Final Take on the Niners Draft

[bd0493]

I've been following the draft all year long, but oddly enough I've never really formed an opinion on who I want the Niners to draft.

At times I've settled on Adam Carriker, yet I've always held reservations on whether he was worth it at 11.

I've comprehended the arguments of those touting Willis, yet, as much as I support taking proven LBs in the 1st round, I just don't see Willis as a fit for our system. He's going to be an athletic, playmaking tackler out there, yet I don't see him as a 'beast' physically.

I've at times even thought that Branch might be the best pick, despite all his questions, due to the difficulty of finding a true, difference making NT.

Alas, it's draft day, and it's time to make my mind up, and that I have.

Jamaal Anderson.

to quote Scott Wright:

Strengths:
Has great size with a large frame and long arms...A smooth athlete with excellent agility...Strong and powerful...Terrific pass rusher who can be effective with either a bull-rush or finesse moves...Does a quality job versus the run...Motor runs non-stop...Very good in pursuit and has a burst to close...Is versatile and could play a number of different roles depending on the scheme he is in...Has a ton of upside.

Anderson is very raw, true, yet the claims that he cannot be a 3-4 DE are off. Notice descriptions such as: strong and powerful/ effective with either a bull-rush or finesse moves/ Does a quality job versus the run/ Motor runs non-stop/ Is versatile and could play a number of different roles depending on the scheme he is in. What do all these traits translate to: a guy that can certainly play in our system.

Besides that fact, his versatility must not be ignored. What we need on our defense is a guy who creates mismatches, who baffles opposing offensive coordinators. We need a dynamic pass rusher who can keep the opposing Oline scrambling and the QB hurried and unsure. Carriker is a very safe pick, I will not deny that. Yet a perfect fit for the 3-4 is not exactly what we need. If we want a guy that's going to be stout against the run, fit in nicely, and simply go out and do his job- we already have him, his name is Marques Douglas. The bottom line is, we have a number of D-lineman who can be considered 'solid' guys- what we need is a guy we can throw in there and make a difference.

With Anderson, the options would be numerous. Stack the line to the left or right and put Banta Cain on the opposite end. Line up Banta-Cain or Lawson next to Anderson creating a fearsome duo coming from the QBs blind side. Put Anderson in zone coverage. Even line him up at linebacker. He is the closest thing to Adalius Thomas we will find in this draft.

I understand, the counter to my argument will likely be that we drafted our playmaker at 21 last year. Lawson is a playmaker, yet he is not yet a natural pass rusher. We still don't have a guy we can line up and stare into the QBs eyes instilling fear in him. We still don't have that guy that can get 10+ sacks. Jamaal Anderson can be that guy. As scouts will tell you, he has the ability to develop into a Richard Seymour type performer.


My ideal draft:

1. Jamaal Anderson
2. David Harris
2b. Arron Sears (trade 3rd/76 and 4th/104 and 5th/147 to get into middle of 2nd- this is the kind of guy Nolan loves, big time versatility, big time size, fits the Coryell prototype)
3b (comp). Aundrae Allison
4. Josh Wilson (this guy is a player)
4b (comp). Darius Walker
6. Mansfield Wrotto

[OStigers2000]

I would love to trade up and get WR C. johnson but if we didn't trade up I would have a toss between WR T. Ginn or DT A. Okoye. 2nd round I want nothing more than S E. Weddle, dude is a beast and if he is there at our 2nd round spot, getting him would make my day.

[Mac9er]

But, Douglas isn't that guy and he's going to be gone (contract)... So do you want to pay him more and keep a average guy..or do you want someone that you know will be better, in Carriker... that can learn under BY and possibly step in and replace Douglas this year? Or even by the end of TC...

[bd0493]

But, Douglas isn't that guy and he's going to be gone (contract)... So do you want to pay him more and keep a average guy..or do you want someone that you know will be better, in Carriker... that can learn under BY and possibly step in and replace Douglas this year? Or even by the end of TC...

I want a guy in Anderson who is going to make a difference maker, and certainly will be able to replace BY. Anderson is still very raw, coming onto the scene late, and he has room to put on weight.

My point with Douglas is that he's a decent guy you can fill in there, who played well last year- Carriker is not as great an upgrade on him as Anderson is. Plus, we have depth with guys like Oliver (who can still develop into a 3-4 DE) and Fields.

I know Anderson is not the safest pick but he offers the total package from that pick, and to me if he's there he's got to be our pick.

[Mac9er]

I want a guy in Anderson who is going to make a difference maker, and certainly will be able to replace BY. Anderson is still very raw, coming onto the scene late, and he has room to put on weight.

My point with Douglas is that he's a decent guy you can fill in there, who played well last year- Carriker is not as great an upgrade on him as Anderson is. Plus, we have depth with guys like Oliver (who can still develop into a 3-4 DE) and Fields.

