Kipers Mock: Aaron Maybin @ 10

by mikev on Jan 22, 2009 12:34 PM PST Comment 24 comments

Mel Kiper and his hair have released their first mock draft, and with the 10th pick he has us taking DE/OLB Aaron Maybin from Penn State.

Interestingly enough, he's got BJ Raji, Brian Orakpo, and Everett Brown all still available at the #10 pick -- being selected at 12, 13, and 15th respectively.

I don't know much about Maybin -- so who wants to agree or disagree with Kiper here and tell me why Maybin is the best choice for us?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

0 recs | Comment 24 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

What I find odd...

If you look at his 2009 Big Board from Jan 21st, he has Raji in the 10 spot. With Haralson, Green and Lawson at OLB, I don’t know if I see the niners going for a DE they will convert to an OLB that early.

by Sebaz49 on Jan 22, 2009 2:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I disagree.

From the looks of it, they’re looking to stay in a 3-4. In order to run the 3-4, they still need a DT and a pass rushing OLB. Haralson is a fine stopgap (based on what he’s done over the past couple of years), but the team should definitely try to find someone who can provide a little more impact. This is not to say Lawson is safe either. If the best 11 men on the field include Haralson and a rookie but not Lawson, I don’t see the current coaching staff having any problem with it.

by sfgfan on Jan 22, 2009 4:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I still maintain that the biggest thing missing from our D is a big NT. All the successful 3-4 D’s of the past 10 years have had a very good to dominant caliber nose. I think Haralson AND Lawson will improve with a big NT eating up blockers. Franklin, Sopoaga, Fields and whoever else has been plugged in there simply havent done that for most of the last two years. If we cant land Haynesworth I think it has to be Raji in the first unless one of the top 3-4 OTs are available.

"It’s a hobby of mine. Kind of like collecting your fingernail clippings or pooping in jars." -olympic mike

by sam23 on Jan 23, 2009 2:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

The biggest need, if the team follows through and stays in the 3-4, is a true NT. While I believe a true NT would make Haralson and Lawson’s jobs that much easier, I don’t agree that their improvements will be so great that a pass-rushing OLB isn’t still a need.

by sfgfan on Jan 23, 2009 9:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree and disagree

I’m not going to say that the OLB pass rusher the team needs is on the roster, but I won’t say he’s not. Haralson did have 8 sacks last year. I know that’s not huge but it is average. And he’s only 25 (well he will be tomorrow) and has only had 2 seasons. Plus and with that big sub package weren’t they playing a 4-2-5 or something like that, with Willis and Spikes as the LBs. Anybody know the % of defensive plays he was in on?

He went from 2.5 sacks his rookie year to 8 last year. I think he deserves a shot, as does Lawson. He started to show he could make plays once he was actually playing D and not just special teams. And Maybin seems very much like Lawson, tall and thin (relatively thin that is). I they are going to go with a pass rushing OLB, I think it should be a player that has played OLB, preferably in a 3-4, in college. And maybe it wouldn’t hurt to grab someone to fight for a starting spot, or maybe push those two to become better.

But I think the D overall would benefit from a monster in the middle. And from what I’ve heared, Raji has been making people look silly in the Senior Bowl practices. And we’re talking the top OL prospects. As for OLB, I would maybe wait for the 3rd-4th rounds, and grab one of the guys projected there.

by Sebaz49 on Jan 23, 2009 9:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

8 sacks in limitted playing time

I think Haralson had a pretty impressive season, all things considered.

by methodrampage on Jan 23, 2009 10:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

I’m not sure what the “limited” playing time was specifically, but I know he wasn’t out there all the time. Now as a third year player with some experience under his belt, playing full time and with a beast NT helping to occupy the OLine, I think he might be able to really blossom. Maybe, maybe not, but I wouldn’t spend a 1st round pick to add another OLB.

by Sebaz49 on Jan 23, 2009 11:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

RE: "I wouldn’t spend a 1st round pick to add another OLB."

I might if there was what the Niners view as a truely impact OLB available. I’m still a little skeptical of Lawson and Haralson so I wouldn’t think it a travesty if the Niners drafted a 3-4 OLB with their first pick but I think they are some more pressing needs but it comes back to the best player available scheme.

Lets ignore Raji for a second, I really have no idea how he’s going to grade out as 3-4 NT. Outside of him what are the options the Niners are going to have? It looks like OLB and maybe Malcom Jenkins.

