NFC West

[BINGO]

NFC West spending armed the enemy, too
March, 26, 2012 11:39PM ET
By Mike Sando

Teams receiving four of the 10 best compensatory draft choices this year have NFC West teams to thank.

That was the word Monday from the world's leading comp-pick guru, AdamJT13, who links specific players to specific comp picks on his blog.

The NFL awards compensatory choices based on net losses in unrestricted free agency, calculated by factors including salary and performance.

According to AdamJT13, the Seattle Seahawks' signing of Sidney Rice last offseason helped the Minnesota Vikings land a fourth-round pick -- 128th overall, the second-highest of the 32 selections awarded Monday.

Oakland received the 129th pick thanks to Seattle's deal with former Raiders tight end Zach Miller. Green Bay landed the 133rd pick for losing Daryn Colledge to Arizona, and Oakland picked up a fifth-rounder (168th overall) for losing Robert Gallery to Seattle.

UFA additions and subtractions this offseason will help determine how comp picks are awarded in 2013.

Arizona has added Adam Snyder and William Gay while losing Richard Marshall and Sean Considine.

San Francisco has added Josh Johnson, Mario Manningham and Rock Cartwright while losing Josh Morgan, Blake Costanzo and Snyder.

Seattle has added Matt Flynn and Jason Jones while losing John Carlson, Charlie Whitehurst and Atari Bigby.

The Rams have added Steve Smith, Quinn Ojinnaka, Kendall Langford, Scott Wells and Cortland Finnegan while losing Brandon Lloyd and Chris Chamberlain.

 

[BINGO]

Rams looking to trade up?
10:04AM ET
St. Louis Rams

One reason why the Cleveland Browns would've made a better trading partner for the St. Louis Rams is that doing so would've moved the Rams down to the No. 4 overall pick instead of the No. 6 selection they received from the Washington Redskins. The central issue is that at No. 4, the Rams would've likely had their choice of Justin Blackmon, Morris Claiborne or Trent Richardson; at No. 6, they get the last one left.

As a result, it's not surprising to hear that the Rams have some level of interest in trading up. And, interestingly enough, Rams HC Jeff Fisher wouldn't rule out executing a deal with the Browns, though he did hedge that remark by indicating they'd be fine staying where they are as well.

"I don't know if we'd consider going that high," Fisher acknowledged, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Those conversations aren't going to take place until draft day because your guy's got to be there. It'll be interesting to see what kind of compensation they want. We're very happy with the compensation we've got right now over the next couple of years."

If another team trades up to No. 3 to get Blackmon, this all but assures that the Rams will not trade up -- and in fact, they could potentially trade down. Lot of moving parts here.

- Tim Kavanagh​

 

[BINGO]

49ers' WR needs
3:52PM ET
San Francisco 49ers


The San Francisco 49ers entered the offseason with some obvious needs at wide receiver. Via free agency, they've made some moves to address those issues. Enough so, that Scouts Inc.'s Gary Horton sees wide receiver as only their sixth-most important issue this offseason, after guard, defensive line, cornerback, linebacker and tight end. Still, he admits the Niners' WR corps is not without issues.

"While this position ... looks deep, there are some question marks," Horton said. "The 49ers have added Randy Moss (un-retired) and Mario Manningham (Giants) to the mix with Michael Crabtree and Ted Ginn (re-signed), but how much does Moss have left? In a perfect world, Ginn would have a bigger role in the return game than at WR. This could be a luxury draft pick."

While ESPN NFC West blogger Mike Sando is more concerned about the 49ers' receivers than Horton is, he gives the team credit for their approach to improving their roster:

- Tom Carpenter​

MIKE SANDO
Resetting NFC West needs heading to draft
"We might quibble with where receiver ranks among the 49ers' needs, but I would consider Horton's ranking yet another sign of the team's flexibility heading into the draft. Receiver is a need, but perhaps not a glaring one."

