The Best Seat In The House For All Your News On The 5 Time World Champion Niners

The Best Seat In The House For All Your News On The 5 Time World Champion Niners
A review and commentary on the history & lastest events surrounding the 17 time NFC Western Division & 5 -Time World Champion San Francisco 49ers. From 1946 and the All America Football Conference to 2009 and the road to a 6th Super Bowl title - For true fans of the scarlet and gold! Enjoy!

Monday, April 2, 2007

Upon Further Review... Candlestick Mock Draft #2

1. Oakland Raiders - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU.This one is still all but a given. There is an outside shot at grabbing Calvin Johnson here if they somehow trade Randy Moss between now and Draft Day. But Russell is a very solid selection here for Oakland and will help put a positive buzz back into a sinking franchise.

2. Detroit Lions - Brady Quinn QB, Notre Dame. With Jon Kitna aging and Josh McCown as his marginally able back-up, GM Matt Millen has to bring in a big name QB of the future to show the Lions faithful that they are serious about turning that mess around.

3. Cleveland Browns - Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma. Signing Jamal Lewis from Baltimore solved a short term solution to the backfield issues and unless Detroit passes on Brady Quinn, this will be the next most pressing concern. Coach Romeo Crennel may still have faith in QB Charlie Frye and if so,the Browns will quietly grab the guy they wanted all along. Peterson had a great individual workout and after Cleveland traded Reuben Droughns running back became a huge need.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson.If the above scenario does take place, the Bucs will be the one that takes the shaft as a result because they were likely going to steal Johnson at the No. 4 slot. Instead, I think they address an area of severe need. Tampa Bay had just 25 sacks last year and leading pass rusher Simeon Rice is entering his 13th season.

5. Arizona Cardinals - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin.OK, this is why this trade won't work: the Cardinals aren't this lucky. After snagging a franchise quarterback last year they'll now be able to pair him with a franchise left tackle. I think the Cardinals rep would be falling over himself if Thomas is still on the board at this slot, and would take him off it in about 30 seconds.

6. Washington Redskins - Alan Branch, DT, Michigan.Fred Smoot has come back to the Skins - he liked the school systems and the hookers better in D.C. - addressing a huge need in the secondary. The other need is a pass rusher, and they would love to get Gaines Adams. However, I think they settle on what I believe is the best defensive lineman in the draft. However, Branch had a pathetic workout and, in Version 3.1 of this mock, could be out of the Top 10 all together.

7. Minnesota Vikings - Leon Hall, CB, Michigan.It's a toss-up here between Brady Quinn and Hall. But with David Carr on the block and the Vikes still talking to K.C. about Trent Green I think they'll go after a veteran while trying to develop Tav Jackson and/or Brooks Bollinger. Don't forget that Minnesota is still fighting for a new stadium right now. Draft Quinn and starting Jackson screams "REBUILDING". Another bad year could sour state officials about funding the new digs.

8. Atlanta Falcons - Choice from Houston - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech.Yup, I said it. In an interview with an Atlanta radio station following the Matt Schaub trade, Rich McKay cryptically referenced the "home-grown player" out there even though the question was about something else entirely. I don't know why, but I felt like that was a tell if Johnson is still on the board. If they are serious about him, however, they may have to deal up to get him.

9. Miami Dolphins - Jamal Anderson, DE, Arkansas.The Dolphins have the oldest defensive line in the league by average age and need to get some fresh meat in there. Anderson is a beast, and learning from super rushers like Jason Taylor would be a huge boon for this Southern boy. Throw in Joey Porter and the Fins' pass rush just got a lot nastier.

10. Houston Texans - Choice from Atlanta - Laron Landry, S, LSU.Man, what the hell is going on with the Texans front office? The draft is still a month away and they already blew this one too. That's now 0-for-2 in the Kubiak Era after last year's Bush-Young-Williams fiasco. They gave up way too much for Matt Schaub when they could have held onto the No. 8 pick and hoped that Quinn slipped. If not, ride out one more year with Carr and then pick someone up next year. Or trade next year's No. 1 for Schaub. I don't get it. Levi Brown is enticing, but I think they are getting better value on the top safety in the draft.

