The realization that this is the last 49ers game until September hits home, and all we're left with is bitter regret. Once we get through the draft that regret will slowly fade away to make way for hope and optimism for the 2025 season. Until then lets cheer on our team for the final time this year and pray for no more significant injuries. If the Niners win today they'll likely drop to #14 from #11 which could be significant given there's only 10 first round graded players. I'm sure everyone wants to win this game but this is a situation when winning in the short term is actually losing in the long term. Play hard, play competitively but stick to the elegant tank playbook. Go Niners?
49ers inactives: QB Brock Purdy WR Deebo Samuel CB Deommodore Lenoir DE Robert Beal Jr. RB Israel Abanikanda DT Khalil Davis CB Tre Avery
WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN WEEK 18:
ReplyDelete1) WR Jennings get a 1000 yards for the first time in his career.
2) WR Pearsall have a game that shows he'll contribute in 2025
3) Get a good look at Nick Zakelj playing Center, not OG.
4) See Kalia Davis and Evan Anderson get reps at DT. I've seen enough of Collins and Elliot to know they're not the future.
5) No 9er injuries in the last game of the season
6) The 9ers keep their first Rd # 11 draft position.
7) A game that leaves 9er fans optimistic after week 18 and helps dull the pain of the 2024 season!
Pearsall will probably get 20 balls in this game.
ReplyDelete👍
ReplyDeleteWhile the 11th pick would be nice, if they win and end up with the 14th pick I'm good with that, so long as it's a win because they play well and not because the Cardinals are the worse of two terrible teams.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the young guys perform well to finish the season is as important, if not more important, than a few draft slots.
I want to see if Dobbs is the answer at QB2 and I want to see if the 2 Left OTs are possible future starters.
ReplyDeleteChad Ryland is another great example of why you don't draft kickers. 4th round pick by the Pats the same year the 49ers drafted Moody. Lasted one year with the Pats kicking under 65%.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the over/under on how many key players Kyle gets seriously hurt in a game they shouldn't even want to win? I'm setting it a 3, now that Guerendo has already been carted off and might not be back at the start of next season!
ReplyDeleteDisqualifying Jennings was so weak by the refs. Both incidents occurred because the Cardinals DBs instigated out of embarrasment after being obliterated.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would seriously consider extending Jennings again this offseason.
DeleteJennings did nothing wrong.
DeleteNope. Pathetic overreaction by the refs.
DeletePatrick Taylor is a really good PS /emergency RB.
ReplyDeleteDobbs has looked pretty good as well. Guerrendo might be the 2nd coming of Eli Mitchell.
ReplyDeleteI'd be taking Warner out of the game at this point, for his own good.
ReplyDeletePenalties. SF 11. Arizona 0
ReplyDeleteA fitting way to end the season. Penalties, give-aways and STs gaffes.
DeleteThe offseason plan has to be a masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteAnd it has to start with the trenches.
DeleteAnd bring in Darren Rizzi as ST coordinator.
DeleteSaleh or Ulbrich as DC.
DeleteJackson Slater, IOL, Sac State is a player to keep an eye on at the Senior Bowl as 4th or 5th rounder.
ReplyDeleteWord on the street is Jake Moody will be released and a veteran kicker will be signed.
ReplyDeleteDoubt they straight up release him, but a vet kicker should be added and likely beats him out in TC.
DeleteThe issue with Moody is inside his head. There's no problem with his leg strength. His kickoff's in today's game validated that. I don't know if Lynch has seen enough of Moody to cut bait. But if he remains on the team he will need to conquer the mental part of it. Bring in someone to complete with Moody in TC and if he can't handle the competition he won't be able to handle another season.
ReplyDeleteThere's a reason kickers don't usually peak until late 20s/ early 30s - it's so reliant on having a consistent technique and mental toughness to handle your business just a handful of times each week.
DeleteSo much for Sam Darnold
DeleteThat's pretty much been the case for every QB who went up Detroit this year.
ReplyDeleteApparently Klay Kubiak was calling the offensive plays today, not Shanahan. Something he also did in preseason. I wonder if we'll see more of that moving forward.
ReplyDeleteI heard that too. And while I like the Idea, I would like to see them bring in someone from outside the Kubiak/Shanahan tree for passing game coordinator. Given you need experience at a lower position, you might be looking at a former qb who is looking at getting into coaching.
DeleteMatt Maiocco went on the record on his podcast tonight and shared that he believes both D Coordinator Nick Sorensen and ST Coordinator Brian Schneider will both be FIRED by the 49ers.
