Special thanks to the 49er "Staff" for making this an easy post/blog for me. Keep this in mind too, rookies never make a huge impact upon entering the NFL, small contributions at most. There are a couple rookies across the NFL that will be Pro-Bowlers or ROY contenders but they won't immediately or all contribute the way the "49er Staff" and Baalke seem to think their picks will. Baalke reached A TON this draft, but not surprised at all. Here's your full breakdown..
PS- Apologize for the delay, starting a new job soon, so wheels have been turning elsewhere from Honer Sports.
PS- Apologize for the delay, starting a new job soon, so wheels have been turning elsewhere from Honer Sports.
Round 1 Pick 7
DeForest Buckner - DE - 6'7 - Oregon
Trent Baalke: "(He's) an awfully good football player, excellent fit, high-character guy. Great working knowledge of him - simply our current coaches recruited him, know him well and know his family well. A guy that plays a high percentage of downs at the collegiate level.”
Buckner: "I’m really aggressive. I like to use my hands a lot in the pass-rush game. I also really like to use a lot of power in my game too, but also at the same time when guys expect power I’m using my athleticism, because I’m pretty athletic for my size and using speed with my hands.”
NFL.com Analysis: "Buckner has the body type of a classic 3-4 defensive end who can control the point of attack with length and power, but he has above average pass-rush potential for that position."
El Mijo: The Santa Clara Ducks, how's that sound? While it may sound good to Oregon fans and Jed York, regular 49er fans like myself, should be skeptical about inquiring all these football guys from a school that still hasn't won a national championship. The school aside, Buckner is an athletic, best player available kind of guy but not one we needed all that much. Our need at CB, Offensive Line and Linebacker seemed like more of a need that Defensive End but w/e. A safe pick that nobody would really give Baalke shit for and Chip Kelly can have a guy he recruited while at Oregon. Yay...
DeForest Buckner - DE - 6'7 - Oregon
Trent Baalke: "(He's) an awfully good football player, excellent fit, high-character guy. Great working knowledge of him - simply our current coaches recruited him, know him well and know his family well. A guy that plays a high percentage of downs at the collegiate level.”
Buckner: "I’m really aggressive. I like to use my hands a lot in the pass-rush game. I also really like to use a lot of power in my game too, but also at the same time when guys expect power I’m using my athleticism, because I’m pretty athletic for my size and using speed with my hands.”
NFL.com Analysis: "Buckner has the body type of a classic 3-4 defensive end who can control the point of attack with length and power, but he has above average pass-rush potential for that position."
El Mijo: The Santa Clara Ducks, how's that sound? While it may sound good to Oregon fans and Jed York, regular 49er fans like myself, should be skeptical about inquiring all these football guys from a school that still hasn't won a national championship. The school aside, Buckner is an athletic, best player available kind of guy but not one we needed all that much. Our need at CB, Offensive Line and Linebacker seemed like more of a need that Defensive End but w/e. A safe pick that nobody would really give Baalke shit for and Chip Kelly can have a guy he recruited while at Oregon. Yay...
Round 1 Pick 28
Joshua Garnett - G - 6'5 - Stanford
Baalke: "Very talented. You watch, another high-character guy, another senior, guy that went through the whole process. So there’s just a lot of things to like and a great fit. We’ve said all along, we want to run the football and he, in our mind, was the best run-blocking offensive linemen, interior guy in the entire draft.”
Garnett: “I’m going to have my notebook and my hard hat on, and I’m going to keep learning and learning as much as I can and soak up as much as I can so I can do whatever it takes to contribute to the team’s success.”
NFL.com's Analysis: “Team captain. Very good hand placement, upper-body strength and hip torque to steer and turn opponent on hook blocks. Generates good power from legs and hips. Block winner in tight space near goal line. Takes good angles to second-level block to make up for his lack of athleticism."
