FanPost

3 Attempts At A Draft Simulator. Endless Options!

So I spent some time playing around with Fanspeak's Draft Simulator (click to waste time), and I had 3 fairly productive drafts in a row. Figured I'd share them, maybe get some discussion on why or why not the choices are good. The condition is that trades weren't allowed, so I had to make do with what was available.

1st Round - 30

DT LOUIS NIX III - NOTRE DAME
OLB RYAN SHAZIER - OHIO STATE
CB JASON VERRETT - TCU

In the first attempt, Louis Nix fell to me at 30 and I had to pull the trigger. Not very likely to actually happen, but this big boy would probably become an instant favorite with Tomsula. Of course, he'd be a total luxury pick with recently extended Ian Williams and utility man Glenn Dorsey. However, with this caliber of player to push the roster, we may see an upgrade on the field in the best case, or see Dorsey drop into a more specific role backing up Ray & Cowboy.

The second try led to Shazier, another luxury pick. As an armchair GM, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to bring in someone who could immediately fill in NaVorro Bowman while he's down, and eventually take a role as the preferred backup to the ILBs and Brooks. Furthermore, this would allow Corey Lemonier to spend the bulk of his time studying under Aldon Smith.

The last try dropped Verrett into my lap, and with the uncertainty on the outside of our secondary, I jumped at the chance. There's really not too much analysis that I could provide that hasn't already been beaten to death.


2nd Round - 56


C TRAVIS SWANSON - ARKANSAS
WR ODELL BECKHAM JR. - LSU
DT DOMINIQUE EASLEY - FLORIDA

In my first attempt, I reached early for Travis Swanson, the center from Arkansas. The dude is solid, he's like a better Goodwin that should push Kilgore for snapping duties. I'm personally on the negative side of indifferent regarding Kilgore, so drafting a center is something you'll be seeing me do more of. Having already drafted Louis Nix in the first round, I'm trying to do the right thing as a GM by fortifying the trenches, because that's where games are won.

The second chance dropped OBJ to me, and I gladly drafted him. With a need at WR and the first pick spent on a high-priced backup LB, I filled a need with a highly talented player who should instantly upgrade the WR corps, especially with the uncertainty facing the position after 2014, and the largely redundant skillset of our top 2.

In the third simulation, I picked up Easley as our yearly project. Filling the apparent need for CB depth in the first, I felt it prudent to continue fortifying the DL with the future in mind.

Second Round - 61


WR DONTE MONCRIEF - MISSISSIPPI
DE STEPHON TUITT - NOTRE DAME
WR DONTE MONCRIEF - MISSISSIPPI

With the 1st and 3rd attempts, I got a second tier receiver talent. Would likely not see much of the field initially, but would provide adequate insurance for the future.

In the second attempt, I managed to get Tuitt. This probably won't happen in reality, but I was happy to draft him at the end of the second. So far the second simulation has been my favorite, with Shazier, OBJ, and now Tuitt. A dream draft if I've ever seen one!

Third Round - 77


TE TROY NIKLAS - NOTRE DAME
ILB SHAYNE SKOV - STANFORD
OT JACK MEWHORT - OHIO STATE

In the first attempt, I find Niklas in the third to add to a very offensive-minded draft. Another luxury pick, this would leave the 49ers with likely one of the most talented TE corps in the league. To be completely transparent, Vernon Davis is obviously my favorite player in the league, but this pick would serve the purpose of lighting a fire under Vance's butt. As a TE with solid blocking chops as well as hands, the jumbo packages would turn absolutely deadly. If Vance never turns into the swiss-army knife we've been missing since Delanie Walker left, Niklas would form a formidable 1-2 punch of traditional TEs with Vernon Davis.

The second attempt continues as my favorite mock draft so far, finding Shayne Skov in the end of the third. This pick would allow the coaching staff a very interesting opportunity to see if they can convert Shazier (taken in the first round) to safety. It's a mock draft though, so don't crucify me for adding two LBs in the top 100, especially since we have 4 All-Pro LBs already & Lemonier coming up. Think about the total domination the Steelers and Ravens had for over a decade with a regular rotation of highly talented LBs... Which happen to already be the heart and soul of our defense.

In the third attempt, I finally wised up and made the reach for Jack Mewhort. I've got a total draft crush on this guy, he can play 4 or 5 positions on the line and hopefully run Adam Snyder out of town. Provides extra insurance along the OL depth in case Jonathan Martin doesn't work out.

