In lieu of looking at current draft needs, let’s take a look at who our 2016 free agents are.
This way (for me at least) we’ll know what may be on Baalke’s wish list going forward. Next year’s FAs are:
▪ Wide receiver Anquan Boldin
▪ Outside linebacker Aldon Smith
▪ Tight end Vernon Davis
▪ Guard Alex Boone
Does this change the strategy? Well. A little, I guess. The defense already had its purge with retirements and defections. The only position I haven’t heard a lot of clamor about regarding our draft is TE. Actually, Funchess is in our sights as a possible 2nd rounder, so he has been bandied about. He’s a tweener WR/TE, but is a big red-zone target, so he certainly could be a not to the future as VDs value sinks to penny-stock-land. And I certainly don’t think we re-sign him, but this season will tell us something.
WR has been a big hole in this team for lo so many years now. Pretty much since TO left in 2003 anyway. Crabs has had his decent moments, but he’s hiking across the Bay for browner pastures. Patton and Ellington are the latest batch of underachieving WRs drafted by Baalke. Thing is, they don’t fit his mold of bigger bigger bigger, so you have to wonder why he went this route AFTER getting burned by the AJ Jenkins/LMJ small guy picks. That being said, the guys in this WR crop, another strong group, could yield us DaVante Parker. A guy who is 6’1 and 209 lb. and ran a 4.45 40. Works for me. I wouldn’t trade up for a WR, but he should be there.
If not? OLB is a concern what with Aldon Smith on his last straw screw-up-wise, and the inconsistent play of Ahmad Brooks. Aaron Lynch is fine as a rotation guy, but no one would think he’s an every down guy. Dante Fowler won;t make it to us, but Vic Beasley could. The other top OLBs all seem to be in a race to see who blows the most money before the draft. DE certainly fits here as well. Malcolm Brown and Arick Armstead being on the wish list, with local kid Henry Anderson from Stanfoo a possibility as a later-round sleeper.
Tackle? Possible with the imminent departure of Aaron Boone. Andrus Peate’s head has popped up on the radar recently, behind Ereck Flowers as the top tackle. I suppose that’s a possibility, and the line certainly strugled last year, but the hope is Brandon Thomas is fully recovered from his knee injury, and Marcus Martin is a) healed up, and B) can slide to guard. Not as big a need for me as D line or CB. Somewhere where we were decimated this offseason.
So, looking to the future may not make anything hammer out any differently, but there is a definite need for a WR. I’m leaning away from these guys going CB in the 1st round and am now leaning back to WR. I’d love to get Parker, but we’ll see. I don’t think we’ll trade up, but we will see soon enough.
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
Sue me (or laugh) but I dig pre-Steve Perry Journey. Their first 3 albums are pretty good.
The first album being really good.
Regarding Alex Boone he was the best available lineman when RG opened up (Chilo exit?). Now that we have Marcus Martin, Brandon Thomas, and Looney can he stop being a guard in a tackle’s body. He filled in well for Staley. Why is he not talked about as a future LT and become a well paid swing tackle in the meantime.
Boone is head-scratcher in terms of Contract expectations for me.
Yes, he’s a former OT playing OG.
Is he looking for OT money though?
IMO, it’s much cheaper to Draft an OT this week, now that Pears has been added, to cover a developmental year for a potential Draftee perhaps?
Whatever happens with Boone not bad return for a UDFA. Is he potential starter LT for us. Player trades don’t seem to have much value to them. Ravens a lousy 6th for Boldin.
True, but you unload the Contracts associated with them too.
One of my elder brothers bought their first two albums. I got hooked on Journey long before Steve Perry ruined them – still (pre Perry) one of my all-time favorite bands.
Chuck I’m not averse to using Boone or Vernon, (maybe Brooks), in Trade scenarios this week.
Vernon is a DC/McCloughan guy too.
Word on the media circuit is, Scot wants to add 3 Picks to his Board this week.
Pick 5 would be EXTREMELY costly for us to covet but…..? We’ll see what unfolds.
Boone/Brooks are Contract concerns as well.
Anything is possible this week.
The youth movement is on. Hopefully for the Defense first and foremost.
Add 3 picks, hmmmm. #15 trade back twice for a 2nd then a 3rd. White, Cooper, Parker should be gone so load up in the sweet value part of the draft. The CS makeover puts Tomsula under the hot lights. Maybe take the safe route and beef up the D and develop a WR1 from a later pick, say Darren Waller in the 4th. Colin and OC may not utilize a DGB or Perriman like a Brady/Bellichek could.
