2012 NFL Offseason: The 49ers WR Position

Then, bring back Ginn or try to sign Desean Jackson as a PR/KR/Speedy deep threat kinda guy. They’re pretty much 1a and 1b as far as I’m concerned.

I’d like to see us pick up a big, physical, 6’3"+ redzone threat – be it Braylon (if he’s cheap and healthy) or someone else. Might have to turn to the draft for this.

Snyder Is A free Agent This Year & Anthony Davis Cant Keep With The Elite Speed Rusher In The Nfl. Ex. “Jasin Babbin , Terrell Suggs”

Anthony Davis Is A Big Body Powerful Guy & Would Be Ten Times Better At The Right Guard Position With His Size Strength & Speed On The Interior Line. So This Is How We Address The First Three Picks Of The Draft

1.Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

2. Micah Hyde, CB, Iowa
San Francisco needs a young cornerback for their defense. Carlos Rogers and Shawntae Spencer are both veterans at or pushing 30.

While teammate Shaun Prater is more well known, Hyde is the better NFL prospect. Both are good pro prospects, but the junior Hyde is bigger and faster, with a higher ceiling. Last year, as a sophomore, he recorded 82 tackles with four interceptions and seven passes broken up. This season, Hyde has 68 tackles with three interceptions and seven passes broken up. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder has ideal size and excellent ball skills. If Hyde stays in school for the 2012 season, he could be one of the top senior cornerbacks in the nation.

3. Juron Criner, WR, Arizona (6’4 215)

http://youtu.be/onSTDBS38W8

He’s Projected To Go In The 3rd Round If We Could Get Him It Would Be A Steal , MUST WATCH!!!!

I’m of the opinion that the Niners could use that big receiver like Braylon Edwards might’ve, could’ve been. But that they don’t have an overriding NEED for that kind of weapon on offense.

I agree with others who’ve said we should find a better home for Anthony Davis on the O-Line and bring in some new blood at RT. RG might be just the ticket for Davis.

I’d also like to see another RB added to the Hunter/Gore tandem.

IMO, the Niners got a STEAL with Ian Williams and Demarcus Dobbs. Let’s keep those guys as long as we can b/c we’ll need them sooner than we think.

The Niners should also look to bolster the secondary. In short, the sky is STILL blue. Report at 11.

So where does a WR fit in all that?

No matter what the Niners are picking LATE in the first round. So I’d say try to pick up a RT or CB in the first round. Then in the 2nd got for WR or RB. The team has some wicked depth in most areas (except O-Line). And there’s no real NEED for a QB considering Kaep and Tolzien are on the roster.

Mainly, I think the Niners should be focusing on resigning some key players (I think Morgan is one of them). Solidifying their O-Line. And going to the draft for “Gore’s successor” (an every down back) and a big WR. I think this coaching staff and Baalke can get it done.

They totally proved me wrong with the last draft. Consider me a believer as of Week 6.

was projected as a 2nd rounder before his injury but if he somehow falls to us in the 3rd that would be awesome. Most receptions in NCAA history.

If Edwards fails to produce, even when healthy, then he might not be worth keeping, so we need to replace him with a big physical rookie to get that red zone jump ball threat.

If Morgan fails to recover from his injury, then we’ll need to replace him, maybe with an FA like Desean Jackson or a high WR draft prospect.

Ideally the WRs would be as follows:
1. Crabtree
2. Morgan (if replaced with FA or Draft pick then williams is #2)
3. Edwards (if replaced with FA or late round draft pick then Ginn is #3)
4. Williams
5. Ginn
6. Bogan/late round pick/etc. who shows promise and will be inactive most of the season

Jackson isn’t that great of a receiver, even if you discount his current horrible season. Grantland’s Bill Barnwell did a great write up on D-Jax before the season started, and his basic takeaway is that Jackson drops waaaaaay too many balls. Even 2007-2010 Ted Ginn was catching more balls per pass than Jackson was in that time frame.

