Day 1 Draft Recap - Winners/Losers
by youALREADYknow on Apr 25, 2009 7:25 PM PDT
38 comments
Well, one day down and it was a crazy day of trades and players slipping down draft boards. Everyone share their thoughts about which teams you thought had a great draft, which teams you thought had a terrible draft, and thoughts about the 49ers first round.
My favorite drafts so far:
1. Dolphins - Grade: A+ - Were able to trade back in the 2nd round and still land a top CB prospect. Parcells likes large, physical CB's and got the 2nd and 3rd best press CB's in this year's class. Davis and Smith could end up being the best CB's in this year's class, especially since Jenkins may be moved to FS. As the primary Wildcat offense team in the league, drafting Pat White should show immediate results on the field and they could have their QB of the future regardless of offensive system.
2. Patriots - Grade: A - Started the day with picks 23, 34, 47, and 58. Ended the day with the same number of picks, but now have four 3rd round selections. Drafted the 2nd rated NT on the board, 2nd rated CB on a lot of boards, 2nd rated SS on the board, and the last of the 2nd tier of OT's. Trading up to get Brace and Butler was perhaps the best trade of the day.
3. Bengals - Grade: B+ - Didn't make any trades, but selected incredibly talented players at spots where they were a great value. Andre Smith and Rey Maualuga are very likely to have 10+ year careers in the NFL and will both be able to start from day one.
The worst drafts so far:
1. Raiders - Grade: F - Not only could the Raiders have traded back and still gotten Heyward-Bey, but they spent their 2nd round pick on a guy who wouldn't have had his name called until around 4pm tomorrow. At least the Raiders are entertaining to watch on draft day.... thanks for Crabtree!
2. Lions - Grade: C- - You're either a fan of Stafford or not, so I won't examine that pick too much. With a defense that had one of the worst years in NFL history, they chose to draft a TE with their 2nd first round pick and then made some amends when they took a hard-hitting FS with their 2nd rounder. Delmas may actually help this team some, but the massive holes elsewhere still need to be addressed. The talent on the board at their selections makes one wonder what the thought process was in Detroit.
3. Bills - Grade: C - The Bills took the gamble on Maybin developing actual pass rushing skills instead of simply speed rushing every play. Not a terrible pick, but the same can't be said for ignoring their hole at OT and taking the 2nd/3rd best center on the board and then taking a CB who runs a 4.7 40 and reaching for a guard prospect. The Bills were in good spots to add talent at some need spots and seemed to neither take best player available nor draft for need aside from the Maybin pick.
49ers - Grade: TBD (currently: B) - The 49ers got one of the best value picks in the 1st round with Michael Crabtree and this draft could be looked back on as a critical turning point if Crabtree develops into the WR that many think he will become. The trade with Carolina from the #43 overall spot is something that will likely make/break this year's draft. If the pick ends up being in the high/mid portion of the 1st round and the 49ers turn it into a quality player, then this year's draft becomes an A+ draft. If the pick ends up being in the 30's and wasted on a bust or combined with another 1st round pick and traded for another bust at QB, then it could be the straw that broke this franchise's back. Despite my strong preference that the 2nd and 4th round picks this year should have been used on players to help give this roster immediate depth and future starters, even I know that this trade could end up being a windfall. We'll see next year this time what comes out of it, but I do have to say it was an ambitious move.
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.
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Just posted a fanshot of the Raiders 2nd round pick
The kid’s a beast.. no joke
Heyward-Bey terrible pick but Davis has an addiction to speed. Anyway, Crabtree when asked about going to the Raiders said “No Comment” (Smart move on Crabs part), though you think Davis would be attracted to Crabs “Diva-ness”
http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com
by supraman on Apr 25, 2009 7:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
even if the Raiders 2nd round pick is a beast there was no reason to take him in round two. Every analyst says he woulda gone in round 5 at the earliest. Why not wait at least wait til round 3?
Thing A
by sam23 on Apr 25, 2009 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is what Mel Kiper said if you consider him "every analyst"
Foxsports reported the Bears were picking him at #49. That being said who knows if that will be a good pick or not. I certainly do not understand the DHB pick at #7 but the Raiders (or should I say Al) are terrible in drafts. I’m not a huge Crabtree fan to be honest so I don’t mind passing on him but passing on a much needed tackle was nuts. If you want DHB trade back to 12 or so and pick up an extra day 2 pick.