Love to see Brooks and Davis as trade sweeteners to upgrade a pick from mid to top of round. Load up in 2nd and 3rd RD for WR1, ILB, big pass TE like Jesse James, and tall outside CB.
Jesse James makes my Wish List as well bakkentom –
TE –
Clive Walford – Miami – 6’4″/251
Jesse James – PSU – 6’7″/261
Devin Funchess (WR) – UM – 6’4″/232
Blake Bell (QB) – OK – 6’6″/252
Brian Parker – Albany – 6’4″/265
Final answers for the 2015 Draft Class –
Risk/Reward –
Guys with potential worth a Pick at the right slot?
Marcus Peters – (CB) – UW – 6’0″/191 – Character concerns-Coachability/Great production
Cedric Ogbuehi – TX A&M – 6’5″/306 – Injury / Excellent production
Dorial Green-Beckham (WR) OK – 6’5″/237 – Character concerns / Freakish measurables
Josh Shaw (CB) – USC – 6’0″/201 (FS?) – Character concerns / Excellent speed
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (CB) – OR – 5’9″/192 – Injury / Excellent production
Markus Golden – (OLB/DE) – MO – 6’2″/260 – Size/Speed concerns / Non-stop motor
Conversion Candidates –
Lynden Trail (OLB/DE) – Norfolk State 6’7″/269 (TE?)
Darren Waller – (WR) – GA Tech – 6’6″/238 (TE?)
Shaq Thompson – (OLB) – UW 6’2″/227 (SS?)
Paul Dawson – (OLB) – TCU – 6’1″/235 (ILB?)
Kwon Alexander – (OLB) – LSU – 6’1″/227 (ILB?)
Karlos Williams – (RB) – FSU – 6’1″/230 (S/ILB?) Former S/Excellent ST resume
OLB –
Alvin (Bud) Dupree – UK 6’4″/269
Eli Harold – UVA 6’3″/247
Jake Ryan – Michigan – 6’2″/240 (ILB?)
Edmund Robinson – Newberry – 6’3″/245
Mike Hull – PSU – 6’0″/237 (ILB?)
ILB –
Stephone Anthony – Clemson 6’2″/245
Eric Kendricks – UCLA – 6’0″/232
Ben Heeney – KS – 6’0″/231
Bryce Hager – Baylor – 6’1″/234
Taiwan Jones – MI St – 6’3″/252
DT –
Malcom Brown – UT – 6’2″/320
Grady Jarrett – Clemson – 6’1″/304
Marcus Hardison – AZ State – 6’3″/307
Derrick Lott – UT Chat – 6’4″/314
Carl Davis – Iowa – 6’5″/320
NT –
Eddie Goldman – FSU – 6’4″/336
Danny Shelton – UW – 6’2″/339
Jordan Phillips – OK – 6’5″/330
DE –
Danielle Hunter – LSU 6’5″/252 (OLB?)
Corey Crawford – Clemson – 6’5″/283
Preston Smith – MS State – 6’6″/270
Henry Anderson – Stanford 6’6″/287
Anthony Chickillo – Miami 6’3″/270
Trey Flowers – AR – 6’2″/266 is a guy I have on the fringe as a possible OLB too.
SS –
Clayton Geathers – UCF – 6’2″/218
Anthony Harris – UVA – 6’1″/183
Jaquiski Tartt – Samford – 6’1″/220
Ibraheim Campbell – NW – 5’11″/208
Jordan Richards – Stanford – 5’11″/211
FS –
Chris Hackett – TCU – 6’0″/195
Cody Prewitt – MS – 6’2″/208
Damarious Randall – ASU – 5’11″/196
Kurtis Drummond – MI State – 6’1″/208
Doran Grant – (CB) – OH St – 5’10″/200 (SS?) – Excellent Speed – 4.44
CB –
Kevin Johnson – WFU – 6’1″/188
Eric Rowe – Utah – 6’1″/205 (FS?)
Byron Jones – UCONN – 6’1″/199
Justin Cox – MS State – 6’1″/191
Steven Nelson – OR St – 5’10″/197
RB –
Jay Ajayi – Boise St – 6’0″/221
Jeremy Langford – MI State – 6’0″/211
David Johnson – UNI – 6’3″/229
Javorius ‘Buck’ Allen – USC – 6’0″/221
Malcolm Brown – TX – 5’11″/224
Byron Jones did a world record 12’3″ in a long jump at his pro day or combine. Previous best was 11’7″. Have Stephone Anthony do a Patrick Willis on Jimmy Graham then Jones can take over when a Wilson pass is high pointed by Graham. I could see our first 3 or 4 picks go D. New unproven O staff versus a seasoned D staff. Does Baalke risk a niner career on jesus h Christ.
