Reviewing the 49ers Draft

Why review only one team?  Because it's my blog, this is the team I love, and looking at 32 teams picking about 7 players each is too much work.  I'm also calling it a review rather than a grade because we really won't know how well teams drafted until these rookie hit the field.

49ers Draft

Round 1: A.J. Jenkins WR, Illinois

I liked Jenkins as a prospect watching him in pre-draft footage.  He was productive at Illinois notching over 90 catches last year as opposed to the 29 catches the more flashy prospect Stephen Hill compiled.  Jenkins was also a bit of a combine freak, running a 4.37 40 yard dash.  Jenkins is a sudden athlete with good size just over 6 foot.  The only gripe I have about this pick is that perhaps the Niners could have moved back 5-10 spots and still gotten him, though this is the man they wanted all along.

Round 2: LaMichael James RB, Oregon

James is a good pick from the standpoint that he can help what was a plodding offense get some explosive plays, but I'm not sure he meets much of a need.  In a backfield with Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, and Brandon Jacobs, a second round pick seems high for James.  Maybe the writing is on the wall for older backs Gore and Jacobs, or maybe Harbaugh and GM Trent Balke simply think they can get James the ball 7-10 times a game and he will make an impact.

Round 4: Joe Looney OG, Wake Forest

Looney fits a major need with guard Adam Snyder leaving for the Cardinals.  Looney should provide competition for last year's late round pick Daniel Kilgore for the starting right guard spot, though I think perhaps the Niners could have addressed this position earlier.  Looney is known as a technician with good strength who has the intelligence to assimilate quickly to the NFL.

Round 5: Darius Flemming OLB, Notre Dame

Flemming is a pure pass rusher, and he's good at it.  Parys Haralson, Aldon Smith, and Ahmad Brooks are still going to be the main rotational guys at outside linebacker, but Flemming will come in when there is no doubt it's a passing situation.  He adds versatility to the Niners, and should be deployed on the 49ers tremendous special teams unit as a new weapon.

Round 6: Trent Robinson S, Michigan State

Robinson is a good overall athlete who started for three years at a big-time program and he fits a position of need.  Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner are an excellent duo of starters but there isn't much in the way of depth behind them, hopefully Robinson can win the third safety spot.

Round 6: Jason Slowey C, Western Oregon

The Niners under Trent Balke have continually stockpiled young offensive lineman and built that unit through the draft.  Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati have turned into starters (Iupati is exceptional, Davis is growing).  Daniel Kilgore is going to battle for a guard spot with Looney, and Slowey may prove to be an eventual replacement for Jonathan Goodwin.  Slowey is not a very good athlete, but he's strong and can move people in the run game.

Round 7: Cam Johnson DE, Virginia

Johnson had a fourth round grade from a lot of scouts because he is a good athlete with strength, who moves well for being 270 pounds.  I think he projects as a situational pass rusher and might just be big enough to play a little defensive end in the 49ers 3-4.

Summary:

I Liked: Because of some of the maneuvering the 49ers did in this draft they have a whopping 13 picks in next year's draft, which can't be overlooked.  I liked how San Fran focused on continuing to add playmakers to an offense that sorely lacked them last year.  The receiving group now consists of Michael Crabtree, Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, and A.J. Jenkins, along with star tight end Vernon Davis.  The Backfield boasts pro-bowler Gore, the promising Hunter, the bruiser Jacobs, and the potentially electrifying LaMichael James.  Alex Smith should logically be able to build on the best season of his career with another year under a great offensive system, and the talent around him growing exponentially.  Looney is a key to this draft class, if he can come in and push Kilgore or even steal the starting spot, then the 49ers offensive line could really gel into an elite unit.  Iupati and Joe Staley are stars are there positions, and Anthony Davis could grow into one.  Darius Fleming and Cam Johnson add some athleticism, depth, and potentially some pass rush to the front 7 which is already vicious, and Robinson may help shore up secondary depth.  Slowey is a solid pick if he can be a good backup for Goodwin.

I Didn't Like: Jenkins might have been had later in the draft, and the Niners could have accrued more picks by moving back.  James is an explosive player, and the offense needs help, but not really at the running back spot. I think picking a guard in the second or even first round would have addressed the biggest need. The 49ers defensive front 3 is excellent with Justin Smith, Isaac Sopoaga, and Ray McDonald but there is very little depth behind those players and not much was added in this draft.  Carlos Rogers was re-signed, Tarell Brown and Chris Culliver are promising corners and Tramaine Brock and Parrish Cox are good athletes who can compete over the 4th corner spot.  Still, another good cover man was a need in my opinion, and the Niners got nobody to compete for playing time at that position.

Overall:  The 49ers are going to have a much more talented offense that's hitting its groove in year number two of the Harbaugh regime.  The best defense in the league is all back from last year, and some potential depth was added in the draft.  Special Teams is still in tact with David Akers, Andy Lee, and Ted Ginn all back, and I expect a lot of these rookies to become contributors to the dynamic special teams unit for San Francisco.