Here we are on draft day 2012, and the concensus for who the San Francisco 49ers will pick is all over the board. RG, WR, RB, CB, DT, and C have all been bandied about by the draft wonks out there. Thing is, picking at the back end means a lot more uncertainty out there than when you pick near the top. Guys who should be long gone can hang around til the 2nd round, or guys who are projected in the 2-3 rounds get snapped up early. In 2010, it was fairly certain that the Niners would draft O line help in the 1st round. Both picks? Maybe not, but they were going to take a lineman with one of those 2 first round picks, regardless. Last year? Well, no one on Earth had the words ‘Aldon Smith’ next to the Niners at 7 last year. 10,000 mocks didn’t have Smith anywhere near 7 in the draft. He was seen as a raw athletic guy who was a borderline 1st rounder. Baalke and the scouts obviously did a good job scouting and hiding the fact they wanted him, But I’m 100% certain that no one else would have picked him had they KNOWN the Niners wanted him at 7.
Frankly, Baalke’s drafts have been flat amazing. He has a lot to live up to given the fact that a lot of his picks these last 2 drafts are starting for a good team and are up-an-coming stars. All that being said, the guys that appear to be on the short list are:
WR Stephen Hill
RB Robert Turbin
TE Coby Fleener
G Amini Silatolu
SS Harrison Smith
CB Janoris Jenkins
DT Chandler Jones
The more I think about this, the more I’m leaning toward the Niners going with a Right Guard. That is pretty much a position that can be filled from the get-go without a whole lot of anguish. And it is the biggest weakness on a team that has improved itself with those string drafts, and key FA acquisitions these past 2 years.
One of the more interesting aspects of this is the trading up/down. Baalke has done a fair bit of wheeling and dealing these past 2 years. Last year, Baalke traded up in the 2nd to get Kappy Kaepernick. He traded down in the 3rd round last year to gain a 6th round pick (Ronald Johnson. Ooops). He traded up in the 4th to get Kilgore Trout. The year before, he traded up in the 1st to get Anthony Davis, traded up in the 1st to get Iupati, and traded down in the 3rd round to get Navorro Bowman (!), as well as Anthony Dixon. The dude loves the deal. In short, the guy is quietly proving himself to be an outstanding GM.
So, gimme your guesses as to how the Nines fill their first 2 spots in the draft. Or, what the hell. Gimme all your picks for all 7. Here’s mine:
1. G Amini Silatolu
2. WR Rueben Randle
3. RB Lamar Miller
4. CB Omar Bolden
5. NT Akiem Hicks
6. OT Levy Adcock
7. WR Jordan White
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
Yeah beef up the line.
We all agree about taking a guard? That can’t be good.
Chuck — if they get Silatolu AND Randle in their first two picks I’ll be STOKED. But the only way that could happen IMO is with a trade up. I think Randle’s going to be good. I doubt Randle makes it out of round 1 though, and I doubt Silatolu is there at the end of round two.
Baalke surprises (nearly) everyone by going defense with pick one.
1 — CB
2 — WR
3 — RB
4 — DL
5 — OL/G/C
6 — WR
7 — OLB
The problem with going CB is the guy likely available at CB. JJ is a pot-head by all accounts, and can’t stay out of trouble.
Barley, I’m hoping Baalke goes against the grain and goes D as well. Mercelius has been the guy I’ve been targeting all along, but I could see him getting snatched up just a few spots ahead by the likes of Belichick if not sooner.
Okay so I am not draft savy enough to make picks, but I have a question, will/could the niners pick the best player available to be able to trade later? Or to just keep. It seems everyone here is thinking needs not best available. Just a discussion starter.
I’m curious about the possibility of trading down with Holmgren for the Brownies 2nd (37) and third. Holmie has a boner for Weeden from OK State. Has some clay pigeons he wants dead, I guess.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/video-brandon-weeden-uses-rifle-passing-arm-hunt-180146210.html
If Holmgren does indeed have a hard on for Weeden, I’d be all for trading down in that scenario. We could still p/u one of those guards at 37 and the additional pk would be a godsend. Holmgren would be doing us a huge favor. He has, had, and will continue to have a soft spot for San Francisco.
Jesus H. Christ. Holmgren’s already playing Santa Claus. Cleveland just gave the Vikes their 4th, 5th, and 7th to move up ONE spot to secure Trent Richardson. They were worried TB might move up. I think the Browns got bluffed and panicked big time. They best hope TR is the real deal and totes the rock for them for the next decade.
Holmgren’s losing it. . . .
I guess that rules out any trade for us with the Browns, they just fired all their bullets to secure Richardson. If they still want Weeden, Holmgren should just keep his shirt on — he’ll be there at 37.
They still have their 2 and 3 for our 1 and 4. Seriously crazy, but weirder things have happened.
Yeah, Baalke traded up 5 spots in the 2nd last year to get Cappy . . .
We’ll have to wait and see if all Baalke’s A-listers go away.
Luck went #1??? Really??? Who would have guessed?
So Trent Richardson is next, eh?
DB for the Vikes?