"-i never said half the things i said." --Yogi Berra
by Ovale Fan on Apr 26, 2009 6:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
When both Kiper and Scouts Inc have the guy projected to go undrafted there’s a pretty good chance he’s not going before round 5.
Thing A
by sam23 on Apr 26, 2009 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
BUST - 49ers
This is what Fooch said before round 2"
Personally I’d love to see the 49ers grab a guy like Ron Brace with their second round pick. Why not lock up the nose tackle position for the foreseeable future? Aubrayo Franklin has been solid but he’s a free agent after this season and I don’t see Isaac Sopoaga as the long-term answer at NT. Of course, maybe they go outside linebacker or offensive lineman. What do you guys think?
I guess what Scott Mc thinks is that none of the second round picks were worth the money. NE, Miami, the Giants, I think would all laugh their heads off at that statement. We suck!
by Since79 on Apr 25, 2009 9:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
brace
McCloughan indicated there were a couple guys they liked but they were drafted ahead of the 49ers pick. No proof, but it’s certainly possible a guy like Brace was one of those few guys. The Patriots traded ahead of the 49ers and grabbed him. Such is life, but he was gone by the time the 49ers could pick. So no, McCloughan was NOT saying all second round picks were a waste of money.
by Fooch on Apr 25, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
seems to me like it was probably Brace, Britton, and Maualuga
Thing A
by sam23 on Apr 25, 2009 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree
The dolphins, pats, giants have different needs. Pats and Giants basically go BPA and the fins dont have as many needs as us. SM thinks that the draft class isn’t that deep as a whole compared to other seasons. With a deeper class a 25 pick next year could = to a 15 pick this year (i dont know anything about next year’s draft class). Also with 2 1st round picks we could trade up (Taylor Mays) or trade one down and get better picks than a 2 and 4 (2 and 3 perhaps, 2 and 2?). How can you predict a for next year if this draft isn’t even over? For all we know Everette Brown. Maybe he is a better 4-3 DE than 3-4.
In Shaun Hill will trust
by iaalexeeff on Apr 25, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Today was a classic example of being out gunned and out maneuvered. I can guarantee it wasn’t a happy afternoon in 49ers headquarters.
Yes, the 49ers had a lot holes they wanted to fill and it wasn’t mission accomplished. I think they are fine with Crabtree but WR wasn’t the most pressing need nor a position they were hoping to use to win games in 2009. I’m sure they were hoping they could land 1 of the big 3 OT or use Sanchez as leverage for more picks.
Part of the problem with being 3-4 defense is so many teams have turned to the scheme stretching the talent pool thin. Larry English went surprisingly in the 1st round, the 2nd round started with a run at CB than Rey Maualuga, Eben Britton, Ron Brace and Darius Butler were are players of interest snatched right in front us. In all honesty, the Patriots targeted and killed us today. They had more draft ammo and out maneuvered to pick up two situational defenders they can plug into their own 3-4 system. The 49ers had to many holes to fill to trade up and just did not get a break.
To end Day 1 without either OT or OLB really has to hurt. I’m sure the team was hoping to address one of those 2 problems. I think this partly explains the trade for the Panthers 1st Rnd pick next year. Next year we won’t get out gunned and have the ammo to move up to get the player of need.
As for tomorrow, mostly like we have to target and get a RB in the 3rd . . . unless we get out gunned again (gulp). We really need a tandem to keep Gore fresh.
Than it’s bite of the apple time starting in the 5th. WR is now filled so Scotty Mc. is going to have to have find a new position he wants to chip at with his lower picks. Anyways, it doesn’t look like we are getting the OT or OLB in this years draft. Maybe expect the 49ers to take a flyer or two at MLB or CB to add depth to those positions. Possibly we can find a late round OLB gem but no way are the 49ers going to find OT that meets there size criteria so late in the draft.
by bignerd on Apr 25, 2009 9:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
precisely
In all honesty, the Patriots targeted and killed us today. They had more draft ammo and out maneuvered to pick up two situational defenders they can plug into their own 3-4 system.