I still think Jackson has potential — anyone who saw the eagles torch the redskins last season on MNF knows that he can be a beast when he wants to. If the 49ers can replace Ginn with Jackson on the cheap, I’d be pretty excited.

The niners almost certainly will draft WR. I wouldn’t be surprised if they take one in the top 3 rounds, but more likely they’ll grab someone in the 4th or 5th.

I can see them taking a small school player with size. someone who runs good routes and plays physically with opposing corners. his path to the team is through ST, so he needs to be a hard worker and show a broad skill set.

since they took RoJo last year, it seems like the FO is thinking along the lines of young talent. he didn’t work out- so it’s time to try again!

I’ve already spent too much time on this thread, but man, if this team decides to go get a young up-and-coming WR in free agency, they have a lot of options. Desean, Stevie Johnson, Eddie Royal, and Pierre Garcon all look like they’ll be on the open market — and that’s not counting proven superstars like Bowe and Vincent Jackson. I would love to have any of those guys dressed in red and gold in 2012.

i doubt Braylon will stay without a big new contact.

Resign ted ginn for sure!!! i dont know why but i love watching that guy play.

Niner Free Agents
1. Resign Morgan, assuming he is completely recovered from injury.
2. Resign Ginn IF the dollars are reasonable; else, let him walk
3. Let Edwards (didn’t perform to expectations) and Swain (we can do better) go.

Available Free Agents
1. The only forthcoming free agent WRs that I would consider signing are Dwanne Bowe (KC), Vincent Jackson (SD) or Legedu Naanee (Carolina).
2. I would NOT consider DeSean Jackson, if Philly doesn’t franchise him, because of poor me-first attitude and he will be too costly. Kyle Williams can become nearly as good and is a real hard working team guy.

2012 Draft Prospects
1. First, how WR prospects are considered will depend largely upon whether a other-team free agent WR is signed: that would obviously impact the draft need. For the sake of this piece, let’s assume that the Niners do not sign any vet free agent WRs from other teams.
2. Because of other priorities I don’t see the Niners addressing the WR position until the third and/or fourth round. Clearly, then, Blackmon, Jeffrey, Floyd, Toon, Wright, Sanu, and probably Randle will be gone.
3. Believe it or not, with Edwards gone, our TALLEST WR is 6’1". Thus, in my opinion, we must replace Edwards’ size through the draft; fortunately there are some good round 3-4 prospects out there, even after the high-rated guys (see above) are long gone.
4. I would propose to draft TWO tall / fast WRs … one in the thrid round and one in the fourth. I would take the two best available from: Dwight Jones (North Carolina), Jeff Fuller (Texas A&M), Juron Criner (Arizona), Brian Quick (Appalachian State), or Greg Childs (Arkansas). However, there is also a sleeper to add to the list … not yet determined whether he will come out of not. Tommy Streeter (Miami FL) … 6’5", 215, 4.45-4.49 speed.

I do think the Niners 1st priority for next years draft is either a WR or CB. It’s more likely that the Niners can get a better WR if they are picking that low in the draft (hopefully the 32nd pick), since good CBs get pick higher in the draft. The Niners will need more talent in the WR position simply because of all the free agencies they will face next year, although I do think OT or OG on the right side is a bigger need. Obviously the 1st priority for next year’s free agencies will be Alex Smith (yes Alex Smith). Then A Brooks, D Goldson, C Rogers, and my man D Walker. So with all those free agents I don’t think we can afford to re-sign Edwards. I would like to re-sign T Ginn for the right price. Not that Ginn is a better receiver than Edwards but his speed is such an asset to the team. He really post a big threat to the opposing team even if he is just a decoy. Another reason why I think we need WR is that in the back of my mind (and I hope I’m wrong) I feel that Crabtree will want out of SF after his contract is done. Just looking back in his rookie hold out and every pre-season since. I really hope he has a change of heart now that we have the winning chemistry but that remains to be seen. I’m not a big college football fan so who’s available next year?