WR – Slot /Z –
Nelson Agholor – USC – 6’0″/198
Devin Smith – Ohio St – 6’1″/199
Justin Hardy – E Car – 5’10″/192
Tre McBride – W&M – 6’0″/210
Tyler Lockett (WR) – KS State – 5’10″/182
WR – Outside /X –
Jaelen Strong – ASU – 6’3″/215
Breshad Perriman – UCF – 6’2″/212
Chris Conley – UGA – 6’3″/213 (Kevin White-light?)
Tony Lippett – MI State – 6’2″/192 (CB?)
Dezmin Lewis – Central AR – 6’4″/214
The prize of 2014 draft was 5th RD Aaron Lynch. Drafting Chris Conley and Darren Waller would be Baalke’s crowning achievement even if he gets them earlier than where they are projected. Get two for the price of a DGB and neither one of them push white girls down stairs.
Like them both bakkentom.
I think they could be had on the cheap as well.
OG –
Laken Tomlinson – Duke – 6’3″/323
Jeremiah Poutasi – (OT) – Utah – 6’5″/335
Brandon Scherff (OT) – IA – 6’5″/320
Jarvis Harrison – TX A&M – 6’4″/330
Jon Feliciano – Miami – 6’4″/323 (Swing Man – Multiple OL position experience)
OT –
Ereck Flowers – Miami – 6’6″/329
La’el Collins – LSU – 6’4″/305
Jake Fisher – OR – 6’6″/306
DJ Humphries – UF – 6’5″/307
Daryl Williams – OK – 6’5″/327
QB –
Sean Mannion – OR State – 6’5″/227
Bryce Petty – Baylor – 6’3″/230
Shane Carden – ECU – 6’2″/221
KR –
Stefon Diggs (WR) – UMD – 6’0″/195
Adrian Amos – (CB) – PSU – 6’0″/218
Phillip Dorsett (WR) – Miami – 5’10″/185
Kenny Bell (WR) – NE – 6’1″/197
Ty Montgomery – (WR) – Stanford – 6’0″/221
Late RD/UDFA –
Darryl Roberts – (CB) – Marshall – 6’0″/188
DeShazor Everett (CB) – TX A&M – 6’0″/193 (SS?)
Craig Mager (CB) – TX St – 5’11″/201
Tye Smith (CB) – Towson – 6’0″/195 (SS?)
Xavier Williams – (DT) – UNI – 6’2″/314
Tyeler Davison – (DT) – Fresno St – 6’2″/316
Joey Mbu – (DT) – Houston – 6’3″/313
Deion Barnes (DE/OLB) – PSU – 6’4″/260
Zack Wagenmann (DE/OLB) – Montana – 6’3″/247
Dean Marlowe (FS) – JM – 6’2″/205
Quinton Spain – (OG) – WVU – 6’4″/332
Ben Beckwith (OG) – MS St – 6’4″/317
Zach Vigil – (ILB) – Utah ST – 6’2″/235
Damien Wilson (ILB) – MN – 6’0″/245
Davis Tull (OLB) – UT Chat – 6’3″/246
Kyle Emanuel (OLB) – ND State – 6’3″/251
Laurence Gibson – (OT) – VA Tech 6’6″/305
Chris Bonner – (QB) – CO State-Pueblo – 6’7″/235 (6700yds/63 TDs/17 INTs)
Cam Worthy – (WR) – ECAR – 6’2″/211
DeVante Davis – (WR) – UNLV – 6’3″/220
Geremy Davis – (WR) – UCONN – 6’2″/216
Why Carl Davis when we already have Quinton Dial. What about status and promise of Okoye and Tank to become RDE and LDE starters. Can they take the next step or do we have to burn a high pick for cowboy’s successor.
Using these guys as potential options if they’re targeted positions bakkentom.
We have no idea what Baalke is putting a priority on.
Any guy, at any position they Draft likely won’t be asked to step in and contribute immediately anyway.
I think the MO is to Draft at least a year ahead of need.
I stack a Wish List at pretty much all the positions.
See what comes….
Hard to predict what Mangini might prefer in terms of the 3-4 too.
He had Wilfork in NE, the last time he ran a Defensive Unit.
I’ve always preferred the Fat Man in the Middle for the 3-4.
We’ll see if the philosophy changes at all?