As soon as the Patriots made the trade to 40, I said that this was going to be draft board rape and it was. They basically threw their weight around the draft with trades and forced the board to give them who/what they wanted. That’s the kind of attitude the 49ers need to have to take the next step as an organization, not simply lucking into an elite talent like Crabtree.
Rays in '08.... Desmond Jennings - the breakout continues.....
by youALREADYknow on Apr 25, 2009 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, and our staff got it handed to them.
Maybe they learned a lesson today. Our front office is going to have to get smarter and meaner or the 3-4 talent is going to continue to flow to NE instead.
At least next year we have two 1’s. At least that a weapon to bring to the fight. I’m still scared they are going to jump us tomorrow in the 3rd for the big RB.
by bignerd on Apr 25, 2009 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
reply
Did you just reply and support your own comment??? Is that sort of like talking in the third person?
by Fooch on Apr 25, 2009 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
More of adding onto my thought
But talking in 3rd person should be trendy now that we have Crabtree. J/K
by bignerd on Apr 25, 2009 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
third person
Fooch is a big fan of talking in the third person when ever possible!
by Fooch on Apr 25, 2009 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
so do I, you’re totally correct, as usual
Thing A
by sam23 on Apr 25, 2009 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its just funny that you started your response with “Yes,…..” as though you were agreeing with yourself.
Thing A
by sam23 on Apr 25, 2009 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Next year we'll have 2 first rounders
we may have been out maneuvered this time around, but next year, we’ll have the ammunition to punk teams. The Patriots are the epitome of how to draft. The 49ers were smart to get what they could and not just make a pick for sake of having a player. I would’ve been happy with everette brown, but getting a 2010 first rounder, no matter where the pick ends up, is a bonus. We gave up a 4th, but hey, we did fairly well.
Crabtree was very lucky, but getting Carolina’s 2010 #1 will prove to be very clever.
by Andrew Davidson on Apr 26, 2009 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ammunition to punk teams...
Seahawks have a better package of two #1’s, Patriots have a #1 and THREE #2’s, and the Jets proved this year that you only need a #1 and #2 to make a move into the top 5-10.
Until the 49ers accurately evaluate the depth and “sweet spot” of a NFL draft class, they will continue to be outmaneuvered and beaten by smarter organizations.
Here’s a quote from ESPN about the Patriots strategy this year:
The team determined very early on that there was no player it valued enough to pay early first-round money, and it was also confident in what Belichick termed the “considerable depth” of this year’s rookie free-agent pool.
So McLoughlan comes on and says there’s nobody of value at #43 while Belichick trades up into the 40’s to select multiple players. Who do YOU believe?
Rays in '08.... Desmond Jennings - the breakout continues.....
by youALREADYknow on Apr 26, 2009 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree to some extent, but I also think that using the Patriots, who had one of the most insanely profitable draft days I’ve seen in a long time, as part of this barometer for being outmaneuvered is a little unfair.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 26, 2009 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Next year's #1's
For all of the talk of next year’s draft being better, I see a huge dropoff after the top 10. The good news is that the top 10 next year is truly elite.
I know a lot of you who live on the west coast think Taylor Mays should be the pick, but Eric Berry is the best safety in the country and the next Ed Reed IMO. I think if the 49ers could somehow get two of S Eric Berry, S Taylor Mays, NT Terrence Cody, DE Greg Hardy, DE George Selvie, DE Jerry Hughes, or similar talent….. watch out!
Rays in '08.... Desmond Jennings - the breakout continues.....
by youALREADYknow on Apr 25, 2009 9:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
its a wee bit early to be projecting the top 10 or the depth of next year’s draft. And if Shalex Hith bombs we gotta chase one of those elite QBs that will probably be coming out.
Thing A
by sam23 on Apr 25, 2009 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really question many peoples logic here....
One thing I am not looking forward to is the Niner haters claiming we have VD and Crabs.
