It's been a rough week and a half off the field for the 49ers, so how about a little distraction. It's time for the 2014 Niners Nation Community Mock Draft! We got plenty of responses for the mock draft, and the time has come to start unveiling the picks. We're going through two rounds, and the plan right now is to post three picks per day.
Down below I've posted the first round draft board, and will add the second round when get down to it. The board includes the user pick, and a link to the analysis. That analysis includes the user's reasons for making the pick, and also thoughts from Trevor and Nick on the pick.
The first pick is presented to us by wiseguy545. With the first overall pick, the Houston Texans select Jadeven Clowney, DE, South Carolina. Some alternates he considered at the position include Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater, Central Florida QB Blake Bortles, and Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel. Here are his thoughts on the pick:
In my mind, this pick came down to a decision over the classic draft day dilemma: Need vs. Talent. While QB is by far the Texans' biggest need, I didn't think any of the quarterbacks available in this class represented the kind of surefire, franchise changing QB that would justify passing up perhaps the best defensive prospect in a generation.
I'm comfortable enough allowing Fitzpatrick and/or Keenum hold down the fort for a year or two while developing a long-term solution to not feel pressured into taking a QB just because. With the talent level on this team and the weakness of the middle tier of the AFC, a returned to form Fitzpatrick could be good enough to allow the Texans to sneak into the wild card in 2014. But even if it isn't enough to make the playoffs, new Head Coach Bill O'Brien should be looking at the long view here, not just immediate gratification.
But rather than just make a case against a QB, there is a very strong case FOR Jadeveon Clowney. His elite athleticism and productivity against the best college football has to offer (despite playing through injuries and constant double teams) is well known. There is no question that he has the required speed and agility to convert from a 4-3 right defensive end to a 3-4 outside linebacker (and with the increasing emphasis on subpackages and hybrid fronts, this distinction is becoming less and less relevant anyway).
With the rise of high powered passing attacks like those seen in New Orleans and Denver, and the rule changes making it increasingly difficult to legally cover receivers downfield, the best and most consistent way to build an elite defense is with a dominant pass rush. Being able to put pressure on the quarterback without bringing additional blitzers is an incredibly valuable ability against these high-powered passing attacks. Putting Clowney opposite JJ Watt will allow the Texans' defense to wreck havoc in opposing backfields and establish the foundation of an elite defense in Houston for years to come. As the old saying goes, offense wins games but defense wins championships.
And just in case you need any more convincing...
Trevor Woods: Clowney is just too good to pass up at number one. The quarterback class isn't good enough to draft a quarterback at one, there is no Andrew Luck in this class. The selection of Clowney will give range Texans a terrifying pass rush and they can still grab a quarterback in round two, Jimmy Garoppolo perhaps.
Nick Chiamardas: Taking Clowney with the first overall pick is smart. He's safer than any of the quarterbacks available in this class AND the pressure on him to perform will be minimized playing next to J.J. Watt. I can't fault this pick one bit.
Round 1
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1. |
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wiseguy545 |
Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina [Full Story] |
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2. |
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El Shorts | |
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3. |
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9er4life22 | |
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4. |
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Boss Clifford | |
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5. |
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Mark Balliet | |
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6. |
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CheekeeMunkee | |
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7. |
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TopFlightSecurity | |
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Hoopers Judge | |
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9. |
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jmart7 | |
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10. |
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germinator | |
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11. |
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49feelinfine | |
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12. |
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superk0725 | |
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13. |
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El Shorts | |
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14. |
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BryKno | |
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15. |
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SigepPT49er | |
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16. |
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Mira Loma Maulers | |
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17. |
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JMichael39 | |
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18. |
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Desert Dog Runner | |
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19. |
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albert.55 | |
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20. |
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MidnightSpecial | |
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21. |
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Rowingdave | |
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22. |
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MisterEclectic | |
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23. |
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Rowingdave | |
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24. |
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BearAKA | |
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25. |
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CraigRED&GOLD | |
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26. |
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Boss Clifford | |
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27. |
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Roy_from_Israel | |
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28. |
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dave.bocchino | |
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29. |
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49ersCusefan | |
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30. |
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Tre9er | |
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31. |
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ak4niner | |
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32. |
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timmyg24 |
