Wide reciever no longer first priority

By Mike Young  |   Tuesday, March 18, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

San Francisco 49ers
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Does the addition of wide out Bryant Johnson from the Arizona Cardinals change the 49ers 2008 draft plans?

Most experts had San Francisco taking a receiver with the 29th pick in the first round before the pickup. By cutting Darrel Jackson and signing Johnson on the same day, the next move is not as obvious as it once was.

With Mike Martz taking over the play calling duties and considering his affinity for four and five wide receiver sets, the 49ers still need more depth and top-end talent at the position. The addition of Bryant just pushes the priority into the second round.

The team’s stable of receivers now includes Johnson, Isaac Bruce (who won’t wear No. 80), Arnaz Battle, Ashley Lelie, Jason Hill, and practice squad guys C.J. Brewer, Dominique Zeigler and Jerard Rabb.

The top four are respectable, with Johnson itching to show he can be a game changer in the NFL and the 49ers betting his career is on the upswing after playing behind Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Bruce still has gas left in the tank, Battle is a solid third or fourth option and Martz should be able to revive Lelie’s dormant career if a history of success with small, fast guys repeats itself.

More than the existing talent on the team, the lack of it in the late first round should have the 49ers looking at the offensive line or trying fill a spot at linebacker. Mario Manningham, James Hardy, and Early Doucet all have big question marks and at least one of the three should be available in the second round.

Protecting Alex Smith, or whoever wins the quarterback job, should be the top priority now, and Gosder Cherilus out of Boston College looks like the best offensive tackle that will be on the board. Coming to the 49ers will allow Cherilus to move back to his natural positional at right tackle and give the team a shot to audition Joe Staley on the left side of the line.

Other names that should be on fans’ radar include offensive tackle Sam Baker out of USC and defensive end Quentin Groves out of Auburn. Baker is a proven beast on the line and was the only the third player in USC history to be named a three-time All American first team selection. His rib and hamstring injuries hampered him in 2007 causing his stock to fall, but the 6-foot-5-inch, 312-pound bruiser could be a steal late in the first round. Groves, with his ability to work in space and smaller frame, projects as a great fit for the rush linebacker spot in an NFL 3-4 defense.

A ton of other names could be on the 49ers list and the developing Takeo Spikes siutation may change team needs further, but no matter what else happens, offensive line has become draft priority No. 1.
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