49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan are tasked in transforming a starless roster as the team gets set for the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine on February 28, 2017. Here at Niner Noise we present to you our own big board.
We are two weeks away from the start of the annual NFL Scouting Combine held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
It’s the time of year that NFL front offices are at their most frenetic. Scouts are preparing their reports and getting their respective national scouts information on prospects heading into the combine.
The combine, along with pro days and private workouts, make up the remaining bits of information that teams use to build their draft big board. Teams use their big board so that they can choose the best value with the corresponding pick.
San Francisco 49ers
However, teams do not only place college prospects on their big board. They also place NFL free agents as well.
Why? Better overall talent, scheme fit, experience and veteran presence are just a few reasons why. In truth, there are plenty of more reasons why it makes sense to add quality veterans.
Another key factor for implementing FAs onto the big board — availability.
Case in point, the 49ers may want to draft North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky. But if the Browns select him with their No. 1 overall selection, then the 49ers could decide that their next best option is New England Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo and trade to get him.
On the 49ers big board, QBs could be ranked Trubisky (1) first-round grade, Garoppolo (2) first-round grade, and Clemson QB Deshaun Watson (3) third-round grade.
So with that being said, let’s take a look at Niner Noise’ first 2017 49ers’ Big Board.
Top Needs
Any team’s big board begins with a team’s top needs. The 49ers’ needs are all over the map. There is literally no position group that cannot be upgraded.
However, heading into the offseason without a plan would simply be an unmitigated disaster.
The 49ers have clear positions more dire than others, and these positions need to be addressed first. Two major positions of need, the nose tackle and outside linebacker positions, may no longer be needs if the teams changes their defensive front from a 3-4 to a 4-3.
Without knowing what defensive front the 49ers will field, the nose and edge rusher will have to wait for version 2.0. So without further ado, here are the team’s needs ranging from, crisis to almost adequate, that need to be addressed this offseason:
Quarterback
Wide Receiver
Inside Linebacker
Tight End
Backup Running Back
Quarterback
The 49ers will have exactly zero QBs once Colin Kaepernick opts of out of his contract, as has been widely reported by numerous media outlets. Regardless, even if Kap decided to not opt out of his contract, the team would most likely look to start fresh at the position.
With that being said, the 49ers are currently and should be in a mad scramble to find a QB to fill the starting position and the backup posts as well.
FanSided
Heading into the combine, there is a growing consensus among scouts North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky will be the first QB drafted.
Niner Noise is not among those who place Trubisky at the top of college-QB mountain top. No, the top QB prospect this year is Clemson’s Deshaun Watson. Watson has the stats and the big-game wins to complete the resume of a top draft selectee.
The concerns he comes from a spread system are mostly overblown. Those same concerns did not hurt Oakland Raiders’ Derek Carr, Tennessee Titans’ Marcus Mariota or Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton.
There are some minor issues that need to be addressed with his foot work. Same things that need to be addressed with just about any QB in this draft class.
By comparison, albeit a limited sample size, NE’s Jimmy Garoppolo displayed excellent footwork within the pocket.
However, Watson will cost a draft pick and a nickel. While Garoppolo will cost draft picks and a contract extension as he is in the last year of his rookie deal.
For these reasons, this is our 49ers 2017 QB big board:
- 2nd overall pick – Clemson QB Deshaun Watson
- 34th overall pick traded to New England for QB Jimmy Garoppolo (if Watson is gone)
- Sign Tyrod Taylor four years for $43 million (if options No. 1 & 2 are gone)
- Sign Brian Hoyer two years for $14 million (last option available)
Wide Receivers
The 49ers have neglected the wide receiver corps for far too long. In fact, aside from Michael Crabtree, the 49ers have avoided drafting a WR in the first round since they missed with A.J. Jenkins.
The 49ers can no longer afford to continue to do that.
With first time head coach Kyle Shanahan at the helm, the team will need better wide receivers than the team currently employs for his system to operate well. This offseason, the 49ers’ deep pockets will be used to go after some marquee free agents:
- Sign Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery to a 5-year, $60 million contract or,
- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor to a 4-year, $30 million contract.
- Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills to a 4-year, $22 million contract and,
- Draft with third-round pick Virginia Tech wide receiver Isaiah Ford and,
- Draft with sixth-round pick North Carolina wide receiver Ryan Switzer.
Draft projections and contract estimates were gathered from Walter Football and Spotrac.com, respectively.
Inside Linebacker
The 49ers need serious reinforcements alongside NaVorro Bowman. Last year, Ray Ray Armstrong showed promise next to Bowman before being lost for the year due to injury. Then, Bowman went down with a torn Achilles of his own and just like that the 49ers’ starting inside linebackers were out for the season by Week 4.
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Enter Backups Nick Bellore and Gerald Hodges, who left a lot to be desired and that is putting it lightly.
Quite simply, the linebackers were the worst unit the 49ers fielded last season. It was atrocious. It was abusive just to watch if we want to be honest. From blown assignments to missed ankle tackles, the linebackers simply got ran over.
On the bright side, the Niners get both Bowman and Armstrong back this season. Yet Bowman has suffered two critical injuries on the same leg. There is no telling how he will return from these injuries and Armstrong showed promise in limited action. He could come back and prove to be a bust.
The 49ers need to add talent and thus we add ILBs to the BB.
- Sign Atlanta Falcons ILB Paul Worrilow to a 4-year, $13 million contract and,
- Draft Northerwestern ILB Anthony Walker with fourth-round selection and,
- Draft University of Tennessee ILB Jaylen Reeves-Maybin with sixth-round selection.
Draft projections and contract estimates were gathered from Walter Football and Spotrac.com, respectively.
Tight End
Former general manager Trent Baalke did fans a solid when he cemented the tight end position by locking in “hands of stone” Vance McDonald for a few more years. McDonald is an excellent No. 2 tight end and he could eventually develop into a starting TE. Until then, the 49ers need an elite TE to assist whoever is the 49ers future signal-caller.
This brings us back to the fourth round. Yes, the 49ers have two fourth-round picks. In fact, they have in the two in the fourth, two in the fifth, two in the sixth and two in the seventh round. Now, we will use the last of the 49ers fourth-round picks:
- Draft Clemson TE Jordan Leggett with fourth-round pick or,
- Draft Virginia Tech TE Bucky Hodges with fourth-round pick if Leggett is gone and,
- Draft Michigan TE Jake Butt with fifth-round pick.
Draft projections were gathered from Walter Football.
Backup Running Back
The 49ers thankfully have a franchise-caliber running back in Carlos Hyde. Unfortunately, Hyde has issues remaining healthy.
The 49ers have tried to find him a quality backup and have come close in Shaun Draughn and DuJuan Harris. Both are journeyman RBs that at times have provided adequate games in relief but also have disappeared for long stretches.
It is well overdue to provide Hyde with a true complimentary RB that can both reduce the number of hits he takes and also provide an additional skill set such as catching out of the backfield.
Not to mention, that a backup should also add an opposing style to keep defenses on their toes.
- Draft Toledo RB Kareem Hunt with fifth-round pick or,
- Draft UTEP RB Aaron Jones with seventh-round pick.
Draft projections were gathered from Walter Football.
Honorable Mention
The 49ers could also address the nose tackle and 3-4 outside linebacker positions. However, per Bleacher Report, head coach Kyle Shanahan is reportedly leaning towards hiring Robert Saleh. Saleh was Gus Bradley’s linebacker’s coach in Jacksonville.
Bradley ran a 4-3 defensive scheme in Jacksonville just like he did as the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. Saleh was also with Bradley in Seattle during this time. If Saleh does indeed sign on to be the 49ers next DC, the team will no longer have a pressing need at the nose or 3-4 outside linebacker positions.
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Without knowing for sure the defensive front, the 49ers cannot plan to sign free agents or draft any NTs or edge rushers. The 49ers also have two prototypical 3-4 defensive ends whose size may hinder their ability as 4-3 defensive ends.
As was the case last year, the hiring of the defensive coordinator will be a major hire for first-time head coach Kyle Shanahan.
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Next: Why OLB Melvin Ingram Is a Must Have for the 49ers in NFL Free Agency
And, of course, GO NINERS!!!