Glenn Dorsey is only 6’1″ so better he stay as a one gapping NT. The hole that Willis/Borland dug consumes our limited picks this year.
Agree.
Having a traditional Fat Man inside could help the ILB position as well.
I’ve read that this Draft has approximately 10-15 TRUE 1st RD talents in it.
Suggests to me that there’s more value outside of RD1.
Baalke could simply be looking for value and youth.
Be nice to score a WR/TE/CB somewhere in the top 4 RDs.
Plenty of directions to move in depending on how the Board breaks throughout the process this week.
I love the potential for CB Byron Jones, and possibly, adding CB/S Eric Rowe to the Secondary as well.
What is the status of the DL. Justin Smith/NT/Ray McDonald anchored the unit and the tide is now receding. Now we see who are wearing the pants. Does JT get a grace year with lower expectations. Less pressure than Fangio now that we aren’t expected to be playoff stalwarts.
Is there a future 3 down all pro from any of these guys. Maybe tank and okoye get all the snaps they need this season. May have a DLine by committee this year. If the seahawks can do it ……..
Gotta plan on life without Justin I’d guess?
No word that I’ve seen anywhere, indicating which way he’s leaning.
Definitely would figure DL by committee at this point.
Rotational guys pretty much across the board.
Be nice to find a good versatile piece like Justin.
Malcom Brown might make sense in that capacity?
All depends on how Baalke values, (and slots), the guys he’s shopping for.
Depth appears to be there for the DL in general.
Could find good value in the 1st 3, maybe 4 RDs.
Might seek the rare gem in RD1, regardless of position.
I listed OLB/DE Lynden Trail from Norfolk, as a potential conversion candidate, however, he might be an excellent option to Aldon down the road?
Tall lanky edge guy with some coverage ability.
Small school guy of course but, he’d qualify as a freak IMO.
Get him some rotational work early, Coach him up, see what he can give us.
Don’t know what to expect from Aldon at this point either?
Is he a safe bet for an expensive Contract extension?
Some background info on Trail –
“Trail arrived at Florida as a top high school recruit, but after coach Urban Meyer left, he also chose to leave, winding up at Norfolk State where he played the last three years, the past two seasons as the full-time starter. So far in his Norfolk State career, Trail has combined for 38 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, two interceptions and 229 total tackles.
“Lynden certainly stands out on the field with his size and ability,” an AFC East executive told NFLDraftScout.com. “In my opinion, he’s still discovering how good he can be and as he learns better reaction to movement and better recognizes what blockers are doing, this player should get better. A lot of football left in his future.”
It has been a long road for Trail, who did not start playing football until he was “10 or 11” because he had epilepsy and his mother feared he would have a seizure if hit too hard.
He played on the same team as Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater growing up, and played wide receiver his first year of junior varisty. He considered quitting football before his sophomore year, but was spurred by a coaching change and went on to catch 17 touchdown passes.
A wide receiver/tight end ‘tweener, Trail switched to defense the following year and racked up 77 tackles and 14 years. That caught the eye of the Florida coaching staff even before Trail backed it up with 95 tackles and 20 sacks on defense and eight touchdowns on offense as a senior.
“When I made transition to defense, I fell in love with it,” Trail told NFLDraftScout.com. “I could go hit someone and not get in trouble for it? That felt great. I thought I was getting pretty good at it, so maybe I could make a profession at it.”
Trail said he made the decision to redshirt his freshman season at Gainesville to add strength, and put on 40 pounds. But Meyer left after the season and Trail was soon gone, along with 16 other recruits from his class.
“My hard work was getting overlooked. It was my time to depart,” Trail said. “I don’t want to be where I’m not wanted.”
Trail was highly sought-after, but did not want to go the junior college route and looked into Norfolk State on the advice of his high school coaches. He has excelled in the team’s 3-4 defensive scheme.
Trail is now seeking to become only the second Norfolk State player drafted since 1997.
“That would be huge. It would totally be a blessing,” he said of potentially being drafted. “To help put Norfolk State back on the map. More scouts need to come here.”
Trail is raw in some fundamental areas with his anticipation, hand use and point of attack power, but offers intriguing tools to develop and projects as an intriguing mid-to-late round investment. “
Another thing to love about Lynden Trail – 34-7/8″ arms – VERY Aldon Smith-like.
mooo…….
The NFL may as well build some stockades.
I tell ya NJ, you are better at the draft than anyone on the air or in the papers.
Great stuff from both you guys last night.
I just want to see an impact WR, a solid CB, and line depth addressed.