El Mijo: So we trade into the first round and take a guy who was dominate in college as a Left Guard. Didn't we just go bonkers in free agency and only acquire Zane Beadles to do just that? So now we are most likely going to move Garnett to a new position next to Billy Zane Beadles, which now begs this question...Why did we give up a pick and trade up back into the first round to draft a guy that won't be playing his natural position? The Niners reach, that's why. Our QB is still toast behind this porous offensive line next season.
Joshua Garnett - G - 6'5 - Stanford
Baalke: "Very talented. You watch, another high-character guy, another senior, guy that went through the whole process. So there’s just a lot of things to like and a great fit. We’ve said all along, we want to run the football and he, in our mind, was the best run-blocking offensive linemen, interior guy in the entire draft.”
Garnett: “I’m going to have my notebook and my hard hat on, and I’m going to keep learning and learning as much as I can and soak up as much as I can so I can do whatever it takes to contribute to the team’s success.”
NFL.com's Analysis: “Team captain. Very good hand placement, upper-body strength and hip torque to steer and turn opponent on hook blocks. Generates good power from legs and hips. Block winner in tight space near goal line. Takes good angles to second-level block to make up for his lack of athleticism."
El Mijo: So we trade into the first round and take a guy who was dominate in college as a Left Guard. Didn't we just go bonkers in free agency and only acquire Zane Beadles to do just that? So now we are most likely going to move Garnett to a new position next to Billy Zane Beadles, which now begs this question...Why did we give up a pick and trade up back into the first round to draft a guy that won't be playing his natural position? The Niners reach, that's why. Our QB is still toast behind this porous offensive line next season.
Round 3 Pick 68
Will Remond - CB - 6'0 - Miss. St
Baalke: “This was the highest-rated young man on the board (at the time). We felt very comfortable with him at a position where we wanted to add some more competition. You can never have enough cover guys. Sixty-seven percent of what you do in this game is nickel and dime.”
Redmond: “I would say I’m an explosive guy, fast. I always want to make plays."
NFL.com Analysis "Plays with desired twitch and foot quickness. Has the physical tools to match up in tight, man coverage and mirror receiver with quality pattern recognition. Has burst to close out throws quickly and challenge the catch. Aggressive and determined in run support. Unafraid to step downhill challenge the run on his terms and near the line of scrimmage.”
El Mijo: Bingo! There it finally is! Baalke's stereotypical ACL-injury sleeper pick! Too bad these picks are still asleep and now we have used a 3rd Round pick on a guy who can't even play tomorrow if he absolutely had to. The 49ers will be lucky to have him by training camp, all healthy and ready to go. The "49ers Staff" didn't think an ACL injury was relevant info. Draft is going well so far..
Will Remond - CB - 6'0 - Miss. St
Baalke: “This was the highest-rated young man on the board (at the time). We felt very comfortable with him at a position where we wanted to add some more competition. You can never have enough cover guys. Sixty-seven percent of what you do in this game is nickel and dime.”
Redmond: “I would say I’m an explosive guy, fast. I always want to make plays."
NFL.com Analysis "Plays with desired twitch and foot quickness. Has the physical tools to match up in tight, man coverage and mirror receiver with quality pattern recognition. Has burst to close out throws quickly and challenge the catch. Aggressive and determined in run support. Unafraid to step downhill challenge the run on his terms and near the line of scrimmage.”
El Mijo: Bingo! There it finally is! Baalke's stereotypical ACL-injury sleeper pick! Too bad these picks are still asleep and now we have used a 3rd Round pick on a guy who can't even play tomorrow if he absolutely had to. The 49ers will be lucky to have him by training camp, all healthy and ready to go. The "49ers Staff" didn't think an ACL injury was relevant info. Draft is going well so far..
Round 4 Pick 133
Rashard Robinson - CB - LSU
Baalke: "Heck-of-a talent. We did a lot of research, did our homework. We actually have a strength coach on staff with us that’s from LSU, that worked with him when he was younger and knew him very well.”
Robinson: "I play both sides of the ball. I’m an aggressive player, and just have a high energy for it. I like to compete. I love to compete, and I just want to dominate every time. I’m just trying to be a great competitor and a great pro.”