11. San Francisco 49ers - Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State.Four of the five free agents that the 49ers landed this offseason were on defense, and they recently purged Antonio "DUI" Bryant. San Fran grabbed Ashley Lelie as a deep threat, so now they need to give Alex Smith a true game breaker. Dwayne Jarrett will be tough to pass up because of the SoCal connection, but I think they go with Ginn.

12. Buffalo Bills - Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville.The Bills have needs and could go in a lot of different directions. Marshawn Lynch is a possibility to fill the void left by Willis McGahee. They're also going to have to either trade or cut Takeo Spikes for monetary reasons so a linebacker is a very real possibility. But I think they draft the 19-year old defensive tackle and toss him in the rotation up front.

13. St. Louis Rams - Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska.This would be like the beer goggles pickup at last call in a dive bar. If the Rams strikeout at getting any of the other, better defensive linemen on the board I think they would settle for Carriker since it is a position of need. They did get James Hall from Detroit, but still need either a speed rusher, every down end, or a DT. If they sign Ian Scott at DT I think they may shift the focus to LB to shore up the league's No. 31 rush defense.

14. Carolina Panthers - Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss.Wait, does this mean that the Panthers aren't next year's Super Bowl favorites? I can't overstate how critical this pick and this draft are for the Panthers, who have no money to spend in free agency. Miami TE Greg Olsen would be a good get here, but they lost Chris Draft and you can't count on Dan Morgan for anything beyond drooling and mumbling as he suffers through his 83rd concussion. I love Willis and think he'll become an All-Pro LB someday. Carolina will be hoping it's sooner rather than later.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida.I really can't say what new coach Mike Tomlin is going to do with this draft. I do know that there are some serious chemistry issues that need to be addressed because some key vets aren't happy that A) Russ Grimm got passed over and B) Joey Porter got let go. Tomlin may switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 and if he does he'll need to restock the defensive line. They'll start with pass-rushing specialist to groom on the outside.

16. Green Bay Packers - Marshawn Lynch, RB, California.My initial mock had Peterson falling here. That's clearly not going to happen now - though I still say that if Cleveland doesn't take him he'll fall all the way to Buffalo - so the Pack have to take the consolation prize. That is if the Packers don't pick up a veteran back before the draft. If Lynch is gone, and they have a veteran back, then pencil in TE Greg Olsen here.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Reggie Nelson, S, Florida. Jacksonville has adopted the Matt Millen Method of drafting, selecting receivers early in the past three drafts. And, amazingly, they still could use an offensive game breaker. However, I think they'll pad the defense and Mike Peterson's loss proved that they're a little thin at linebacker. But I think they go with a Florida guy and get a very talented safety.

18. Cincinnati Bengals - Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State.You can bet that Marvin Lewis won't be drafting someone with a criminal record and he won't be picking someone from Georgia. The Bengals have invested a lot of picks to linebackers recently but it's still an area of need. The Bengals do have some holes to fill - especially if they lose some of their offensive line to free agency, or if they cut ties with Chris Henry - but it's still obvious where they need help. The Bengals would love Carriker or Moss to fall to them, but instead I think they reach for Spencer. Cincy could pick up Quentin Moses or Charles Johnson but they haven't had much success with those Georgia guys so I think they'll stay away.

19. Tennessee Titans - Dwayne Jarrett, WR, Southern Cal.There will be a strong push to get local guy Robert Meachem, the wideout from Tennessee, but I think Norm Chow grabs one of his former USC guys. Bobby Wade and Drew Bennett were their two best options last year - as horrifying as that though is - and now both are gone. Getting Vince Young some playmakers has to be a priority.

20. New York Giants - John Beason, LB, Miami.After failing to grab Al Wilson last week the Giants are still desperate for depth and skill at linebacker. They also need help in the secondary and at tackle, but I think they'll go after one of the top hitters on the board here. I think a corner would be a solid pick also, and either Aaron Ross or Darrelle Revis would be solid pickups.

