Offseason needs

by smileyman on Dec 14, 2009 5:39 PM CST

Hi everyone,

I'm smileyman from over at the Niners Nation blog. The past several weeks Drew K and I have been doing a series of posts on the offseason, focusing on the draft as well as FA. We're beginning to focus on the needs of other teams in the NFL, and this week we're doing the AFC and NFC East.

As such I have a few questions I'd like to ask if you don't mind.

1.) What two or three positions do you see as the biggest needs for the offseason?

2.) Are these more likely to be met through the draft or through FA?

3.) Which college player do you think will be picked by your team in the first round?

4.) What is your cap situation like?

To answer these questions from the Niners perspective. Our biggest needs are offensive line and secondary help. We have Carolina's 1st round pick this year, so that gives us two picks in the first round. I imagine we'll address at least one of those needs through FA and one through the draft. There have been a few mocks which have shown Berry falling to our Panther pick--if so we'll grab him, otherwise I think we grab the best OT available. Luckily we have lots of room in the cap. I believe it's around $50 million or so, so we should be a big player in FA (assuming a new CBA is in place of course).

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Well, I'll answer the question

However, the AFC East doesn’t include the Houston Texans.

1) The Texans biggest needs would probably be: DB, DT, G/C.
2) I think it’ll be 60-70% in the draft, 30-40% in the free agency pool.
3) That’s going to depend on the draft position of where the Texans will be. I’d say right now…my safe pick would be CB Joe Haden from Florida. If we’re picking in the later stages (8-8, 9-7) I’ll go OG Mike Iupati or even RB Jahvid Best (other Texans fans may not like that one bit…but if we’re 18-20, why not?)
4) No idea. I don’t learn that side of things.

If I were the 49ers, I’d draft NT Terrence Cody and CB Joe Haden….maybe even ILB Rolando McClain or Brandon Spikes. Takeo Spikes is getting up there in years….Dre Bly as the #1 corner is weak, and Aubrayo Franklin’s alright……

by TexansDC on Dec 14, 2009 6:41 PM CST reply actions

I think you will get slightly varying answers, but if I had to go with my top three it would be G/C, DT, DB, RB. Ok thats four but I really couldnt decide if a RB or a DB should come first. I really blame most of the running game woes on the offensive line, so I dont put RB too far up the board. I think Quinn will develop into a good CB, and Pollard has been lights out at SS. Wilson is a good FS, but a little prone to injury. Dunta Robinson has been horrific and barely classifies as a CB2 at this point. So with that being said I think a CB/FS depending on who is on the board could come before another try at RB. It really will depend on the development of Foster throught the rest of the year and if he will be a 1-2 punch with Slaton next year or if we need to look elsewhere.

But my first priority has got to be the offensive line. We need a center and a guard imo, and will probably need to address one in FA.

Be judgmental about the actions of the past, be hopeful about the actions of the future. -The Homers Creed

by DaGoaT on Dec 14, 2009 6:46 PM CST reply actions

As I said in another thread

Even though interior linemen are our biggest need at the moment, I don’t see us going that route in the 1st round probably not even 2nd. Because we run the zone blocking scheme, the best fit for us at those positions isn’t a good fit for the rest of the league, which means the best linemen for our system can be had in later rounds because they have lesser value to the rest of the NFL than what they’d have for us. I know our line this year hasn’t proven that case, however the majority of our line are holdovers from before Gibbs and his scheme and many aren’t great fits so it’s kind of been like putting a square peg into a round hole after our starters went down.

NT is a big position of need for us, but the top NT (Terrence Cody) in the draft is probably going to get picked before us, and the 2nd best will most likely fall to the 2nd and maybe even 3rd if he doesn’t have a strong combine

Even though Quinn has played well as a rookie, we’ve seen false gold before in Bennett and with Robinson leaving, Bennett regressing into a highschool CB, and Molden near crippled, we need to improve depth at the CB position if nothing else and the earlier the better. Haden is the best CB in the draft and if he’s available when the Texans pick I think they should grab him. Apart from Haden though, I don’t like any other corner really as a 1st round pick. Lindley is a good man cover corner, but he’s not the fastest guy in the world so his value isn’t likely to be as a 1st rounder unless someone reaches, and they’re probably more likely to reach for speed without major talent rather than major talent without speed.

At RB we really need a powerful downhill rusher, which there isn’t any of projected in the first round so far. Dwyer, Gerhart, Scott, and Dixon all would be good choices in my opinion, even though Scott and Dixon may lack the explosiveness to really excell in our system (I strongly believe that people are underestimating Gerhart’s athleticism because of silly stereotypes), but they can also all be found probably in rounds 2-5.

