Seven players who won't be selected by the 49ers at 29
Niners GM Scot McCloughan has a scheduled press gathering tomorrow, just two days before the draft. Everybody - myself included - will be reading between the lines and searching for clues. We probably should not try too hard.
After all, everyone thought they caught Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland in a Freudian slip last week when he spoke to the media about the No. 1 overall selection.
"This is the first pick in the draft," Ireland said. "This guy is going to be -- you hope that he's a pillar of your defense for a long time."
Ah-ha!
The Dolphins were clearly going to take a defensive player with the No. 1 overall pick, right?
Oh, wait.
The club took Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long. But maybe they plan to convert Long to the other side of the ball after signing him to a reported five-year, $57.75 million deal that includes $30 million in guaranteed money. (Or maybe they thought they signed Chris Long.)
* * *
One of the general rules as draft time approaches -- especially for teams picking at the end of the first round -- is that common perception is almost always wrong. When the same players start popping up on mock drafts, it's usually a sign that some misinformation is out there.
That is why I would be surprised to see any of these seven names called when the 49ers select at No. 29:
--Louisville QB Brian Brohm: On second thought, he might get picked at No. 29. But it certainly will not be the 49ers doing the picking. Maybe the 49ers move back a few slots in a trade, allowing another team to swoop in to get Brohm. The 49ers are committed in 2008 to the quarterbacks on their roster. The last thing they need for this season is to start from scratch with a rookie quarterback.
--Notre Dame DT Trevor Laws: He's bright and has a motor that does not stop. He might be a very good player. Heck, maybe somebody takes him in the first round. But the more I think about it, the more I don't see it being the 49ers. It just seems he is too much in the mold of Anthony Adams, whom the 49ers felt did not fit into their defense.
--Cal WR DeSean Jackson: It is rare to find a mock draft in which he is not already chosen by the 29th pick. I'm not ruling it out. Even if it is an outside shot, there is a chance Jackson could be available when the 49ers pick. Do they take him? I don't think so. A lot of his focus has been to put on weight leading up to the draft. He's up to 175. With all the work incumbent on receivers during training camp, it'll be difficult for him to maintain his weight and remain healthy. I can see the 49ers being scared off by his size and questions whether he can hold up physically.
--USC OT Sam Baker: This guy is all over the board. On that TV mock of last week, they had him going No. 14 to the Bears. OK, that doesn't seem right. Even at 29, I think it's high. Perhaps he gets in the conversation a little if we're talking No. 39.
--Boston College OT Gosder Cherilus: Like some of these guys I've mentioned, he might already be gone. But let's say he is not. By all accounts, he was a dominant right tackle as a junior. As a senior, he was a so-so left tackle. He surrendered 5.5 sacks and was called for seven penalties in his final season. Hmmm. If I'm taking an offensive lineman in the first round of the draft, I'm going to want a guy who excelled at the college level regardless of where he played.
--Penn State LB Dan Connor: He is linebacker U's all-time leading tackler and described as a player who would be set in the 49ers' lineup for the next 10 years alongside Patrick Willis. It seems like a nice, safe pick. Who wants safe when you can do better? Remember, this would be a pick to take over at the "ted" linebacker. If the 49ers go with a linebacker here, it's either Tennessee's Jerod Mayo (probably long gone) or Oklahoma's Curtis Lofton.
--Auburn OLB Quentin Groves: Opinions on him vary dramatically. There is talk that he could go to the Jaguars or Steelers earlier in the first round. Some are of the opinion he could be there for the 49ers at No. 39 if they waited. Last week, I choose Groves in a mock draft. He seems to be a popular pick - too popular, probably. I'd say he has the best chance of becoming a 49er of any of the players mentioned but, still, I don't expect it to happen. (OK, some will say, "What, your only reasoning for the 49ers not taking Groves is because a lot of people believe this is where he's going?" Yep, that's about right.)
* * *
McCloughan will probably be asked about some of those seven players tomorrow. I doubt he will offer too many clues. He might come right out and say the team is not going to take Brohm. But if quizzed about the others, he'll probably say something along the lines of "He's a dang-good football player. Will we consider him? Sure."
At the end of the day, I might just play my recorder backward to search for subliminal messages.
* * *
After reading the tea leaves on Thursday, I plan to take a wild swing in the dark to expertly produce a list of players the 49ers might want on the team.
And, by the way, I reserve the right to exhume one or more of the guys from today's "Will Not Take" List.
* * *
By the way, here's a save the date. On Sunday, June 1, at World of Sports in San Jose, there will be a booksigning of "San Francisco 49ers: Where Have You Gone." The event is a build-up to a gala event honoring R.C. Owens in late-September. Among the former 49ers who have committed to being there are Frank Nunley, Eason Ramson, Cedrick Hardman and Delvin Williams. I'll have more information as the date nears.