NFL.com Analysis:"Tremendously-long athlete with cover skills to blanket his target in press-man. Recovery speed allows him to sit on short and intermediate routes. Can flip hips and accelerate with his man down the field. Smooth change of speed to mirror double movers."
El Mijo: Don't let these comments above fool you, either. Another reach by Baalke for a boom or bust kind of guy. Robinson had bad grades at LSU, then couldn't get back on the team after getting in trouble for breaking into one of the LSU QB's dorm room. Robinson essentially hasn't played a down of football for the past 18 months. Yay...
Rashard Robinson - CB - LSU
Baalke: "Heck-of-a talent. We did a lot of research, did our homework. We actually have a strength coach on staff with us that’s from LSU, that worked with him when he was younger and knew him very well.”
Robinson: "I play both sides of the ball. I’m an aggressive player, and just have a high energy for it. I like to compete. I love to compete, and I just want to dominate every time. I’m just trying to be a great competitor and a great pro.”
NFL.com Analysis:"Tremendously-long athlete with cover skills to blanket his target in press-man. Recovery speed allows him to sit on short and intermediate routes. Can flip hips and accelerate with his man down the field. Smooth change of speed to mirror double movers."
El Mijo: Don't let these comments above fool you, either. Another reach by Baalke for a boom or bust kind of guy. Robinson had bad grades at LSU, then couldn't get back on the team after getting in trouble for breaking into one of the LSU QB's dorm room. Robinson essentially hasn't played a down of football for the past 18 months. Yay...
Round 5 Pick 142
Ronald Blair - DE - Appalachian St.
Baalke: "We look at him as a guy that can come in and move across the line of scrimmage, especially in the nickel package and really line up at all four positions. He’s a guy that gives you some versatility. He’s a high producer at his level of play. A great young man, A-plus guy and A-plus worker.”
Blair: "To go to a great organization like San Francisco with all they've done in the history and all they're trying to do right now, I'm just grateful to even have an opportunity to put on those colors. I'm just thankful."
NFL.com Analysis: "His coaches rave about his leadership and work in the film room. Good lateral quickness with his feet and is very effective as a pass rusher in twists up front. Accelerates down the line to squeeze cutback lanes against the run."
El Mijo: Another DE..this is kinda the trend now for the 49ers. Still haven't pick any players at a skill position like an RB or a WR. This kid Blair actually could be our best pick-up, I like him a lot but if he turns out to be better than Armstead or Buckner, than we wasted two first round picks in consecutive years.
Ronald Blair - DE - Appalachian St.
Baalke: "We look at him as a guy that can come in and move across the line of scrimmage, especially in the nickel package and really line up at all four positions. He’s a guy that gives you some versatility. He’s a high producer at his level of play. A great young man, A-plus guy and A-plus worker.”
Blair: "To go to a great organization like San Francisco with all they've done in the history and all they're trying to do right now, I'm just grateful to even have an opportunity to put on those colors. I'm just thankful."
NFL.com Analysis: "His coaches rave about his leadership and work in the film room. Good lateral quickness with his feet and is very effective as a pass rusher in twists up front. Accelerates down the line to squeeze cutback lanes against the run."
El Mijo: Another DE..this is kinda the trend now for the 49ers. Still haven't pick any players at a skill position like an RB or a WR. This kid Blair actually could be our best pick-up, I like him a lot but if he turns out to be better than Armstead or Buckner, than we wasted two first round picks in consecutive years.
Round 5 Pick 145
John Theus - OT - Georgia
Baalke: "John's a 48-game starter in the SEC. ... He’s played left tackle, right tackle, he’s also lined up at guard. The versatility is something you’re looking for.”
Theus: "I’m the type of guy that can get in and bust my butt and work and play for a very long time. It’s what I’ve done my whole life, and I want to be the best I can be. I know that this coaching staff will help me get there.”
NFL.com Analysis: "Reliable and consistent. Full-time starter for three of his four years at Georgia. Good height with arm length that meets the NFL standards. Plays with pretty good hand quickness and has a well-timed punch with some pop behind it."
