2023 NFL Draft

[CrimsonCrew]

Promises to be a pretty quiet year for the Niners, but I figured we could have some preliminary chats in this thread, and chat day of, if anyone is paying attention.

[CrimsonCrew]

Good news is that this draft shapes up pretty well for the Niners. Pretty light at the top, but another deep class that should have solid players available in the late-third and on. We need to approach this draft with an eye to the future, as we're going to start feeling the losses of all these mid-level talents who have walked recently, and need young, solid players to step up for them.

In looking at the board, I like them looking OT and CB in particular in the third. OT because of need, but also a couple intriguing guys, and the pool of physically talented guys dries up quickly. CB is a pretty deep class where, again, physical gifts are really important. I think they need more competition at this spot, unless they expect Thomas and Womack to really contribute this year, and there are a bunch of interesting guys who could be available.

Beyond that, it's pretty wide open. I expect them to look at a DE fairly early, but it's kind of a weird draft at DE. Some talent up top, then a bunch of guys who are solid but unspectacular. Then there are a bunch of guys with certain clear traits and obvious weaknesses (quite a few undersized guys with really good testing numbers, for instance). I'd be inclined to wait until the 5th (or a trade-up from the 5th) for one of the physical projects rather than taking a guy who is just a solid player in the third.

TE is also interesting. Deep class there, too. There are a few guys I would really look at in the third if they are still there (LaPorta is unlikely but possible, Kraft, Schoonmaker), but also some solid guys who should be available later (Strange, Latu).

WR is also a pretty unusual class. Loads of small, shifty guys. Frankly, I think that's something we could stand to add to our roster, so I'd be looking very seriously at that position, though ideally not in the third.

Anyway, long story short, it's a draft where we should really have an eye to maximizing value. All of our third-round picks should be hitting on guys who we had much higher on the board, and it would be great if we could come away with a couple starters down the road.

[thesack12]

Considering the less than desirable breakout of picks the 9ers have this year, my excitement for this draft is as low as I can remember for any others. Due to that, I have done next to no pre-draft research/scouting this year. So I'm going to have to rely heavily on writeups/scouting reports on these guys...

I agree CB and OT should be high priorities this weekend. TE definitely needs to be addressed, S should should probably be considered. And I wouldn't be surprised to see them take a Kicker (if so hopefully with one of the 7ths)

99 (3rd)
101 (3rd)
102 (3rd)
155 (5th)
164 (5th)
173 (5th)
216 (6th)
222 (7th)
247 (7th)
253 (7th)
255 (7th)

I could see Lynch doing some trading up at some point. If for no other reason, than for consolidation purposes. Maybe package one of the 5ths and a three of the 7ths to get into the 4th round. That would help consolidate as well even out the tiers a bit. That would leave them with picks in every round 3-7.

Funny that 164 (5th) and 247 (7th) are the only two picks that are original to the 9ers.

[thesack12]

Read on Twitter

Interesting. Frank might be on the verge of stepping into a scouting role.

[Pattersonca65]

With the 49ers off the board tonight, I am not going to watch it. I am not enough of a football junkie to sit through all the hype and deadtime between picks to see what other teams are doing. And it might just remind me that we traded these picks away, and now there is reason to question why the 49ers made that deal in the first place.

[CrimsonCrew]

Ran through a few mock draft simulations today. Got to say, one of the big takeaways - even though I think it is unlikely for this FO - is that I kind of like going FS in the third. There are several intriguing guys who often make it to the end of the third in Quan Martin, Ji'Ayir Brown, and Sydney Brown. The quality of guy in the fifth round is pretty rough. I would settle for a Daniel Scott in the hopes that his physical tools translate with good, NFL-level coaching, but I don't have a ton of faith in that. If we can add a guy with legit, long-term starter potential, I think we've got to at least strongly consider it.

[arich35]

Seahawks took Witherspoon, they are going to have a pretty good secondary

[CrimsonCrew]

Basically the movie Draft Day around here, with Houston making the second and third pick. Wild. Got a good player, but at a heck of a price for a non-QB. Granted 33 has reduced value in this relatively weak draft.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Devon Witherspoon was probably my favorite player in this entire draft. The Seahawks just got themselves yet another perennial pro bowler. A perfect landing spot for Devon and a nightmarish situation for us.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

What the heck was Tyree Wilson wearing?

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Ran through a few mock draft simulations today. Got to say, one of the big takeaways - even though I think it is unlikely for this FO - is that I kind of like going FS in the third. There are several intriguing guys who often make it to the end of the third in Quan Martin, Ji'Ayir Brown, and Sydney Brown. The quality of guy in the fifth round is pretty rough. I would settle for a Daniel Scott in the hopes that his physical tools translate with good, NFL-level coaching, but I don't have a ton of faith in that. If we can add a guy with legit, long-term starter potential, I think we've got to at least strongly consider it.

I don’t like not one of those prospects you’ve listed. Perhaps Quan Martin. I’d rather go with Antonio Johnson or Brandon Joseph. Skinner is going somewhere in the second so I don’t think we have a shot at him.

[CrimsonCrew]

Eagles are definitely jumping the bears to take Jalen Carter. Brutal.

[CrimsonCrew]

Ran through a few mock draft simulations today. Got to say, one of the big takeaways - even though I think it is unlikely for this FO - is that I kind of like going FS in the third. There are several intriguing guys who often make it to the end of the third in Quan Martin, Ji'Ayir Brown, and Sydney Brown. The quality of guy in the fifth round is pretty rough. I would settle for a Daniel Scott in the hopes that his physical tools translate with good, NFL-level coaching, but I don't have a ton of faith in that. If we can add a guy with legit, long-term starter potential, I think we've got to at least strongly consider it.

I don’t like not one of those prospects you’ve listed. Perhaps Quan Martin. I’d rather go with Antonio Johnson or Brandon Joseph. Skinner is going somewhere in the second so I don’t think we have a shot at him.

Haha. Fair enough. As usual, I have done absolutely no actual scouting of these players, and I'm basing my judgment almost entirely on what I have read or heard on podcasts.

[CrimsonCrew]

Carter comes with some risk, but huge upside, and goes into about as stable of a situation as he could have.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Bears made a mistake not drafting Jalen Carter.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Great pick by the Lions

[arich35]

God I hate this draft from Seattle for us

[CrimsonCrew]

Are the eagles going to snap up Joey Porter Jr., too?

[CrimsonCrew]

Or Nolan Smith. Man, they are not messing around on that DL.

[clyde21]

haven't followed the drafts as closely in recent years but these last few drafts have seemed especially weak to me just from the outside looking in