ReplyDeleteAnarumo would seem to be a good fit
DeleteI feel bad for Sorensen in a way. This was a year that everyone knew the offense would need to pick up some slack for the defense and they never really were able to.
ReplyDeleteGoing into the season we knew the Dline was not as stout as in previous years and the LB's were depleted.
Knowing this the O could have really helped by grabbing a lead and making the opponents more 1 dimensional, and while they were able to get yards they almost never got up early on opponents.
Sorenson has proven his mettle over the years as a 49ers coach. This years front Dline, except for Bosa was made up of players that have been bounced around the league before landing in Santa Clara. Had he been successful with this ragtag group he would be considered a great coach and close to a miracle worker. It just didn't work that way. Though I feel a little disappointed with Sorenson's dismissal, a fresh start is definitely needed.
ReplyDeleteThoughts on Mykel Williams?
ReplyDeleteNot overly impressed. His recent playoff game against Notre Dame was average before being injured in the 3rd QTR. His 3yrs career 14 QB sacks is just a bit above average. Definitely not a 1st rd pick imho. It's Mason Graham for me at #11 if he's on board.
ReplyDeleteSeems like a player Baalke would like for sure.
DeleteIMO, it would be helpful to ditch the wide 9. Simply don't have the personnel to run it. If the DL isn't great then you need to have good LBs to clean up the mess. We all saw how much better the defense was when Greenlaw came in as the 2nd good LB. But you can't rely on that for a whole season since guys get hurt. I only see the wide 9 as a liability at this point. Can anyone point to any advantages the wide 9 gave this team this past regular season?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that's on the table along with everything else.
DeleteMy first 3 dream picks for the 2025 49ers draft.
ReplyDelete1. Mason Graham, DT Michigan.
2. Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona.
3. Jonah Mohneim, C, USC.
These 3 players have the potential to be starters next September.
OL is a vital position for the 49ers given the fact that the Rams have greatly strengthened their DL with very good young players. If the 49ers can't counter the Rams young DL the Rams will own the division for years.
AES,
DeleteIf they want a C they should trade back from #11 to later in the 1st round. Hopefully they could pick up an extra 2nd. In fact as shallow as the 1st round talent is in this draft I can see them trading back a couple of times if the 1 or 2 players they have targeted are gone
I have to admit I'm not a big fan of either of those OL options, sorry AES. Just my opinion.
DeleteI'm actually not much of a fan of the centers in the draft, period. I think FA is the smarter path to upgrading there this year. But a lower round development guy I'd consider is Jake Slaughter from Florida.
Hey, no worries guys. These are 3 picks that I like. I certainly hope the 49ers find blue chip draft picks that can produce more sooner than later. If the 49ers have great players I'm happy because it bodes well for the teams future.
DeleteI like Armand Membou, OT/G, Missouri too.
DeleteWouldn't surprise me in the least if the LT from NDSU, Grey Zabel doesn't end up being the best center from this class.
DeleteYeah, Simmons, Conerly and Membou are OTs I like.
Delete49ers scouts attended NDSU vs SDSU back in October.
DeleteAs of right now I have Graham coming off the board before pick #11. I actually like Mykel Williams and his potential and then coming back in round 2 at #43 for Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon or Sanders, DT, South Carolina.
ReplyDeleteAgree on Graham likely gone before 11.
DeleteWilliams looks very athletically gifted, but I'd like to see him trust his strength and length more often, and add some refinement to his pass rush. I think late 1st is more his spot.
The guy I think Kocurek is going to fall in love with is Walter Nolen. He's boom or bust, but he's the most explosive DT in the class and can straight up bully an opposing OL. Best guy I have seen in terms of penetrating the backfield in this class.
Yea, Nolen wouldn't surprise me.
DeleteWhile I think its unlikely that Graham is there, it is a possibility. He is one of the few prospects where the combine will weigh heavily on where he goes... and it will be more related to his body measurables (height, weight and arm length) rather than his 40, Bench or vert.
DeleteWith Williams, the only concern is why does the production not match the measurable's?
Overall, I don't love the Line in this class, I think several of the top tackles are actually probably guards. Oddly that may not be a bad thing... With Brocks height I think SF has a chance to reshape the Oline.
I would go hard after Drew Dalman if he is available. In the draft I like Jared Wilson but there is no one I love.
I think I would go edge in the second, as I feel like the depth there is much greater than OL or interior DL. Personally I would love to trade back and get 2 top 60 picks for 11, then I could get a IOL, DL, and Edge all in the top 60;
Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA is a day 3 player they might like too.
ReplyDeleteKawakami: Brock Purdy is ready for a fast, fair deal. The 49ers should take him up on it.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, get it done before Super Bowl.