Nope. Khalil, O, USC
Good news for the Niners is Blackmon goes to Jax, not StL. So StL propmyly trades out of the 6 spot for the 14th and a 2nd round spot. Dallas get DB Claiborne
Miami takes QB, Ryan Tannehill. They’ll be ruing the day they didn’t sign Alex Smith. 😛
Miami is looking at anyone for QB. Alex would be a big upgrade for Miami. But they’ve had shit for so long that Tannehill isn’t a reach for them. They are destined for another 6-10 season, but who cares?
HUGE risk for the Chefs. Poe was a question mark at 25. At 11 he’s a monumental risk.
Poe will fit right in with the Chiefs. His hair is shaped like an arrowhead.
Looks like SEA moved down a few spots as PHI traded up. NFC West teams are stockpiling picks.
I think ARZ goes OT here and takes Reiff.
That would be wrongly Dennis.Now with Floyd off the board to help Fitzgerald.Niners could go CB to counter.Still hoping for a trade up for DeCastro.
I want a winner for the Niners!
Can’t believe Poe went so high.The first BUST of the first round.Think the Chiefsfirst would have learned when they drafted Glenn Dorsey.Another BUST!!
I like Poe. I liked him at 30. But at 11? That’s a big ?
DEs are flying off the board. At the expense of EVERYONE else.
All these guys are hoping for another Aldon Smith with these high risk DE picks this early.
Bingo. Thinking same thing but thee’s only one Baalke- and one Aldon. G’luck chumps…
There goes Dre . . . Dude has talent.
I think he’s better than he gets credit for. An Eric Wright kinda guy.
A little surprised that DeCastro is still on the board. The Browns just took Weeden at 22.
FIRE HOLMGREN NOW!!!
Without question, Cleveland gets an F for its draft. Gave away those picks to move up one spot and now this shit. Mistake by the Lake II
Agree Dennis, Holmgren has lost his mind! Weeden is freaking 28 already, he will blow!
Fuck you Steelers for grabbing my All Pro DeCastro! Shit Niners could of moved up there and got him.
Could be Silatolu now.Buy I could dig WR Stephen Hill
Has the speed and size.
Richardson and Weeden both are winners you idiots.
Never said I don’t like either of them. It’s just how the Browns acquired them that is mind-boggling.
“dislike”
Take the big Samoan now? I have a feeling I’m going to be pissed with our pick.
You don’t Like Silatolu? I do.
DAMN YOU JOHN HARBAUGH….Trading your pick to the Vikings,guarantee. the Vikings grab Stephen Hill.
Nope. Wow. Wide open here. Hill, Fleener, Silatolu. Once of those 3.
Smith was an outside dark horse (for a white guy) pick for me.
Surprise, boys.
Didn’t see that coming. Wow.
Fuck that pick.
WTF AJ Jenkins¿????????????????????? OVER Stephen HILL Fuckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
I did not see him on any list
Huh. He’s the fast small guy we don’t have.
THIS GUY WAS PROJECTED AS A FREAKING 4-5 TH ROUND PICK! !!!!
Wait, everyone is questioning Baalke?? Really!! And which one of you is a pro football scout???
Settle down Kat. The guy was projected as a high 2nd rounder.
Who was the fuck up doing returns for the Niners in the playoffs????
We like AJs around here ..
At least this dude has good hands, how big was JRice? He sort of worked out for the Niners
I repeat: Fuck that pick.
I have made a stiff cocktail, feeling. better Chuc.There is some sense I’m trying to make in this.The guy does have hands,hell 90catches last year.4.38 speed, so that’s fantastic and another plus it will doom the end of Witness Protection Program Kyle Williams .Blientnkoff semi finalist. as well.Hey Baalke always has seem to shock us,with Aldon Smith last year shock which worked out fantastic as we all know.
Dennis, it’s too bad we can’t go find your comments at Chuck’s old blog about what you thought of the Aldon Smith pick. The *after* Smith pick comments makes “Fuck that pick” look like a ringing endorsement,
These guys know what they’re fucking doing, just support the move and enjoy the play of this guy………
Flav, what I’m really going to enjoy is our bet this yr on which QB throws more TDs.
I have a future HOFer. You have…well, you have a chance. What are your odds of winning?
which player throws more td’s? That wasn’t the bet. It was which QB would have a better td/INT ratio. You should write this shit down, including your opinion of this year’s #1 draft pick.
Carroll trying to outsmart everyone with the Bruce Irvin pick. I hope they hire a 1:1 Life Coach to babysit his ass 24/7…..
I’d worry more about Irvin’s size. Yeah he is fast but most NFL tackles can negate that. At 245, I don’t think he can counter with a bull rush. He could easily be this year’s Gholston. Works out like Tarzan, plays like Jane.
alright!! a Blindside quote!! I like it
Same with KC and Poe, Flav. Big reach there. I swear, half the teams are trying to find the next Aldon Smith.
Look at his film before you decide.
Take an actual look at the kid. He catches with his hands, has nice body control, can run to the edge, take a hit, and he’s smart.