 

[NinerSickness]

Teams interested in Bradford?
8:28AM ET
Sam Bradford | Rams "Rams HC Jeff Fisher said teams inquired about trading for Sam Bradford. He wouldn't say if #Browns were one, but Shurmur loved him."

...Before anyone gets too carried away, let's remember this quote from Fisher at the scouting combine regarding a possible trade of Bradford: "That wouldn't be an option."

- Tim Kavanagh​

Thank God that didn't happen.

 

[BINGO]

NFL Draft 2012
NFC West remaining team needs
Breaking down the top six areas to address for every squad in the draft
Originally Published: April 6, 2012
By Gary Horton | Scouts Inc.

The Arizona Cardinals need some wide receiver depth behind Larry Fitzgerald.

With NFL free agency slowing down, teams are in the middle of setting their draft boards for the 2012 NFL draft. No team filled all of its roster holes in free agency, so where are the areas of weakness for each roster heading into the draft?

Here are the top six needs for every NFL team leading into the draft, broken up by division. The AFC was released on Thursday. Here is the NFC file.


St. Louis Rams

Top needs:1. Wide receiver: Even though they added Steve Smith (Philadelphia) in free agency, he has knee problems and there is no assurance that he can give them any quality production in 2012. Their best WR, Brandon Lloyd, is now in New England. The Rams desperately need a No. 1 WR, along with a solid No. 2.

2. Offensive line: With the exception of newly acquired C Scott Wells from Green Bay and RG Harvey Dahl, this unit is a mess. They have two tackles, Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith, who have battled injuries and wound up finishing the 2011 season on injured reserve -- neither guy has LT qualities. There is virtually no depth across this front that gave up 55 sacks a year ago. The Rams really need two new starters, something they probably can't get out of this draft.

3. Linebacker: There are only four LBs under contract on this roster, and while that will obviously change before the season, there is a lot of work to do here. James Laurinaitis is the anchor of this defense and he makes all the calls, but the two OLBs, Josh Hall and Justin Cole, aren't starting-caliber quality. This is another position that could use more than one upgrade, though they did sign Jo-Lonn Dunbar.

4. Defensive tackle: They did add Kendall Langford from Miami, who can really help them in run defense, but this position has been gutted by the coaches. St. Louis needs to start over with some young guys who can hold up versus the run but also penetrate enough to help the edge pass rush.

5. Cornerback: The acquisition of UFA Cortland Finnegan from Tennessee was a huge move because this secondary was arguably the weakest unit in the NFL in 2011. Injuries devastated this group, and the unit they were forced to send out onto the field each week was embarrassing. Finnegan can match up against No. 1 WRs, but the Rams really need more quality CBs.

6. Quarterback: Sam Bradford struggled last year, but the organization believes he is their franchise QB. Still, a strong backup QB to push him would be a good idea, or a veteran who can fill in if he gets injured again.

Needs addressed in free agency:
The Rams have been a little tough to figure out so far in free agency. They did sign three quality veteran players at need positions in Finnegan (Tennessee), Langford (Miami) and Wells (Green Bay). However, they haven't gotten Bradford more weapons. They may make some inexpensive free-agent moves now that the market has cooled down to fill needs, but by far the best thing they have done is acquire additional draft picks by trading down with Washington. With picks No. 6, No. 33 and No. 39 this year, and additional high picks next year, the Rams are poised to really improve. However, right now there are more holes on this roster than on any other team in the NFL.




Seattle Seahawks

Top needs:
1. Defensive end: The Seahawks registered only 33 sacks in 2011 and 11 of those came from Chris Clemons. This is a defense that likes to get pressure without blitzing, which puts a premium on edge rushers. They have addressed this position in past drafts without a lot of success, and the need remains significant. Clemons and the other starter, Red Bryant, are solid players and newly acquired UFA Jason Jones from Tennessee is a DT who can slide outside on passing downs. They need to develop a young guy with athleticism who can give them production off the edge.

