49ers SBN Mock Draft Options - Throw in your 2 cents if you get a minute

by David Fucillo on Apr 9, 2008 8:52 AM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

Well, we're through 25 picks in the SBN Mock Draft and it looks they'll need a pick from us to post tomorrow around 2pm eastern/11am pacific. So I thought now was as good a time as any to start generating some ideas and see if any thoughts have changed since our own mock draft netted us Gosder Cherilus.

Looking over the recent picks, one guy I liked, Brandon Albert, was snagged by the Steelers. In the post on Brandon Albert, there was an interesting comment from Matt Miller, proprietor of New Era Scouting and Mocking The Draft and an NN reader:

There is no shame in almost drafting Jerod Mayo, we love the kid and hope he ends up a 49er (Fooch...)

There was some brief discussion about Mayo and I'm curious what the rest of NN thinks about him? I checked out his scouting report and he certainly seems like a solid option to pair up with Bamm Bamm:

A two-year starter who has come on strong in the post-season. Mayo is the most athletic option for teams looking to add a middle linebacker. He is a very active tackler, can drop into coverage and has the frame to hold up in a 3-4 defense. Mayo has moved himself in to the first round.

Aside from the various wide receiver prospects and Gosder Cherilus, an offensive tackle option is also Jeff Otah. Many sites have him ranked above Cherilus, and while it doesn't appear to be much difference between Otah and Cherilus, NES's scouting report had a warning note:

Otah is a player who rocketed up draft charts as the season progressed. It's easy to fall in love with his size and athletic ability. He possesses power, agility and some quickness. Look closer and you'll see a player who is inconsistent and doesn't always play with a lot of desire. Otah has only played two years of top-level college football and didn't start to play the game until he was in high school. Otah's tools are intriguing, but he may need a year or two to learn and adjust.

Comparing Otah to Cherilus and it seems like Cherilus was a little more consistent and would make the transition a little bit quicker at the next level.

So that certainly opens things up a little bit more. A quick glance and I wondering whether Cherilus is the safe pick, but Mayo is the upside pick. And there is the question of true positional need versus a possible value pick. As nice as it would be to potentially completely solidify the inside linebacker positions for the next decade, is offensive line or the pass rush (see Groves, Quentin) more of an immediate need to be filled with first round talent?

EDITOR'S UPDATE 9:45AM - I just got some quick insight on Jerod Mayo from Rocky Top Talk, our Tennessee blog.

Tweet Comment 30 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Mayo?

Can't really see us taking an ILB when RT and OLB is a bigger need... that being said I would take Cherilus 29th and hope Groves will be available at 39.

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on Apr 9, 2008 9:03 AM PDT reply actions

We're on the clock

Picks 26-28 have been submitted but won't be posted until the appropriate times (meaning our pick will be posted tomorrow at 2pm). I'm not going to give away who went ahead of us, but I can safely say none of them were first round options. I'd like to submit a pick no later than after lunch (pacific time) if at all possible, so any suggestions are certainly welcome.

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

by David Fucillo on Apr 9, 2008 9:08 AM PDT reply actions

Groves

Take Groves now, there aren't a lot of OLB options with the upside of Groves. However, there are still a lot of quality OT hanging around because they're not sexy picks in a mock draft. I know this is going to look like a contradiction to most but Devin Thomas does interest me a little.

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

by methodrampage on Apr 9, 2008 9:37 AM PDT reply actions

I'm with this thought.

I just don't think it's right to pass up on Groves if he's still there. A starting quality RT will be there at #39. A pass rushing OLB like Groves? Not necessarily.

If not Groves, then I'd say go with the OT. I really don't like the idea of of drafting Mayo in the first, though. I just don't don't see why a first rounder is needed at the Ted. That's just my opinion though.

by sfgfan on Apr 9, 2008 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree

Groves...although i dont like gambling on transition OLBs....i believe you have to get them early when the fastest and most athletic ones are there.... A tackle will be there in the second and maybe the third.... i would totally be ok with phillips to lock up FS....

by Qbgetter13 on Apr 9, 2008 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Mayo comments

Joel over at Rocky Top Talk is putting together scouting reports on his Vols in the draft, but I just got off g-chat with him and he threw out some quick thoughts (not thought out over time, but rather some quick hitting comments, so more off the cuff:

He's got a great upside. Raw talent, work ethic, character...Got better every season...Leader...Hits hard, plays smart...Never one hint of trouble.

This is probably key:
John Chavis is not only the defensive coordinator, but also the linebackers coach. . . .Chavis has said that his linebacking corps last year was one of his best, and Mayo was the leader.

On playing under Singletary: He'd love that. Knowing what I know about Mayo's character and Singletary's character.