Few good DC options now in the market:
ReplyDeleteLou Anamuro (who has success against Mahomes and co)
Gus Bradley (uses the 4-3 scheme and has played in Seattle, so should have no problem coming to the West coast).
Matt Eberflus (D was never the problem in Chicago)
I think all 3 would be an upgrade over Sorenson.
ESPN’s Nick Wagoner on Monday reported the 49ers fired special teams coordinator Brian Schneider.
ReplyDeleteDown goes Schneider, a coach I've been calling to be sacked for 2 years.
ReplyDeleteTE Mason Taylor (son of Jason) > Tyler Warren TE
ReplyDeleteShemar Stewart, DT, Texas A&M is a player I like more than most. I like him a lot.
ReplyDeleteHis 2.42 second pressure rate is the best in the FBS among DL. Just needs to learn how to finish with sacks.
DeleteCarthon let go in Tennessee.
ReplyDelete"I'm not really sure what it's all going to look like or entail. But I know that I'm the guy for this organization, and I can do what it takes to help lead us to where we want to go."
ReplyDelete"I want to get it done quick. Just so we can get back for Phase 1, get after it with our receivers and our team," he said, via David Lombardi of The Standard. "... I'm not the kind of guy that wants to have any kind of drama associated with anything."
BP you are wiser than your years.
If Greenlaw leaves the 49ers will have to consider Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia at 11.
ReplyDeleteI'd avoid at 11. If you're taking an off ball LB that high they better have fantastic instincts and technique to go along with the athleticism.
DeleteHe's as versatile as Carter and we got Johnny Holland to coach him up.
DeleteMemphis WR Roc Taylor.
ReplyDeleteThe 6’3” wideout has met with a long list of teams including the Commanders, Broncos, Colts, Cowboys, Chargers, Panthers, 49ers, Jaguars, Giants, Dolphins and Bears.
What if by some miracle McMillan is staring them in the face at 11? Imagine giving Purdy the next Mike Evans!
Willie Lampkin, OL, UNC won't get drafted due to size, (5'11" tall) but you talk about feet and hips for a blocking savant. He should be a priority UDFA and train him up at fullback.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to see him receive and invite to the NFL Combine. My eyes aren't ae good as they used to be. But it looked like Lampkin played Center.
ReplyDeleteWent back and watched Georgia vs Texas and Walker had 8 tackles, 7 pressures, 3 sacks, multiple TFL's, and a fumble recovery on the road against the then-No. 1 ranked Longhorns. I think he's a very real possibility at pick 11.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent example of beauty being in the eye of the beholder.
DeleteI watch that game and what I see is a guy whose good plays all came as a result of rushing off the edge or spying the QB to chase them down if they run. When tasked as an off ball LB he is so slow to trigger or recognise the play. I simply can't get excited by him as an ILB prospect. But as a 3-4 edge LB... for sure.
I saw that too but I decided he can only do what he's asked. His versatility is what makes him a chess piece in my mind.
DeleteHe reminds me of Tremaine Edmunds. If you're a fan of Edmunds you'll probably like Walker in the 1st. If not, you won't.
DeleteI'm in the camp of being pretty meh about Edmunds.
He's a menace off the edge. Not sure Edmunds ever was.
DeleteI wouldn't be mad at him at 7 especially if Greenlaw decides to move on. So, do we draft OL in the 2nd or 3rd rd? The team can still use an Edge and a stout DT.
ReplyDeleteWith there being only 10 players rated as 1st round picks, I could see a scenario where its gets to the 11th pick and all of the players the 49ers want that early are gone. I could see a repeat of the 86 draft, with the 49ers trading down multiple times ending up with as many as 14 to 15 picks. I know this is not SOP for KS/JL but this draft could be the one that breaks tradition.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for a trade back to add a day 2 pick or 2.
DeleteI would advise against trading down precisely for the reason you stated because 2 of those 10 will be quarterbacks, and not particularly good ones either.
DeleteRazor, I assume you mean two of the top 10 picks will be QBs, not that they will be 2 of the 10 1st round graded players? At least one of the those 10 elite prospects will be a RB.
DeleteIf an elite prospect at a position of need is available at 11, then yeah, take them. I suspect that won't be the case.
Yes Scooter, the likelyhood of a first round talent falling to 11 is high because of the 2 quarterbacks and perhaps as you say, a running back, which almost assures it.
DeleteI think at least 1 RB will be considered as one of the top 10 prospects is what I meant. 49ers should not draft him though.