2. Linebacker: Pete Carroll wants this unit to improve its overall speed and David Hawthorne is now with the Saints. The coaches like young K.J. Wright and he could move to MLB to replace Hawthorne, but he is probably better suited outside. The Seahawks need a linebacker with speed who can develop quickly.

3. Guard: LG John Moffitt is a solid player, but is coming off a knee injury. Seattle re-signed backup Paul McQuistan to give them a little insurance. The Seahawks need a good, young guard who can function in this zone-blocking run game and step in if the starters can't hold up physically.

4. Running back: Re-signing Marshawn Lynch was a huge help for this run game, but the depth behind him needs to be upgraded. Veteran Leon Washington is the only legitimate backup and he is primarily a third-down back, although the Seahawks did re-sign the underrated Michael Robinson. Lynch is a violent runner, and that means he takes a lot of big hits, so a solid backup who could share some of his carries would help.

5. Cornerback: This secondary is developing into one of the strongest units in the NFL and it starts with two outstanding corners with great size, Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner. They have a couple of developing CBs, but they need a nickel CB to replace veteran Marcus Trufant.

6. Quarterback: Even though they signed UFA Matt Flynn from Green Bay and they still have Tarvaris Jackson, you get the feeling that they are still looking at the QB position in the draft. Jackson has one year left on his contract and nobody knows if Flynn is the real deal yet. Finding a young QB to groom might give this position a little insurance.

Needs addressed in free agency:
The Seahawks are an improving football team with a clear identity of what they want to be on both sides of the ball. On offense they clearly have a run-first mentality, and signing Lynch to a long-term contract without giving him the franchise tag was a big move. On defense they did the same thing with their best player, Bryant. Flynn (Green Bay), Jones (Tennessee) and T Frank Omiyale (Chicago) are players who fill needs, but at the right price. The Seahawks have lost some players, but they are really headed in the right direction.

 

[BINGO]

Arizona Cardinals

Top needs:
1. Offensive tackle: This has been a glaring need that the Cardinals haven't solved in several years. The only legitimate starter they have is Levi Brown, but he is overrated and inconsistent in pass production. There isn't another legitimate starter on the roster and the backups are nondescript. This unit gave up 54 sacks a year ago and both Kevin Kolb and John have marginal mobility at QB. They could use at least one starter here from this draft.

2. Wide receiver: After Larry Fitzgerald, there isn't a lot to like about this position group for Arizona. The other potential starter is untested Andre Roberts, and Early Doucet fits best as a No. 3 WR. The Cardinals desperately need a true No. 2 to team with Fitzgerald because right now this is an easy pass offense to defend.

3. Outside linebacker: In this 3-4 defense, the pass-rush pressure is expected to come from the outside linebackers. Arizona has two young guys, Sam Acho and O'Brien Schofield, who combined for 11.5 sacks a year ago, and they should keep getting better. However, there is virtually no depth behind them.

4. Defensive end: The Cardinals are solid with their starters, Calais Campbell, who has the franchise tag and produced eight sacks a year ago, and Darnell Dockett, who is a dominating player. There is no depth or backup to develop and they desperately need another DE who can hold up against the run and generate pressure.

5. Center/guard: Starters C Lyle Sendlein, and guards Adam Snyder (UFA From San Francisco) and Daryn Colledge (who they restructured) are solid, but they will miss G Rex Hadnot. The Cardinals could use another inside swing player, even though Snyder is versatile.

6. Inside linebacker: This is an important position in this defense and the Cardinals need to get better here. While Daryl Washington shows a lot of promise as one starter, they could upgrade Paris Lenon at the other spot. Stewart Bradley wasn't the answer in 2011 and there is virtually no depth after him.