Jenkins is really starting to intrigue me. He’s big, 6’1 200lbs, and is a hell of a corner. There’s talk that he could also be an option at FS as I believe he’s played there before. I’d imagine that he’s got the potential to play a better FS than Taylor Mays, who’s more of a SS in my opinion, so that should draw plenty of interest from Niner fans.

by methodrampage on Jan 23, 2009 1:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

NO

I don’t like it at all… Of all the guys we’re projected to get, I want this guy the least. Not that i don’t think he can be productive, but he’d need to put lbs on even to be a thought for a rush OLB in this league.

Nobody even heard of this kid before this season… I just dont trust it at all…

by JerseyNinerFan on Jan 22, 2009 9:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

BJ Raji

Honestly, if his stock keeps rising, I don’t see why we would pass up on him. A top 15 nose tackle only comes along every 3 years or so. Helodi Nada, Casey Hampton, Vincent Wilfork, Ken Williams,and Albert Hanyesworth, all elite NT (besides Albert and Ken who could) and all 1st round picks. Kris Jenkins, Shaun Rodgers, and Jamal Williams were second round picks, and Pat Williams(undrafted) and Jay Ratlift(7th) were rare finds. Point is, the top NT come from the first round and you shouldn’t pass on one if the chance arrives. Parys is only 25, Lawson is more of a run stopper/ coverage guy, but I bet with Raji, both of them could add 2-3 more sacks.

According to the comminsioner of the nfl, 104 people retired last year. 7 due to age, and the rest because of Patrick Willis

by montasmob69 on Jan 22, 2009 10:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Helodi Nada? haha, I think you mean Haloti Ngata.

But I’m totally with you on Raji and the need for an elite NT. But I was also on board with Alan Branch a couple years ago and he hasnt been all that impressive in AZ yet. But I cant believe we didnt go after Jenkins or Rodgers last offseason. Nolan must have really like Aubrayo, hopefully Singletary doesnt.

"It’s a hobby of mine. Kind of like collecting your fingernail clippings or pooping in jars." -olympic mike

by sam23 on Jan 23, 2009 2:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Raji

Is probably not going to be in that class of NT that u just mentioned… this guys is gettin a lot of hype. I think Terrence Cody could be in the class you mentioned but not Raji. I think this is a bad DT class personally and really bad for NT. Haynesworth would be the best option. No matter what it takes

by Qbgetter13 on Jan 23, 2009 5:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

2009 first round draft choice

Why is every one hung up on an OLB? We need a DE, a DT, free safety, RT, RB, and a QB. I think that the DE should come first. There are at least three available.
The weakest positions in the draft are QB and RB.
With $30,000,000 some of these needs can be filled in free agents. Maybe go for broke and make a very strong,aggresive run at Peppers. But there are some good free agents out there.
The point I am trying to make is that we don’t trade down and spend our first two selections on defense. Then pick up the best right tackle on the board (although this is a great place to go for a free agent).
I pray that Brown is still on the board at number 10. I think that a good DT will be available in the fourth round. Then find a FB and WR with rounds 5-7.

by mikemccwolf on Jan 23, 2009 4:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Brown

Brown is more likely to end up as an OLB anyways in the 3-4.

by Fooch on Jan 23, 2009 4:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think we need

a running back, we already have gore, who’ll be productive for at least another 3-4 years, we still have robinson, granted he isn’t the best, then we have Tomas Clayton(I really want to see what he can do in a game). If we do draft a running back, I hope that it’s a second day pick or out of free agency

I don’t think its a necessity to get a wide receiver in this draft because we have Jason Hill, Dominique Zeigler, Josh Morgan(all very good young players), then we have Isaac Bruce for another year, so if we do get a wr it should be out of free agency, even if it is with a second day pick.

If we need ANY offensive position it’s on the offensive line, we had one of the worst last season and if we continue to neglect the OL we will have another underperforming team next year

by ro128487 on Jan 23, 2009 5:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The Niners do need another RB

Gore is not a 250+ carry back.

by methodrampage on Jan 23, 2009 5:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yea, I haven't been one to bring up the question...

But JUST SAY guys like Brown, Orakpo, Oher, Sanchez, and Stafford are all gone before pick 10.

Is Knowshon Moreno an overdraft at #10?

by mikev on Jan 23, 2009 10:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

hmmmm

I’ve seen him going as high as 16 and as low as 28 in some that I’ve scanned. On the one hand that seems like a luxury pick, but teams like Carolina grab a running back in the first round and roll out great backfield duos. Of course Carolina had fewer holes than the 49ers heading into last draft. I wouldn’t do it, but I can see the arguments for it.

by Fooch on Jan 23, 2009 10:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs