Archive for March 3rd, 2009
Previous Pick: Green Bay Packers
10. San Francisco 49ers
-Matthew Stafford (QB/Georgia)
- NFL.com
To most of you, seeing Stafford here may not make much sense. But if Detroit passes on him, the next team that legitimately could justify selecting a quarterback is San Francisco. They drafted Alex Smith with the 1st overall pick in 200, but he has struggled mightily thus far. Shaun Hill showed some spark this year, but obviously he is not the clear starter or the 49ers wouldn’t have tried to sign Kurt Warner.
Stafford offers great value at the 10th spot. His arm strength is superb, and he really impressed teams with his interviewing skills during the combine. The ideal situation for him would be to sit behind Shaun Hill and/or Alex Smith until he is ready to step in as the starter.
Note: although I really like Mark Sanchez, I think there isn’t enough film to evaluate him properly. He is a more risky pick, so Stafford gets the nod.
-Rey Maualuga (ILB/USC)
- NFL.com
Think of how awesome a force the 49ers would have if they chose Rey Maualuga to play alongside Patrick Willis. I think teams would be soiling their uniforms just thinking about running the ball up the middle! Coach Singletary, a former Bears linebacker could appreciate having a player of Maualuga’s caliber. Now, Takeo Spikes is 34 years old, and an infusion of youth behind him (or in front) would be a welcome addition. I could see Mike Singletary attempt to build a defense as ferocious as the ones he was a part of. And make no mistake, bringing in Maualuga would be a huge step in that direction.
-Brian Cushing (OLB/USC)
- NFL.com
A tough, hardworking, versatile player, Brian Cushing is the kind of complete football player that Singletary wants. Current OLB Manny Lawson hasn’t been very productive (3 sacks), so the 49ers should be looking for an upgrade on the right side.
Cushing is one of the more ready outside linebackers in this class. He is much farther along in pass coverage than any of the converted linebackers would be. And since Aaron Maybin isn’t valued this highly in my opinion, then Cushing is the target.
-Andre Smith (LT/Alabama)
- NFL.com
This is maybe a bit too early to consider Andre Smith, but he would really help establish the right side of the 49ers line. Jonas Jennings was a poor right tackle, and unfortunately Joe Staley can’t play both tackle spots simultaneously.
Smith is an excellent run blocker and actually would make an excellent right tackle, even though he played on the left side in college. After he showed up to the combine out of shape, his stock took a hit. But there is no question about his abilities. As the winner of the Outlander trophy, he joins the likes of men like Joe Thomas, Jonathan Ogden, Chris Samuels, and Orlando Pace.
San Francisco is in dire need of offensive line help (allowed 55 sacks). They allowed more sacks than any other team in the league. The only reason I have Smith here because the top 3 left tackles will probably be gone by this pick. The 49ers may feel they can choose a better play now, and address the line after round 1.
Next on the clock: Buffalo Bills
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Previous Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars
9. Green Bay Packers
(updated 3/4)
-Knowshon Moreno (HB/Georgia)
- NFL.com
Packers’ running back Ryan Grant did a decent job last season (ran for 1,200 yards). But he is not the elusive home run hitting running back that opposing defenses fear. As Morris, an avid Packers fan mentioned (in the comments section below), GM Ted Thompson’s draft philosophy is to grab the best player available instead of selecting for need. In order to relieve the pressure from Aaron Rodgers in the passing game, Green Bay may decide to build a powerful tandem in the running game.
At the #9 selection of the draft, the obvious choices of Aaron Curry, B.J. Raji, and the top 2 offensive tackles will most likely be off the board. But the best running back and one of the better players in this draft IS still available: Knowshon Moreno. This guy has all the essential ingredients to be a top runner in the NFL: superb vision, fluid hips, excellent agility, great burst, good hands, durability, and most importantly, unrivaled intensity. I have always believed he a better back than Chris Wells of Ohio State. Selecting Moreno here makes sense to me if Thompson goes for the best available player.
-Trade Down*
Since any prime targets should be gone by now, Green Bay could look to trade down to avoid reaching. This way they also receive greater value for their money. I would suspect that maybe the Jets or some other team selecting in the mid-late first round would be a likely scenario. And remember, Ted Thompson prides himself for having an eye for value.
-Michael Oher (LT/Ole Miss)
- NFL.com
At first glance, 34 sacks (rank 15th among NFL teams) isn’t too striking. But I can recall numerous times when Aaron Rodgers was running for his life or getting smashed by speed rushers coming from the blind side. The team’s left tackle, Chad Clifton has had an exceptional career. But he has clearly lost a step this season (allowing 7.5 sacks).
Until today, most people, including myself had the Packers as a lock for some defensive player to help the transition to their new 3-4 defense. And this does make sense based on Ted Thompson’s draft history. He has only chosen one offensive lineman in the first two rounds since he arrived in Green Bay. But upon closer analysis, he never had to use a high pick on a tackle when Mark Tauscher (seriously, is it just me or does he look like Jack Black?) and Chad Clifton have done such a good job. These two have both reached the ends of their careers, and may force Ted Thompson to replace at least one of them right away.
With Tauscher coming off ACL surgery, the Pack may try Oher on the right side while he learns the offense.
- NFL.com
-Vontae Davis (CB/Illinois)
Considering how the Packers defensive line needs work, I know this pick is somewhat of a luxury. But hear me out on this one. Ted Thompson generally likes to take the best player available, and one of the best available happens to fulfill an area of need as well. As Al Harris is basically finished in the NFL, Davis would add youth to an already aging set of corners. Even with Atari Bigby going down mid-season, the Packer pass defense was still one of the best in the league. So I can understand if that is reason to pass on this spot. I just think that Davis would make him and Charles Woodson into one of the best tandems in the NFL.
Davis had an excellent combine, allowing him to finish in the top 10 defensive back performers in the 40-yard dash, 20 yard shuttle, bench press, and 3-cone drill. Few players possess his size and athleticism. The only detractor is that he was benched late season because of some character issues.
Keep voting so we can compare the fan picks with my own! At the end of my completed mock draft I will show all the results. Great job so far.
Next on the clock: San Francisco 49ers
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