Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: Pick No. 29
One general comment on this Mock if I may. I may. Almost everyone seems to want to trade or think their team will, but don't forget how difficult it is to find an appropriate pricetag and trading partner. Trade talk is a lot more common than teams who are confident enough to get it done. Now Josh F. will take it away with the 49ers pick
Wow. Sure is a crappy place to be drafting from after the lost season that was 2007. But at least it looks as if Joe Staley may have been worth it. The Niners have many needs but their three biggest are WR, OL, and someone to rush the passer. This pick is a very hard one to make. Lets break it down by need...
1. OL - There is not much depth behind the current starters and Jonas Jennings hasn't been healthy since he was brought over from Buffalo. Unfortunately, the guys with first round ability have already been taken, so we will wait until later to address our needs here.
2. WR - The team is in desperate need of a play maker at the receiver position. DeSean Jackson is tempting here. A local kid with a lot of talent and speed, could also help in the return game. But this draft is so deep in terms of WR's it is hard to justify using this pick on him.
3. Pass rusher - Seemingly the biggest problem with the defense has been the inability to get to the QB. Manny Lawson was drafted for this purpose just two years ago, but even when healthy he hasn't shown the ability to get many sacks. Cliff Avril would be a good choice later in the draft, if they decide to go elsewhere in the first round. But a 3-4 defense absolutely has to have a stud pass rusher to be effective.
So with the 29th pick in the 2008 Pancake Blocksʼ Mock NFL Draft, the San Fransisco 49ers select Auburn defensive end Quentin Groves. He has the strength and speed to get to the QB and much like Patrick Willis last year, should be able to realize his full potential under the tutelage of Mike Singletary. Hopefully we will see back-to-back DROY's from the 49ers organization.
2008 Pancake Blocks Mock Draft
1. Miami Dolphins (Scott L.) - Chris Long
2. St. Louis Rams (Evan Silva) - Glenn Dorsey
3. Atlanta Falcons (Troy Hill) - Matt Ryan
4. Oakland Raiders (Stephen G.) - Jake Long
5. Kansas City Chiefs (Jeremy S.) - Darren McFadden
6. New York Jets (John B.) - Vernon Gholston
7. New England Patriots (Gregg R.) - Sedrick Ellis
8. Baltimore Ravens (Ryan F.) - Leodis McKelvin
9. Cincinnati Bengals (Jacob C.) - Ryan Clady
10. New Orleans Saints (Scott K.) - Keith Rivers
11. Buffalo Bills (James N.) - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
12. Denver Broncos (Taylor C.) - Chris Williams
13. Carolina Panthers (Matthew W.) - Derrick Harvey
14. Chicago Bears (Zone) - Branden Albert
15. Detroit Lions (Adam P.) - Rashard Mendenhall
16. Arizona Cardinals (Scott C.) - Aquib Talib
17. Minnesota Vikings (Tim L.) - Jeff Otah
18. Houston Texans (Jimmy) - Mike Jenkins
19. Philadelphia Eagles (Andy G.) - Devin Thomas
20. Tampa Bay Bucs (Robert O.) - Antoine Cason
21. Washington Redskins (James M.) - Philip Merling
22. Dallas Cowboys (Marv) - Jonathan Stewart
23. Pittsburgh Steelers (Matt G.) - Gosder Cherilus
24. Tennessee Titans (Stephen S.) - Felix Jones
25. Seattle Seahawks (John W.) - Limas Sweed
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (Tony B.) - Kentwan Balmer
27. San Diego Chargers (Justin K.) - Kenny Phillips
28. Dallas Cowboys (B. Roo) - Brian Brohm
29. San Francisco 49ers (Josh F.) - Quentin Groves
Comments
I like this pick a lot. Groves seems to have a lot of talent and could go higher when its all said and done. I wouldn't rule out D. Jackson, especially given his relationship with Jerry Rice and the fact that he's a local product. I also think that he fits the profile of the average Martz receiver pretty well (though route running could be an issue) and he could represent a last-ditch effort to get something out of Alex Smith.
Posted by: Chad Ferguson | April 23, 2008 02:12 PM
This draft isn't a great one on paper. Most of the guys would have gone later than they will if they had come out last year, or the year before. That is why everyone wants to trade out of the pick. Of course we'll have to wait and see how people end up panning out.
Posted by: J | April 23, 2008 02:30 PM
I agree...Jackson would really fit the Niners well here...he'd be the explosive player they don't really have, since Gore is more of the meat and potatoes and Davis is...well, remembering the post in the offseason, full of himself, and Issac Bruce is well...he was pretty good in the late 90s early 2000s.
But I can't fault you for making this pick. Groves is a great value pick here.
and I agree with J...the quality of depth is better than the quality of player at the top. each player has flaws at the top of each position...
Posted by: Bart | April 23, 2008 02:58 PM
Solid pick, but I think it would be hard to ignore Jerry Rice pimping his boy Jackson to the niners if he fell to them
Posted by: Matt | April 23, 2008 03:13 PM
Not saying I would completely ignore him, but I think he has a much better chance than Groves does of still being there at pick #39.
Posted by: Josh F. | April 23, 2008 03:30 PM
Good pick
Posted by: Stephen | April 23, 2008 04:04 PM
i dont like this pick. they brought in FA smith from cinn to remove some of the doubts behind the pass rush. this pick WILL be an offensive player! either OL or WR. Jackson makes perfect sense here. theres just too much riding on this year and they need an impact, play now, offensive weapon, and jackson's the guy, if not in the starting offense, than at least in the return game... another need u failed to mention.
Posted by: scott c | April 23, 2008 04:12 PM