Is an OLB the target @#22?

[mrfuller8]

Just like everyone, I had thought that we moved up in the 1rst round to secure an OLB. However, look at the teams that we DID NOT move in front of. To be sure of “our guy” @ 22, we would have needed to jump in front of DAL. Also, no 3-4 OLB will be taken until pick 29 (after we pick).

This makes me think we moved up for: a cornerback/safety or DeAngelo????? That spot in the first just doesn’t make sense to me to move up for an OLB for our 3-4.

HOU
NO
TENN
NYJ
GB
SF
OAK
BUFF
DET
ARI
STL
CLE =3/4 olb possible
BALT
PHI
DEN
MIA
MINN
DAL =3/4 olb possible
SD =3/4 olb possible
KC
NE=3/4 olb possible
SF = ???????
TB = no
CIN = no
NYG = no
CHI = no
CAR = no
JAX = no
NYJ =3/4 olb possible
INDY = no
SEA = no
PITT =3/4 olb possible

What do you guys think, am I off base here?

[FantomFortyNiner]

Just like everyone, I had thought that we moved up in the 1rst round to secure an OLB. However, look at the teams that we DID NOT move in front of. To be sure of “our guy” @ 22, we would have needed to jump in front of DAL. Also, no 3-4 OLB will be taken until pick 29 (after we pick).

This makes me think we moved up for: a cornerback/safety or DeAngelo????? That spot in the first just doesn’t make sense to me to move up for an OLB for our 3-4.

HOU
NO
TENN
NYJ
GB
SF
OAK
BUFF
DET
ARI
STL
CLE =3/4 olb possible
BALT
PHI
DEN
MIA
MINN
DAL =3/4 olb possible
SD =3/4 olb possible
KC
NE=3/4 olb possible
SF = ???????
TB = no
CIN = no
NYG = no
CHI = no
CAR = no
JAX = no
NYJ =3/4 olb possible
INDY = no
SEA = no
PITT =3/4 olb possible

What do you guys think, am I off base here?

That's about right...I've been looking at the teams in front of us and i think that Lawson, Wimbley, Greenway, and maybe even Carpenter could be gone before we even get on the clock....I'm hopeful the Lawson falls to us but as i see it Dallas, San Diego, Kansas City, or New England are all considering Lawson. I just hope that one of the OLB is available. If not i think we go FS with Allen or Whitner. DeAngelo has an outside shot IF we pick up AJ Hawk with our sixth and DeAngelo is the BPA at 22.

[r0b81]

If all those LBS are gone that would suck, but hopefully a Good FS is there.

[Ace Matherton]

Cleveland and San Diego are very unlikely to take an olb with the needs they have. So that would leave the third best guy which would be right about where Lawson would fall, also Dallas is unlikely to be looking for a strict rushing OLB (which we seem to be targeting) with Ware already in place, I also dont see them taking an OLB with their pick. Either way the thinking is if all the backers are gone by our pick there will be a ton of DB's if the DB's are gone then there are a ton of LB's. We are in a perfect position to get an impact player at a need spot.
Also how do you say no 3-4 OLB will be taken till 29? Would that not mean we get the pick of the liter at 22?

[r0b81]

If Ngata and Wimbley are there at #12 I think the Browns would go with Ngata and the Chargers a few picks later would go with A Safety or Cb.

[Mr Spoons]

Also, don't forget, all those 4-3 teams might still take a "3-4" LB prospect because 3-4 guys can play in a 4-3. Wimbley might get taken as a situational pass rusher.

So we've not just skipped 3 3-4 picks (don't forget, the Jets pick in front of our old position at the top of Round 2), but jumped 15 picks where teams might take one of our guys, thereby significantly increasing the likelihood someone will be there for us.

[ManCans]

Yep, I think it's absolutely imperative we draft an OLB at #22, but I don't think we're necessarily targetting Lawson and Wimbley. I think we traded up in front of the Panthers to get Thomas Howard, who had combine numbers very similar to Manny Lawson. Howard spent most of his time at the Senior Bowl covering tight ends, which is something Wimbley and Lawson will probably struggle at for a while. Lawson is nearly 6'6" tall with very thin legs, and weighs about 240 pounds. He's going to have to bulk up, and he'll still probably be the tallest OLB in the NFL, which could work against him. Wimbley looked very stiff doing LB drills at his pro-day, which makes me think he may be a situational pass-rusher in the NFL.

I think we're looking for a guy who can come in and start right away at OLB. That means we're probably going to draft either Greenway, Carpenter, Sims, Ryans or Howard. I like Howard the best because he has the biggest upside of all those guys. You can't teach size and speed, and Howard has both. Everything else (leverage, tackling, pass-rushing...) can be taught.

