SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

While the 49ers could have used a right tackle in this draft, I didn't see a missed opportunity and they accumulated good talent. They also brought in some quality college street free agents.

DRAFT PICKS

Balmer a defensive tackle in college, is ideal for end in the 49ers's 3-4 defense. He will become a quality starter there sooner than later. He is very strong and has good lateral movement and will be solid playing the run.

Rachal, a guard in college, could be looked at as a starter at both left guard and right tackle. While I know he will be a good starting guard, I'm not sure if he can be an every down starter at right tackle, although he is athletic enough to make the switch.

Smith can play corner or safety. His best attributes are his quickness, change-of-direction skills and athleticism. At corner, I thought he would be best served in a cover-two or zone defense, although he could cover slot receivers well on a team with a good pass rush. As a safety, he has requisite physical skills, and that may be his best long term position in the NFL. In the short term, Smith copuld be an asset in the 49ers nickel defense and on special teams.

Wallace was excellent value in round four and is an impressive athlete for a center. He is also a tough kid and a hard worker. He does need to play with more consistency, but could be a long term starter at center for the 49ers.

Morgan is an interesting prospect. He has a nice mix of speed, size and athleticism. However, he dropped some balls in college and the Niners will have to determine if it was because of lack of concentration or bad hands.

Grant was a player that went a bit under-valued by me during my draft prep because I looked at him solely as an outside linebacker. However, in retrospect, he has the strength, speed and quickness to transition inside in a 3-4 defense despite being a little undersized for the position. Grant should develop into a solid backup and good special teams player for San Fran.

COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Finley has good size and showed good hands at the East West Shrine Game. He needs work in the weight room to become a better blocker if he wants to stick as a backup tight end. He is an ideal practice squad candidate.

Holmes was defensive end in college who has the quickness and athleticism to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. However, he had only 2 sacks his senior year. Holmes is another practice squad candidate.

I like Robert Jordan. While very slight, he is a tough kid with good hands and speed. He needs to put on weight but is the type of receiver who could do well in the slot in a Mike Martz defense. His odds of making the team may be long, but he'll be fun to watch in early preseason games.

Parker has the look of a long-term NFL backup safety who excels on special teams. It wouldn't surprise me if he captures one of the final roster spots.

red indicates workout number in top range at position in draft
(blue college name indicates workout #'s include Pro Day numbers)

COMBINE
YES

FIRST NAME

SCHOOL

HEIGHT

WEIGHT

BENCH

SHORT

LONG

3 CONE

VERT

BROAD

Balmer

Kentwan

N CAROLINA

6'4.4"

308

5.11

1.71

2.99

4.82

7.65

29"

8'7"

Raschal

Chilo

USC

6'5"

317

5.23

1.80

3.10

4.84

8.01

28"

9'0"

Smith

Reggie

OKLAHOMA

6'0.4"

199

4.61

4.03

6.70

39.5"

10'9"

Wallace

Cody

TEXAS A&M

6'4.2"

296

5.17

1.75

2.98

4.55

7.45

30.5"

9'5"

Morgan

Josh

VIRGINIA TECH

6'0.2"

219

4.46

1.49

2.58

4.29

7.06

40.5"

10'0"

Grant

Larry

OHIO STATE

6'1"

235

4.60

1.55

2.73

4.22

11.73

6.77

31.5'"

9'5"

Finley

Joe Jon

OKLAHOMA

6'6.3'

251

4.85

1.57

2.79

4.16

7.10

31.5"

9'10"

Holmes

Louis

ARIZONA

6'3.5"

263

4.86

1.65

2.81

4.33

6.98

34"

10'4"

Jordan

Robert

CALIFORNIA

5'10.6"

168

4.44

1.47

2.54

4.25

6.83

34"

10'2"

Parker

Dorian

VIRG TECH

5'11.2"

192

4.59

1.55

2.51

4.30

6.94

31"

9'8"