Crabtree
Wiliams
Morgan-resign
Edwards-pending how he does the end of the season/playoffs. If he contribute resign him if not then move on. Reasonable price that is.
Ginn-Resign if reasonable price if not see if any WR go the free agent route/get 1 duing the draft.
Bogan-Curious to see how he does.
Swain-would like to see him get playing time but not much room, not needed here.

At Stanford Harbaugh used some 3 TE sets with great success. This 3 TE set gives so many options within the power game. We’ve all seen the success Jimmy Graham for the Saints has had. Fleener, currently he top rated TE in college football, is the same size as Graham, 6’6" 250 lbs, is faster than Graham or Edwards, has a 38" vertical, great hands, tough attitude, was also a very good basketball player and is amazingly athletic like Graham, and has learned how to block as a TE for 5 years at Stanford [unlike Graham who is a beginner as a blocker]. Fleener can also line up anywhere, as Walker does, can block down on linemen or completely wipe out DBs and linebackers. He’s a better redzone player than Edwards or Walker right now and would give Alex a large talented target near the goal line. Fleener is as fast as most WRs—not as fast as Williams and Ginn, but very fast for a TE. IMO, Coby Fleener brings more to this team than the WRs I’ve seen mentioned.

With Williams on the rise [I really like this guy], whether or not Ginn comes back depends on the contract. I like Ginn also, he’s making great effort and has really helped this team. I’d like to see Ginn come back. But Williams is special. I don’t know if I’ve ever seem a small WR with his speed that has as good hands as he does. It’s amazing to me how he effortlessly catches hard passes that most WRs struggle to snag. His hands always seem relaxed, confident, and sticky. Maybe it’s his baseball background. Whatever it is, color me impressed. I’m not as excited about Edwards or Morgan, but trust the FO to do with them what is best for the team.

There are a lot of good draft prospects for WR in the first three rounds. There are sure thing #1s, some of whom may still be available in round 1, and potential #1s who will be available through 4 rounds and there are fast shifty #2s and niche WRs with PR skills too.

There is also a lot of proven NFL WRs as free agents. Dwayne Bowe is the best out there and would provide us a big, fast, sure handed, #1 wideout and red zone target. There is also Vincent Jackson Marques Colston, and Steve Johnson (Oakland native) as #1 NFL WRs. There is DeSean Jackson who has already been mentioned here and who is not a #1 as much as a specialty player.

Then there are our own free agents of which Braylon is the one I would but in with the list of #1 WRs above. Don’t judge a player who is injured. Braylon had nearly 1000 yards with the Jets last year and recall him making some wicked and critical plays in the playoff game against the Colts. A lot of 9ers fans have ripped Crabtree for the last 2+ years, but look at what he is doing healthy (Rams and Cardinals utter domination)

I would certainly do cartwheels if the 49ers got Bowe! I doubt we’ll seriously enter that sweepstakes though rather than just pushing the market price up for someone else (a la Nmandi A… how’d that work out?).

I do think they will use free agency to address the WR needs though because there is depth there that will allow them to value shop. Don’t be at all surprised if they bring Braylon back at a reasonable price. He has more value to us now that he knows our system than he did last year. The biggest reason the 49ers will use free agency for WR is will allow them to draft other needs that are not available in free agency. I don’t think you’re going to get a foundational RT in free agency (yes, I too believe Anthony Davis will be a pro bowl RG, but forever a step slow at RT), I don’t think there are a bevy of shut down corners on the market and there is not a rush OLB. We might however find these in the 1st 3 rounds of the draft.

The front office set a precedent of acquiring undervalued veterans who were 1st round picks with Donte Whitner, and Carlos Rogers. I think it is very likely then that they let the big names go off the market and then sign Robert Meachem who is in his 5th season, was the 27th pick in the draft, is 6-2, 215, sub 4.4 and has the Saints championship pedigree.

The WRs would be

1. Braylon Edwards
2. Michael Crabtree
3. Robert Meachem
4. Kyle Williams
5. Either Ginn or a 4th/5th round WR/PR

How do you like that?