2007 NFL Draft Weekend Team Thread: San Francisco 49ers

[Fumbleweed 547]

...................................

[ArnieBragg 1]

They sure do have a lot of picks

[ulick 0]

They sure do have a lot of picks

 

And barring trade, hopefully the first will be Willis (though I wouldn't be too disappointed with Branch).

[J-Money 4]

the niners should try to trade up with the skins and hope adams falls a bit or take landry. the niners could give their first and late third for the skins only pick, then the skins could trade a first and a third for briggs...

[Saint Elistan 106]

Darrell Jackson to the niners for a fourth?

 

This would certainly change our draft...

 

And barring trade, hopefully the first will be Willis

 

Rumor has it that Broncos have pretty much sealed a trade with Houston for #10. Not good implications for us Willis hopefuls.

[EAwer 1]

the niners should try to trade up with the skins and hope adams falls a bit or take landry. the niners could give their first and late third for the skins only pick, then the skins could trade a first and a third for briggs...

 

 

lol just a 3rd to move up 5 spots early in the first? u must be dreaming

[WKTSWAY 0]

Rumor has it that Broncos have pretty much sealed a trade with Houston for #10. Not good implications for us Willis hopefuls.

 

Yeah...I really want them to get Willis too...looks like the Broncos are moving up to get the guy they want in the first again this year right ahead of the team that wants him.

[TucsonMike 0]

Yup, that Denver-Houston deal is looking solid, which means you guys miss out on Willis. What's curious to me is every mock I've seen has you guys taking Carriker (who, as a Steeler fan, I would LOVE to have), yet I doubt hear anyone here talking about him. What gives?

 

[Fumbleweed 547]

Darrell Jackson to the niners for a fourth?

 

This would certainly change our draft...

Rumor has it that Broncos have pretty much sealed a trade with Houston for #10. Not good implications for us Willis hopefuls.

 

The Jackson trade is looking more and more like a reality...........

[remote controller 143]

He'd be worth a 4th even though he has been kinda fragile.

[Saint Elistan 106]

Fragile or not, DJax to a division rival for a fourth rounder? Seattle fans will be fuming if it goes through!

 

As far as I'm concerned, Carriker is the safe pick. The debate between most SF fans is between him and Willis...I've just heard a lot more about Willis as of late. We need pass rush. Bad. But we need an upgrade at ILB just as much.

[football_scooter 0]

As far as I'm concerned, Carriker is the safe pick.

 

agreed - i expect this to be the Niner's 1st rounder, though with trades and whatnot, someone more exciting could fall....like Jamaal? Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[football_scooter 0]

Anderson to the Falcons.

 

Holy crap - 2 picks left until 11....Niners might actually get Okaye - while not ideal, he's a bigtime talent with playmaker ability...

 

I suspect one of these picks to be Brady Quinn (Dolphins) but then who knows....could the Niners actually take Okaye over Patrick Willis or Carriker?

[WKTSWAY 0]

Anderson to the Falcons.

 

Holy crap - 2 picks left until 11....Niners might actually get Okaye - while not ideal, he's a bigtime talent with playmaker ability...

 

I suspect one of these picks to be Brady Quinn (Dolphins) but then who knows....could the Niners actually take Okaye over Patrick Willis or Carriker?

 

A few weeks ago, I was hoping for Okoye, but I thought he would go to Mia...he still could if they don't get Quinn.

 

If both Okoye and Willis are there, I'm happy either way...I'm not as big on Carriker for some reason.

[Dan 66]

I would be happy with the 49ers getting Okoye. I like the kid, and think he really does a lot for that defense. Further, it allows Carriker to keep falling, and my hopes are kept alive.

[football_scooter 0]

If both Okoye and Willis are there, I'm happy either way...I'm not as big on Carriker for some reason.

 

Here's Houston taking Okaye

 

Willis it is? Maybe they'll throw a curveball and take Quinn.

 

 

Hrm...I actually think this is a better fit for the Niners.

[JScott 20]

Having either Okoye and Willis is a win-win for SF.

 

 

ETA: Looks like Willis.

[WKTSWAY 0]

C'mon Willis!!!