Weaknesses: Kind of quiet, if that's a weakness. More of a lead-by-example guy. Very different from Al Wilson that way . . . Think he might have had a fairly significant knee injury his sophomore year.

Big thanks to Joel for the quick info.

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

by David Fucillo on Apr 9, 2008 9:44 AM PDT reply actions

Interesting pick

Mayo might be more of an out-of-the-box pick then say Groves but if you can scheme a pass rush from your ILB why not draft the two best ILB prospects in back-to-back drafts.

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

by methodrampage on Apr 9, 2008 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions

additional info

Apparently Mayo played OLB for a couple years and then moved inside last year...so he brings some versatility.

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

by David Fucillo on Apr 9, 2008 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions

Very Good Pro

I think Mayo is going to be a very good pro. I saw him play in a couple of games this year and was very impressed. Especially in their Bowl game against Wisconsin. I think he would have to be an ILB because if I remember correctly he was forced to play OLB after injuries depleted the Tennesse LB corp, and he struggled there. Ultimately, I think Mayo may end up a better player than Groves and Chaulis, if you can compare players across positions like that, but I think the other needs are too pressing to draft Mayo. On the other hand McNolan loves to draft players from the Senior Bowl that impress them. So, maybe he deserves serious consideration.

Tom will never be as cool as Joe

by wader251 on Apr 9, 2008 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't know all that much about the 49ers roster

but it seems to me they could use some playmakers on offense. Curious if you all have batted around the idea of taking a receiver, TE or the like.

by WCG @ Niners Nation on Apr 9, 2008 9:47 AM PDT reply actions

playmakers

We've thought about it, but I think we've reached a consensus on waiting until that high 2nd round pick. If Sweed had dropped I definitely would have considered him, but I think there are enough 1st/2nd round tweener receivers that we can address a bigger need (OL or pass rush) with this first pick.

Question, are you guys really that down on Cedric Benson? I didn't see a lot of Bears football so not really qualified to comment on Benson.

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

by David Fucillo on Apr 9, 2008 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions

The topic of Benson

runs hot and cold. Personally I have more issue with his attitude than I do his play.

Granted I think he runs without any heart I cannot fully qualify his ability when our line and pass game were so poor last year.

Benson has always though he deserves to be our #1 even when he hasn't proven it. He thought he should start over Thomas Jones, even though Jones was coming off his best year as a pro. This year he has publicly stated he doesn't think he has anything to prove. Sorry, but unless your name is Tomlinson, Manning or Brady you probably have something to prove.

by WCG @ Niners Nation on Apr 9, 2008 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions

good points

Based on that, how likely (or unlikely) is it that the Bears draft a running back in the first round? Is it realistic, or are you just hoping?

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

by David Fucillo on Apr 9, 2008 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions

There is nothing I want more than

for the Bears to trade down. I don't want to pick from this spot, but given need and value I felt that Mendenhall was the best option. I am not high on Otah and I am not sure that a guy nicknamed Finesse is right for a team that doesn't move the pocket and isn't trying to spring RBs to the outside.

I am starting to warm up to drafting Branden Albert if he fell to us.

The Bears will absolutely draft a rb somewhere in the first three rounds. I'd be surprised to see a defensive guy drafted at all in the first 3 unless somebody they just really love fell to them.

by WCG @ Niners Nation on Apr 9, 2008 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Peterson (the other one) > Benson

Benson is pretty bad. His rushing numbers aren't any better than Adrian Peterson, his team mate, and Peterson is a lot more versital and has infinately better hands than Benson. The Bears should either draft RB or atleast start Peterson over Benson.

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

by methodrampage on Apr 9, 2008 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions

TE?

We took Vernon Davis with like the 6th pick overall two years ago we're more likely to draft a QB in the first than a TE.

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

by methodrampage on Apr 9, 2008 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Sorry

I forgot about Davis, just was getting at playmaker positions that is all.

by WCG @ Niners Nation on Apr 9, 2008 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions

playmakers

Yea, this team definitely needs playmakers. However, I'm still convinced Davis can turn into that game-breaking threat for us if the rest of the offense could get their crap together. That's one reason I see offensive line as the way to go in the first round. I'm thinking about Cherilus b/c with Staley moving to the left side, Cherilus slots in at right tackle, which would conceivably set us up at the 2 tackle positions for the next decade.

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

by David Fucillo on Apr 9, 2008 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions

I definitley don't knock

drafting oline. You draft oline every year regardless of how good yours is, that is just a rule.

Wasn't Davis hurt last year?