QB	This situation is a mess. I was in the minority, but I liked Rodgers better than Smith in his draft, and felt that there were a lot of questions surrounding Smith based on the fact that he threw to two receivers who dominated his league and were relatively slow receivers with little chance to make an impact in the NFL. Hill played well at the end of the year, showed promise, but is a free agent. Dilfer is a better analyst than quarterback right now.
RB	Gore is very good running back. His backups, however, are not capable of stepping in as solid starters should he go down.
WR	Martz' system is a receiver-dominated offense. Battle is a nice three for that system. I thought Jackson had skills with Seattle, but was a drive-killer because of drops. He can contribute some big plays, but a more reliable option would be preferred. I like Hill and believe he will be a good #2 in Martz ' system. The 49ers, however, need a #1 receiver.
TE	Davis has the speed of a wide receiver, but Martz' offensives rarely utilized tight ends. Walker and Bajema are enough for a team that will see tight end production and field time decrease.
OL	Staley, Baas and Heitmann are fine. Synder could fill another role on the line (either LG or RT) but is better served as a versatile sub. Worst case the 49ers need either a RT or LG especially if they do not bring back Smiley. Allen will likely retire.
DL	Young is retiring. DE Douglas and NT Sopoaga are free agents. Franklin shows promise. Fields and Oliver have also been effective. The 49ers need bodies, particularly at end.
LB	Willis could be the best inside linebacker in the NFL already. Smith, Moore and Ulbrich are good complimentary players, although if the 49ers can find an upgrade, they will likely take it. On the outside Lawson is coming back from injury and has not developed into the pass rushing force that was expected of him coming out of college. Haralson, Moore, and Banta-Cain have pass rushing credentials, but here to, an upgrade could be addressed.
DB	The 49ers could use a good young corner who could start as a nickel and eventually replace Harris. At safety, Lewis was physical as expected and Roman was heady and steady, but is not a playmaker. An upgrade at free safety could also be in order, but is not a necessity.
ST	This is a tale of two cities. Kicking, punting, long-snapping is in excellent hands. A return man who can take it the distance is needed.

2008 DRAFT PICKS	2008 REPORT CARD followed by workout numbers	2008 TEAM NEEDS prior to free agency
2007 DRAFT PICKS	2007 REPORT CARD followed by comments & workout numbers	2007 TEAM NEEDS prior to free agency

2005 Draft Picks	2005 Draft Report Card	2005 Draft Team News
2004 Draft	2003 Draft	2002 Draft

Arizona
Rd	Sel#	Player	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	School	Jay's ranking	Jay's draft value
1	29	Kentwan Balmer	DT/DE	6'4.4"	308	N Carolina	#3 DT	Round 1
2	39	Chilo Rachal	OG	6'5"	317	USC	#2 OG	Round 2
3	75	Reggie Smith	CB/FS	6'0.4"	199	Oklahoma	#15 CB	Round 3/Round 4
4	107	Cody Wallace	C	6'4.2"	296	Texas A&M	#3 C	Round 3
6	174	Josh Morgan	WR/Ret	6'0.2"	219	Virginia Tech		Late Round Value
7	214	Larry Grant	OLB	6'1"	235	Ohio State		Late Round Value
FA		Joe Jon Finley	TE	6'6.3"	251	Oklahoma		Late Round Value
FA		Louis Holmes	DE/OLB	6'3.5"	263	Arizona		Late Round Value
FA		Robert Jordan	WR	5'10.6"	168	California		Late Round Value
FA		Dorian Parker	FS	5'11.2"	192	Virginia Tech		Late Round Value

Rd	Sel#	Player	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	School	Jay's Ranking	Jay's Draft Value
1	11	Willis, Patrick	ILB	6-1	240	Mississippi	# 1 ILB	Round 1
1	28	Staley, Joe	OT	6-5	302	Central Michigan	# 3 OT	Round 1
3	76	Hill, Jason	WR	6-0	210	Washington State	# 5 WR	Round 1
3	97	McDonald, Ray	DT	6-3	281	Florida	#14 DE	Round 4
4	104	Moore, Jay	DE	6-5	276	Nebraska	#12 DE	Round 3
4	126	Goldson, Dashon	FS	6-2	202	Washington		Late Round Value
4	135	Cohen, Joe	DT	6-2	313	Florida	#13 DT	Round 4
5	147	Brown, Tarell	CB	5-11	192	Texas		Late Round Value
6	186	Clayton, Thomas	RB	5-10	218	Kansas State		Late Round Value
FA		Getsy, Luke	QB	6-3	218	Akron		Off My Board
FA		Patten, Jake	SS	6-0	210	Virginia Tech		Off My Board
FA		Sanders, Darius	DE	6-4	273	Oregon		Late Round Value
FA		Zeigler, Dominique	WR	6-2	181	Baylor		Late Round Value