in it. Linemen are safe picks, and it’s not like the team doesn’t need them. They lacked offensive line depth in general, so taking someone who should help that (i.e. having the versatility to play multiple positions) isn’t such a bad idea. Factor in the fact Heitmann hasn’t shown to be himself since the injury and that his contract is ending, it’s a good idea to bring in another potential center or guard to either replace him, or free up Baas to take over center. Baas’ contract is also up soon, so I taking two interior lineman can’t be THAT bad.

Your question on whether or not any of the picks will make us a playoff contender kind of has a variety of answers that can all be right. On one hand, you can say the team didn’t fill their biggest needs in the draft, and that will hurt the team’s (minimal) playoff hopes. On the other hand, one could argue that they added solid depth where depth was needed and that depth will help them get where they need to go. Who’s to say a guy like Crable or Hawkins will make some kind of immediate impact on the team? Similarly, there’s no guarantee that the guys the picked won’t make one either.

I guess all I’m saying is that while it’s certainly possible to disagree with the path the 49ers took in the draft, it’s kind of hard to be disappointed in it, as the finished product has yet to hit the shelves.

by sfgfan on Apr 29, 2008 12:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

+1

"To know clearly what pleases the world is but a brief dream." --Machiavelli

by jfainsf49 on Apr 29, 2008 12:30 PM PDT 0 recs

If we were the Patriots...

I would say this draft makes sense. Not a lot of wholes to fill able to add depth and potential future starters, but unfortunately we are not in that position. I liken it to the Stoolies. Everyone agrees they need a QB and then they go out and draft everything but a QB. Now I don’t think the Stoolies had a bad draft but if you don’t address a glaring need how can you say it is a success. Maybe Balmer is the next coming of BY and Rachal will turn into the next Larry Allen. There is a lot of discussion of drafting best available and drafting on need. I think you have to balance the two. I am not saying we should go out and take a flier hoping to hit the jackpot but taking some calculated risks is a must. I am not suggesting Hawkins, Doucet, Groves, and Crable will all be pro-bowlers, but at some point in the draft you stop drafting on immediate impact and start drafting on potential. Why not draft potential at a position of need?

Tom will never be as cool as Joe

by wader251 on Apr 29, 2008 12:51 PM PDT 0 recs

It was a Noncommittal Draft

With this draft the Niners left themselves non-committed to the 3-4, Nolan, Alex Smith, Mike Martz, and whoever/whatever else might be in limbo.

If you look at the off-season moves the Niners made you wouldn’t be able to tell that they run a 3-4 defense, if anything you’d think a 4-3. The Niners are only running a 3-4 because it’s Nolan’s baby and seeing as how his job is on the line why would the front office take a risk in committing themselves further to a 3-4 if Nolan might be done after this year? They’re hedging their bets. That’s partially why they drafted Balmer, as is he can play DE in a 3-4 or DT in a 4-3. It’s obvious they didn’t want to spend a pick on a 3-4 specific position, like a 3-4 pass rushing OLB. This is also could be why they took a “value pick” like Reggie Smith in the 3rd.

As for the offense, it’s in just as much limbo as Nolan’s job and the defense. Which all starts with Alex Smith and I don’t think anybody knows what exactly the Niners have in him. Can he cut it as a starter or not? He hasn’t really shown that he has but he’s also had a lot of things stacked against him and he’s still really young. However, I think this is the make or brake year for Smith. If he flails the Niners will look for a QB in next year’s draft. Which is probably why they took Chilo Rachal, who’s a project in himself, and Wallace. Because the one sure fire way to hurt, developmentally and physically, a young and inexperienced QB is to put him behind a shoddy offensive line.

The bottom-line is the Niners drafted a lot on potential with their sights set on 2009-2010 and beyond, not 2008. Like it or not the Niners had way too many holes to fill to be a legitimate playoff team in ‘08 and by legitimate I might good enough to get past the first round. Because really, what’s the goal here? To make the playoffs in ‘08 or win the Super Bowl in 2010? The Niners bought themselves some time with this draft and honestly that’s about all they could do give their picks. It wasn’t the best thing for ‘08 but I think it was the right thing to do.

by methodrampage on Apr 29, 2008 1:40 PM PDT 0 recs

Wowser!

Nice take. But just so we are clear. You are joking in the 3rd paragraph when you said, “Which is probably why they took Chilo Rachal, who’s a project in himself, and Wallace. Because the one sure fire way to hurt, developmentally and physically…” You lost me with that one…

"To know clearly what pleases the world is but a brief dream." --Machiavelli

by jfainsf49 on Apr 29, 2008 1:53 PM PDT up 0 recs

Sorry for the confusion

Chilo and Wallace will definately help shore up the offensive line; they won’t have much impact this year but should be very solids additions for the near future. So if in fact, Smith is a bust and the Niners draft a QB early next year the OL will not be shoddy and thusly providing an environment in which a young QB can more easily succeed.