I know Anderson is not the safest pick but he offers the total package from that pick, and to me if he's there he's got to be our pick.

Some may think he has more "UPSIDE", but there isn't a requirement at DE in a 3-4 for upside, nor do we have that much time.. Nolan wants to start Fields at RDE over Douglas this year. I hope it works, but I doubt it... With Carrikers experience, IMO, it's almost like trading for a proven RDE Vet... maybe not the greatest, but better than what you have now...you know what your getting.. I don't expect to draft a SUPERSTAR at the RDE position in our scheme, because there job is to do the grunt work, same at ILB, the are not expected to get their name called on every play... That's reserved for the OUTSIDE linebackers and the secondary in a 3-4D.

[Nevyn]

I've been following the draft all year long, but oddly enough I've never really formed an opinion on who I want the Niners to draft.

At times I've settled on Adam Carriker, yet I've always held reservations on whether he was worth it at 11.

I've comprehended the arguments of those touting Willis, yet, as much as I support taking proven LBs in the 1st round, I just don't see Willis as a fit for our system. He's going to be an athletic, playmaking tackler out there, yet I don't see him as a 'beast' physically.

I've at times even thought that Branch might be the best pick, despite all his questions, due to the difficulty of finding a true, difference making NT.

Alas, it's draft day, and it's time to make my mind up, and that I have.

Jamaal Anderson.

to quote Scott Wright:



Anderson is very raw, true, yet the claims that he cannot be a 3-4 DE are off. Notice descriptions such as: strong and powerful/ effective with either a bull-rush or finesse moves/ Does a quality job versus the run/ Motor runs non-stop/ Is versatile and could play a number of different roles depending on the scheme he is in. What do all these traits translate to: a guy that can certainly play in our system.

Besides that fact, his versatility must not be ignored. What we need on our defense is a guy who creates mismatches, who baffles opposing offensive coordinators. We need a dynamic pass rusher who can keep the opposing Oline scrambling and the QB hurried and unsure. Carriker is a very safe pick, I will not deny that. Yet a perfect fit for the 3-4 is not exactly what we need. If we want a guy that's going to be stout against the run, fit in nicely, and simply go out and do his job- we already have him, his name is Marques Douglas. The bottom line is, we have a number of D-lineman who can be considered 'solid' guys- what we need is a guy we can throw in there and make a difference.

With Anderson, the options would be numerous. Stack the line to the left or right and put Banta Cain on the opposite end. Line up Banta-Cain or Lawson next to Anderson creating a fearsome duo coming from the QBs blind side. Put Anderson in zone coverage. Even line him up at linebacker. He is the closest thing to Adalius Thomas we will find in this draft.

I understand, the counter to my argument will likely be that we drafted our playmaker at 21 last year. Lawson is a playmaker, yet he is not yet a natural pass rusher. We still don't have a guy we can line up and stare into the QBs eyes instilling fear in him. We still don't have that guy that can get 10+ sacks. Jamaal Anderson can be that guy. As scouts will tell you, he has the ability to develop into a Richard Seymour type performer.


My ideal draft:

1. Jamaal Anderson
2. David Harris
2b. Arron Sears (trade 3rd/76 and 4th/104 and 5th/147 to get into middle of 2nd- this is the kind of guy Nolan loves, big time versatility, big time size, fits the Coryell prototype)
3b (comp). Aundrae Allison
4. Josh Wilson (this guy is a player)
4b (comp). Darius Walker
6. Mansfield Wrotto

If Arron sears is still there in the middle of the 2nd I'll be at least mildly surprised. I'll also be surprised if we pick someone who projects as a Guard before round 3.

[LetsGo9ers]

I would love to trade up and get WR C. johnson but if we didn't trade up I would have a toss between WR T. Ginn or DT A. Okoye. 2nd round I want nothing more than S E. Weddle, dude is a beast and if he is there at our 2nd round spot, getting him would make my day.

I will be fired up if we draft Ginn. Okoye won't be there in my opinion. I would be shocked if he last past 7.

[Fuzzy76]

I want a guy in Anderson who is going to make a difference maker, and certainly will be able to replace BY. Anderson is still very raw, coming onto the scene late, and he has room to put on weight.

My point with Douglas is that he's a decent guy you can fill in there, who played well last year- Carriker is not as great an upgrade on him as Anderson is. Plus, we have depth with guys like Oliver (who can still develop into a 3-4 DE) and Fields.

I know Anderson is not the safest pick but he offers the total package from that pick, and to me if he's there he's got to be our pick.

I agree. And if you use the Best-Player-Available criteria between Carriker and Anderson, and look at how much higher Anderson is ranked in all the mock drafts, Anderson is the choice. Why settle for "good" when you can have "great".