El Mijo: Those of you who know what my buddy Tyler "Tex" Worthley looks like, this guy is a spitting image. Finally addressing the right side of the line in the 5th round, look for Theus to start competing against Baalke's golden child in Trent Brown at the start of camp. Since he looks like my friend, I have no problem rooting for him and being OK with this pick.
John Theus - OT - Georgia
Baalke: "John's a 48-game starter in the SEC. ... He’s played left tackle, right tackle, he’s also lined up at guard. The versatility is something you’re looking for.”
Theus: "I’m the type of guy that can get in and bust my butt and work and play for a very long time. It’s what I’ve done my whole life, and I want to be the best I can be. I know that this coaching staff will help me get there.”
NFL.com Analysis: "Reliable and consistent. Full-time starter for three of his four years at Georgia. Good height with arm length that meets the NFL standards. Plays with pretty good hand quickness and has a well-timed punch with some pop behind it."
El Mijo: Those of you who know what my buddy Tyler "Tex" Worthley looks like, this guy is a spitting image. Finally addressing the right side of the line in the 5th round, look for Theus to start competing against Baalke's golden child in Trent Brown at the start of camp. Since he looks like my friend, I have no problem rooting for him and being OK with this pick.
Round 5 Pick 174
Fahn Cooper - OT - Ole Miss
Baalke: "He’s played inside. He’s played outside. So the versatility at that point in the draft, that’s hard to find, guys that have multi-aligned and played as much football as they’ve played.”
Cooper: "I’ve really just been trying to stay calm. My parents have been really, really excited and really emotional. I’m looking forward to the opportunity. I’m looking forward to working hard with my new teammates. I’m ready to accept the call.”
NFL.com Analysis: "Shows toughness in his approach and won’t back down from a physical challenge. Has the length to land an early punch on pass rushers and the big paws to snatch and ride a second-level linebacker if he gets into them squarely."
El Mijo: Another OT taken, this pretty much puts an end to the Anthony Davis era in Santa Clara. Maybe if Davis played for another football team, his one year "rest/retirement" could've worked smoothly, but not when the team is run by Jed York/Trent Baalke. As for Cooper, w/e, has decent size and comes from the SEC. Not jazzed about two 5th round tackle's from this year's draft competing against a 7th round pick in Trent Brown for a starting spot but that's seriously where the offensive line is right now. It's a BAD ONE.
Fahn Cooper - OT - Ole Miss
Baalke: "He’s played inside. He’s played outside. So the versatility at that point in the draft, that’s hard to find, guys that have multi-aligned and played as much football as they’ve played.”
Cooper: "I’ve really just been trying to stay calm. My parents have been really, really excited and really emotional. I’m looking forward to the opportunity. I’m looking forward to working hard with my new teammates. I’m ready to accept the call.”
NFL.com Analysis: "Shows toughness in his approach and won’t back down from a physical challenge. Has the length to land an early punch on pass rushers and the big paws to snatch and ride a second-level linebacker if he gets into them squarely."
El Mijo: Another OT taken, this pretty much puts an end to the Anthony Davis era in Santa Clara. Maybe if Davis played for another football team, his one year "rest/retirement" could've worked smoothly, but not when the team is run by Jed York/Trent Baalke. As for Cooper, w/e, has decent size and comes from the SEC. Not jazzed about two 5th round tackle's from this year's draft competing against a 7th round pick in Trent Brown for a starting spot but that's seriously where the offensive line is right now. It's a BAD ONE.
Round 6 Pick 207
Jeff Driskel - QB - Louisiana Tech
Baalke: “Heck-of-an-athlete. You look at the numbers, he’s a young man that’s over 6-4. He’s 237 pounds. He ran sub-4.5. Just a tremendous athlete that’s played at two high-caliber programs. There’s a lot to work with there.”
Driskel: “I haven’t had a ton of communication out there, but I’ve always hoped in the back of my mind that I would end up there just because of the offense and the scheme that they run out there with coach (Chip) Kelly, and I know it would be a great landing spot for myself. I’m really excited about the pick.”