 

Nolan has liked him since he coached him in the senior bowl...I think that's the pick.

[Dan 66]

You would have to think Willis at this point. It's too early for Revis, as well as the next talented WRs. Although with Ginn gone, what do I know?

 

Just keep letting my guy slide. The 49ers and Bills are the only ones to worry about at this point.

[football_scooter 0]

:lol:

[JScott 20]

I'm glad Willis will be in SF rather than BUF to face my Pats

[Rye & Leaf 0]

As a Bills fan, I'm really hating the 9ers right now. We needed Willis.

[football_scooter 0]

As a Bills fan, I'm really hating the 9ers right now. We needed Willis.

 

 

Carriker is pretty good too...

[jocstrap 8]

Great pick for the niners.

[GeminiV 0]

Nice pick. ILB was definitely a need and Willis is a tremendous athlete. My only reservation was the relative importance of ILB compared to DL in the 3-4. The really successful 3-4 teams in the league have invested much more heavily in the defensive line than the interior backers.

[football_scooter 0]

OVERVIEW

One of the few bright spots during the Rebels' rebuilding process, Willis established himself as the best middle linebacker in college football the last two years. He played most of the 2005 season with a broken right hand, but still ranked sixth in the nation in tackles per game (10.9). He surpassed those totals in 2006, again ranking sixth nationally with an average of 11.42 tackles per game.

 

One of the most respected players in the country, Willis is also one of the most liked personalities away from the game. A leader both on the field and off, he is heavily involved in community service. Despite all of the accolades he has received the last two seasons, he quietly goes about his job.

 

How far he has come on and off the field is because of his tireless work ethic. Willis came from a split family environment, as his mother left home more than 15 years ago. At age six, Patrick was cooking breakfast for his younger sister and brothers. At 10, he was picking cotton around his home. The proceeds went to his father, Ernest, to pay the utilities. Even now, Patrick says it wasn't that bad.

 

Willis would play his final season at Mississippi with a heavy heart after the death of his brother, Detris. Detris, 17, had been swimming with friends in gravel pits near the family's hometown of Bruceton. The 218-pound teenage linebacker cramped up. "Once he cramped up, it just spread," Patrick said. "He was the biggest one out there. No one could pull him out." Patrick would dedicate the rest of his career to the memory of his brother.

 

At Bruceton High School, Willis earned Class "A" Mr. Football honors and was a two-time all-state choice. He was also chosen Regional Most Valuable Player and West Tennessee Player of the Year as a senior. The previous season, Willis was named all-state, All-West Tennessee and Regional Defensive Player of the Year. As a sophomore, he was a first-team all-region and honorable mention all-state pick, adding all-region honors as a freshman.

 

During his senior season, Willis had 194 carries for 2,167 yards (11.2 avg.) and 30 touchdowns. Defensively, he was credited with 163 tackles, including 36 for losses, while racking up 12 sacks and four pass interceptions, returning one for a score. He helped lead Central High to the 2001 and 2002 Regional Championship and State Quarterfinals. Central was also a 1999 state semifinalist.

 

For his career, Willis carried the ball 276 times for 2,486 yards (9.0 avg.) and 39 scores. He had 51 receptions for 946 yards (18.5 avg.) and 17 touchdowns. On defense, he made 494 career tackles, including 275 solo hits, as well as 23 sacks, 46 stops for losses and 13 interceptions, with six returned for touchdowns. He scored 392 career points (62 TDs, one extra point, three two-point conversion, one field goal, two safeties) and compiled 3,944 all-purpose yards.

 

Willis also earned four letters in basketball and three in baseball. He averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds as a senior, 24 points and 11 rebounds as a junior, and 18 points and eight rebounds as a sophomore during his basketball career. He picked up all-district, all-region, District Most Valuable Player, All-West Tennessee, and honorable mention all-state honors in basketball. In baseball, he garnered all-district honors. He was also named Mr. Central High School.

