Golden Nuggets: The Bright Side Of The 49ers' 2011 NFL Draft

by James Brady on May 3, 2011 2:00 AM PDT in 49ers Links

I've begun to come around to the Chris Culliver pick, though I still question the position. I had already watched a lot of film on him and made my assessment, and like I said before: nothing can really make me like the pick except for actually watching him perform in a 49ers uniform, but there are things that are making me ... dislike the pick a bit less, if that makes any sense. Maybe it's because I've been spending so much time evaluating the Oakland Raiders and their draft ... it's not that they had a bad one, it's just that they reached really, really far to draft a sixth round cornerback in Demarcus Van Dyke simply because he ran a 4.28 ... at least we didn't do that, right? No, we grabbed our 'measurable' guy in the seventh round. Let's get to your linkage, chilllllldren.

Trent Dilfer says that Colin Kaepernick has the highest ceiling of any quarterback in the draft. I haven't paid attention to any of Dilfer's musings as an analyst, so I'm not sure if he's generally credible or not, but I said as much before the draft as well. (PressDemocrat.com)

It was almost unanimous after 2010's week seventeen game against the Arizona Cardinals: the Alex Smith era in San Francisco should end. Now, with Jim Harbaugh in the mix, he's made people much more receptive to Smith returning. Funny how that works. (CSNBayArea.com)

Kaepernick has been exchanging text messages with Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, and has been since before the draft. I imagine there will be a lot more of them in the coming weeks, I'm sure. (SacBee.com)

The 49ers had contact with quarterback Adam Froman, I imagine they did so to talk to him about potentially signing him as an undrafted free agent as soon as they're able to, which I speculated would happen prior to the draft. (PressDemocrat.com)

Kawakami has some thoughts on the draft, and I'm inclined to disagree with him on a lot of points. Specifically that he thinks there's no day one (or even year one) starters in this draft class. (MercuryNews.com)

On that note, here's a look at some players who could start from day one. Personally, I feel like Culliver will start immediately ... seems like that's what young corners have been doing lately, and I think he can. (Examiner.com)

49ers offense - it's time to innovate (SFGate.com)

Meet the Rookies: 2011 Edition (49ers.com)

Yesterday on Niners Nation

Niners Nation After Dark: After Crazy Week, Slightly More Significant News...Osama Bin Laden Is Dead | Fooch
Golden Nuggets: Still Feeling Moderately Good About The 2011 NFL Draft | Ninjames
The Winners And Losers Of The 2011 NFL Draft: 49ers Not On Either List | nocal81
NFL Draft Grades 2011: How Do We Grade 49ers Potentially "Developmental" Draft | Fooch
San Francisco 49ers 2011 NFL Draft Class: Picks And Trades | Fooch
2011 NFL Draft Results: Projecting QB Colin Kaepernick's Performance | Florida Danny
2011 NFL Undrafted Rookie Free Agents: Which QB Is Jim Harbaugh Targeting? | Fooch
49ers 2011 NFL Draft: Why such a seemingly "meh" class? | Tre9er
49ers 2011 NFL Draft Picks: Favorite, Least Favorite Draft Choices? | Fooch
2011 UFL Draft Results: One More Little Tweak To The NFL Lockout | Fooch

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Comments

Thanks as always...

Yeah, I’m ok w/ Culliver, I just think we could have gotten more value for that pick. Not very many draft analysts (or teams from what i’ve read), gave Culliver more than a 6th round grade. Maybe HE was the guy we should have been trading back into the 5th for, who knows? I know most of Niners nation is enamored with the Kendall Hunter pick, but I question selecting him picks before Taiwan Jones was off the board. Though Hunter was the more powerful & productive of the two, he’s not the true homerun threat Jones is. During the evaluation process, a lot of prospects display tremendous straight line speed that doesn’t translate to on field production. You mentioned Oakland’s draft pick Van Dyke as one of these players. Jones however, displays world class agility and acceleration. One could envision Taiwan Jones complimenting Gore the way Jammal Charles complemented Thomas Jones. It’ll be interesting to see if we got the better back. Hunter and the SF native Taiwan Jones will forever be linked in my eyes, nonetheless.
Overall, I question drafting projects that may not get enough coaching to realistically make the team. For example, we still need a prospect at NT. Does anyone believe Holcomb (7th rd CB, FIU?), has a better chance to make the team than Chris Neild (7th rd, NT, WVU 6’2, 319 lbs)? Neild was a productive team captain on a top-ranked BCS D, while Holcomb was…Leroy Vann’s understudy. There are more examples, but you get the point. I can only hope that Aldon Smith and Kaepernick are eventually productive. They may be our only hope for a successful draft.

by SKINNYPOST on May 3, 2011 3:16 AM PDT reply actions

I think Hunter is viewed as more than a compliment, and as a long term solution

Not that he is taking Gore’s job anytime soon, but realistically the way the NFL is and the injuries he’s had, Gore probably only has a few good years left. They see Hunter as a guy who can carry the full load when Gore’s best days are behind him.

