Golden Nuggets: The 49ers might have found this years injured red-shirt project

Good morning everyone, there's only 31 depressingly long days until the draft. It was recently pointed out to me that the Draft was only pushed back 13 days from last years date, the fact that the month was switched from April to May makes it seem a lot worse than it actually is. That may be logically sound, but Its still infuriating to me that the already long wait from the realistic end of free agency to the Draft was lengthened instead of shortened.

At this time of year there really isn't a ton of 49ers specific news, that is unless somebody does something stupid which as well all know, can happen at any time. When the news is slow we have to do our best to take whatever is happening and connect it the 49ers. With that said, talented Clemson Guard prospect Brandon Thomas tore his ACL yesterday and immediately, the comparisons to Tank Carradine and Marcus Lattimore took off. Thomas was probably going to go in the second or third round before his injury and should now be available much later. The 49ers have more draft picks than they do actual holes in the roster, so drafting low, and red shirting injured players is a good strategy. With the amount of draft eligible players, the odds of one team drafting any one player is never good, but If the 49ers do end up drafting Thomas, we could see a nifty trend become a full fledged draft strategy right before our eyes. To the links!

Brandon Thomas fits 49ers’ draft mold (ESPN)

Have injury, will be drafted by 49ers? Clemson’s Thomas a potential target (Branch)

Harbaugh's potential extension becomes tougher with Carroll's new deal (Gin)

Richard Sherman mocks Michael Crabtree with autograph signing (SFgate)

Single high? New CB Cook suggests changes in store for 49ers defense (Barrows)

Pagano: 49ers are getting an 'all-star' with Bethea (Maiocco)

Tramaine Brock in Line to Lead 49ers CB Group (49ers)

Tramaine Brock Convo: 'I Want To Be The Best' (49ers)