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 didn't fail to mention the return game as a need. It just isn't a bigger need than the other three. I don't think DeSean is worthy of that pick, at least not with Groves still sitting there. There are more players comparable to Jackson available at 39 than there are to Groves. Also, a WR has very little chance of making an instant impact, even more so when he is picked at the end of round one.
Posted by: Josh F. | April 23, 2008 04:22 PM
Perfect pick. Jackson IS tempting, but I disagree that WR is a 49ers need. Out of Bruce, Johnson, Battle, Lelie, and Hill, Martz will be able to find three serviceable starters. The Rev can still play, Battle has great hands, and Hill is their 3rd round up and comer from last year's draft. The Niners may add some depth at WR with one of their six picks, but the other five will be 2 OL, 2 DL, and LB.
Posted by: Steven | April 23, 2008 06:41 PM
Actually, SF picked up Allen Rossum for the return game. Also, INSTANT impact is the key. WRs don't have instant impact. Ask Calvin Johnson. Colston is the exception, not the rule. Besides, Nolan is in a one and done situation. If they can't get it done THIS year, he's fired. He'll get a player that can help now and it isn't Jackson. It's Groves.
Posted by: Steven | April 23, 2008 06:47 PM
Getting a pass rusher is a good idea, I hope they improve this year somebody needs to challenge Seattle instead of just giving them a free pass to the playoffs every year. Gore is another one of those Tough to Rank FF players that Gregg was writing articles about. Some teams never trade on draft day but Jerry Jones seems to do it every year.
Posted by: b roo | April 23, 2008 08:00 PM
Ugghhh. Being a Niners fan these days is almost like being a Cubs fan. Except the Cubs actually look good this year.
I would agree that more help for the defense can't be a bad thing, and mining the SEC for talent isn't a bad thing either (Willis is a monster!!) So I like the pick of Groves. What about teaming up Tennessee's Jerod Mayo with Willis though? That could certainly build the league's best young LB corps.
In the end, the Alex Smith mistake will doom the Niners until further notice. Oh well. Does Joe Montana have a son?
Posted by: J | April 23, 2008 10:45 PM
Even if WR was the niners number 1 priority, DeShaun Jackson would not fit the bill. Receivers need some height to flourish in the West Coast offense. Jackson is just to small. All of the other WR's available have question marks, most notably character issues which the 49ers just don't need to deal with. Groves is a good pick.
Posted by: Robert O. | April 24, 2008 09:06 AM
since when did martz run the west coast offense?? bruce is on a one year deal. johnson is a slot receiver and battle, hill and lelie are not the answer. u can get their numbers from anywhere. they need depth here to establish a star for the future. the 49ers havent had a no.1 WR in the past 4 years!
Posted by: scott c | April 24, 2008 11:02 AM