Loss of own first-rounder not a bad deal for 49ers

By Chris Cluff  |   Tuesday, April 22, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

San Francisco 49ers
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
When the San Francisco 49ers traded back into the first round last April to draft tackle Joe Staley, it looked like a good move. The 49ers had to give the New England Patriots their 2008 first-round pick, but most people figured that selection would be fairly low because the Niners were considered playoff contenders as they entered 2007.

So much for that idea. The 49ers failed to meet the expectations that had been set by a strong 2006 finish and an excellent offseason, and the pick they sent to the Patriots turned into the seventh overall – a gift for the Patriots, who had to forfeit their own first-round pick this year. At that point, it suddenly looked like the 49ers got the bad end of the deal.

But did they really?

In the end, the 49ers might actually have put themselves in a better position because they managed to cover themselves by re-acquiring a first-round pick (it turned out to be the 29th) when the Indianapolis Colts traded up in the second round.

The 49ers should probably be happy they are not in the top 10 – a spot that has increasingly become less cost efficient. Rather than gamble on a player they would have to guarantee almost $20 million to sign, the 49ers can save some cash – as much as $14 million -- while playing it a lot safer at the bottom of the first round and still getting someone who will contribute.

So the question becomes: Where might they go with that 29th pick? The general consensus has been narrowed to three positions: linebacker, wide receiver and offensive line.

The 49ers would seem to have plenty of young linebackers. That unit is headed by Patrick Willis, who was a superstar as a rookie, and the 49ers also will regain the services of 2006 first-round pick Manny Lawson, who missed the final 14 games last season with a torn ACL. The 49ers also have Tully Banta-Cain, Brandon Moore and Dontarrious Thomas. But some mock drafts still think the 49ers might take Tennessee’s Jerod Mayo or Auburn’s Quentin Groves – either of whom probably would start from Day 1.

More pressing needs exist at receiver and on the line. Even though the 49ers added Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson, they certainly could use a young pass catcher to develop alongside 2007 third-rounder Jason Hill. With Bruce aging and Johnson signed only for one season, receiver is certainly a need as the 49ers switch to Mike Martz’s pass-happy attack. The guys most mentioned as potential targets at that position are Indiana’s James Hardy, California’s DeSean Jackson, Michigan State’s Devin Thomas, LSU’s Early Doucet and Oklahoma’s Malcolm Kelly.

Probably the most likely position at No. 29 is on the line, where the best options seem to be USC tackle Sam Baker, Boston College tackle Gosder Cherilus and guard Branden Albert. The 49ers are expected to take a couple of linemen in this draft – perhaps two in the first four rounds – and one of those three could help immediately.

The 49ers also have a bit of a safety net with the 39th pick overall. With two picks in such close proximity, they should fill a couple of needs – e.g., lineman and receiver in that order.

No matter whom they draft with the 29th pick, at least the 49ers won’t have to pay a fortune to a top-10 pick and might actually end up in a better position than they would have been in had they not traded their first-round choice to the Patriots last year.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (1)

About Chris Cluff

Chris Cluff spent 10 years as an editor and sportswriter for The Seattle Times. He was a key figure in the newspaper's coverage of the Seahawks, particularly during their Super Bowl run in 2005. He also has written two books on the Seahawks: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Heart-Pounding,...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report