Niners Nations Rates the 49ers Draft

by John Morgan on Apr 29, 2009 2:44 PM PDT

Fooch at Niners Nation rates the San Francisco 49ers draft.

San Francisco 49ers
Selections: WR Michael Crabtree (1st), RB Glen Coffee(3rd), ILB Scott McKillop (5th), QB Nate Davis (5th), TE Bear Pascoe (6th), S Curtis Taylor (7th), Ricky Jean-Francois (7th)

Analysis: The 49ers came out of this draft without really addressing many of their needs, and yet many fans (although certainly not all) consider this draft a solid one for one reason: Michael Crabtree. Most everybody was pretty shocked when he fell to the 49ers at 10. While the 49ers certainly had bigger needs than WR, and could've filled one with Michael Oher or Brian Orakpo, there was no way they could pass on Michael Crabtree. Crabtree is officially the most talented WR on the roster and is probably the best WR draft choice since Terrell Owens.

After that first pick, the 49ers drafted in a rather odd fashion. They dealt away their second and fourth round picks for a 2010 first rounder, which led to some strong criticism by a few folks. Personally I like getting the first rounder and if you're not happy with what you see in a high round, why waste money on someone you're not sold on? After that, the team filled depth needs, but didn't grab any sure-fire starters. They grabbed Coffee, an Alabama running back that they hope will be the bulldozer to ease the load on Frank Gore. They grabbed McKillop, a linebacker who they hope can eventually take over Takeo Spikes role, but for now will be primarily a special teamer. They got a 5th round QB in Davis who has no pressure on him, but has the talent to possibly be a long term answer. Finally, their seventh round picks were upside guys in a pair of LSU defensive players. Both came to LSU with great fanfare but for one reason or another never reached their potential.

The 49ers have found some potential diamonds in the rough in undrafted free agents and overall, I am more positive about this draft than many of the so-called pundits. The 49ers got a potential game-breaking receiver and some depth guys. I gave the team a B for the draft. Combined with their moves in free agency I'm feeling fairly good about things.

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I think in this case

We might have a hard time underselling drafting for need.

How exactly is Crabtree going to help the 9ers? WRs, bless their little hearts, are no position to lay on the brickwork for a team. Ref Megatron and his 0-16 team of spunky lil’ teammates.

Not that I disagree that passing on Crabtree at 10 would’ve been folly, and that San Fran should be happy to have him, but it’s not like he can help them off the starting blocks, and I’d be hard-pressed to grade up their draft because a highly-rated player they don’t need fell to them.

Though this logic applies to the ’Hawks to some extent as well.

Still, their front-page polls sees their fans thinking Crabtree will be the leading receiver on the team. Unless he’s Randy Moss reborn (he’s not) or unless all the other receivers get injured (like for us last year), that seems an exceedingly unlikely scenario.

I have more expectations of Hicks than Crabtree this year, and that’s pure situation-based.

Oh, and as for “more positive than the pundits”, opinions vary wildly on the 49ers draft, but it averaged a B by MJD’s count so he’s not far from the average. Though like I said, opinions vary, Outsiders shows a lot of Cs, a couple of Bs and one A+ (!)

Heh

Draft grades

by Thomas Beekers on Apr 29, 2009 3:02 PM PDT reply actions

I like the 9ers draft.

I am not so sure why people think they took Crabtree as a BPA and WR wasn’t a need for them. Their best two receivers by far ar Bryant Johnson and Isaac Bruce, maybe Arnaz Battle. That unit is pretty weak. Crabtree makes them a lot better. A guy who catches like Crabtree is gonna make things a lot easier on Hill, assuming that is who they are going with.

by michaelfox99 on Apr 29, 2009 3:09 PM PDT reply actions

Oh yeah

Their WR group is pretty weak. But so are a lot of other groups on their teams, and WRs aren’t traditionally a high-priority list for a team with lots of holes, especially if one of the holes is “QB”.

I mean, I bet their special teams is pretty weak too, wouldn’t really excuse them drafting a long snapper in the 1st round :P

by Thomas Beekers on Apr 29, 2009 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, I disagree.

Josh Morgan is a promising rookie and Bryant Johnson was released and now plays for Detroit. Crabtree should be the leading receiver on that team outside of perhaps Frank Gore. I can see Morgan and Bruce in the mix, but Crabtree should become the #1 there. Hopefully they can keep their QBs upright.

by Misfit74 on Apr 29, 2009 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions

*was a promising rookie (last year)

by Misfit74 on Apr 29, 2009 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion

If you look at some of the WR superstart, it’s more the exception that they start leading their team or with massive yardage. Andre Johnson had nearly 1000, but Calvin Johnson and Fitz were nearer 750, and someone like Roddy White had less than 500 yards in his first year.

Somehow I’d sooner expect Bruce to be the leading receiver while Crabtree adjusts. I expect him to justify his hype on the long-term, but short? Eeeeehhh…

by Thomas Beekers on Apr 29, 2009 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought they had a spectacular draft.

Aside from reaching on Coffee.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Apr 29, 2009 4:56 PM PDT reply actions

Seconded

That trade for a first-rounder themselves was pretty awesome, then they got Crabtree and Nate Davis? Best 49ers draft I’d seen in a while.

"Why is it every time I need to get somewhere, we get waylaid by jackassery?" - Dr. Venture

by Eegah on Apr 29, 2009 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Big Bear Pascoe

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Apr 29, 2009 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, it's unfortunate they were able to get another first for next year.

It's great to be a Florida Gator!

by Wayward Llama on Apr 30, 2009 5:09 AM PDT up reply actions

As a 49er fan here's my opinion

http://49ersboard.blogspot.com/2009/04/49ers-draft-grade.html

Now understand for the last 2 years the 49ers have secretlylead the league in allowed sacks. We have a QB named Shaun Hill who has done nothing but win for us as a QB (has a career 90 something passer rating). Our WRs are good enough, but a potential stud in Crabtree doesn’t hurt. But to not draft 1 offensive lineman?really?

http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com

by supraman on Apr 29, 2009 8:22 PM PDT reply actions

I can't wait to watch their elation fade

as Crabtree flames out. I’ve thought all along that he would be a bust, so if there is any team I’d like to see it happen to more (aside from the Steelers) it would be the 49’ers.

It's great to be a Florida Gator!

by Wayward Llama on Apr 29, 2009 8:58 PM PDT reply actions