Needs addressed in free agency:
A year ago the Cardinals were aggressive in free agency, but in this free-agency period they have been very quiet with minimal moves. They have re-signed some of their core players in Doucet and Colledge and they franchised Campbell to keep the core of this team together. They also added a couple of nice pieces in Snyder (San Francisco) and CB William Gay (Pittsburgh) and their only real losses are S Sean Considine (Baltimore) and CB Richard Marshall (Miami). They cut a lot of veteran dead weight, but those are losses they can overcome. This roster has a lot of needs, and it's surprising they didn't make more bold moves in acquiring free agents.




San Francisco 49ers

Top needs:
1. Guard: Snyder did a nice job at RG, but he's gone, leaving inexperienced Daniel Kilgore as the starter -- and there is virtually no depth behind him. This is an improving unit with young players who are developing together, but if they could add a guy inside who could play guard or center, it would upgrade this group.

2. Defensive line: The starters in this unit -- DE's Ray McDonald and Justin Smith and NT Isaac Sopoaga -- are really productive players, but the depth isn't great. Smith and Sopoaga are in their 30s and McDonald has battled knee problems, so getting through a 16-game season with these three intact is a challenge. Defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois can contribute both inside and outside. Even though most of San Francisco's pass rush comes from the outside, the 49ers could use a young penetrator to develop.

3. Cornerback: This secondary is loaded, especially at safety, and the starting corners, Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown, are really solid. Young Chris Culliver looks like a potential starter in the future, but after that the 49ers don't always match up well versus spread offenses. A young CB who might contribute early in the nickel as a slot corner would be an upgrade.

4. Linebacker: Like most positions on this team, the starters are rock solid. Outside linebackers Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks are excellent edge rushers, and the inside duo of Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman may be the best in the NFL. Larry Grant is a solid inside backup OLB and Parys Haralson is an underrated edge pass-rusher. Adding another pass-rusher on the outside would add to this depth.

5. Tight end: At first glance this doesn't really look like a need, but Jim Harbaugh loves to utilize his TEs in a variety of roles -- and even though the 49ers have three good ones, adding a fourth in the draft is not out of the question. Starter Vernon Davis has pass-catching skills like a WR and he really stretches the defense, while backups Delanie Walker and Justin Peelle are decent receivers and blockers, but they don't dominate.

6. Wide receiver: While this position also looks deep, there are some question marks. The 49ers have added Randy Moss (un-retired) and Mario Manningham (Giants) to the mix with Michael Crabtree and Ted Ginn (re-signed), but how much does Moss have left? In a perfect world, Ginn would have a bigger role in the return game than at WR. This could be a luxury draft pick.

Needs addressed in free agency:
This is an organization with a clear-cut plan on player acquisitions and they rarely deviate from that plan. They have done an excellent job of keeping the core of a really good roster together by re-signing a lot of their players, while restructuring some contracts to free up money. They have really upgraded their receiving corps with Moss and Manningham and the RB position with Brandon Jacobs and Rock Cartwright. Plus, their losses in free agency haven't been very large.

 

[threelittleturds]

Smith didn't have vertical guys before, guys who can really run (and catch, eliminating Ginn here), so it's not going to look like a fit. I don't like scouts because they make their money talking about what someone can't do.

Maybe the best vertical guy Smith has ever had with the 49ers was Antonio Bryant, and that didn't even last a full year because of his DUI, or reckless driving.. whatever it was that made Nolan cut him. That is probably the only WR that averaged 18 yards per catch with more than 10 catches for the 49ers since they drafted Smith. (Bryant had 40 catches that year)

Which is a pretty sad statement to make about the WRs the 49ers have had since 2005. Not like we didn't know that already though, I imagine you've all read how defensive coordinators repeatedly said that none of the WRs scare them which made it easier for them to gameplan for VD and Gore.

 

[luckyluke22]

How are we loaded at Safety? We have three currently on the roster... Not sure what's going through his mind as he writes that...