Other than that, I think the Niners had a fantastic day one. This is very similiar draft strategy to what the Patriots employ. Todays 2nd rd trade is very similar to the one that the Pats pulled with us so that we could land Staley. We are setting ourselves up to push our weight around next year. Who knows, maybe we trade the Panther’s first rounder back to them for Peppers. We could even gamble and trade our 1st rounder in hopes the Panthers have the better pick. All I know is that there was a gaggle of folks on hear pratically begging for the Niners to take Everette Brown at 10. How do feel now that you know that we could have had him at 43 and 3 teams passed on him not one, not two but THREE times? (2 teams really cause you know the Lions weren’t going to take him at #1, but the Broncos and Bills three picks all count). Maybe Shaun Rogers?
by SanFranSoldier on Apr 25, 2009 11:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m not sad we passed on E. Brown. In fact, I’m happy we did. Just think we got pushed around the draft board and were left with no 2nd round pick of interest. No sense taking a guy at #43 we don’t think we can use. Therefore we abandoned the 2nd and 4th round picks and will now wait til next year to address the bulk of the teams needs.
Not at all upset with two 1’s, it’s the “lets wait til next year approach” which the team indicated it was done playing.
by bignerd on Apr 25, 2009 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If your going to master the draft like the Patriots...
You have to start somewhere. And I don’t think this move equates to a “let’s wait till next year” approach, even if you discount a potential trade for Peppers or Rogers. Our offense just got better. If we don’t think Marvel Smith will contribute we shouldn’t have signed him. Maybe we get the pro-bowl right tackle version of Smith. IMO, OT can wait unless a player at that position is the clear-cut #1 player available when we pick. That certainly wasn’t the case at #43. We were 2 games away from the playoffs last season and the team has gotten better. No matter how we drafted nobody would have picked us to win the Superbowl next season. We will compete for the playoffs this season and if we make it who’s to say we can’t make a Cardinals type run. If not we have the firepower to build on next year.
So, if I am not making much sense, please explain to me your proposed draft strategy that would have made us a favorite to win the Superbowl next season? Personally, I don’t think there was one.
by SanFranSoldier on Apr 26, 2009 12:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lions are dumb
^dont need to say anything else. Browns are too scared to pick so I couldn’t imagine how well they play. Raiders helped us so much. Crabtree is a beast and helps frank gore. Frank Gore also helps him. We actually have a WR core this year. NE is again good at drafting. Dolphins do good too. The Pat White pick will revolutionize their wildcat offense. They could come up with so many things. They should draft Tebow so they can have like the craziest offense. I like our trade.
In Shaun Hill will trust
by iaalexeeff on Apr 25, 2009 11:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
division
The Rams got Jason Smith who is the best OT in the draft that was deep at the position, but let’s be honest, with the number 2 pick they were going to get the best something in the draft (and with Stafford signed by Detroit ,Smith will set the standard on salary.) Other than that they followed the script and drafted defense in the second round, but to come back they needed to be bolder on draft day and they weren’t. Grade: C-
Arizona didn’t have a lot of options, when you go to the Super Bowl you draft low. They needed a running back and they took one, but they are still a 9-7 team last year that went 3-7 out of the division, and since they probably won’t go undefeated next year in the division they didn’t make any moves that will guarantee them another title. Grade: C
Seattle did the most dealing and they helped themselves a lot. They got the best defensive player in the draft, then traded away their second round pick (which they intended to use to draft OL) to Denver for next year’s number one, and then traded back into the second round and got a good OL anyway. They will keep Hasselbeck this year but next year they will have 2 #1’s that they can package to trade up and get one of the elite quarterbacks that will be available next year. Grade: A -
Overall though, the 49ers had a good draft. Yeah, wide receiver isn’t the position they need the most help at but if they’d passed on Crabtree they’d be fools. In fact it will take a couple of years to come back and stockpiling picks for next year (when the 49ers will have an elite receiving corps ready and waiting for the rest of a championship caliber team) makes a lot of sense. Grade: B+
by paisistratus on Apr 25, 2009 11:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
AZ deserves higher grade
No offers for Boldin . . . they get to keep him now
Wells gives them a RB they never had. Just what they need, a potential Top 10 RB to go with the rest of that offense.
Not to mention getting Wells means they can release E. James and probably use the money to make Boldin happy.
by bignerd on Apr 25, 2009 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Releasing James
doesn’t really have too much effect regarding Boldin. The Cards first want to extend the contracts of Dansby & Wilson before dealing with Boldin.