TE would be a bonus.
The exodus of starters this off season will be felt hardest at DL. In fact I hope Justin smith decides to retire. Need to give all the snaps to Tank, Dial, and Okoye to see what we have to draft in 2016. FO may be keeping quiet on his retirement until after the draft so as not to tip other teams while draft in process. DLine will drag down entire D.
Why give 2 mil guaranteed to an old Darnell Docket off most of last season with injury. Could be FO panicked after cowboy told them he was retiring and clam up until draft over.
Chuck I appreciate that.
I’d do Baalke’s job for half price & my own office in Santa Clara 😉
Speaking for myself I’m hoping and expecting Tomsula to do better than Harbaugh did last year and gets the team playing well enough to get back to the playoffs.
We had 20 players on IR last year. Were those all season ending injuries in a typical year? Usually many players try to play through their injuries if possible. Seems some of our players were taking the opportunity to get away from the coach and hiding on IR. There is zero question in my mind that Jed did the right thing when he jettisoned Harby. The players were starting to check out on him.
Interesting to see the NFL vote to end its tax exempt status. Think it had anything to do with Congress anouncing an investigation into that status…Nah.
Isn’t football a religion for most fans?
Hey I’m a card-carrying member of the Church of Monday Night Football.
2 mill is pocket change. They need depth and he provides some. He may not be every-dwon, but he’s at least a stabilizing influence.
Juston hasn’t said anything, and I’d think the Dockett signing would be a good thing for him as they could rotate.
Seifert was the master at keeping his D line fresh by constant rotations. they certainly can learn from that.
Hey NJ, maybe you could send an email of your research to 49er central in C.O Baalke and maybe it will get to him. Probably not but it can’t hurt to try. Who knows you just might land a new career in scouting.
Yeah, there are times I think fans could do better at some aspects of the GMs job and the decisions these guys make. I mean really, trading up to get Tebow? Drafting Johny Eightball in the 1st round? Nutty. JaMarcus Russell, Tim Couch, on and on.
Funny how Bullitt and Spitty are in full trolling mode. Bullitt freaks out about me posting re: Greg Hardy and doesn’t understand the connection between him and the troubles this current crop of draftees is now facing, and then in the next instant posts an article about Greg Hardy.
I haven’t watched any video on CB Byron Jones but since NJ began selling me on this guy I’m starting to buy. Maiocco just picked him in a mock draft in rd 1. I hope he isn’t just a combine wonder.
Yeah, when I started looking at him, he sounds very solid.
STRENGTHS Extremely smart and instinctive on the field. Shows above-average anticipation of routes. Is able to sniff out rub routes and works to avoid them. Flashes recovery speed downfield and gets head around to find ball and make a play on it. Uses instincts and adequate closing burst to disrupt the catch. Generally reliable tackler. Team captain and leader on the field and in the locker room. Scouts say he’s willing to play hurt and inspires his teammates.
WEAKNESSES Plays with high center of gravity. Has difficulty gearing down quickly and changing directions. Doesn’t always play with feet under him. Will lose balance and footing too often. Not a quick-twitch athlete. Feet show noticeable stall before firing forward out of backpedal. Willing to tackle but not a physical player. Suffered season-ending shoulder injury in seventh game of 2014 season.
Goddamn you Berger! I knew you didn’t call to talk about Dortmund’s good post position. Now you got me all fired up and pissed off again. I was at a nice even-keeled and stress-free level. You certainly put me back in the mood for a draft once again. I’m thinking my first draft will be amber, ice cold with a frothy head.
Duck/Duck/Del!
Welcome back stranger.
Who’s the Pick tonite?
I hope and PRAY, it’s not that fuk’n Duck Armstead. No Offense.
Not interested. At all.
I don’t see anybody at 15 who looks to be an impact player for this year. Maybe Parker but I’ve been conditioned by the recent 49er OCs to believe a WR is a wasted pick for us. Let somebody else draft him who will know how to use him. Maybe the current OC will change my mind but I’ll believe it when I see it.
My first choice is the trade back and pick up some extra picks. If we stay at 15 my preference is Armstead, Parker, or a CB. Armstead is the real wild card, this guy could tear up the league or bust. He has the ability and mean streak but some say he isn’t committed to football. I’ve heard the opposite so without the ability to talk to him I don’t know if we should take him. The reality is whoever we pick it won’t matter until September when we can see what he does on the field. A player I’m hoping we target later in the draft is Henry Anderson from Stanford. I’m still hoping for Funchess in rd 2.
Fuck. Sounds like were trading down