Nolan's First Draft to Pay Off in Third Year?

The first draft class of the Mike Nolan era in San Francisco set the tone for the team's upward trend last season. The first five players selected in the 2005 NFL Draft have become pivotal and dependable assets to the organization.

We are all aware of the importance put on Nolan's first pick as a head coach, first overall in Utah QB Alex Smith and how the "face of the franchise" is supposed to restore 49er glory. However, let's look at how the other selections in '05 are shaping up to play cornerstone rolls.

The Niners' second-round pick that year was David Baas,(right), a versatile offensive lineman from the University of Michigan. The big fellow from Ann Arbor can play either center or guard and has been a solid contributor upfront. Baas played in all 16 games last year without committing a single penalty, and his contributions to the team should continue to increase this upcoming season.

With the first pick in the third round, the 49ers struck gold with running back Frank Gore, (left). The former Miami Hurricane had a breakout year in 2006, grinding out nearly 1,700 yards on the ground at an average of 5.4 yards per carry. Needless to say, Gore is being counted on to duplicate last season's performance in 2007. Considering less successful RBs Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams were top five overall picks in '05, the addition of Gore in Round 3 should be considered legalized theft and a good indicator of Nolan's eye for talent.

Later in the third round, San Francisco chose guard Adam Snyder, who has made 14 starts in two seasons. Impressed by his play, the 49ers rewarded Snyder with a four-year contract worth about $10.5 million, including a $4 million signing bonus.

The team got good value with its fifth-round selection, too, drafting defensive lineman Ronald Fields out of Mississippi State. He started the last nine games of the '06 season, compiling 28 tackles. Fields is expected to be a regular on the D-line this season.

The success of the 49ers' 2005 draft class has been crucial to the team's return to respectability. If this year's draftees can even come close to the contributions made by the '05 selections, then the team's prospects for the future will be even brighter.