That’s likely why they went with a back like Hunter over a back like Jones.

You also seem to be focusing on 7th round picks as a necessity for a “successful draft”. 7th rounders are interchangeable lottery tickets, if one works out great, but nobody truthfully expects an impact career. No reason to fret about 7th round picks or to hold them against a team when evaluating their draft. If we’re worrying about whether or not 7th rounders have a good shot of making the team that’s just nitpicking.

by ManBearPig21 on May 3, 2011 6:27 AM PDT up reply actions

My point is that our draft looks more like a recruiting class than a great draft with lots of value.

I gave ONE 7th round pick as an example of this. I don’t believe that the key to a successful franchise is selecting well in the 7th round. In fact, I said (not shockingly) the success of our draft seems to be linked to our 1st & 2nd round picks. As for Hunter, i understand that his similar stature and running style to Gore makes for easy projections about his role in our offense. But what makes you think his style of running back is better suited to “carry the full load when Gore’s best days are behind him”? When was the last time Gore was healthy for a full year? Taiwan Jones is similar in stature, speed and skill set, to such RBs as Chris Johnson, Jamaal Charles and Jahvid Best. Of those three, Best was the most banged up, but still gutted out a respectable rookie year on two bad feet. The other two are poised to be legitimate Pro Bowlers for years to come. As I stated, time will tell who the better back will be (between Jones and Hunter). And because I’m a Niner fan, i certainly hope it’s Hunter. I do believe that Hunter’s selection in the 4th round is of tremendous value, as he is a good player. Ultimately, the Hunter discussion was a quick aside and is neither here nor there. With a shortened offseason, my looming fear is that we selected projects that will not be able to get enough coaching to make the roster. Hell, we don’t even have any vets with knowledge of our schemes that can lead off-season training. I hope to be wrong, but isn’t this a real concern?

by SKINNYPOST on May 3, 2011 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Kendall Hunter vs. Taiwan Jones.

One of the big reasons I like Hunter so much better is he changes direction much quicker. Acceleration is only half of changing directions; first you have to stop running in the direction you’re already moving. From what I’ve seen, Hunter does this much quicker and smoother than Jones.

We don't need 8 in the box. We have 52 in the box.

by these3words on May 3, 2011 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Raiders

If you want to be a member of Raiders all you have to do is run the fastest 40 time. Then you will be picked by them reguardless of what you did at college.

by twolfe2 on May 3, 2011 4:23 AM PDT reply actions

The Walsh Effect

When Walsh picked young up he didn’t start him right away. He designed plays just for Young and put him in sparingly. Do you think Harbaugh will do the same thing with Kaepernick? I would like to see him get 5 – 10 touches a game.

by twolfe2 on May 3, 2011 4:30 AM PDT reply actions

I was about to write a whole big response about what I would do with Kaepernick

but honestly, the guy hasn’t even been to OTAs yet, let alone training camp, let alone played in the preseason. I have no idea how much playing time he should get this year, and I doubt even Harbaugh knows for sure at this point.

We don't need 8 in the box. We have 52 in the box.

by these3words on May 3, 2011 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Was trying to figure out who Kaepernick remind's me of , then i read a peice from the Mercury and Bingo , Cunningham ...!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!

by Edggy on May 3, 2011 4:44 AM PDT reply actions

Dilfer's opinion is pretty good in most cases and off in others much like anybody else's

I’d certainly listen to him talking about Quarterbacking since he was an extremely limited player as far as physical ability who was still a very competent QB. And he’s been in 2 horrible situations and 2 good ones.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 3, 2011 4:58 AM PDT reply actions

I agree

I usually find Dilfer’s comments on QB’s well thought out and informative.

by Chefantone on May 3, 2011 8:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Wonder if there was a DVD inserted in the playbook as an added bonus on how to go about thing's for player's only work out's ...!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!

by Edggy on May 3, 2011 6:00 AM PDT reply actions

Free agents, undrafted players to sign

The front office has made a plan who they will go after once they are able. Being forced to wait until after the draft to sign is making the free agency market a particulary exciting one. Teams have a better understanding of potential needs. That fact alone could raise the bidding. I am hopeful the appeals court will reopen the work place. Let the signing begin. Let the coaching begin. May 16th the mediating begins again. Let cooler heads prevail. Make a deal. It is easier to just stick to your side of the arguments, its is tougher to compromise. Make the tough choices. It is time.

by flyfishingfather on May 3, 2011 6:01 AM PDT reply actions

I hope Culliver isn't starting Day 1

Honestly rather would just roll with Clements and Spencer

If he works out, i’ll be happy but give him time, he was a 3rd round reach. If he’s the nickel back early on that’s a different story i’m cool with that.

by ManBearPig21 on May 3, 2011 6:13 AM PDT reply actions