So the 2011 NFL Draft is in the books, and I'm confident of ... well, I'm confident of absolutely nothing. Without having my 49ers goggles on, I know the team did well in their draft, but I really don't know how well. Aldon Smith will be a good player, as will Chris Culliver, while Colin Kaepernick could certainly turn out well. But how good can any of these guys be? I'm really not sure right now, and that's something I'll research and try to discover for the remainder of this offseason. In other news, there's actually a couple undrafted free agents I'm really interested in, providing we get some kind of period to actually sign them (unless the NFL is set on, you know, just letting them rot, which probably wouldn't be surprising) ... Enjoy, folks.
Alright, instead of posting a link for every draft pick, here's a short recap from the official website. I really do like the Daniel Kilgore pick, he can be something, though I don't know how to feel about the rest of the guys ... I guess that's what we should expect when it comes to sixth and seventh round picks, no? (49ers.com)
Quarterback Alex Smith was given a playbook, and just about everybody - including 49ers coaches and players - expects him to return to the team next year. It's just smart strategy, I'll say it over and over again. (SacBee.com)
Kendall Hunter is not being brought in to replace Frank Gore by any stretch of the imagination. Or, at the very least, he's not being brought in to to replace him immediately. Hunter can be a feature back in the NFL, and I expect him to be Gore's replacement. (SacBee.com)
I really hate when players are kept around for versatility when they're not really good at doing anything that they're kept around for ... especially with offensive linemen. I despite it when people say "well he can play all positions on the line," and he can't play any of them at an average level. The 49ers went for a lot of versatility in this draft and thankfully ... these guys appear to know how to play football. Phew. (PressDemocrat.com)
Here's audio from a conference call with Mike Person, audio from a conference call with Curtis Holcomb, audio from a call with Colin Jones, audio from a call with Bruce Miller, audio from a call with Daniel Kilgore, audio from a call with Ronald Johnson, and then audio from a call with Kendall Hunter. (49ers.com)
Trent Baalke and Jim Harbaugh met with the media following the draft, and here's a transcript for that. (MercuryNews.com)
I do quite like the Bruce Miller pick, when it all comes down to it. He was a defensive end who occasionally stood up in college, and the 49ers drafted him as a fullback, something that happens more frequently than one might think in the NFL, but with Miller, I feel like it has a very high chance of working out. His positives just translate so well to the position. Hopeful for this guy. (PressDemocrat.com)
Barrows put out a quick report card on the 49ers draft, and I'm inclined to agree for the most part. Some of the selections are semi head scratchers, but at the end of the day, they are addressing needs with players who should be sufficient. (SacBee.com)
Re-signing Alex Smith is the smart choice for the simple reason that he buys time for the team. Kaepernick is the guy the 49ers think is the future. (ESPN.com)
Yesterday on Niners Nation
Golden Nuggets: Strong Draft Thus Far For 49ers | Ninjames
2011 NFL Draft Picks By Team: Day Two Winners And Losers | nocal81
2011 NFL Draft Grades: 49ers Picks Likely Leading To Mixed Analysis | Fooch
2011 NFL Draft, Day Three: 49ers With Seven Picks To Dominate End Of Draft! | Fooch
2011 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers Select RB Kendall Hunter | Fooch
2011 NFL Draft: 49ers Take Kendall Hunter, My Thoughts | Tre9er
NFL Draft 2011: Do 49ers Consider a Sixth Or Seventh Round Quarterback? | Fooch
2011 NFL Draft: 49ers Trade Into Fifth Round, Select Guard Daniel Kilgore | Fooch
San Francisco 49ers Select WR Ronald Johnson In The Sixth Round Of The 2011 NFL Draft | Fooch
Colin Jones Selected By San Francisco 49ers In Sixth Round Of 2011 NFL Draft | Fooch
2011 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers Select FB Bruce Miller | Fooch
San Francisco 49ers Use Second 7th Round Pick To Select OT Mike Person In 2011 NFL Draft | Fooch
San Francisco 49ers Select CB Curtis Holcomb With Final Pick Of 2011 NFL Draft | Fooch
NFL Draft 2011 Results & Recap: What Players Fell Further Than Expected? | Fooch
49ers RB Kendall Hunter Speaks To The Press Following Selection in 2011 NFL Draft | Fooch
49ers Draft Pick Curtis Holcomb Confident He Is A Complete Player | Fooch
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