 

[MHSL82]

Maybe the best vertical guy Smith has ever had with the 49ers was Antonio Bryant, and that didn't even last a full year because of his DUI, or reckless driving.. whatever it was that made Nolan cut him. That is probably the only WR that averaged 18 yards per catch with more than 10 catches for the 49ers since they drafted Smith. (Bryant had 40 catches that year)

Which is a pretty sad statement to make about the WRs the 49ers have had since 2005. Not like we didn't know that already though, I imagine you've all read how defensive coordinators repeatedly said that none of the WRs scare them which made it easier for them to gameplan for VD and Gore.

My thing is that I don't believe we can necessarily say how one player will do under one set of circumstances if he hasn't been in that situation before. Moss and Manningham may be that situation. We know how Smith will do if we don't have many down field threats, bad oline, and poor coaching. Now, we could have all three. He could flop or he could succeed.

I realize that this "don't know if x or y" would leave little room for us fans to say anything about anyone, so that's why I don't go ape shit on people who say this - but I will state my opinion. We can, of course, guess on what will happen based on what we have seen Smith do, and he hasn't shown us that many positives. As long as they are posed as opinions or guesses, then I'm ok. Sometimes it gets arrogant and sometimes ignorant. That can be a deadly combination.

It's the certainty that people say things that bugs me, especially when many take those statements to heart (rely on "experts"). That's why when people bring up various reports on accuracy/inaccuracy of Kaep, I tune it out for the most part. Kaep hasn't played in the NFL extensively, so I can't say he's good or bad at something based upon college. I can say he has a strong arm and likes to use his feet, but I can't say strong arm equals great deep field ball or will be successfully mobile. Conversely, I can't say that he will sail balls or bail out too often, either.

 

[BINGO]

Wrong thread

 

[BINGO]

Seahawks going BPA at No. 12?
9:57AM ET
Seattle Seahawks

The debate rages every offseason as to whether certain teams should target positions of need in the draft -- which sometimes involves trading up -- or go with the best player available on their board. Generally, teams that have good all-around depth are afforded the opportunity to use this latter strategy. The Seattle Seahawks would like to be in that situation, and whether they've arrived at that destination or not, it would appear that they will use the BPA strategy this season, if we're understanding GM John Schneider correctly.

"There are tons of mock drafts, and I'd be lying if I told you I didn't look at them," Schneider admitted recently, according to Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com. "But it's not that easy. We build our [draft] board based on our team and what we have currently. So we compare these players to our current roster, and that's how we build our board. We don't build our board for the league, per se. So while people in a mock draft might feel like we need a certain position or a specific player, it's just really who has the highest grade -- and if it fills a specific need, that's great. But it's a grade comparable to what our team is and how we see our own players at each position. That's why it's so important to know your team and evaluate your team first and foremost."

The mock drafters have been shipping BC LB Luke Kuechly to the Seahawks recently, in light of the fact that they lost David Hawthorne in free agency. Other need-based options have been D-linemen like UNC's Quinton Coples, Memphis' Dontari Poe and Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox. But based upon Schneider's soliloquy, the eventual pick could end up being none of the above.

- Tim Kavanagh​

 

[bigpb72]

How are we loaded at Safety? We have three currently on the roster... Not sure what's going through his mind as he writes that...

because its cretin that we draft 1 and its still a possibility reggie smith comes back.

 

[ChrisPozz]

because its cretin that we draft 1 and its still a possibility reggie smith comes back.

Smith signed with Carolina.

 

[BINGO]

Chat wrap: Let NFL draft scenarios flow
April, 11, 2012 7:53PM ET
By Mike Sando | ESPN.com

Draft theorizing carried the NFC West chat Wednesday. Potential scenarios are virtually endless in quantity. We considered a few of them and expanded the conversation.

Full chat transcript here. A few highlights below:

Adam from Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., enjoyed the mock draft comparison, but he's not so sure the San Francisco 49ers will seriously consider a guard in the first round. He thinks adding to the defensive line or finding a speed player at receiver would carry move value.

