So, here we are, closing in on the draft. Over the past 5 drafts, the Baalke era, there are a few things that are certainties. Baalke is very adept at gathering up draft picks. He is very adept at trading up and down to gather these picks. He has built through compensatory picks, through trades, and trades to future drafts in his efforts to garner as many picks. And he isn’t averse to taking chances on injured players.
The last strategy is up for debate, however. We all know the 49ers got Frank Gore in the 3rd round, after his multiple knee injuries in college, and he had a steller career. That wasn’t Baalke, and he didn’t sit a year, as the guys that Baalke has tried this on, have done. The ones that have been drafted this way are Tank Carradine, Marcus Lattimore, and Brandon Thomas. Lattimore, as we all know, retired after trying for nearly 2 years of trying to get into football shape. Wort the risk? Well, since the Niners had 11 picks that draft, sure. He was their 6th pick in that 2013 draft, and he was a beast before the injury.
Carradine is a mixed bag as well. He was a guaranteed high 1st round pick before his injury. After sitting the first 2 months of the 2013 season he was activated. However he never got on the field. In 2014, he played sparingly until RayMac was cut, and the injuries mounted. He admitted to not knowing the playbook well enough to get himself out there, but by the end of the season, he at least looked decent out there. So, he appears to be getting it at this point. The jury is still out on him.
Brandon Thomas is the latest injured guy Baalke picked. He was nominally drafted to take the place of Mike Iupati. Something Baalke felt would probably happen, and it did. The word on Thomas was of course that he was a guaranteed 1st rounder as well before his knee injury in pre-camp drills last year. He, along with NaVorro Bowman, appear to be fully healed from their injuries. This would be a Godsend as Thomas so far looks like he’s fully capable of picking up where he left off. And that is as a top-flight guard who is much more that one one-dimensional mauler that Iupati was. Thomas is much more nimble and quick on his feet than Iupati, and is a much better pass protector than Iupati could ever dream to be. If we are to get more diverse in our play calling and offensive flow, having mobile guards would certainly help a lot.
This year? I’ve said in the past that I don’t think Baalke flies around the board this year in a flurry of trades and pick-gathering, but there’s already been talk of SF trading up to get Alabama WR Amari Cooper. I think that’s a somke screen at this point, but if the past has taught us anything, anything is possible concerning Trent Baalke. His track record is very solid. That being said, I dont think he has the luxury of going after another red-shirt draft pick. I think he’s drafting from a need of gaining instant depth. D line, and defensive backfield dpeth are the biggest concerns that I see. O line depth behind that. Then go after a late-round WRs, RB, and TE. Maybe even a flier at QB. . . .
Forty Niners Forever 
I’m curious to see how we address the 3-4 under Mangini now too.
I could see us surviving with smaller ILBs if, we stack some Fat Men in the Middle of the D-Line, to keep them clean.
Losing Patrick and Borland really puts a crimp in the Draft strategy I’m sure.
For me, in a game where passing rules the landscape, we need pressure and coverage guys.
I’m very high on Shaq Thompson from Washington as a possible ‘Tweener’ to use more like a SS on passing downs.
Should be fun to see how this thing develops with Baalke on Draft weekend –
I like Waynes but there is one thing that makes me worry. I don’t know if it is something to worry about but he played aggressive bump and run in college. That isn’t allowed in the pros. Can he be nearly as effective with being able to be as physical? Just a thought.
Agree Berger.
There’s a learning curve involved, as there is with most positions.
My favorite CBs in this Draft Class are Kevin Johnson from WFU and Eric Rowe from Utah.
Rowe is interesting because he could make a nice compliment to Reid at FS.
I’m not even putting Waynes on my Wish List simply because I figure he’ll be gone by 15.
Will be interesting to see what happens if he’s there.
I like Marcus Peters ahead of him too, character concerns in need of being weighed/addressed of course.
My thought is we trade up for him. I think the Amari Cooper talk is a smoke screen.
Could happen Chuck?
