The world is still at a snails-pace in the recently actuated 2012 NFL season. The big doings coming is the NFL draft on April 26th. The mock draft shows are cranking up, and Mel Kiper Jr’s bulletproof hair will be seen all over the airwaves shortly.
It sure is a MUCH different feel drafting at #30 than it is at #7 for the 49ers and their fans. This team, in one short season, has gone from a desperate team with a bunch of needs to one that is looking to shore up a couple positions. Here are the the $9ers pick slots:
1st round – 30th pick
2nd round – 61st pick
3rd round – 92nd pick
4th round – 125th pick
5th round – 165th pick
6th round – 199th pick
7th round – 237th pick
No extras or even compensatory picks this year.
The defense amazingly returns all 11 starters from the 2011 season. The only need there would seem to be DB depth. The Niners did gain Perrish Cox, a CB/PR, but they lost Maidieu Williams, Reggie Smith, and Shawntae Spencer. None of them were high on the depth chart anyway, but they still need to get some warm bodies there as backups. It would not be too surprising to see the Niners use their #30 pick to grab a safety or CB. The elite guys will be gone (Kirkpatrick, Claiborne, Barron, etc.), so Harrison Smith (SS) from Notre Dame looks like a possible. He’s big (6’2″-213) and fast, and is great in run support and coverage. A top-talent guy who has taken a credibility hit is Janoris Jenkins, the CB from North Alabama. He’s a 1st round talent who has the dreaded ‘character issues.’ He’s a possible at 30.
Offensively, even the main weakness at the end of the season, WR, has been beefed up considerably with Mario Manningham and Randy Moss. Gone are Braylon Edwards and Joshua Morgan (who amazingly cost more than Super Mario). Even Swett Brain re-upped here. Still, the Niners will likely draft a WR or 3 in the middle rounds. Or even 2 if they want some Randy Moss West-LA-Fadeaway insurance. The guys that could be available at WR in the 2 hole are Brian Quick, Appalachian St, a big target at 6’4″-220. He has what coaches like. Football speed. His 40 times are in the 4.5 range (not great), but he gets open downfield, has a definite size advantage over smaller CBs, and great leaping ability. Marvin McNutt is another big guy (6’3″-215) who isn’t a burner, but is an excellent route runner/possession-type WR who occasionally breaks big plays. On the flip side would be a guy like Chris Givens from Wake Forest. He’s a burner at 5″11-198 who runs 4.3 40’s. Great route-runner who has decent (not great) hands. Kind of a Brandon Lloyd type who makes great catches but drops some easy ones.
I won’t profess to even guess at who they are looking at in rounds 3-7, but it will likely be something like RB, OL, DL, DB, WR.
The wildcard in all this would be Coby Fleener. I think if the Niners can grab him at 30, they should. He’s a big target in the red zone, and of course is very familiar with Jim Harbaugh. Delanie Walker has been fair to good, but Fleener would vault him over the top, and the Niners would have an instant mismatch down close with 2 (or even 3) TE sets. Having VD and Fleener as targets would be a good thing to have.
Forty Niners Forever 
I think Fleener is gone. My guess, by round,
1 — G
2 — RB
3 — WR
4 — S/CB
5 — OLB
6 — WR
7 — DL
O line is a possibility. I’m surprised they haven’t picked up a FA guard yet. They could be banking on Kilgore or Boone (or even Person) being a capable fill-in. With draft help. Stanford’s O line has a couple guys that could slip down to 30.
15 days, 1 hours, 48 minutes, and 48 seconds until the 2012 NFL DRAFT
Just a meat market of over sized human beings. A lot of busts in the making.
Why so droll, Nippy? Got up on the wrong side of the van?
Drafting is important but the number of busts makes the process very sobering. One thing for certain drafting for need is dangerous.
Well Nip, in the Niners case, they are not drafting for need. They have a couple thin spots (O line, DB), but they are pretty set at most spots.
So, they are drafting for wants?
I want some libation!
Move up and get DeCastro! The line would be set.for years.
They may not have to move up to get him. But if he’s around at 20 . . .
Chuck,,,Decastro is going top 15 for sure,even Fleener will be gone before they pick at 30.Either one would be great to have but they will need to move up to get either one.I would prefer DeCastro who”s a Beast and could be a All Pro RG in a season or 2.Fill’s a huge need.Not sold on Kilgore or Persons ,don’t think Harbaugh and his staff or either.
Fleener,love his size and athletisim and could turn into another Jimmy Graham,or Rob Grandkowski.So that’s very enticing as well.Damm im greedy lets sucker a team with picks and a player or 2 and get both for a early Christmas Gift.
Booke is the dark horse. He’s shown flashes of solid play.
Boone that is . . .
I like Boone,but didnt include him cause he plays Tackle,not Guard.
Yeah, he’s too small to move over. I don’t know. I suppose trading up is something they could do. Fleener may last, but DeCastro won’t.
In other words it would cost a lot to move up for DeCastro.
I know the mock drafts change daily?? seems like it anyway, and depends on which one you are looking at. with that said I am looking at Walter Football .com
San Francisco 49ers: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
San Francisco 49ers: Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State
It wouldn’t hurt to add a receiver in the first few rounds. The 49ers need insurance once the Randy Moss experiment inevitably fails.
He originally had the Niners choosing Kelechi Osemele, G,
That is the 61st pick
The NFL.com has four different writers weighing in on the draft. here are who they think the Niners will go after with the 30th pick
Kendall Reyes DT
Jerel worthy DT
Stephen Hill WR
Dontari Poe DT
So as you can see all sports Analysts are all over the board as to who will go where when.
Every other site has different guys as well. WalterFootball has Fleener. At least one guy there does. the rest? Eh. Safety is a possible, any number of guys.
Chances are we all get it wrong.
Poe is intriguing as hell. He was pegged as a mid/late 2nd round choice until he ran a 4.8 40 at the combine. No mean feat for a 350 lb. guy. They say he has motor and commitment issues, but criminy, coach him up and let him go . . .
Yeah, Irish I could see Quick in round 2. I think I said that in the thread . . . . . .
Draft talk, okay…Make that a San Miguel 1 liter willya bartender?
Thanks. Carry on gentlemen.
…a “Draft” San Miguel that is…
Yeah Dontari Poe could be a interesting pick if they went for future need at DT.Real nice size at 6’3 350.And Bench pressed 44 reps at 225lbs blew everyone away,does have motivation issues.so Harbaugh will just light a fire under his ass,so maybe not an issue.
One thing that bothers me alittle is I don’t see a resemblance to Edgar Allen Poe.
It’s a crapshoot no matter how you slice it.
I don’ know Nip,Some crap slices up better then others,once you get past the stench.
Trick is What is crap and what is da good stuff? Myself I dunno, can’t help here. I’ll just follow along with ya’ll. I’m with Nipper an Kat on this.
Sticking with the tried and true: ” Bartenda, none of that crapshoot stuff, give me the good draft stuff- San Miguel Draft.”
Yeah that’s a #1 pick.
Inebriation can sooth the nerves….relax the soul….lighten the spirit…and dull the brain.