Post Draft Thoughts
Some quick thoughts after the 2014 draft that at least part of will look incredibly stupid in a frighteningly short time from now ...
It's definitely at least in part because I'm such a 49ers homer, but I do really like their draft a lot. That's not just because ALL the experts are telling me so, but also some of the pieces they picked up. I still would have loved to see them draft a higher prospect at WR, but I also think that a receiver corps that now has Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin, Stevie Johnson as the first three wideouts, with youngsters Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington fighting for playing time sounds pretty strong. (Oh, and Vernon Davis.)
The only pick that caught me off guard was Carlos Hyde. I never thought the team would go running back with a high pick ... but then, I thought about it some more. Frank Gore's contract is up after this year - I'd assumed they might extend him by a year or two almost in good faith, etc. But I think this means this is indeed Gore's swan song. Starting next year, it will be Hyde and Marcus Lattimore. Even Kendall Hunter may be gone, and LaMichael James almost certainly will be. (I don't even expect LMJ to break training camp if he can be traded for ANY type of draft pick.) Hyde was projected by most to be the top running back prospect in the draft, and if Lattimore is close to what he was pre-injury, that's a great duo. If Lattimore isn't quite there, it's a great way to ensure (assuming Hyde's any good, of course) strength and continuity at a critical position.
As noted, I geeked out a bit before this draft, and I was happy to see the team grab players I knew of - because so many were near the tops of their positions. Jimmie Ward (S), Marcus Martin (C), Chris Borland (ILB) and Hyde were all in the top 3-4 at their respective positions at the least. Other guys like Bruce Ellington (WR) were exciting prospects - Ellington projects much like Brandin Cooks with less polish and does provide the top shelf speed the passing game has lacked. By the way, check out Ellington after he was drafted:
I think I like this guy.
Finally, they took some gambles at good positions - in addition to Ward, who will play slot cornerback, they took two other CB later in the draft. Aaron Lynch could be a lethal pass rusher or a total bust, but it only cost a 5th rounder. Brandon Thomas, Keith Reaser and Trey Millard (the last two who I'd never heard of) will all go on the PUP list, with uncertainty if any will play in 2014. This is, of course, becoming a trend with the 49ers; when roster space is limited but you have more than your fair share of picks, stashing a guy and letting him get healthy is a good strategy. Whether they'll be good or not is unknown, but however you look at this draft, remember also that the team is also getting their first looks at Marcus Lattimore, Tank Carradine and Quinton Dial.
As far as I can tell, with the appropriate exception of quarterback, every single position on the 49ers has created real competition for the job. That cannot be anything BUT good news. They even have strong depth at inside linebacker now, even with Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman (get healthy!) there. (In addition to Borland, the team signed Shayne Skov, who oddly wasn't drafted despite being ranked above Borland in some places and certainly projected to go in around the 3rd round. I'm happy because Skov is the cousin of an old high school friend of mine but also because he seems like a good player.)
Oh, there were other teams in the draft? ... some thoughts:
Don't like the Blake Bortles pick at 3. Maybe he is great, and they certainly suddenly drafted some real prospects at WR with Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson, but one thing I heard and agreed with was folks saying Jacksonville had to go with a "clean" pick - one free of a lot of risk. They needed to nail this to move the franchise forward. It's not even clear if Bortles will play much this year (though I dismiss this; three or four games of Chad Henne is about the legal limit). He could be a franchise QB, or he could be Blaine Gabbert Part Deux.
I do not understand how the Carolina Panthers could leave this draft with one, extremely raw, WR and one offensive lineman, and a guard at that. Have they not seen their roster?
How did the Browns, after learning that Josh Gordon might miss the season, not draft a single WR?
The experts seem to also agree that the St. Louis Rams did a smashing job -- and certainly, their defensive line and pass rush looks ... terrifying. Just the stuff of nightmares. But - they also made it clear that they're fully prepared to head into 2014 with Sam Bradford, tossing the ball to Tavon Austin, Chris Givens and Kenny Britt as their main wideouts. As a 49ers fan, I'm more than okay with that.
Didn't like what the Bills did either, even if Sammy Watkins is the next A.J. Green. I kept hearing folks saying the team is "all-in" this year but ... that's INSANE. Their team is mediocre at best, and they easily could be one of the four or five worst teams next year. And ... they traded away their first round pick next year. In a word, oy.
The Patriots seemed to treat this draft as preparation for the next year or two, not 2014. I wouldn't say they couldn't have patched a few current problems with a bit more urgency.
Just read this ... the 49ers got two 2nd round picks in the Alex Smith trade - they've flipped those picks into Tank Carradine, Carlos Hyde, Chris Borland, Corey Lemonier and a 2015 4th round pick. Good lord, Trent Baalke, you are indeed a Draft Ninja.
Guys who I will be following because for some reason (mainly hype created by draft experts) I decided that these guys might be great fits for the 49ers, but landed elsewhere:
Wide Receivers: Odell Beckham, Jr., Brandin Cooks, Davante Adams, Donte Moncrief, Jarvis Landry, Cody Latimer, Martavis Bryant.
Cornerbacks: Kyle Fuller, Jason Verrett, Pierre Desir, Bashaud Breeland, Antone Exum.
Other Defensive Players: Dominique Easley, Stephon Tuitt, Kareem Martin, Louis Nix, Jeremiah Attaochu, Lamon Barrow.
