2008 Niners Nation Mock Draft - #29 pick - San Francisco 49ers

by David Fucillo on Mar 15, 2008 11:02 PM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

With the 29th pick of the draft, the San Francisco 49ers select Gosder Cherilus, Offensive Tackle, Boston College.

This is an interesting position for the 49ers. They could go in several directions depending on who is sitting here, assuming they don't trade up or down (up I doubt, but down would seem to be a decent possibility with some of the depth this year). Quentin Groves is a very distinct possibility and I would certainly have no problem with that kind of selection. When you go 5-11, there are plenty of holes to fill. However, most of us would agree that the offensive line was often the most glaring need. With the loss of Justin Smiley and the likely retirement of Larry Allen, the supposed depth from last season is all milked up.

Cherilus played last season at left tackle, but appears to be a more natural fit at right tackle. The offseason discussion has centered on moving Joe Staley to the blind side and this would allow for that. At 6'6, 315 lbs, Cherilus is a mountain of a man who can be worked into the starting lineup quickly. Considering the injury issues with parts of our line and the general crappiness of said line, Cherilus could be an impact player for us from the get-go. Scouts Inc had the following to say:

Strengths: Won't take many false steps, is efficient and generally gets into sound position. Drives legs once in position, shows above-average lower body strength and is a powerful run blocker that can get movement in short-yardage situations. Plays with good motor, stays under control when gets into space and is an effective downfield blocker. Efficiently gets into pass set and uses long arms to ride pass rushers past the pocket.

Weaknesses: Plays entirely too high. Has quick feet for his size and good overall strength but both can be compromised by his marginal leverage . . . While big enough to hold ground most of the time, he bends at the waist rather than the knees and powerful bull rushers should have some success pushing back into the pocket.

Overall: Gosder needs to work on staying lower to the ground and he appears to be a better fit at right tackle than left tackle. Regardless, Cherilus is a four-year starter who possesses a very good overall talent, including a massive frame, quick feet for his size and a mean streak to finish off blocks. He projects as a late-first or early second-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

I had considered Sam Baker out of USC at this spot but concerns seem to be rising and he has slipped well into the second round. If that's the case, one option (if the 49ers really want him) is to trade down into the second round and get Baker and a receiver with the normal second round, all while picking up more picks. Just one of many options here.

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I love the pick. We need OL BAD! He will be just the start. After him, we should get either quienten groves or pat sims in the second, OL in the 3rd, either OLB or NT in the fourth, OL in the 5th, WR in the 6th, OL in the seventh. It is really this bad. And it would be huge if we signed that center for Baltimore, Flynn, at Center. Then it would be Cherilus, Baas, Flynn, Heightmen, and Staley, with Snyder, Jennings, 3rd+5th+7th, and some other guy whose name I forgot. Thats not bad and has decent depth and a lot of young talent. Look, I think this has to be Alex Smith chance to prove himself. We went out to get him an OC who understands how to pass, a great vetern WR, a young talented WR, Vernon and frank, and now a imped out offensive line. He has some weapons and protection now. There is no one else in the way between him and greatness or bust.

by montasmob69 on Mar 15, 2008 11:50 PM PDT reply actions

29th Pick

I agree too. If not Cherilus then the unfashionable but safe pick of the top Guard, Albert. Please don't draft a WR in Round 1.

Prayingforthegooddaysagain

by uknineradrian on Mar 17, 2008 5:53 AM PDT up reply actions

i think id prefer

baker. simply because he's more athletic. does anyone know why he is slipping? if we could really trade down to add another pick and baker, i think that would be the ideal situation. if we add a tackle in the 1st round expecting him to start, would jonas get cut? i think nolan likes nolan despite the fact that he hasnt performed up to expectation and dont know how willing he would be to bench him. itd be great to have him for depth, but i dont know how jennings would feel about that and he's got a fairly large salary doesnt he?

by sam23 @ Niners Nation on Mar 16, 2008 12:42 AM PDT reply actions

mistake

obviously, i meant i think nolan likes jonas

by sam23 @ Niners Nation on Mar 16, 2008 12:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Huh

I'd actually be under the impression that Nolan does not like Jennings, who seems to have turned out to be the kind of player who doesn't fit Nolan's "Support the System" style of guy. He was severely limited last year on the field from off-field problems (not the law, but geez it was bad). Despite his self-inflicted limitations he became disgruntled when the team reduced his workload and turned into a minor attitude case providing all the requisite negative lcker room vibes of one. And beyond that, he just can't stay on the field.