 

Willis enrolled at Mississippi in 2003, seeing action in 13 games as a true freshman. He finished the season with 20 tackles (16 solos) and a stop behind the line of scrimmage. The middle linebacker would appear in 10 games as a reserve in 2004, but despite not starting any contests, he ranked third on the team with 70 tackles (54 solos) and led Ole Miss with five sacks and 11 stops for losses. He had four quarterback pressures and caused and recovered a fumble. That performance earned him All-Southeastern Conference honorable mention.

 

Willis took over middle linebacker chores in 2005. He suffered a broken middle finger on his right hand against Vanderbilt, playing in his final eight games wearing a cast and in the team's last two contests with a broken bone in his right foot. Still, he ranked sixth in the nation and led the SEC with 128 tackles (90 solos). He posted three sacks, 9.5 stops for losses and two pressures. He also caused two fumbles, recovered another, intercepted a pass and deflected four others, walking home with first-team All-America and All-SEC honors.

 

Willis was a consensus All-America and unanimous All-SEC first-team pick as a senior in 2006. He received the Conerly Trophy as Mississippi's best college football player and was the recipient of the Butkus Award and Lambert Trophy winner as the nation's top linebacker. He was also selected SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press and the league's coaches and was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award.

 

During his final season, Willis collected a career-high 137 tackles (87 solos) with three sacks and 11.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused two fumbles, recovered another and batted down seven passes.

 

In 45 games at Mississippi, Willis started 22 times. He finished his career with 355 tackles (247 solos), 11 sacks for minus-92 yards, 33 stops for losses totaling 154 yards and eight pressures. He caused five fumbles and recovered three others, returning one for a 9-yard gain. He also had one interception and 12 pass deflections.

 

ANALYSIS

Positives: Has a muscular upper-body frame with good shoulder and chest definition and the potential to add at least another 10 pounds of bulk without having it affect his overall quickness … Has a lean waist, good bubble, muscular legs with good bulk … Tough athlete who played all of 2005 with a cast to protect a broken right hand and performed in the final two 2005 games with a broken bone in his foot … Moves very well operating in space and has the loose hips to change direction fluidly … Shows good acceleration, balance and body control working his way down the line … Aggressive taking on multiple blockers, using his leg drive and power to stack single blocks at the line of scrimmage … Instinctive and quick reactor who won't get fooled by play-action and is quick to recognize blocking schemes … Stays square when facing-up to offensive guards, getting enough leverage with his strength and shedding quickly thanks to active hand swipes … Hard worker in the training room who won Lifter of the Year honors at Ole Miss in 2006 … Looks natural reading plays and also seems to be in position to make the tackle … Keeps his feet on the move and shows good urgency closing on the ball … When he makes proper reads coming off the snap, he is instant in attacking the ball … Has the hand strength to take-on and shed blocks and it is rare to see him get pinned when he stays low in his pads and keeps his hands inside his frame and active … Makes proper body adjustments to bring down the ball carrier in the open … Takes on the lead blockers with force, sinking his weight to push the opponent back and clog the rush lanes … Comes off blocks cleanly to redirect and make the play working in-line … Shows good explosion taking-on the ball carrier through the holes … Keeps his balance when he extends his hands to defeat cut blocks and has the sudden burst to close when chasing ball carriers along the perimeter … Has the speed to reach and make the cut off, showing good balance to shut down the cutback lanes … Is more of a hit-and-run type working toward the outside running plays, as he has the chase acceleration and takes proper angles to close … Has great ease of movement flowing to the ball from sideline-to-sideline … Does not need to gather, maintaining acceleration when trying to redirect … Slippery enough to get through traffic and can play the trail and adjust to the quick cuts by tight ends in man coverage … Has a good feel for the pass, getting to the flats with good urgency and gets a good jump on the ball working in the zone … Uses his lateral agility to bull rush into the backfield … Explosive hitter who wraps well and comes under with good control when playing in space … Will jolt an opponent on contact and plays with very good leverage when attempting to blitz, as he is quick to locate the quickest running lane to close on the quarterback … Makes every effort to collapse the pocket, but must keep his hands active to prevent from getting stacked on his inside charge … Has good speed for man coverage (just lacks a feel for where he should position himself) … Smooth in his backpedal and has good plant-and-drive agility to mirror backs and tight ends in the short area … Has the range to make plays away from his area and is very good at sifting through traffic.