I think we may have found a kid who can play.
Nice clip Grumpy…Yeah what there saying about Jenkins is that he has great hands(large hands Ala Jerry Rice) .I see him as a stretch the field reciever where you can move him around from the slot are out of the backfield.He could turn out to be our version of Desean Jackson only bigger.Plus that added bonus of a punt returner/KO returner to help out Ginn.
What also might be cool,is to see both Jenkins and Kendall Hunter in the backfield or just in the game at the same time to raise havoc with their speed on the Defense and DB.
Actually I’m getting excited about the possibility’s of what this kid can bring to the table.
And another thing ,I doubt anyone can ever Predict a 49er player pick from now on under the Baalke Regime.
Yeah, I didn’t see that one coming. Just like no one saw Aldon Smith. Baalke had Jenkins name in an envelope yesterday. He got who he wanted. AJ’s stock rose dramatically from last year to this, and rose even higher this year. What’s good to see is he gets the ball close to his body quick when he’s catching in tight coverage. His open field catches are textbook hand positioning. Those are easy. It’s the ones where he’s covered and about to get hit he, brings his hand in close and covers the ball up quick. Good shit. Took some big shots as well.
.
How did your Romo bet work out last year, Dennis?
So- they’ve finished providing Manning with the weapons he’ll need… seriously, here’s a video with an intervew and a few more clips.
Oooooooh. He torched NW. Shit. A backup white WR from Serra high in ’79 could have torched that shit.
It’s just info, Denny.Your enemy. He had 8 for 103 against Michigan also. You heard of them? It’s a northern state.It snows somtimes. Many cars are manufactured there,
I was steadfast from the get-go saying “NO Whitey Fleener or WR” in the 1st round. I stand by my conviction. A.J. could turn out to be the next J.R. or the next Rashaun Woods. Your guess is as good as mine. The talent pool at WR was, is such, that going that route at 30 is a mistake IMO. Compound that mistake by taking a guy by most estimations who is a “reach.” Compound that mistake after the team signed both Moss and Manningham in the off season.
Just how many receivers do you think you can send out on a given play? Sounds to me like we might have to lose one. I know. Did we trade Vernon Davis yet?
My guess is always better than yours..anyway, stick to the horses. Or did they bankrupt you? Manning applied for permanent disabilty, hedging his bets… maybe you can get a job tying his shoes for him…
Would that be the same permanent disability applicant that the Niners tried to sign in favor of Alex Smith? If Peyton Manning is on permanent disability, Alex Smith doesn’t even qualify to hold his blue handicapped parking placard.
You’re going to lose a shitload of money on Manning this year, just as you lost out on winning a bunch on Smith last year.
The Draft……we really know nothing. One big crapshoot!
We know Holmgren is senile as all hell. Who waz it said we needed him as our coach/GM? Nobody from around here I hope…
Not me. I don’t like fat guys.
I’m sure Chuck would agree with a loud BLEEP!
Wasn’t just Baalkebaugh thinking AJ Jenkins’ gonna be pretty good:
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest
A.J. who? Well, turns out personnel people around the league, and specifically in St. Louis, knew plenty about Jenkins.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams had Jenkins ranked nearly as high as Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, who went to Jacksonville with the fifth overall choice. He says the Rams “almost certainly” have to take a receiver with the first pick of the second round. Thomas: “League sources told the Post-Dispatch on Thursday afternoon that the Rams liked Jenkins so much that his grade wasn’t much different than the one given Blackmon by the team’s personnel department.” Noted: That Thomas’ sources passed along that information in the afternoon is noteworthy. At that point, the Rams presumably would have wanted to explain why they felt OK failing to land Blackmon. They would not have known Jenkins would land in San Francisco. This lends credence to the idea St. Louis liked Jenkins quite a bit. The Rams hold the first pick of the second round, so they’ll have first crack at the next receiver, should they choose to target that position.
SANDO’S NFC WEST Blog
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/tony_pauline/04/24/draft.late.risers/index.html?eref=si_mostpopular
Good article about who was thought to be up and comers in the draft. The thing is, what the public gets from the myriad draft wonks out there is a lot different than how NFL GMs rate these guys. Aldon Smith being a case in point. Last year, there were plenty of teams that had A Smith on their radar, but no one outside the war rooms were very high on the guy. Sure, there are no-brainers, but lots of guys who were projected as 2nd-3rd rounders were actually a lot higher on a lot of boards.
And Dennis, shut the fuck up. You were all ready to get pissed off at the Niners picking Silatolu. So give it a rest. You would have railed at whoever they picked.
Nice article, Phil. It goes to show that no one really knows who these guys are targeting. Aside from the obvious ones.
Yeah, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at Dennis’s house when the Niners chose JRice out of Miss. You went ballistic didn’t you Dennis?? come on admitt it.Not only Rice but I would have loved to have heard your comments on the Skinny little Kid from Notre Dame the Niners drafted for a QB.
According to the SacBee, AJ has some huge hands 9 7/8 inches. So yeah, there is no telling how good this kid is till the games begin. He did look good in College so we shall see.
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