21. Denver Broncos - Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU.Denver has gone against the grain in the past couple of drafts so I'm not 100 percent sure what they're looking at. If they don't go after a young, fast, pass rushing defensive end I think they'll have to grab a playmaker on offense. They picked up a running back and a tight end this offseason, so now it's time to upgrade the receiving corps.

22. Dallas Cowboys - Aaron Ross, CB, Dallas. Dallas hasn't drafted an offensive player in the first round since 1997 and I look for that streak to continue. They signed Ken Hamlin to give them safety help, and I think Anthony Henry could possibly get some reps there as well. Ross is a Texas guy and is coming off a monster year. I think this would be a nice pickup.

23. Kansas City Chiefs - Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee. It's kind of a toss-up here for the Chiefs - grab a wide receiver or grab a cornerback? They have somehow gotten by with mediocre receivers but I think it's time to give the offense a shot in the arm. I know Herm Edwards will be crawling out of his skin grabbing an offensive player this high but in order to win the game you have to score the most points.

24. New England Patriots - Paul Posluzny, LB, Penn State.This would be a vintage Patriot move. Posluzny was slowed by injury and a new position last year but the guy is still a stud. Consider him a faster, younger Tedy Bruschi. I think this would be a fantastic get by New England. However, they're still trying to restock their LB corps through free agency so this might not be a need by Draft Day.

25. New York Jets - DeMarcus Tyler, DT, North Carolina State.Status quo: "His nickname is Tank. What else do you want to know? In 2005 he played next to three first round draft picks for the Wolfpack but he had his best season in 2006 without any of them. That says something. He does have some character issues - which means he might not slip past Cincinnati - but he'd fit in perfectly in New York's 3-4."

26. Philadelphia Eagles - Michael Griffin, S, Texas.The Eagles would have to be thrilled if Griffin was still on the board here. They let Michael Lewis go in free agency and Brian Dawkins is on the downside. Griffin is just a straight up winner and would fit in perfectly with Philly's team-first attitude.

27. New Orleans Saints - Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas. New Orleans is really in a bad slot for their first round selection because the teams that pick immediately in front of them have essentially the same needs. New Orleans has to beef up the front seven and could use some secondary help as well. Houston gets the nod because he had a great combine and essentially shut down Jarrett, Bowe and Meachem last season.

28. New England Patriots - Levi Brown, OT, Penn State. This would be a solid value selection for the Pats. I don't think Brown will fall this far, but I'm not sure who is going to reach. This is kind of a thin draft for tackles.

29. Baltimore Ravens - Ben Grubbs, OG, Auburn.I think the Ravens would prefer to get Staley and let him learn for a season under Jonathan Ogden. That is, if Ogden doesn't retire. But they also lost guard Edwin Mulitalo as a cap casualty in order to pick up Willis McGahee. They don't have a third- or fourth-round pick so they have to add some depth here.

30. San Diego Chargers - Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina. Rice isn't worth a first round pick, but San Diego will probably be painted in a corner. If any of the wideouts I have being taken ahead of him are available then the Chargers will pounce. They need at least one new wideout to add some explosiveness to the offense.

31. Chicago Bears - Greg Olsen, TE, Miami. I have to say that it's a long shot that Olsen lasts this long. Apparently he was a freak at the combine, but I watched the TEs running routes and doing some drills (yes, I'm a twisted depraved gambling addict) and I didn't think he "dominated" the day. Anyway, the Bears desperately need some DT's and could use a replacement for Briggs, who is out after this season. So I'm actually hoping that the tight end I've been screaming about for three years isn't available with this pick.

32. Indianapolis Colts - Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee. Corey Simon is MIA and Montae Reagor just signed with Philly. That makes this a "need" pick. One thing though: Harrell played a game last season with a completely torn bicep. That instantly makes him tougher than about 80 percent of the Colts team so I don't think they'll pick him up.

No comments:

49ers world is a site for fans of the San Francisco 49ers. 49ersworld.blogspot.com is in no way associated with the San Francisco 49ers or the NFL. All NFL logos are the property of the NFL and NFL Properties. All other photos and images are the property of the providers and are used solely for non-profit entertainment purposes. If you would like to contact the 49ers, you can do so by visiting their official NFL team page at www.sf49ers.com .

Pageviews Today