We only ‘guess’ on this side of the process 😉
Given our unexpected losses this off-season, I’m thinking Baalke might be more inclined to add Picks if possible, rather than give any away.
If he values a guy he can deal up for, he certainly would.
I just think he’s in the mode of restocking the Defense now, at multiple positions.
One thing we can count on for sure, and that’s we don’t have a clue as to what Baalke is gonna do. It’s always fun to see what he does. My guess is still D-line for our 1st pick, after that BPA.
NJ- you throw out so many names I can’t keep track but I sure love the research you put in. Thanks. I kinda think like Berger when it comes to the D-line, it really is what football is all about.
Winder the passion for me is, trying to locate guys all around the spectrum.
Which is likely what the GMs do?
Target guys that might fit, try to see how many of them can be had through the RDs.
I enjoy reading all the stats, and getting some perspective on these guys, while waiting for the festivities to begin.
So much information to digest too.
At least the Scouts/GMs get the ‘real’ information that we don’t see much of.
We’re left to the Web/TV Pundits who deliver the fluff.
If we stay at 15 I’m still leaning toward Brown from Texa$$. Trading back to pick up an extra 2nd or 3rd rounder and staying in the 1st round to pick up McKinney does sound interesting to me.
Yeah, NJ it rarely happens how we think! But hey, a blind nut finds a squirrel once in a while.
Once again the spineless troll that is Bullit is taking shots. I guess due process only counts when he wants it to.
What a pussy. A child. A fucking waste of time.
Time to start making my Wish List official –
I’m pretty much done with my homework for this year.
These are the guys I’d defer to Baalke and Co on, to have a complete evaluation done, to determine if they warrant a Draftable Grade or, might be too risky.
Risk/Reward –
Marcus Peters – (CB) – UW – 6’0″/191 – Character concerns-Coachability/Great production
Cedric Ogbuehi – TX A&M – 6’5″/306 – ACL Injury / Excellent College production
Dorial Green-Beckham (WR) OK – 6’5″/237 – Character concerns / Freakish measurables
Josh Shaw (CB) – USC – 6’0″/201 (SS?) – Character concerns / Excellent speed
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (CB) – OR – 5’9″/192 – ACL Injury / Excellent production
Markus Golden – (OLB/DE) – MO – 6’2″/260 – Size/Speed concerns / Non-stop motor
Markus Golden is intriguing. He could be a nice option to move to ILB?
I’m comparing him to McKinney, in terms of size, and, Golden could be a steal in RD4.
One of the WRs on my list is Tony Lippett from MI St.
Heard today from his College Coach that he was asked to play 2-ways there.
HC Mark Dantonio was interviewed, about his players coming into the Draft and, he praised Lippett’s ability to play CB.
Interesting information…..
The kid is 6’2″/192 with 2247yds worth of production at WR.
These are late round guys right, NJ?
Chuck I’d consider them anywhere beyond RD1.
DGB for example could land in RD1 if someone is convinced he’s not a risk character wise.
Ifo E-O is a talented kid as is Ogbuehi.
They are coming off injuries however.
IMO the real value this year is between RDs2-5 for positions we’re likely to have the most need for.
At 15 we should do fine.
Question there becomes value I think.
If Baalke doesn’t have HIS guy there, a trade down for another mid RD pick sure wouldn’t hurt IMO.
We’ll see in 2 weeks….
The thing about this is Anyone can have character concerns. Some guys hide their shit well. I do t know how hard people looked at Rae Carruth, but some people turn when they GET the money.
Funny how Bullitt can’t stop talking about me. I guess he misuses the abuse.
Yeah, Baalke rarely does what I think he will. Or what anyone thinks. Shit, the experts get this all wrong past the first 12 picks.
How can we fare any better?
tru dat. That’s kinda why the draft is so much fun. I mean KIper has been cheating them out of a check for years and he is always wrong.
Yeah, NJ, Sthephone Anthiny looks like a steal in the 2nd. He might be there.
New thread is up.