| SAN FRANCISCO
49ERS - OFFENSE |
|
QB
|
Alex Smith |
Trent Dilfer |
|
RB
|
Frank Gore |
DeShaun Foster |
|
FB
|
Moran Norris |
Michael Robinson (RB) |
|
OT
|
Jonas Jennings |
Adam Snyder |
|
OG
|
David Baas |
Patrick Estes |
|
C
|
Eric Heitmann |
|
|
OG
|
Larry Allen |
Tony Wragge |
|
OT
|
Joe Staley |
Kwame Harris |
|
TE
|
Vernon Davis |
Billy Bajema |
|
WR
|
Isaac Bruce |
Jason Hill |
|
WR
|
Darrell Jackson |
Arnaz Battle |
| SAN FRANCISCO
49ERS - DEFENSE |
|
DE
|
Justin Smith |
Ray McDonald / Ronald Fields |
|
NT
|
Isaac Sopoaga |
Aubrayo Franklin |
|
DE
|
Marques Douglas |
Melvin Oliver / Jay Moore |
|
LB
|
Dontarrius Thomas |
Tully Banta-Cain |
|
LB
|
Patrick Willis |
Jeff Ulbrich |
|
LB
|
Brandon Moore |
Roderick Green |
|
LB
|
Manny Lawson |
Parys Haralson |
|
CB
|
Nate Clements |
Walt Harris |
|
CB
|
Shawntae Spencer |
Tarell Brown |
|
S
|
Michael Lewis |
Keith Lewis |
|
S
|
Mark Roman |
Marcus Hudson |
| |
| |
| SAN FRANCISCO
49ERS - TEAM NEEDS |
| |
|
|
| |
| SAN FRANCISCO
49ERS - 2007 DRAFT IN REVIEW |
|
RD
|
PICK
|
NAME
|
POS
|
SCHOOL
|
|
1
|
11
|
Patrick
Willis |
LB
|
Mississippi |
|
1
|
28
|
Joe
Staley |
OT
|
Central
Michigan |
|
3
|
76
|
Jason Hill |
WR
|
Washington
State |
|
3
|
97
|
Ray McDonald |
DE
|
Florida |
|
4
|
104
|
Jay Moore |
DL
|
Nebraska |
|
4
|
126
|
Dashon Goldson |
DB
|
Washington |
|
4
|
135
|
Joe Cohen |
DL
|
Florida |
|
5
|
147
|
Tarell Brown |
CB
|
Texas |
|
6
|
186
|
Thomas Clayton |
RB
|
Kansas State |
| |
|
Draft Grade: A-
|
| San Francisco was one of the biggest winners
on Draft Weekend 2007 for so many reasons. They kicked off
the offseason with some solid free agent additions (CB Nate
Clements and S Michael Lewis most notably). That eliminated
the need to search for defensive backfield help in the Draft
and concentrate energy on a MLB stud like Patrick Willis,
who has the tenacity and range to play any LB position.
Look for Willis to supplant Derek Smith as the starter in
no time...and look for Willis to be an All-Pro in a few
years. Realizing the need for improved protection for former
#1 pick Alex Smith, San Francisco wisely traded for a second
first round pick, used to select athletic OT Joe Staley.
Initially, San Fran only missed the boat by ignoring help
for the WR position, but they addressed that two ways, first
by landing a very talented and very underrate prospect in
Jason Hill with their third round selection, then
by dealing a fourth round pick to Seattle for Darrell Jackson.
Jackson and Hill, along with Arnaz Battle, Ashley Lelie
and '06 draftee Brandon Williams finally gives young Alex
Smith some reliable targets in the passing game. And let's
not forget '06 first rounder, TE Vernon Davis. On day two,
San Frn did an excellent job addressing help for the D line,
landing the versatile Ray McDonald of Florida and
Jay Moore of Nebraska, both of whom have the size
and athleticism to excel at the End positions in San Fran's
3-4 front. CB Tarell Brown, drafted in round five,
has a ton of talent and should provide quality depth at
Corner if he can keep himself out of trouble. Brown has
major character issues…the only thing that stood in
his way of being a day one draftee. And RB Thomas Clayton,
who also has some character issues but not quite at the
level of Brown, should make a decent compliment to Frank
Gore in the 49er backfield. The 49ers would've been better
off drafting a RB for the backup role with either their
126th or 135th pick. |
|