[sandiegojoe]

We have a draft board for a reason. SUre it's possible all those teams will take LBs, but in reality, unlikely. THere's always surprises and maneuvering on draft day. If the LBs are going, we may feel compelled to maneuver oursleves.

It all depends on who we get with #6 too. If we take Davis, there is more of a need to grab an OLB, and we may have to do whatever is necessary to get one. We've got lots of optiopns at this point and lots of leverage with two first round picks. I wouldn't worry just yet. wait till half those guys are gone at pick 17 or so to worry.

[mrfuller8]

Cleveland and San Diego are very unlikely to take an olb with the needs they have. So that would leave the third best guy which would be right about where Lawson would fall, also Dallas is unlikely to be looking for a strict rushing OLB (which we seem to be targeting) with Ware already in place, I also dont see them taking an OLB with their pick. Either way the thinking is if all the backers are gone by our pick there will be a ton of DB's if the DB's are gone then there are a ton of LB's. We are in a perfect position to get an impact player at a need spot.

Clevland has a 34 year old OLB (McGinest)
SD had 2 of their linebackers arrested this week, and want to trade another
DAL (I think) would love to get greenway or carpenter to play opposite WARE
Some players will obviously drop, but we did the deal 10 days early (instead of when Denver was "on the clock") If we were trading for OLB it would make more sense to wait intil draft day. Especially consider the 3-4 teams picking right in front of us.

Also how do you say no 3-4 OLB will be taken till 29? Would that not mean we get the pick of the liter at 22?

I was thinking that we could have moved up to #29 and got the same OLB that we would have gotten @ #22. None of the 3-4 OLB will be take from 23-28. That's why I thought we may be looking at FS/CB.

Regardless whomever we select, the Niners will say THAT is the guy we had targeted all along..:unsure:

[76er]

There is a pretty exciting potential late rounder I recently heard about named Quince Holman from Northern Illinois. (used to live in Chicago so I learned to follow NIU...)

He was a first team All-MAC D-lineman who played mostly at tackle but is a more natural DE/OLB. The guy is quick, stronger, and escapable. He is also probably the best special teams guy available in the draft - he blocked 4 kicks last season - 2 against Michigan!!! Any late rounder better be able to play special teams and this guy is a special teams animal! He would be a great 6/7 rounder that can help at DE/OLB and special teams!

[Splodem]

I don't think there is a target. Nolan just wants to get a quality player at that spot, and he's probably thinking he has a better chance nabbing two with these two first rounders than he does with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

[Ice Train]

I would say that Nolan is targeting an OLB or a DB.

[Glider]

I originally thought that Lawson might go to CLEV but I think for them Bunkley might be a better fit. DAL, I thought would surely go for Lawson - a great fit - but from what I'm seeing they're more interested in Wimbley. Next up would be NE at #21 and they've always been smart about picking D players. However, they have bigger needs at T and at RB so I'm hoping they pass on Lawson, who I believe would be most helpful to us. If Lawson and Wimbley are gone I would say we'd go for CB at #22.

[49ers4life226]

hi.:sflogo:

[Ice Train]

I originally thought that Lawson might go to CLEV but I think for them Bunkley might be a better fit. DAL, I thought would surely go for Lawson - a great fit - but from what I'm seeing they're more interested in Wimbley. Next up would be NE at #21 and they've always been smart about picking D players. However, they have bigger needs at T and at RB so I'm hoping they pass on Lawson, who I believe would be most helpful to us. If Lawson and Wimbley are gone I would say we'd go for CB at #22.

I would say at number 22 we don't go for a DB unless Lawson, Greenway, Carpenter, and Wimbley are all gone.

[Mudd]

That's about right...I've been looking at the teams in front of us and i think that Lawson, Wimbley, Greenway, and maybe even Carpenter could be gone before we even get on the clock....I'm hopeful the Lawson falls to us but as i see it Dallas, San Diego, Kansas City, or New England are all considering Lawson. I just hope that one of the OLB is available. If not i think we go FS with Allen or Whitner. DeAngelo has an outside shot IF we pick up AJ Hawk with our sixth and DeAngelo is the BPA at 22.
Agreed. I think if the OLB that we want or need isn't there, we go FS. And like you, I'm praying Lawson makes it to us.

[NinerCubBoiler]

Agreed. I think if the OLB that we want or need isn't there, we go FS. And like you, I'm praying Lawson makes it to us.
I'm sure some good OLB will fall to us... this deep is very deep in LBs and not many teams are willing to invest in a LB just Dallas and NE off the top of my head... so we should get some good talent