I hoped that helped to clarify things.

by methodrampage on Apr 29, 2008 2:10 PM PDT up 0 recs

Thanks for clarifying

Is was probably perfectly clear to everyone else. Unfortunately, for me, my reading comprehension is barely above grade school level.

"To know clearly what pleases the world is but a brief dream." --Machiavelli

by jfainsf49 on Apr 29, 2008 2:26 PM PDT up 0 recs

Very good point(s).

To add to it: the offense is also in further flux because they can’t commit to Martz, as Martz won’t commit to them. They can’t draft a “Martz” kind of receiver high in the draft because there’s really no guarantee that Martz is going to be around next year.

by sfgfan on Apr 29, 2008 2:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

I was going to mention "Martz WRs"

But the governing factor, to me, why no WR was taken early by the Niners is that they don’t really need anymore depth at their #2 and #3 WR positions. What they need is a potential #1 and that’s something that this draft just simply wasn’t offering. If you threw Bryant Johnson in with this years draft class he’d probably be the clear cut #1 WR on every team’s draft board.

by methodrampage on Apr 29, 2008 2:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

True.

Well, that’s very true too.

by sfgfan on Apr 29, 2008 2:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

Adding Depth at WR

I agree that this team isn’t looking for depth at the 2 or 3 WR but you can’t find a #1 WR if you don’t draft any of them. This WR class may have lacked a strong candidate to become a #1 but I would be shocked if none of these receivers pan out. Using a 3rd or 4th round pick is a great time to take a calculated risk on a WR that could develop. Especially considering the WRs that were available when we drafted in rounds 2 through 4.

Tom will never be as cool as Joe

by wader251 on Apr 30, 2008 10:54 AM PDT up 0 recs

you can’t find a #1 WR if you don’t draft any of them

I’m having trouble explaining it in words, but this reasoning is completely wrong. If the Niners front office used this logic in their decision making process I would be calling for their heads. You then said:

This WR class may have lacked a strong candidate to become a #1

If the odds are lower than usual at finding a #1, doesn’t it seem like the exact wrong time to go trawling? Especially considering there really isn’t room or PT on the team for another WR.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Apr 30, 2008 2:04 PM PDT up 0 recs

Agreed.

If the 49ers had taken a WR in the 3rd or 4th round, he’s basically guaranteed a roster spot (as he probably won’t last very long on a practice squad). If he’s going to be an experiment, which most first year WRs are, which player that can potentially contribute would you cut to make room? The only real possibilities are Lelie and Hill.

As much as people clamor for Lelie or Hill to get more into the mix, I don’t see how taking a WR in this year’s draft would be conducive to that. Any WR drafted would more than likely push one (or both) of those two even further down the depth chart (and potentially off the roster), and not necessarily because he’s earned it through performance but because he’s some sort of pet project. The 49ers have a fairly young group of WRs in Battle, Johnson, Lelie, and Hill. The only “old” guy on the roster is Isaac Bruce, and it’s pretty fair to say he’s not going anywhere.

by sfgfan on Apr 30, 2008 2:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

Drafting a WR

I wasn’t suggesting that the niners should draft a WR just to draft one. What I was saying is there were plenty of draft experts and mock drafts that thought there were a few WRs in this draft that could develop into a top flight WR. You can’t just look back at it now and say “well none were taken in the first round so they all sucked.” My point is that given the WRs that were available in the third (Doucet) and fourth (Hawkins) when we picked, and how can we just ignore the position until we take the third receiver on a prodominately running college team in the sixth round? I think it is crazy to think none of the WR in this draft are going to turn into a top tier WR. And as far as the depth chart goes Nolan didn’t have a problem carrying extra receivers last year so why would he this year?

Tom will never be as cool as Joe

by wader251 on May 1, 2008 8:00 AM PDT up 0 recs

Crazy

While it is a very unusual idea, I don’t think it’s THAT crazy to think that none of the WRs in this draft could turn into “top tier” receivers. While Hawkins is a very polished receiver, he had some very valid question marks. Similarly, Doucet has some valid concerns as well.

by sfgfan on May 1, 2008 9:40 AM PDT up 0 recs

Agreed

All of them had some questions otherwise they would have been drafted in the first round but with as many quality, if not spectacular WR, this year I would be shocked if none of them overcame whatever shortcoming they have to be a top flight WR. If going into the draft you told me we could have gotten Doucet in the third round I would have called you crazy. I don’t see how no one else thought that Doucet would have been a steal in the Third or that Hawkins in the fourth. I guess all I was trying to say, rather poorly, is that given the team needs and where they would have been picked I think we made a mistake not taking one of those guys.

Tom will never be as cool as Joe

by wader251 on May 1, 2008 1:24 PM PDT up 0 recs