 

Nice pick. ILB was definitely a need and Willis is a tremendous athlete. My only reservation was the relative importance of ILB compared to DL in the 3-4. The really successful 3-4 teams in the league have invested much more heavily in the defensive line than the interior backers.

 

I thought about that as well - I imagine with so many picks, Nolan's "best available player" radar was clicking...Willis might be the best "character guy" in the entire draft this year. Can't miss talent + can't miss personality might add up to more than positional rarity/

 

Now Nolan can stack up on a few DL through the draft.

[GeminiV 0]

I thought about that as well - I imagine with so many picks, Nolan's "best available player" radar was clicking...Willis might be the best "character guy" in the entire draft this year. Can't miss talent + can't miss personality might add up to more than positional rarity/

 

Now Nolan can stack up on a few DL through the draft.

 

Yeah, and ultimately, that's why it doesn't bother me. The defense needs impact players (i.e. not guys like Derek Smith) and Willis has the most potential to be that.

[football_scooter 0]

Ouch...Rams get Carriker. Alex Smith's bung just puckered a little.

[GeminiV 0]

Ouch...Rams get Carriker. Alex Smith's bung just puckered a little.

 

Never really thought of Carriker as a big-time pass rusher. He'll make Gore's job tougher, though, for sure.

[J-Money 4]

when do the niners trade back into the first for either staley or branch?

[WKTSWAY 0]

when do the niners trade back into the first for either staley or branch?

 

Now

Maybe for Houston though.

 

Anyone heard what they traded to get this pick yet?

[J-Money 4]

when do the niners trade back into the first for either staley or branch?

now we need to package kwame harris or smiley in a trade with someone after baltimore and get branch to make this the best possible draft (after balt. since they took nata last year)

[WKTSWAY 0]

wtf...they gave up a 1st next year??? damn

[worm 36]

Good call J-Money. I'm surprised with all of our ammo this year we gave up a next year pick, especially the first. Anyway, good pick, and we still can get a good WR in the second.

[J-Money 4]

wtf...they gave up a 1st next year??? damn

 

so they can still use this year's 2nd on a wr or trade up again for whatever...

 

Branch

 

 

lol

[football_scooter 0]

Good call J-Money. I'm surprised with all of our ammo this year we gave up a next year pick, especially the first. Anyway, good pick, and we still can get a good WR in the second.

 

I thought that was a great trade.

 

They won't go WR in the 2nd unless it's something they can't resist. They dealt a 4th for DJax, according to a few reports. And they still need depth at D - specifically a pass rushing DL. Deep draft in defense, I fully expect this to be their next pick.

 

As for next year, like Nolan probably believes, I think this is a team that can win the NFC West next year - they should win between 9-12 games - as such, the #1 next year is not going to be as significant as if they were a top 10 picking team.

 

I think it was perfect value - you have to ask yourself, "If this was next year, and we had the 28th pick with a chance at getting one of the best offensive tackles in the draft, would we pull the trigger?"

 

The obvious answer is yes. Especially since he was quickly rising up draft boards to a 20-25th pick projection.

 

Terrific move, a need pick, and another great talent. I loved this move/pick.

[worm 36]

Good point scooter. I agree that the 49ers have closed the gap with Seattle and will definitely compete for the division, but you just never know. However, I don't see how we can do any worse than last season, so it should work out fine. Also, I completely forgot about the Jackson trade, so we can wait until later rounds for a WR, maybe Jason Hill or Allison in the third.

[WKTSWAY 0]

There's no way Branch keeps falling to the 9ers, is there?

[worm 36]

I don't know if he will get past Tampa Bay or Chicago, but it wouldn't be out of the question to trade up into one of those spots to get him.

 

Edit: Nevermind, he just went to AZ.

[football_scooter 0]

As a Bills fan, I'm really hating the 9ers right now. We needed Willis.

 

...and what a pick for Buffalo.

 

There's no way Branch keeps falling to the 9ers, is there?

 

AZ moved up to get him.

 

I wish Nolan had.