I think we should just stick with picking the best player available for our system rather than reach for a player at a need position.

by Bryan72076 on Dec 15, 2009 9:11 AM CST up reply actions

A little more detail

1a. When we say “DT”, we mean planetoid-sized gargantuan NT. We do not need another Under Tackle. We grow those on trees.
1b. When we say DB, we mean either a FS or a guaranteed CB1….assuming that we are able to retain the services of Mr. Pollard at SS.
1c. I think that C/G speaks for itself. If we can get both through some combination of FA/Draft, then hell yes.

2. Our strategy seems to be trying to get the needs filled (at a decent $$) through FA, before we get to the Draft. We had a glaring need at DE last year, and were able to fill that with Smith and even draft a potential future DE who isn’t a 3-down player yet (Barwin) in the 2nd.

3. Wow. I’d say that’s pretty damn dependent on how our FO answers your #2 question. Assuming a middle-round pick and looking at the current talent that should be in Round 1, then I would guess either DB or NT. But I would prefer to see us trade down for a few more picks if there isn’t a can’t-miss player there.

4. Please see Keith’s research here. He deserves full credit for knowing more about the Salary Cap than 99% of fans.

If the Treasury Secretary doesn't have to pay taxes, then why do I?

by Shake on Dec 15, 2009 9:06 AM CST reply actions

For a FS

take Earl Thomas out of Texas. He’s predicted in the mid 1st round.

Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.

by kriess on Dec 15, 2009 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

Thats if he comes out which he very well might not.

by nolander on Dec 15, 2009 2:09 PM CST up reply actions

After what happened to Bradford, I can't believe ANYONNE would stay in school if they have a shot at being drafted.

Gauranteed millions next year…..OR…..gauranteed nothing + chance for career ending or draft hosing injury.

I say if you can get it, take it.

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

The ROSENFAIL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAKAKE-uq-8&feature=related

by TexansForever on Dec 15, 2009 2:13 PM CST up reply actions

true, but even if he comes out he’ll be rather young. I would rather have Mays personally. I think playing with his best pal Cushing again will amp up his game.

by nolander on Dec 15, 2009 2:18 PM CST up reply actions

Agree with you there.

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

The ROSENFAIL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAKAKE-uq-8&feature=related

by TexansForever on Dec 15, 2009 2:27 PM CST up reply actions

I wouldn't want Mays now to be honest.

I was high on him while we were unsettled at SS, but now I think Pollard should be our starting strong safety for the foreseeable future as long as he doesn’t ask for the moon in contract talks. I can’t see Mays being anything beyond a hard hitting SS in the mold of Pollard, he’s not a great coverage guy and he at times makes some pretty sloppy plays on the ball.

by Bryan72076 on Dec 15, 2009 6:43 PM CST up reply actions

Re: staying in school

See: Jake Locker, Washington QB.

People got hurt before Bradford and kids still stayed in school, people will get hurt after Bradford and kids will still stay in school. Even with Bradford’s injury he will still probably be a top 10 pick and get his dough. I dont really understand why they stay either, but some love college, some want a degree, and others probably only stay for the college girls.

"Every time you turn on ESPN you see Bama" - Earl Thomas' answer when asked what excites him most about the National Championship.

To all Houston sports fans, Houston is the 4th biggest city in America, there will be traffic on the way to your respective sports game. Come Early, Be Loud, Stay Late.

by TexasHoosier on Dec 15, 2009 6:52 PM CST up reply actions

Hey, is Earl Thomas coming out this year?

I heard he’s from Texas!

- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter

by riversmccown on Dec 16, 2009 7:44 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

We really need to pace ourselves. This is all we are going to hear through the first 4 games next year.

by nolander on Dec 16, 2009 12:41 PM CST up reply actions

Wait we are going to have 40 mil next year under the cap?!? Is that right? That would go a long way to letting us resign the players that need to be resigned and letting us bring in a FA or two.

by nolander on Dec 15, 2009 2:12 PM CST up reply actions

excellent points all, shake

1b. Wilson is fine at FS, the backups to this point have been the problem, and Barber could show us in the final four games that he can be a decent FS2, so I say this should start tipping towards CB1 almost exclusively (this high). If Barber isn’t the next Busing… I guess we’ll see.

Mount Cody in round 1

by texanphil on Dec 15, 2009 2:13 PM CST up reply actions