Niners GM Scot McCloughan has a scheduled press gathering tomorrow, just two days before the draft. Everybody - myself included - will be reading between the lines and searching for clues. We probably should not try too hard.
After all, everyone thought they caught Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland in a Freudian slip last week when he spoke to the media about the No. 1 overall selection.
"This is the first pick in the draft," Ireland said. "This guy is going to be -- you hope that he's a pillar of your defense for a long time."
Ah-ha!
The Dolphins were clearly going to take a defensive player with the No. 1 overall pick, right?
Oh, wait.
The club took Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long. But maybe they plan to convert Long to the other side of the ball after signing him to a reported five-year, $57.75 million deal that includes $30 million in guaranteed money. (Or maybe they thought they signed Chris Long.)
* * *
One of the general rules as draft time approaches -- especially for teams picking at the end of the first round -- is that common perception is almost always wrong. When the same players start popping up on mock drafts, it's usually a sign that some misinformation is out there.
That is why I would be surprised to see any of these seven names called when the 49ers select at No. 29:
--Louisville QB Brian Brohm: On second thought, he might get picked at No. 29. But it certainly will not be the 49ers doing the picking. Maybe the 49ers move back a few slots in a trade, allowing another team to swoop in to get Brohm. The 49ers are committed in 2008 to the quarterbacks on their roster. The last thing they need for this season is to start from scratch with a rookie quarterback.
--Notre Dame DT Trevor Laws: He's bright and has a motor that does not stop. He might be a very good player. Heck, maybe somebody takes him in the first round. But the more I think about it, the more I don't see it being the 49ers. It just seems he is too much in the mold of Anthony Adams, whom the 49ers felt did not fit into their defense.
--Cal WR DeSean Jackson: It is rare to find a mock draft in which he is not already chosen by the 29th pick. I'm not ruling it out. Even if it is an outside shot, there is a chance Jackson could be available when the 49ers pick. Do they take him? I don't think so. A lot of his focus has been to put on weight leading up to the draft. He's up to 175. With all the work incumbent on receivers during training camp, it'll be difficult for him to maintain his weight and remain healthy. I can see the 49ers being scared off by his size and questions whether he can hold up physically.
--USC OT Sam Baker: This guy is all over the board. On that TV mock of last week, they had him going No. 14 to the Bears. OK, that doesn't seem right. Even at 29, I think it's high. Perhaps he gets in the conversation a little if we're talking No. 39.
--Boston College OT Gosder Cherilus: Like some of these guys I've mentioned, he might already be gone. But let's say he is not. By all accounts, he was a dominant right tackle as a junior. As a senior, he was a so-so left tackle. He surrendered 5.5 sacks and was called for seven penalties in his final season. Hmmm. If I'm taking an offensive lineman in the first round of the draft, I'm going to want a guy who excelled at the college level regardless of where he played.
--Penn State LB Dan Connor: He is linebacker U's all-time leading tackler and described as a player who would be set in the 49ers' lineup for the next 10 years alongside Patrick Willis. It seems like a nice, safe pick. Who wants safe when you can do better? Remember, this would be a pick to take over at the "ted" linebacker. If the 49ers go with a linebacker here, it's either Tennessee's Jerod Mayo (probably long gone) or Oklahoma's Curtis Lofton.
--Auburn OLB Quentin Groves: Opinions on him vary dramatically. There is talk that he could go to the Jaguars or Steelers earlier in the first round. Some are of the opinion he could be there for the 49ers at No. 39 if they waited. Last week, I choose Groves in a mock draft. He seems to be a popular pick - too popular, probably. I'd say he has the best chance of becoming a 49er of any of the players mentioned but, still, I don't expect it to happen. (OK, some will say, "What, your only reasoning for the 49ers not taking Groves is because a lot of people believe this is where he's going?" Yep, that's about right.)
* * *
McCloughan will probably be asked about some of those seven players tomorrow. I doubt he will offer too many clues. He might come right out and say the team is not going to take Brohm. But if quizzed about the others, he'll probably say something along the lines of "He's a dang-good football player. Will we consider him? Sure."
At the end of the day, I might just play my recorder backward to search for subliminal messages.
* * *
After reading the tea leaves on Thursday, I plan to take a wild swing in the dark to expertly produce a list of players the 49ers might want on the team.
And, by the way, I reserve the right to exhume one or more of the guys from today's "Will Not Take" List.
* * *
By the way, here's a save the date. On Sunday, June 1, at World of Sports in San Jose, there will be a booksigning of "San Francisco 49ers: Where Have You Gone." The event is a build-up to a gala event honoring R.C. Owens in late-September. Among the former 49ers who have committed to being there are Frank Nunley, Eason Ramson, Cedrick Hardman and Delvin Williams. I'll have more information as the date nears.