Fourth Round - 94

CB KEITH MCGILL - UTAH
TE TROY NIKLAS - NOTRE DAME
C WESTON RICHBURG - COLORADO STATE

In the first go, I hadn't found any guys for the secondary, so I finally broke down and picked one up. Has very good value in that he doesn't end up in Seattle, can play CB and S.

Pick up Niklas a round later in the second attempt, which continues to be my favorite. I've already explained why he's awesome. The only problem I have so far is that I haven't found any OL depth, which pains my heart.

In the third go, I find Richburg at the end of the fourth to provide the competition with Kilgore that I want to see this year.

Fourth Round - 125

ILB JORDAN ZUMWALT - UCLA
CB AARON COLVIN - OKLAHOMA
CB ANTONE EXUM - VIRIGNIA TECH

In my first attempt, I pick up Zumwalt out of UCLA. Will likely end up a core special teamer, but can provide valuable depth for the inside of the LB corps.

In the second attempt, I finally realize that I haven't addressed the secondary and made a reach for Colvin. Should provide competition once healthy.

In the third attempt, I find another corner for competition. Talented young man, but I wouldn't expect him to crack the top 3, especially having picked a CB in the first.

Fifth Round - 158


QB A.J. MCCARRON - ALABAMA
C BRYAN STORK - FLORIDA ST.
DE BRENT URBAN -VIRGINIA

In the most offensive minded of my drafts, I luckily get A.J. McCarron in the fifth after a really lucky slide. Let Harbaugh have his toys, I say.

I finally find my center for the second attempt, a highly touted center. I now have a center prospect in all three mocks. Mission accomplished. I really want a dang center.

In the first attempt, I find Urban in the 5th. With an early pick of Easley, this pick signifies immediate competition for the DL while Dominique is getting healthy. He's like the Margus Hunt pick I didn't get last year, although this guy needs some serious work on his technique and needs to add some weight. PS candidate.

Sixth Round - 189


CB AARON COLVIN -OKLAHOMA
RB DRI ARCHER - KENT STATE
S ISAIAH LEWIS - MICHIGAN STATE

In the first attempt, at least I didn't reach for Colvin. I needed to address the secondary some more, and this was the best late pick I could make.

The second pick resumes being my favorite, because it's unorthodox!! With other offensive weapons found in OBJ and Niklas, we make a rather silly pick and get a guy who does the same things as LMJ. It's a mock, let me have my fun. Seriously though, I don't know why we'd take Dri Archer when we have LMJ.

I continue to bolster the secondary by picking Isaiah Lewis. Much like the other golden helmet, undersized, over-achieving safety out of Michigan State who got picked by the 49ers in the 6th round (Trenton Robinson), Isaiah is a decent project who could add to special teams with hopes of eventually becoming a backup. 2014 isn't the year to find our other safety.

Seventh Round - 219

S ISAIAH LEWIS -MICHIGAN STATE
FB TREY MILLARD - OKLAHOMA
FB TREY MILLARD - OKLAHOMA

In the first attempt, I get another project guy for the secondary in the seventh round. Consider it a "I want this guy as a UDFA but other people probably do, too, so I'll burn a seventh"

In the second and third attempts, I get Trey Millard. I like what he has to offer. Worst case scenario, he fills in while Bruce is down. Best case scenario, he's an interest player like Marqueis Grey and works as a Delanie clone.

Seventh Round - 220


FB TREY MILLARD - OKLAHOMA
OG JOHN URSCHEL - PENN STATE
OG JOHN URSCHEL - PENN STATE

Millard has now been drafted in all three attempts. Great use of a seventh rounder.

In the second and third attempts, I pick up Urschel out of Penn State. Look, he probably won't make the team but he had a 4.0 through his Masters program in Mathematics. The guy is so gold-helmet that Harbaugh's head will explode.

Seventh Round - 222


K CAIRO SANTOS - TULANE
K CAIRO SANTOS - TULANE
TE COLT LYERLA - OREGON

In the first and second attempts, I pick up camp leg Cairo Santos. He's honestly not that good, no chance he beats out Dawesome, but I wanted to draft a Tulane guy and Ryan Grant is bad. Roll Wave.

In the third attempt I freak out late and realize that the only offensive weapons I've added were Donte Moncrief and Trey Millard. I take the gamble on Lyerla, worst case scenario he continues to be a screw-up and we lose a LATE seventh round draft pick.

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