Mike Sando: Thanks, Adam. I understand what the mock drafters are thinking. They are going with perceived needs because it's tougher to figure out value differentials for players drafted later in the first round. It's easy to give the 49ers a guard at that point in the draft. I agree with the thinking that a team should be able to develop a guard chosen later in the draft. It's OK to take a guard early if you're getting a special one, but harder to justify in other cases. The 49ers have a great defense already, but if they could find someone to project as an eventual Justin Smith successor, that would help the team. Bucky Brooks had that thought in mind in putting together his mock, which I linked to from the item you referenced.

D from Valley of the Sun thinks value would compel the Arizona Cardinals to select David DeCastro in the first round, if available. The team could move Adam Snyder to tackle, then draft a tackle in the third round, a pass-rusher in the fourth (think Sam Acho last year) and a receiver after that. Emphasizing the ground game would help Kevin Kolb this season, in his view.

Mike Sando: You've thought through the scenario well, I would say. That is a less-than-ideal scenario, however. The team already spent big for left guard Daryn Colledge in free agency. Investing a first-round choice in a right guard just doesn't seem like the preferred path philosophically. Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams need to stay healthy, first and foremost. Wells had 1,000 yards last season despite not being healthy much of the time. The thought of Snyder at right tackle isn't appealing, either. Jeremy Bridges might be a better starting option there.

Corey from Washington, D.C., proposes the following scenario: Ryan Tannehill slips past Cleveland at No. 4; Seattle trades up with Miami to take Quinton Coples at No. 8; and the Dolphins select Tannehill at No. 12, a position Corey deemed "more respectable" for the Texas A&M quarterback. "For the record, I have a hard time buying Kansas City passingon Luke Kuechly to get a raw QB, which I factored in," he added.

Mike Sando: I question whether the Dolphins would have the patience to try such a move. They're likely desperate for a quarterback. Can they really afford to get cute if they think Tannehill is their guy? I don't see how they could do that, given the risk of losing the player.

Roland from Winnipeg notes that three of the 14 mock drafts cited had the St. Louis Rams passing on Justin Blackmon for Fletcher Cox. He likes the thinking because he sees quality receivers available later, but he wonders whether the Rams have a great enough need at defensive tackle to justify the decision.

Mike Sando: The Rams are starting over in a lot of areas, but especially at defensive tackle. They flushed out Fred Robbins and are starting almost from scratch there. The thinking on Fletcher Cox would reflect Jeff Fisher's general belief that you build with a strong running game and strong defense. Yes, you need playmakers too, but the first priority is to take pressure off the QB by running the ball, perhaps diminishing the need to build right away with a receiver taken sixth overall, especially if that receiver isn't as appealing as some of the other receivers taken very early in drafts. Cox would then be a value selection.

Thanks for keeping the conversation going. The NFC West chat will return to its usual Thursday schedule next week.

Enjoy your Wednesday night.

 

[bigpb72]

Smith signed with Carolina.

damn that was a nice addition for them

 

[BINGO]

Campbell staying away from OTAs?
11:36AM ET
Calais Campbell | Cardinals

There was an inevitability regarding DE Calais Campbell's free agency this offseason: if the Arizona Cardinals could not come to an agreement with him on a long-term pact by the franchise tag deadline, they would use the designation on him. And so it was. But in the time since, Campbell has not signed the associated one-year tender, nor have the two sides agreed to a long-term pact to replace that tender.

Without a signed contract -- or a signed waiver -- players cannot participate in OTAs with their team, and Campbell thus will not be involved with the Cardinals' sessions unless something changes before the onset of those OTAs next week. Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com is of the opinion that Campbell will not be participating; in spite of the ongoing contract talks, there hasn't necessarily been any substantial progress.

This doesn't mean that the negotiations will drag out and threaten Campbell's status for mini-camp in June, but as with all the other franchise taggees, the date of July 16 looms as the next important deadline. If no long-term pact is signed by then, they will have to play out the 2012 campaign on the one-year franchise tender.