Beyond that, the biggest problem for Arizona is that they don’t want to have a ton of cap space taken up by two WR’s (Fitzgerlad & Boldin) if they rework Boldin’s contract to his liking.
by GeoMak on Apr 26, 2009 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the trade dosent look so bad now
the steelers just gave up thier 2nd and 4th this year and only got two 3rd rounders!!
by Drewage81 on Apr 26, 2009 8:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
NE "outmaneuvering" us
The thing you have to remember about New England is that they’ve been trading back and stockpiling picks for YEARS.
They’ve done, in fact, exactly what we did this year. When there wasn’t a player they really liked, they traded either for a future year’s pick or for a later pick in that draft. So their “rape” of us was the culmination of years and years of a strategy that looks pretty much like we’re in year 1 of.
People say, “We need to be like the Patriots,” well, guess what … that’s what we’re doing, draftwise! If there isn’t a player you like at a position, you trade out of it, rather than taking a flier on someone you don’t have confidence in.
This is how you get the pieces to make a big draft-day move to get in position to take a player you really like later.
Also remember our talent level. We’re not where we were three years ago, where a second-round pick was likely to step in and be an instant starter. Pash rush is a concern, but even at our “need” positions (OLB, RT, S) we have players who will not easily be unseated by a second-round pick.
Somebody on the main blog posted about how this was a “political” move for McC, but that has it backwards. Coaches and GMs on the hot seat traditionally have traded away future picks for a chance to win more right now. McC, in making this trade, is putting the team’s long-term interest ahead of his own.
by Ronaldinho on Apr 26, 2009 11:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I would agree with all of that. Still don’t like getting slapped around by the other 3-4 teams. Yes the move helps with the future. However looking at how we approached the free agent market I think the team expected to do much more in this years draft.
by bignerd on Apr 26, 2009 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lions
I thought they drafted quite well. The secondary was a joke so it was nice to address. With two decent young LB, and a very good vet. in Peterson, I don’t see why they would want Aaron Curry when they have so many other needs. Stafford was the right call for QB. And to be honest, Pettigre was ranked in the top 10 on almost every big board out there, so people should not complain by taking the best player. Also, the Bills could take George W Bush with the 11th pick and he would be all pro. If you have not noticed, the last 8 people to be picked 11th are all probowlers.
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 Apr 26, 2009 2:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
49ers day two
Like: McKillop and Davis in the 5th and Jean-Francois in the 7th
Neutral: Taylor and Pascoe
Dislike: Coffee in the 3rd
The 49ers reached for Coffee and passed up better complimentary backs for Gore. Coffee lacks the explosion for a player of his size and lacks the size to be a true short yardage back. He’s just a body at RB as far as I’m concerned. I thought he was a 5th round talent from the Alabama games I saw. He does have the drive and aggression on the field though and matches the personality that Singletary likes… but talent wins games more times than not.
I like the McKillop pick simply because he’s someone who will likely be a productive NFL player. This kid was near the top of the NCAA in tackles for two years in a row and every Pitt box score I looked at in the past had his name on top of it with tackles. He’s not ever going to be an All-Pro, but is a great backup incase we need it at ILB.
I also like the Nate Davis pick given where he was taken. The kid has an NFL arm and was on his way to being a round 2 pick (above even Freeman) before collapsing in Ball State’s last few games. Good move by the 49ers for cashing in on a kid whose stock fell lower than his talent level indicated. He does have a learning disorder that’s been heavily documented, but it’s worth spending a pick in the 5th round on a boom/bust player of this nature. After seeing so many horrendous interviews with 1st rounders, I have to question whether some of these guys have learning disorders as well.
RJF is a guy who would have been a possible day one selection if he came back to LSU for another year. The 49ers get a good talent who needs to be polished and can compete with the lackluster talent on the DL. I saw him make some dominant plays that caught my eye in some games, then others I wouldn’t notice him at all (mostly because I was just watching the game, not him).
I didn’t pay any/much attention to Taylor at LSU, so I won’t comment on him. Same with Pascoe. Neither has a scouting report that makes them out to be anything more than late round flyers.
Rays in '08.... Desmond Jennings - the breakout continues.....
by youALREADYknow on Apr 26, 2009 4:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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