As we draw to within a week of the NFL draft, an interesting picture with a lot going on here in Washington. The 49ers offensive line coach Foerster with general manager Lynch and Coach Fisch who coached Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona and who's projected as a mid to high 2nd round pick. The two Huskie offensive lineman they have interest in are Fautanu who's assumed to go in the teens and his team mate Rosengarten who's been moving up boards from round 3 to mid round 2. Certainly seems like the Niners have recognized their offensive line needs an infusion of talent independent of Feliciano's looming retirement in 2025, and Banks' presumed 2025 departure for a bag. Similar to the way they traded up in round 2 for Banks, I'd prefer they went that route with Rosengarten and draft the 3rd best DT at 31. What do all you think?
IMO, Fautanu, Washington will be gone before the 9ers pick unless JL & KS move up to the middle of the 1st Rd. But I don't see them doing that.
ReplyDelete* Some thing I do like about Rosengarten, but I believe that Jordan Morgan, Arizona will be drafted ahead of Rosengarten, who I see going in the early to mid 3Rd Rd.
* What I would like to see the 9ers do, is trade down with pick #31
for more Rd #2 and Rd #3 draft picks and draft BYU OT Kingsley Suamatais. He should be available in the mid 40's Rd #2.
The way I see it, Fautanu more than likely doesn't get by the Seahawks at 16 or the Rams at 19. That's not to say he couldn't conceivably get to 21. Having said that, I think the 49ers will go with the 3rd best DT in the draft at 31 and then move up to 55 for Rosengarten. Would they draft Rosengarten at 31? You bet they would because they've proven to go with need over bpa in Round 1.
DeleteThe Eagles just set the floor in the Aiyuk negotiations at $25M/ annum.
ReplyDeleteYep, which leads me to speculate the Niners line in the sand for Aiyuk is close to $26M/annum.
DeleteA difference in the Smith and Aiyuk situations is that Smith was only going to be paid around $3.5M this year before this new deal. So you add the new 3 years and you end up with a 4 year deal worth under $80M - if the Eagles wanted they can structure it to keep cap hits below $20M each year, dependingon available cap space in 2024.
DeleteAiyuk is owed over $14M this year. The same deal would equate to effectively 4 years at around $90M.
From the players perspective that is largely immaterial - its the new money that matters. But from an organisational point of view it can matter, as the 49ers have less flexibility to keep future cap hits down without breaking their cap structure this year.
I've heard the arguement over the amount invested at the WR position in a run first offense like Shanny's, but what do you make of all that money the Eagles put into the position with a rudimentary qb?
DeleteMy take re: the Eagles is that investing in the WR position was correlated with getting back to the playoffs, and a SB. And also coincided with a toolsy QB turning into a good NFL QB.
DeleteI expect Siriani will be fired after this year and Roseman will look to move on from Hurts. I also expect Trent Baalke to be fired next year as well.
DeleteMore to the point I was making to Geep, all then Niners draft picks are essentially one round lower than numbered. 31 is basically a 2, 63 is basically a 3, 94 is basically a 4th and so on. So it's not inconceivable that the 49ers reach if the player they love is there who won't be the following round.
ReplyDeleteYep. And I will add that if you can move down and still get the player you want then great. But you can't guarantee the player you want will still be there.
DeleteRazor
Delete* If you're saying the 3rd best DT in the draft at 31 is Fisk, I'm all for the 9ers drafting him. And yes, I agree about the 9er draft picks being one round lower.
* The problem I have, as I discussed with Scooter, too many of the draft boards have players being drafted in different rounds,
and it gets worse as you get passed round #2. So on one mock draft board it may be a reach, but on another it's not....
RE Rosengarten: One could argue he's a better OT now, than
Suamatais, but I would argue Suamantas has a higher ceiling. And, if you believe JL, the 9ers are satisfied with the O-Line now. Also, with a years experience playing together, they'll be
better this year, than last.
Other than TW and Banks (2nd Rd), the other O-Lineman were drafted in than the 4th round, or lower. So the 9er MO is not to
draft IOL in Rd #1. Having said that, my 9er draft prediction are at best, POOR.....SO WHO KNOWS?
I've got Orhorhoro just above Jenkins as my 3rd best DT. Fiske gives me Solomon Thomas vibes. I've got Hall Jr. above Fiske too.