I don't know. We didn't (and couldn't) see any of this coming when we signed him, but he's been ineffective and he doesn't seem to be playing Nolan's tune anymore. I'd be surprised if he's still a "Nolan Guy" going forward, personally.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down... over and over....

by howtheyscored on Mar 16, 2008 1:55 AM PDT up reply actions

wasnt jennings

the o-line captain? and wasnt he key in recruiting clements and now spikes?

by sam23 @ Niners Nation on Mar 16, 2008 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmmm

Could be, I'm not sure. It's fully possible that I'm just full of crap on this one, and I'm mostly just making an intuitive leap to begin with based on my own impressions.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down... over and over....

by howtheyscored on Mar 16, 2008 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Captains and keys

The "shop" captains last year were elected by the players, not by Nolan. Nolan seems to have been VERY clear about how he feels about Jennings. I don't remember exact incidents or quotes, and I don't want to misquote or misinform. I seem to recall there being a LOT of speculation that his "season ending" injury last year wasn't really that serious, and that the team just got fed up with his lack of toughness.

I don't think he was a "key" element in recruiting Clements OR Spikes. If I'm not mistaken, all three of them have the same agent, so it's more like the 49ers have built a good relationship with their agent than Jennings "recruiting" people. I'd come back to the 49ers too if I got what I got from them for Jennings and Clements.

by sfgfan on Mar 17, 2008 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions

RE: Baker

Just checked ESPN for what they have to say about Baker. The prime reason for his slippage (remember, preseason he was discussed as top-10 pick and now he's a fringe first-rounder) is issues with his health. He hasn't been able to stay healthy and was injured each of the last three years, suffering a different injury each year. He also lacks ideal lower-body strength and isn't as big as Cherilus. Because he's more of a pass-blocker, it seems that Baker is more of an LT than RT. In terms of mental approach and acumen, ESPN seems to think that it's a bit of wash between the two.

These guys, Cherilus and Baker, look like very different prospects with similar value. My preference is to use the pick on the guy who doesn't get hurt and fits the team need (RT) a little better.

by cornball on Mar 16, 2008 7:38 AM PDT up reply actions

i'll buy that

thanks for the analysis. i didnt know he struggled with injuries prior to this year. and i do think its key that we establish staley as the LT. jennings/draft pick should be the RT.

by sam23 @ Niners Nation on Mar 16, 2008 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Cherilus...

What I like about potentially drafting this guy is the fact that Matt Ryan had such a good season for Boston College at QB. Typically, in college, when a QB has a great season it's because his offensive line was doing great work. Not to say Ryan doesn't have plenty of game regardless of who's protecting him, but it's a point worth noting.

by jaytierney on Mar 16, 2008 8:35 AM PDT reply actions

Also

Cherilus is the far better run blocker. I don't see baker really working out, but I think this guy could be the real deal. And even though Jonas Jennings is a big dent in the cap, and may not be the most mild manored guy, he is still better than most FA right now, so cutting him will only leave our OL with even less depth.

by montasmob69 on Mar 16, 2008 9:15 AM PDT reply actions

trade?

seems like someone would be willing to give up a 3rd rounder for jennings.

by sam23 @ Niners Nation on Mar 16, 2008 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmm.

For a man made of glass that a lot of people envision may be a better fit at guard than tackle that's being paid like an above average tackle? I don't think many would even consider giving up a 4th rounder for him, let alone a 3rd. Especially with this year's depth at tackle.

by sfgfan on Mar 17, 2008 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions

Hello.

Hey everyone, I just dropped by your site and it looks like you have a nice, active community hear. I just posted a Diary entitled "Interactive Mock Draft, Anyone?" that I'd like for you to check out. Everything is explained there and I hope you come join us. Cheers!

by ejruiz @ Niners Nation on Mar 16, 2008 5:41 PM PDT reply actions