NFL.com Analysis: "Prototypical build and athleticism. ... Possesses arm strength and pace on his throws to challenge play-making cornerbacks in man and instinctive linebackers in zone. Can get ball out quickly with the flick of his wrist."
El Mijo: There's the QB we finally picked. I honestly had no idea this guy was on our radar, but I guess his size and strength was a fit for a Chip-system. There's only one successful 6th round QB that you've heard of and his name is Tom Brady. Did we get a Tom Brady? No, we likely did not. What we did get was a 5th QB to put on our roster. This likely means bye-bye to 3rd-stringers Dylan Thompson and Thad Lewis. Camp is going to start with Gabbert/Kaep competing for the the #1, Driskel will be on the practice squad and serve as third string.
Jeff Driskel - QB - Louisiana Tech
Baalke: “Heck-of-an-athlete. You look at the numbers, he’s a young man that’s over 6-4. He’s 237 pounds. He ran sub-4.5. Just a tremendous athlete that’s played at two high-caliber programs. There’s a lot to work with there.”
Driskel: “I haven’t had a ton of communication out there, but I’ve always hoped in the back of my mind that I would end up there just because of the offense and the scheme that they run out there with coach (Chip) Kelly, and I know it would be a great landing spot for myself. I’m really excited about the pick.”
NFL.com Analysis: "Prototypical build and athleticism. ... Possesses arm strength and pace on his throws to challenge play-making cornerbacks in man and instinctive linebackers in zone. Can get ball out quickly with the flick of his wrist."
El Mijo: There's the QB we finally picked. I honestly had no idea this guy was on our radar, but I guess his size and strength was a fit for a Chip-system. There's only one successful 6th round QB that you've heard of and his name is Tom Brady. Did we get a Tom Brady? No, we likely did not. What we did get was a 5th QB to put on our roster. This likely means bye-bye to 3rd-stringers Dylan Thompson and Thad Lewis. Camp is going to start with Gabbert/Kaep competing for the the #1, Driskel will be on the practice squad and serve as third string.
Round 6 Pick 221
Kelvin Taylor - RB - Florida
Baalke: “He’s aggressive. He gets on top of the defense quickly. He doesn’t have great long speed, he’s got competitive long speed. But, he can string cuts together. And running backs that can string cuts together and their feet match their eyes."
Taylor: “I feel like I’m a great back, and I just feel like I’m a 'back who can do it all. I feel like I’m an every down 'back. I’m just ready to get out there in camp and ready to start making plays, and I’m just very thankful and blessed for this opportunity.”
NFL.com Analysis: "Plays the game with advanced understanding of an NFL player's son. Able to find additional yardage on his own with vision and outstanding lateral agility. Sweeping jump cut eludes sudden roadblocks."
El Mijo: Son of Fred Taylor, Kelvin will get some handoffs this season but not many. He's a quick, power runner but didn't catch a lot of passes out of the backfield last season at Florida. You'd think Baalke would want some athleticism at RB for Chip but he seems content with Hyde and his slew of misfits serving as back-up, why not thrown Kelvin on the pile?
Kelvin Taylor - RB - Florida
Baalke: “He’s aggressive. He gets on top of the defense quickly. He doesn’t have great long speed, he’s got competitive long speed. But, he can string cuts together. And running backs that can string cuts together and their feet match their eyes."
Taylor: “I feel like I’m a great back, and I just feel like I’m a 'back who can do it all. I feel like I’m an every down 'back. I’m just ready to get out there in camp and ready to start making plays, and I’m just very thankful and blessed for this opportunity.”
NFL.com Analysis: "Plays the game with advanced understanding of an NFL player's son. Able to find additional yardage on his own with vision and outstanding lateral agility. Sweeping jump cut eludes sudden roadblocks."
El Mijo: Son of Fred Taylor, Kelvin will get some handoffs this season but not many. He's a quick, power runner but didn't catch a lot of passes out of the backfield last season at Florida. You'd think Baalke would want some athleticism at RB for Chip but he seems content with Hyde and his slew of misfits serving as back-up, why not thrown Kelvin on the pile?