- Tim Kavanagh​

 

[BINGO]

New Round 1 idea for 49ers
9:35AM ET
San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have a job opening at starting RG for 2012, and earlier this week, we considered some incumbent options for the post. However, there's a chance that the club may target a player to fill into this spot with an early draft pick, even as high as their first-rounder (No. 30 overall).

If the Niners do elect to draft an interior OL with that pick, they should have some good options that will have a chance to step in and start right away. In the view of Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, that list includes Wisconsin's Peter Konz (a C who could slide over a spot), Iowa St.'s Kelechi Osemele, Midwestern St.'s Amini Silatolu and Konz's collegiate teammate Kevin Zeitler.

The Niners don't really have any huge needs after what they accomplished in free agency, so the chances of their picking the best available player on their board at No. 30 are pretty high, whether that's a potential starter at RG or not. They are also a team that could be interested in trading down if they are not in love with any of the available prospects at that spot.

- Tim Kavanagh​

 

[BINGO]

Rams may target OL early
9:12AM ET
St. Louis Rams

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch went through and chronicled all the St. Louis Rams' interior O-line draft picks since the team moved from Los Angeles, and it doesn't paint a pretty picture: of the 14 men in the group, only two started as many as 10 games at OG or C in a season for the club (Richie Incognito and Claude Terrell). Nevertheless, there's a chance that the team will attempt to buck the trend, and they may invest as high as a second-round pick (they have two) on a player who can step right in and start at LG.

The two players generally considered tops amongst OG prospects are Stanford's David DeCastro and Georgia's Cordy Glenn; however, unless the Rams trade back from No. 6 later into the first, it doesn't appear that they'll take either of them. A more likely scenario has the team using one of its two second-rounders (No. 33 overall or No. 39 overall) on someone like Wisconsin's Kevin Zeitler or Iowa State's Kelechi Osemele. It's also possible that Glenn or DeCastro will slip to the second, though it's tough to say just how likely that is. Another scenario would be to draft Wisconsin C Peter Konz (if he falls to No. 33) and ask him to slide over to LG.

- Tim Kavanagh​

 

[deep9er]

New Round 1 idea for 49ers
9:35AM ET
San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have a job opening at starting RG for 2012, and earlier this week, we considered some incumbent options for the post. However, there's a chance that the club may target a player to fill into this spot with an early draft pick, even as high as their first-rounder (No. 30 overall).

If the Niners do elect to draft an interior OL with that pick, they should have some good options that will have a chance to step in and start right away. In the view of Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, that list includes Wisconsin's Peter Konz (a C who could slide over a spot), Iowa St.'s Kelechi Osemele, Midwestern St.'s Amini Silatolu and Konz's collegiate teammate Kevin Zeitler.

The Niners don't really have any huge needs after what they accomplished in free agency, so the chances of their picking the best available player on their board at No. 30 are pretty high, whether that's a potential starter at RG or not. They are also a team that could be interested in trading down if they are not in love with any of the available prospects at that spot.

- Tim Kavanagh​

just wondering IF Konz falls to 30th.......

while he might be the heir apparent to Goodwin NEXT season, can he really perform at RG THIS season? cause if the idea is to have him plug RG now, then move him to Center, wouldn't we be 'sacrificing' RG for a year? can you convert that easily from C to RG?

we need a RG now so wouldn't it make sense to just draft a RG? then next year if we need a C, we just draft a C?

on the flip side, does make sense to give Konz a year in the system, even at RG. so when he does move to Center he has experience with line calls.

 

[BINGO]

just wondering IF Konz falls to 30th.......

while he might be the heir apparent to Goodwin NEXT season, can he really perform at RG THIS season? cause if the idea is to have him plug RG now, then move him to Center, wouldn't we be 'sacrificing' RG for a year? can you convert that easily from C to RG?

we need a RG now so wouldn't it make sense to just draft a RG? then next year if we need a C, we just draft a C?

on the flip side, does make sense to give Konz a year in the system, even at RG. so when he does move to Center he has experience with line calls.

There goes your answer right there!