San Francisco 49ers NFL Draft Needs 2008
June 9, 2008
It’s been a great offseason in San Francisco with the signing of several key free agents. Now it’s up to their 2008 Draft Class to only further a productive offseason. Mike Nolan will be back for his fourth season in San Francisco, but gave up his personnel decisions to new GM Scot McCloughan. The 49ers won’t have the first-round draft pick this year they were supposed to get after exchanges the rights to the Patriots for OT Joe Staley as the 28th overall pick last year. The 49ers will get the Colts first-round pick in the ‘08 Draft after giving the Colts the right to select OT Tony Ugoh last offseason. McCloughan has his work cut out for him offensively after the 49ers finished the ‘07 season with 219 points, equaling a club record set in 1978 for fewest points in a 16-game schedule. Nolan also got in a tussle with former No. 1 pick in QB Alex Smith that could be a very difficult bridge to repair.
2008 San Francisco 49ers NFL Draft Needs:
1.) Wide Receiver
The 49ers failed miserably in trying to find a play-maker ion the outside to compliment RB Frank Gore last season. Ashley Lelie and Darrell Jackson were offseason pickups that simply didn’t produce like the 49ers had hoped. Part of it could be attributed to their QB play, as Jackson looked much better in the last couple of games with Shaun Hill under center. The 49ers haven’t really had an impact downfield receiver since Terrell Owens in 2003.
2.) Defensive End
The 49ers need an impact pass rusher and have failed to get one over the last couple of years. Longtime star D-Lineman Bryant Young decided to call it quits after being their leading sacker in ‘07. Marques Douglas is expected to hit the marker as an unrestricted free agent. The Niners have ranked no higher than 20th in QB sack percentage each of the last three seasons.
3.) Offensive Guard
The 49ers offensive line was a disappointment in both passing and running situations last season. The need for fresh blood in the line’s interior is a given, with veteran starting OLG Larry Allen considered a long shot to return to the team next season. Starting ORG Justin Smiley, who is an unrestricted free agent, is a 50-50 shot at best to be re-signed.
4.) Running Back
Frank Gore remains a quality back with excellent receiving ability despite nearly a 600-yard drop in production from his 2006 campaign. The 49ers were too predictable last year, as opposing defenses stacked 8 in the box nearly every play on first and second downs. FB Moran Norris played his way out of the lineup in ‘07, and Gore’s backups, Michael Robinson and Maurice Hicks are adequate at best. A back with speed and big-play ability who can also return kicks would come in handy on Draft Day.
5.) Quarterback
It would be a big mistake if Smith, Hill and Trent Dilfer all return after their miserable ‘07 season as a whole. Hill is expected to compete with Smith for the starting job unless this unrestricted free agent signs elsewhere after a great finish to the season. Adding a No. 3 QB to throw into the mix for competition is a must in San Francisco.
2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Offensive Scheme:
Mike Martz is now in at coordinator in the Bay Area and his up-tempo philosophy will make this 49ers offense much more dynamic in 2008. He emphasizes a lively passing attack out of shifting formations, making this the 49ers fourth different scheme in four seasons. RB Frank Gore is being envisioned as an offensive centerpiece similar to Marshall Faulk and Martz’s “Greatest Show on Turf” teams. Now they just need the passing game to compliment Gore. WR Early Doucet of LSU, WR Eddie Royal of Virginia Tech and WR Andre Caldwell of Florida are the types of playmakers the 49ers will be looking to on Draft Day to ease the pressure on Gore. RB Felix Jones of Arkansas, RB Tashard Choice of Georgia Tech and OG Mike McGlynn of Pittsburgh are a few other names San Francisco might be calling on Draft Day.
2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Defensive Scheme:
Coordinator Greg Manusky loves the 3-4 press-type style with lots of different looks and frequent shifting of personnel to fit the packages he calls. The key element for opposing offensives is trying to figure out where the fourth guy is going to line up. Blitzing CB’s and safeties is a staple, as well as lots of man coverage considering the 49ers have the corners to pay the bills. DE Kentwan Balmer of North Carolinga, OLB Beau Bell of UNLV and OLB Curtis Johnson of Clark Atlanta would fit their 3-4 nicely up front. CB Tyvon Branch of Uconn, CB Aquib Talib of Knasas and LB Steve Allen of West Texas A&M are some solid choices that would fit Manusky’s system in San Francisco as well.