[MisfitZ]

I agree. And if you use the Best-Player-Available criteria between Carriker and Anderson, and look at how much higher Anderson is ranked in all the mock drafts, Anderson is the choice. Why settle for "good" when you can have "great".

because those rankings are for 4-3 players im sure every 3-4 teams board is different

[Mac9er]

I agree. And if you use the Best-Player-Available criteria between Carriker and Anderson, and look at how much higher Anderson is ranked in all the mock drafts, Anderson is the choice. Why settle for "good" when you can have "great".

You need to remember that almost all rankings in MOCK drafts you see are geared toward standard 4-3 defenses, because they are run by the majority of teams... very few consider scheme... they just rank what they think are the best players based mostly running 4-3 defense...

[bd0493]

Mac, I agree that these rankings are geared towards 4-3 teams, but that doesn't change the fact that Anderson is a better talent. All those boards floating around the internet probably have a good deal of error in them, and are likely not that valid, even the best ones like Scott Wright's. Still, it is fairly easy to see that Anderson is a better talent. He showed an ability to dominate games last year at Arkansas.

Also, the fact is, he CAN play in a 3-4. So scheme should not be a factor. The point is, Anderson is not a one-dimensional player like Gaines, who does one thing very very well, and that's rush the passer. Anderson is an all around talent. He has that Adalius like versatility.

[Mac9er]

Mac, I agree that these rankings are geared towards 4-3 teams, but that doesn't change the fact that Anderson is a better talent. All those boards floating around the internet probably have a good deal of error in them, and are likely not that valid, even the best ones like Scott Wright's. Still, it is fairly easy to see that Anderson is a better talent. He showed an ability to dominate games last year at Arkansas.

Also, the fact is, he CAN play in a 3-4. So scheme should not be a factor. The point is, Anderson is not a one-dimensional player like Gaines, who does one thing very very well, and that's rush the passer. Anderson is an all around talent. He has that Adalius like versatility.

Scott Wright is not the best choice of Guru's, but that aside. The point of the draft, for Nolan this year anyway, is not to draft guy's with potential, the first round, but to draft starters... I don't see Anderson as a starter this year, he's too raw and never played in a 3-4 scheme, that's all...

I have to give credence, to what Nolan say's, over what the Draft Guru's say, or think...

[bd0493]

Drafting for a starter, the guy you think is safest now, in favor of the most talented player will fail 9 times out of 10. I understand your point. Carriker will probably be a better player than Anderson this year. I actually do like Carriker. However, I still think Anderson can cause problems this year, even if he will be a little raw, and I think he will be a far better player in the future.

[Fuzzy76]

Scott Wright is not the best choice of Guru's, but that aside. The point of the draft, for Nolan this year anyway, is not to draft guy's with potential, the first round, but to draft starters... I don't see Anderson as a starter this year, he's too raw and never played in a 3-4 scheme, that's all...

I have to give credence, to what Nolan say's, over what the Draft Guru's say, or think...

It seems to me the potential is the ONLY thing you can draft. None of these guys has ever played a down in the NFL, and history is filled with "can't miss" draft picks that were miserable failures. There are no guaranteed starters.

As far as scheme goes, are you saying that the great DE's that have played in the 4-3 would not have been great if they had played in the 3-4? I don't buy it.

[MisfitZ]

It seems to me the potential is the ONLY thing you can draft. None of these guys has ever played a down in the NFL, and history is filled with "can't miss" draft picks that were miserable failures. There are no guaranteed starters.

As far as scheme goes, are you saying that the great DE's that have played in the 4-3 would not have been great if they had played in the 3-4? I don't buy it.

alot of them wouldnt because of size others because they are finesse speed ends like anderson

[hot97x]

The problem with Anderson is that despite what Wright says, he is not strong or powerful. He benched 225 for only 22 reps at his workout which is very poor and nfl.com noted that his lower body is weak which is even more important. I like Anderson if we ran a 4-3. If he gained a significant amount of strength he might be able to play in our system, but until he does, he would get run over on a consistent basis. As for rushing the passer, he would have a hard time as a 3-4 DE because he is a speed rusher. It's much harder to use speed and quickness when you are not lined up outside the OT like in a 4-3. Lining up between the OG and OT he would have to use power and strength alot more, qualities he doesn't have. Comparing him to Adalius is a stretch to say the least. Carriker fits better right now, and will always fit this defense. How do you draft a player that you don't know if he will ever fit the defense except maybe on pasing downs when our 3-4 becomes a 4-3?

[DesertFox]

Yeah, Anderson seems like more of an around the corner pass rusher, while the 3-4 requires the end to push through double teams and make space for the OLB's to pass rush.