As the San Francisco 49ers start looking towards the 2018 NFL Draft, Niner Noise discusses which prospects that aren’t worth taking in the first round this upcoming April.
The 2017 San Francisco 49ers NFL Draft class was a home run by general manager John Lynch, picking up a plethora of crucial pieces to this young team’s foundation.
It was notably a significant improvement from past years’ drafts by ex-GM Trent Baalke, who drafted players that often turned out to bust. Let’s take a look at some players that Baalke would draft in the first round of 2018.
Or, in other words, prospects the 49ers should avoid in the first round this year.
No. 5: Defensive Tackle Maurice Hurst, Michigan
Don’t get me wrong. Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst would make a great day two pick. However, I’m seeing Hurst pop up in many mock drafts in the first round, which is genuinely perplexing.
Hurst is a 6-foot-2, 282-pound defensive tackle, which is undersized in terms of height and weight for a defensive lineman, especially an interior one. So why are so many experts saying that he will go in the first round?
Hurst is incredibly fast off the line of scrimmage, bursting through at literally light speed after the ball is snapped. As a result, the opposing offensive lineman doesn’t have time to get set, and Hurst finds himself in the backfield on many plays.
My problem with Hurst as a first-round pick is that NFL players are on a whole other level. Coaches will prepare the offensive linemen to get set particularly quickly prior to their games against Hurst, and I would think that they are more than up to the challenge.
Hurst’s lack of size prevents him from being a worthy first-round pick.
No. 4: Running Back Bryce Love, Stanford
The Bryce Love hype train was real this year, as the Stanford running back rolled to a 2,000-yard rushing season. I recently had the opportunity to cover the USC versus Stanford Pac-12 Championship game, and was salivating at watching Love run in the flesh.
Watching from the sideline, I got a close look at how Love runs. And I walked out of the game disappointed with his efforts. He was not explosive and was constantly stymied by a USC front seven that had been fairly generous to opposing backs prior to that game. He was unspectacular, to say the least, and simply did not live up to the hype.
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Granted, it was only one game, but Love does not fit the Kyle Shanahan offensive scheme as well, based on his receiving stats. The Cardinal only has 33 receiving yards on six catches this entire season. Running backs in Coach Shanahan’s system need to be able to catch the ball, and I am not trusting a back with just six catches this season to be able to adapt to a system that requires soft hands.
Love’s breakout season had many people claiming that he was better than Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. That could not be further from the truth, and the 49ers should stay away from this player that I do not love.
No. 3: Wide Receiver Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Let me first say that I am a huge fan of Calvin Ridley.
I think that Ridley has been blessed with a true gift of making plays. There is just one word that describes Ridley — and that word is playmaker. This kid can create chunk plays that can instantly change the momentum of a game.
Please take a couple minutes to watch this guy show off his skills:
It pains me to say it, but the 49ers should avoid Ridley in the draft, and it is because he is 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds.
San Francisco already has plenty of small playmakers — receivers Marquise Goodwin, Trent Taylor and running back Matt Breida. Due to the team’s struggles in the red zone over the course of the season, what the 49ers need is a true red-zone threat, someone big like SMU receiver Courtland Sutton, who measures in at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds.
Kyle Shanahan needs his Julio Jones in San Francisco, and he can’t get that in Ridley. However, whichever team does draft him will be getting a special player.
No. 2: Defensive End Bradley Chubb, North Carolina State
My argument against drafting NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb is more along the same lines of the one I had against Calvin Ridley.
Chubb is a powerful 6-foot-4 and 275-pound monster of a man, who can be a pass-rushing threat. He has dominated competition during his years at NC State, and looks to be a truly elite talent at his position.
However, c’mon.
I do not want the 49ers to draft another defensive end in the first round after three straight years of doing it. DeForest Buckner has been elite, and I see endless potential in Solomon Thomas. Arik Armstead is another story, but I think that if he stays healthy, he could potentially utilize his size to become an impact player soon.
The team has more pressing needs in offensive line, cornerback and receiver — maybe a edge-rushing outside linebacker. The defensive line is not a position of huge need right now, and even if Chubb falls in the 49ers laps, I would be sorely disappointed if John Lynch took him.
No. 1: Strong Safety DeShon Elliott, Texas
Given the 49ers’ nice depth at safety with Jaquiski Tartt, Jimmie Ward, Adrian Colbert and possibly Eric Reid — and the two better safeties in Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James that are in the draft — I think that the 49ers should stay away from Texas safety DeShon Elliott.
Elliott lacks the speed required to be able to cover NFL wide receivers, which is actually what scouts say is his biggest strength — coverage. They say that his six interceptions this year are proof of his great coverage skills, but most of his picks actually come from tipped balls or inaccurate throws by the quarterback.
If Minkah Fitzpatrick falls to the 49ers, great. Pick him up.
I would even be fine with Derwin James. Those two safeties are going to be immediate impact players in the league.
Next: 5 players the 49ers should watch in Round 1 of the NFL Draft
However, I do not think that Elliott is worthy of a first-round pick, especially from San Francisco with more than two great safeties already manning the defensive backfield.