Are there any guys who are projected to be gone that you'd take a flyer on? Manninham's stock is diving, he might be around.

by WCG @ Niners Nation on Apr 9, 2008 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions

WRs

At receiver, Manningham's stock seems to be going the way of Dwayne Jarrett last year. Some options are him, Doucet, James Hardy (easy to get suckered in by a 6'6 receiver)

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

by David Fucillo on Apr 9, 2008 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions

Well, Manningham

is easily first round talent. He probably was looking at a mid round pick. And his stock was not dropping due to performance or bad interviews.

He got busted for smoking pot and not fessing up to it, so now it is just an issue of do you think this shows a lack of character.

by WCG @ Niners Nation on Apr 9, 2008 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions

Davis was hurt

by the Niners crappy QB play.

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

by methodrampage on Apr 9, 2008 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions

New option

Obviously we don't know who will be there at that second round pick, but the possibility of taking Mayo got me thinking....If Groves were there in Round 2, would it be a bad idea going ILB and OLB with those two picks since we have o-line issues? I still like Cherilus with this pick and then an LB in round 2, but this certainly creates another option...A starting LB corp of Lawson, Groves, Willis and Mayo would be pretty sick and we'd be set at linebacker for the next decade...Throw in TBC off the bench and that's a solid crew.

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

by David Fucillo on Apr 9, 2008 9:55 AM PDT reply actions

Was thinking the same thing

Why not? Throw 3 sheets to the wind and do it. It's just a mock draft.

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

by methodrampage on Apr 9, 2008 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Dontarrious Thomas

Maybe I'm wish casting too much, but I want to see how Thomas turns out. I would still go OT with our first pick since I personally think our LB group is solid as is.

We are not who I thought we were.

by marcello on Apr 9, 2008 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Dan Connor

What's all this talk about Mayo when Connor is still on the board?

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

by methodrampage on Apr 9, 2008 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Connor

Now he sounds more like a typical "Ted" backer. He's a tad small and has the same questions that Mayo has in terms of taking on blocks and holding the point, but he's got Derek Smith (mentality) written all over him.

by sfgfan on Apr 9, 2008 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions

LBU

And being a Penn State guy, he comes from Linebacker U.

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

by David Fucillo on Apr 9, 2008 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions

1st rd option

I believe we have to go with Groves as our first option n Rd. 1. Here is why. Remember in the late 80s and early 90s when one of the NFLs all time greatest LB corps played together. Patrick Swilling, Vaughn Johnson, Sam Mills and Rickey Jackson on the Saints. They were called the Dome Patrol and ran a 3-4. If we draft Groves and pair him with a healthy Lawson that could be our Swilling and Jackson. Our pass defense was so bad last year because we could not apply pressure on the QB. This pick will help in two areas where a ILB will not. Plus I do not feel Banta-Cain is an impact starter in this league.

Mayo and Connor are rated very close w/ Mayo passing him on pure athletic ability and not production. I believe Connor has a decent chance of being there at #40 for us where Groves won't if we went Mayo in Rd. 1. The NYJ pick ahead of us and missed out on Gholston and would not let Groves pass them. If Connor is there in the 2nd and ILB is what the brass feels we need then we can grab him. That would be a great 1-2 pick and We can look for Eddie Royal,Jordy Nelson, Red Bryant and possibly Eric young in the next couple of rounds to fill needs.

by ninerlongtimer on Apr 9, 2008 4:58 PM PDT reply actions

2nd rd option

Here is why I dont think we should use our 2nd on a ILB if we get Groves in Rd.1. I believe Thomas is athletic enough to play next to P Dub and being schooled by Singletary will be enough to make him a more than capable starter. We don't need our other ILB to make 120 tackles. He can give us 80+ which is great. I would rather see who falls to us. Nicks or Baker are better options or Thomas if he somehow slips even further in this mock. I do not trust Jennings but he or Snyder can battle over the RT spot and add Nicks next to Staley with Heitmann another year removed from injury. WOW. I prefer Nicks to Baker because of his versatility. He is a Larry Allen clone. Remember Allen started at RT then LT and also played both G spots before settling in at LG. Nicks has the same strength, punch and fottwork of a young Allen. We need to keep our QB healthy and open lanes for Gore and Foster.

Next year's LB crop is much better than this year. Laurinaitis (OSU), Maualuga (USC)and Cushing (USC). All Sr. and if they all would have come out this year, they all would be better prospects than any LB in this years draft. That includes Rivers. There is also Beckwith (LSU), Spikes (Florida), Lee (Penn State) and Freeman (OSU). In saying this we can grab one of these LB next year if Thomas does not work out.

by ninerlongtimer on Apr 9, 2008 5:22 PM PDT reply actions