Round 6 Pick 213
Aaron Burbridge - WR - Michigan St.
Baalke: "Productive. Tough. Excellent hands. Wins the majority of contested balls that he’s in, or contested situations, I should say. A lot to like, he’s a competitive young man."
Burbridge: "I bring heart. A lot of people feel like I’m not athletic or I’m not big enough, but I play the game, I love this game so I play with heart. I make plays. I’m not as big as most receivers, but I play big just like them. So I feel I can make plays and be very productive.”
NFL.com Analysis:"Has the body control and in-air athleticism to contort and come down with spectacular catches. Able to drop down and secure low throws and extend beyond his frame for diving catches left or right. At his best breaking off routes with suddenness and opening quickly for timing throws."
El Mijo: Let's hope we got ourselves a spartan that's a Draymond Green and not a Keith Appling. Burbridge will likely have some massive Boldin-size shoes to fill, hopefully he gets taken under the Green wing and can become a nice late round fantasy football pick for me come 2017, just like he was this year.
Aaron Burbridge - WR - Michigan St.
Baalke: "Productive. Tough. Excellent hands. Wins the majority of contested balls that he’s in, or contested situations, I should say. A lot to like, he’s a competitive young man."
Burbridge: "I bring heart. A lot of people feel like I’m not athletic or I’m not big enough, but I play the game, I love this game so I play with heart. I make plays. I’m not as big as most receivers, but I play big just like them. So I feel I can make plays and be very productive.”
NFL.com Analysis:"Has the body control and in-air athleticism to contort and come down with spectacular catches. Able to drop down and secure low throws and extend beyond his frame for diving catches left or right. At his best breaking off routes with suddenness and opening quickly for timing throws."
El Mijo: Let's hope we got ourselves a spartan that's a Draymond Green and not a Keith Appling. Burbridge will likely have some massive Boldin-size shoes to fill, hopefully he gets taken under the Green wing and can become a nice late round fantasy football pick for me come 2017, just like he was this year.
Round 7 Pick 249
Prince Charles Iworah
Baalke: "He’s a talented young man that can really run. He’s going to come in here just like the rest of them and compete. He has blue traits in his body, physically; run, jump, change direction, he can do all those things."
Iworah: "We established something. We paved the way for Western Kentucky, and they need to take that serious. When you put that helmet on, it's serious business. It's not something to be cool about. It's who we are and what we are."
NFL.com Analysis: "Has bouncy feet and brings necessary reactive quickness to position. Has twitch and acceleration out of breaks to chase the rabbit. Explosive athlete. Showed off blazing recovery speed at his pro day. Played with an understanding of body positioning versus vertical routes.”
El Mijo: His 3.32 40yd and other combine stats are impressive but that's about it. Iworah is a raw-talent defensive player, playing for a offensive-minded team. Not a lot of hope for a 7th rounder but who knows? He could make a couple plays then be used as leverage against Kenneth Acker if he starts to piss off Baalke.
Prince Charles Iworah
Baalke: "He’s a talented young man that can really run. He’s going to come in here just like the rest of them and compete. He has blue traits in his body, physically; run, jump, change direction, he can do all those things."
Iworah: "We established something. We paved the way for Western Kentucky, and they need to take that serious. When you put that helmet on, it's serious business. It's not something to be cool about. It's who we are and what we are."
NFL.com Analysis: "Has bouncy feet and brings necessary reactive quickness to position. Has twitch and acceleration out of breaks to chase the rabbit. Explosive athlete. Showed off blazing recovery speed at his pro day. Played with an understanding of body positioning versus vertical routes.”
El Mijo: His 3.32 40yd and other combine stats are impressive but that's about it. Iworah is a raw-talent defensive player, playing for a offensive-minded team. Not a lot of hope for a 7th rounder but who knows? He could make a couple plays then be used as leverage against Kenneth Acker if he starts to piss off Baalke.