Harry Palmer wrote:Hey Jeff-
What's your take on the Niners draft? Do they deserve the praise they're getting?
I'm a little surprised they didn't pay it forward more, but Baalke said the phones were quieter than usual in that respect, but all in all I think the Niners killed it. Reid wasn't my guy at safety, but if he was theirs, and it sounds like he was, then I am happy overall. Everyone is talking about the medical guys as big time steals, but I really like Lemonier and Patton. I think Lemonier projects better at 3-4 olb than he did at DE, and could really come on in a defense where others guys are accounted for first and I think Patton is just one of those natural receivers who don't have anything that jumps out at you in isolation, but put together comes out NFL wide receiver.
They think Carradine can easily add 15 or so pounds, which answers my initial tweener concern.
Dalbi's earlier concern about covering the quicker wr's remains, though. We don't really have a burner in the backfield, and will have to go scheme to cover them, which could lead to problems, imo.
Also, last question, this super freak out of London they signed, what are your impressions? Harbaugh seems to be in love.
I hate the Reid pick, really liked most of the rest. No way in hell Eric Reid is the 18th best player in this draft. He wasn't a top two safety on most team boards; they traded up out of worrying the Rams were going to get him. I've heard that the Niners taking him there made the Rams even more interested in trading back, which they did with Atlanta and took Alec Ogletree, who is a great foil for Kaepernick. So in a way trading up to reach on Reid might have even made a viable challenger even better-suited to beat them. The Rams were not going to take Ogletree at 22.
Carradine is someone who will really pay off after next year. I really hope they don't rush him and they let him fully recover. I absolutely think he can play in their 3-4. His performance vs. Duke last year was the single most impressive individual defensive game I saw all year.
I like how Vance McDonald fits, he's a good player. Won't do much early but he can stretch the seam and he knows how to block in space. Patton is grand theft larceny from a talent standpoint but too many trustworthy people tipped me off that his hyper-confident attitude was going to hurt him. Here's hoping he gets the reality check because he is an ideal #2 NFL wideout. Reminds me a lot of a slightly slower Greg Jennings.
I'm not a Lemonier fan but SF gives him his best chance to succeed, as a situational stand-up edge rusher. Most of what's wrong with him is coachable to some extent and he's got the body for it.
I'm with you in wondering why they didn't trade more of the picks, because none of the rest of the guys--including Lattimore--figure to make the team in 2013. Not sure that anyone after Dial will even make the practice squad. BJ Daniels getting picked actually drew snickers from many draftniks on Twitter; most of us didn't even bother to properly evaluate him, myself included. Maybe Harbaugh proves us wrong.
Lawrence Okoye has never put on football pads. He's 3 years behind Ziggy Ansah in that regard, but he's also 3 years younger. 6'6", 281 pounds that moves like that is going to get attention. I actually also like UDFA signee MarQuies Gray as a developmental prospect. Both should stick on the practice squad if they show anything at all.