DeleteGeep, Suamatais' 2023 tape wasn't very good. Rosengarten has great feet. There'll be a learning curve but I believe he'll be an upgrade over McKivitz by mid-season.
DeleteRazor
Delete"Geep, Suamatais' 2023 tape wasn't very good."
* I would attribute much of that to Suamatais only being a Sophomore, with limited experience. He will only get better with pro coaching and IMO has a higher ceiling than does
Rosengarten.
* I agree with you, that if the 9ers draft Rosengarten, he could be an upgrade over McKivitz by mid-season. I'd also add that replacing McKivitz with a better pass blocking OT should result in more completions by BP and win a game or 2 this season.
What if Lynch went with AD Mitchell in round 1 and forced Aiyuk to play out his contract? Sure would make for an interesting season....
ReplyDeleteRegardless of what happens with Aiyuk, it would be a good idea to add a WR that can step into a starting role in 2025.
DeleteYou'd surely want Mitchell to contribute by making plays as part of a rotation I would think. The more I think about it I wonder how likely it is that the Niners wait and see who's available as the draft plays out and have contingency plans with interested teams in case a favored scenario unfolds.
DeleteSeems to me that most of the players the 49ers have expressed interest in will be available after #31. I have been offering the opinion that they may trade down (if there is a willing trade partner) It should be an interesting afternoon/evening a week from Thurs., waiting around to see what the 9ers will do.
ReplyDeleteIf they have 20 1st Round grades on their draft board and they're all gone by 31, trading down would be optimal.
DeleteSainristil, the NB outta MI is said to be an X's and O's genius and Tony Pauline is hearing he'll go near the top of round 2.
ReplyDeleteTATUM BETHUNE | Florida State LB visiting the NIners. Two-year starter at Florida State, and played Will linebacker in defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s 4-2-5 base scheme. Seems like a 7th or UFDA priority.
ReplyDeleteExcellent youtube post by David Lombardi today. It concerns Aiyuk. He showed up at the 9ers voluntary work outs today. Deebo and Bosa both sat out the voluntary workouts when they were negotiating contract extensions. Take a look if you have a chance.
ReplyDeleteI think its an example of the culture that Shanny/Lynch constructed as opposed to teams like the Vikings and Cowboys.
DeleteMitchell's 1.48 10 yard split is reflective of his near 15 mph speed at the first 5 yard marker.
ReplyDeleteAlso speaks to Aiyuk's character.
ReplyDeletein response to Razor's comment at 4:49 pm
DeleteGood point George
Delete49ers have hired Chauncy Scissum to be their Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach. Scissum was formerly Assistant Dir of Strength and Conditioning at University of Buffalo.
ReplyDeleteTony Pauline suggesting the 49ers were hot on Kneeland but because they signed some 1 year F/A's he doesn't think he's on their radar anymore in round 2. Huh? Have to disgree with Tony.
ReplyDeleteKneeland is actually one of my dark horse picks at 31.
DeleteThoughts on Jalyx Hunt?
DeleteDevelopmental prospect. If you can stash him on the PS for a year or two and he takes to an NFL weight/ strength program, you might have something.
DeleteThanks.
DeleteAshton Gillotte is another dark horse.
ReplyDelete?? Is he even in the draft?
DeleteHaha, nah.
DeleteHow many offensive players will go in the 1st round?
ReplyDeleteNiners are hosting Kingsley Suamataia and Sione Vaki. Below is a link to a video analysis of Suamataia by Ranjit of The Football Scout. He usually focuses on offensive linemen.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhSKcLVbIOg
Dude has balance and feet issues. Foerster probably determining if he can fix him.
DeleteGeorge,
DeleteSuamataia is somewhat of a mystery to me. Some draftniks have him going early 2nd, while others have him as a mid 2nd to late 2nd. I'm on the fence on whether the 49ers should draft him if he falls to 63. If the 49ers go OL at 31, drafting Suamataia with their 63 would be a moot point imho.
The OL guy I'm hoping for in the 1st rd is Graham Barton. He's a day one starter with the ability to play a couple of positions.
I think the Niners would take Rosengarten all day everyday over Suamataia. He's a big time leaner and not nearly the run blocker the 49ers like at the position.
DeleteAgree.
ReplyDelete