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2009
NFL Draft Needs - San Francisco 49ers
by Gregory Cox
Senior Writer
4/22/09
Picks (9): 10, 43, 74, 111, 146, 171*, 184, 219, 244*
*-compensatory picks cannot be traded
Running Back – Just because I put this need high does not mean
it equates to drafting someone early. Obviously Frank Gore is their
primary back. Nagging injuries the last two seasons have prevented him
from carrying a bigger load, but truth be told 260 and 240 carries is
just about where he should be. The problem is having no other effective
threat when he is not the one carrying the football. Veteran DeShaun
Foster was signed from Carolina, but produced a dismal 3.1 yards per
rush on 76 attempts. Converted college quarterback Michael Robinson
took a serious step back in his third year and managed only 50 yards on
19 rushes (2.6 average). When you combine their efforts it’s 2.99 yards
per rush which is a huge drop from Gore (4.32) running behind the same
line. The touchy part of this equation is Gore’s ego. If the team
drafts a player too early it would be considered a slight. However,
waiting too long could put them in danger of not getting an effective
contributor. This season the offensive philosophy will be to run the
football early and often. If Gore is not given help that plan will not
work.
Outside Linebacker – First of all head coach Mike Singletary
wants to give former first round pick Manny Lawson a chance to rush the
passer. Out of the 5 ½ sacks he has recorded in 32 career games
over three seasons two of them came in his second outing, which has
justifiably led to the “bust” label following him. It is nice that
Singletary believes in the player and wants to give him a chance, but
the NFL waits for no one. In the same 2006 draft when Lawson was
selected Parys Haralson was taken in the fifth round. Now he is the
solid piece looking for someone to complement him after he led the team
with 8 ½ sacks. This is known as irony. Haralson just signed a
four-year extension to solidify his position with the team. Tully
Banta-Cain’s two year stint with the team is over. He went back to New
England.
Quarterback – There is justified debate over how important the
team feels about adding a rookie. Departed offensive coordinator’s pet
project J.T. O’Sullivan (Bengals) is gone. The journeyman veteran role
Jamie Martin filled now belongs to Damon Huard (Chiefs) who is on a one
year contract. He has just a little value as a mentor and emergency
third stringer. Former #1 overall pick Alex Smith restructured his
contract to remain with the team, much to the chagrin of many 49er
fans. Shaun Hill has been the rock through all of this turmoil. Very
quietly he guided the team to a 5-3 record in the second half. Some
believe given the shot to hold down the job for a full season he could
effectively manage this offense. He is never going to pass for 3,500
yards one would think, but the stats from his 10 appearances in 2008
translate to 3,637 over a full season. His likeability factor as an
“average guy” works against him because the perception of a franchise
starting quarterback is someone who commands attention. There are two
of those flashy types available in the draft. They might be able to get
their hands on one, or grab another competitor.
Offensive Tackle – This was a bigger problem before Marvel
Smith (Steelers) signed, but he is injury prone. Remember Jonas
Jennings? 49er fans certainly do (he was just released) which is why
the team has to be looking at drafting some insurance. Damane Duckett
(Patriots) is gone and at 34 Barry Sims does not appear to have much
left to offer. Adam Snyder and Joe Toledo are now their primary
backups. Their current situation is more settled than it was before
Smith was added, but I would not rule out a draft pick in any round.
Free Safety – The signing of Jimmy Williams, who did not play
in 2008 and was formerly with Atlanta as a 2006 second round pick, is
either savvy or desperate. However, Mark Roman has no interceptions in
the past 2 ½ seasons and at 32 looks to be fading out as a
viable option. Their 2007 fourth round pick Dashon Goldson is looking
like the new starter although he has no interceptions in 19
appearances. Can someone please pick off a football or two? It is
unclear to me exactly what the future holds for former free
safety/cornerback ‘tweener Reggie Smith who they picked in the third
round. His development and where he fits could change their strategy in
the secondary. However, someone needs to take the ball away from the
other team.
Cornerback – Last year at this time I was accused of ageism
(seriously) by one particularly unhappy fan for saying the 49ers should
plan ahead for Walt Harris’ retirement. It’s not the point that he had
another good season. The point is that when he suits up in week 1 he
will be 35 years old. Decades of NFL history illustrates that this is
about the time a player simply can’t do it any more at a high level.
Their 2007 fifth round pick Tarell Brown took on a larger role, but now
Donald Strickland (Jets) has sought greener pastures. I know, bad pun.
Shawntae Spencer has struggled to stay healthy having missed 22 games
over the past three seasons including almost all of 2008. Cornerback is
a spot where a constant flow of talent makes sense considering three,
sometimes four players can get on the field in certain situations. They
need to take a hard look at someone who can be that starter when Harris
is done, and if that player can’t be found just add another body to
make up for Strickland leaving.
Wide Receiver – The signing of Brandon Jones (Titans) offsets
the loss of Bryant Johnson (Lions). Jones has 112 receptions for 1,380
yards and 9 touchdowns. Some of the lack of production can be blamed on
playing in Tennessee, but it took him four seasons and 51 games to
amass those totals? I’m skeptical of this signing. At best he is a
complementary player on a team dying for a #1. Isaac Bruce has offered
up his services for one last season. His value is in the locker room
more than the playing field although he did lead the team in receptions
(61) yards (835) and touchdowns (7). Even if he is productive this
season and stays healthy this is the end for him. Josh Morgan is
definitely a keeper and 2007 third round pick Jason Hill showed signs
of life with 30 receptions. Can the young talent keep developing? It is
a whole lot of mediocrity at this point, but given their inclination to
run the football and play defense it might not be much of a priority in
the draft.
Tight End – I was a little sad to see Billy Bajema (Rams) go.
You see, I did a full 7 round draft in 2005 and with pick #249 I
projected him to the 49ers. Apparently someone in the front office saw
this and thought it would be funny to actually take him in that spot,
so they did. Crazy coincidences aside, he was an effective blocking
tight end for them. The stat line sort of indicates what his strengths
are. He played in 61 games and caught 7 passes. Flashy first round pick
Vernon Davis is still trying to find his way as the primary receiving
option. Joe Jon Finley is looking like the best blocking threat, but he
was signed as a rookie free agent. They will be keeping an eye out for
more blocking talent. It fits their offensive strategy and helps their
currently less than stellar situation at offensive tackle.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 7 rounds
Gregory Cox's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 6 rounds
Jared Donnelly's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
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