NFL Mock Draft 2012: OLB Could Make A Lot Of Sense

Good point, Fooch, on the potential market price for a guy like Brooks. I can see him coming back to the Niners at a good price if the NFL doesn’t take notice of his abilities.

I’m interested to see what value the Niner’s FO places on Ahmad. He seems to fit the defense well as a guy that can play all downs. And Vic has shown his reliance on high energy- high endurance players. Should the org re-up on Brooks, it would be nice to see a beastly DE picked at the top of the draft- a guy that can rotate with McD and Justin.

I know the defensive front isn’t a weakness on this team, but it’s time we start to realize how expensive it will be to keep the best defense in the league. Might as well interchange some important parts while the team still can afford to.

simple as that.

WR is clearly the biggest need, but it comes down to who’s available. I’d love adding Fleener as I’ve made clear, but if there’s someone better available at that pick, then take him.

49ers FO clearly balances BPA with need. At this point, I would only be surprised if the 49ers took one of the following in the first round, every other position could make sense: T, QB, ILB, DE (to play the front 3), anyone for special teams.

I don’t think the talent is there for the WR position at #30 overall. It would seem everyone is hoping that Randle, Sanu or Jeffery elevates themselves into 1st round contention when they aren’t really 1st round talents. I would rather they took a RG, or if a good T falls, and then look for 2nd-tier talent at WR, CB/FS and OLB with the next few picks.

There will most likely be someone available at #30 for OL who is worth the pick rather than reaching for a WR just because everyone thinks it’s a huge need.

Said, “The Giants reminded the 49ers that you can never have enough pass rushers.” Didn’t we sack Eli 5 times and get quite a bit of pressure?

Not sure what this statement is based on.

Don’t count out Dontavia Bogan just yet. Would not surprise me at all if ? Niners went with a OLB , Olinemen or a Dlinemen in the first round. I’ve always said it’s best to build from in the trenches where the game of football starts. I expect the Niners to go into the draft with Crabtree, Morgan, Ginn Williams, Bogan all under contract. Te’s under contract should be Davis, Walker, Byham, Reuland, and Kyle Nelson. That some pretty good camp bodies right there, wide receiver can be drafted in the later rounds hopefully.

in other words until you big men up front on defense and offense can week out and week in kick the ass of the other teams big men, you wont win many games.

I have no problem at ALL if we use our ear;ier picks on the Defensive front 7 or the O-line.

When do we think Bruce Irvin from west Virginia gets picked? Is he worth a first round pick ?

The most obvious selections at the 30th pick, in no particular order, would be WR, OG or OLB (pass rusher) … other defensive positions (CB, S, DE, NT) are of secondary priority. But here are the problems:

1. WR – there are 3 WRs worthy of a first round pick, but all will be gone by pick 30; further, all of the second-tier prospects who will be available at 30 will probably also be available at 45. Do you really want to reach that far in the first round?

2. OG – there are either 1 or 2 (depending upon whether you classify Glenn as a OG or OT) worthy of a first round pick; DeCastro will be gone and probably Glenn too; the next three OGs (Zeitler, Osemele and Silatolu) will all still be available until about pick 45. Again, do you really want to reach that far?

3. OLB – there are three OLBs who would make sense (at least in the early rounds) for the Niners … Perry, Curry and McClellin. Perry could drop to #30 but it’s not likely. Curry will not likely be picked before #45 and McClellin not before #70. Once again, do you really want to reach that far IF Perry is gone at #30?

So … this is becoming a lot more difficult than we originally thought. What is the right answer, given this sitution? Glad that you asked. The answer is, TRADE DOWN TO THE LEVEL WHERE YOU CAN GET THE GUYS THAT YOU WANT AND PICK UP ADDITIONAL DRAFT CHOICES. As I pointed out in my recent post, try to make a deal with Dallas … they would love to have the #30 pick to get either a OG or CB. How would that work? The Niners trade #30 to Dallas in exchange for #45 (second round) and #82 (third round). We can still get the guy we want (say Randle, Hill, Zeitler, or Curry) at #45 … and still have $62, #82 and #93 in the second and third rounds.

which pretty much locks it up that we will NOT draft him. If the player taken is what Kiper predicted (except for obvious #1 pick) then shame on Baalke for letting that happen

Then draft either OG Zeitler/OG Osemele, and DE/OLB Vinny Curry/Andre Branch/Cam Johnson.

Part of the problem the Niners had on offense was the lack of talent depth at WR. The other part was lack of a true mauler at RG. Snyder gave up 34 pressures this season and he didn’t even start till week 3. While he did stabilize the line he wasn’t very good and that is the biggest weakness on the offense. If I’m Baalke and Cordy Glenn or Pete Konz falls to me I make that pick in a heartbeat. Glenn could play RG immediately and move to the OT in needed while Konz could play RG immediately and move to C once Goody is done. As far as OLB is concerned if Brooks walks I’d bring back Manny and draft a youngster to back him up. Jacquies Smith and Donte Paige Moss are late round guys that could play in a limited role. Manny’s issue wasn’t scheme it was coaching. He would has also benefited playing over the LT instead of a TE. If Brooks leaves Aldon would flip sides allowing Manny to line on the weakside which I always thought was the best spot for him at only 240. Note other starting SOLB in a 3-4 is under 250. Lawson’s issue was misuse not lack of talent or ability for scheme as many have foolishly believed.

Highest probability to lowest probability
WR
OG
OLB
CB
DL
S

BPA=fleener