DeleteHistory tells us the highest the Shanahan's have ever drafted a rb was round 2, Clinton Portis. I knew what you meant but as you say RB isn't on our board in round 1. Hypothetically, let's suppose the first ten picks are as follows:
Delete1. Hunter
2. Sanders
3. Ward
4. Carter
5. Graham
6. Johnson
7. McMillan
8. Campbell
9. Banks
10. Jeanty
That leaves us with our choice of:
11(a) Williams, DE, Georgia
(b) Walker, LB, Georgia
(c) Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
If they want to come back at 43 for an IDL I think there will be a good one available.
Thing is, I don't think any of those 3 are worth the 11th pick. I'd rather take Nolen over all 3, and you can probably move back and still get him.
DeleteI'd be happy with either Williams or Nolen, both blue chippers at their positions.
DeleteWatching Nolen another player stands out, Suntarine Perkins is really, really good.
ReplyDeleteThat he is. One to watch for the 2026 draft.
Delete1. QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
ReplyDelete2. QB Cam Ward, Miami
3. EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn St
4. CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
5. CB Will Johnson, Michigan
6. WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
7. OT Will Campbell, LSU
8. EDGE James Pearce, Tennessee
9. CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
10. DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
11. EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
12. DT Mason Graham, Michigan
13. OG Tyler Booker, Alabama
14. S Malaki Starks, Georgia
15. EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
Unpopular but this is how it might shake out by draft day.
If Graham is there at 11 he'd be hard to pass up.
DeleteMany draftheads have K. Grant going after M. Graham. I would still go with Graham if he's on the board at 11.
DeleteWill Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa be another day 3 TE the 49ers will draft?
ReplyDeleteDepending on how athletic Grant tests at the combine, he could become the Vita Vea of this draft and go before Graham. Graham's short arms and doughy body type might dissuade some teams.
ReplyDeleteI hope that's the case. If he's there at 11 that's a great thing for the 49ers.
DeleteBaalke will take him off the board if his arms are 31", lol.
DeleteI highly doubt his arms are that short. His arm length looks just fine. One of the safest prospects in the draft.
DeleteYou might be surprised Scooter. I heard they're under 32" but we will find out.
DeleteThat would surprise me. On film they look long enough.
DeleteRe Graham, I'm not so sure that short arms is an issue playing in close quarters along the DL. The knock on Grant (who, I also like) is that he runs out of steam late in games.
ReplyDeleteTo certain team it definitely matters. If his arms are shorter than a teams cutoff they won't even have him on their boards. Lots of teams have mandatory measurements for every position with some following it to the letter. One of ours is the 20 yard shuttle time for Offensive Linemen.
DeleteGraham's body of work against high level competition should be the tape on him and not tape on his arms only. It be interesting how it shakes out on draft day.
DeleteScooter, we took Fred Warner in the 3rd, (if you recall I had us taking him in the 2nd), do you like Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA as that ILB to replace Greenlaw in Round 3?
ReplyDeleteI've not really looked at him yet.
DeleteCheck him out when you get a chance.
DeleteNow that the 9ers season of misery is over, it's time to address the
ReplyDeletechanges needed to return to being a SB contender in 2025.
1) IMO, the 9ers greatest need is at DT! If 1 is good, then 2 is better!
* Hargrave will likely be replaced! DT Mason Graham will, IMO, be gone before the 9ers drafts at #11. If Kocurek decides, it'll be DT Walter Nolan and I expect JL will agree to trade down to the 20's to draft him. The trade down should also include adding a 2nd round draft pick in the mid #30's.
2) With mid #30's draft pick, Josh Conerly Jr. OT, Oregon should be
available, but may require giving up 9er draft pick #134 or #153?
3) Draft pick #43: Jack Sawyer EDGE, Ohio State or another option, is J.T. Tuimoloau EDGE, Ohio S. Leonard Floyd as been adequate
but is a FA in 2026. Drafting either Sawyer or Tuimoloau, along with
Bosa, DT Nolan and Williams would make the 9er front four lethal.
* The next question on defense, is the 9ers extending FA LB Dre Greenlaw! If he leaves, LB Nick Bolton is a 25 y/o FA that's also
coming off his rookie contract and may sign for what it would cost the 9ers to sign Greenlaw? (My guess; 3 - 4 years at $9 - $10 Mil P/Y)
4) Draft Pick #75; After DT and OT, the 9ers need to draft a C or CB.
* CB Green and Lenoir will start for the 9ers. Denzel Burke CB, Ohio St. will replace CB Charvarius Ward,
Floyd should have never been in a starting role but they paid him like one. Nolen would be fine with me and so would Conerly.
DeleteGEEP, completely agree re DT. Adding one is a good start but they really need to add two, with at least one being a day 1 starter. Hargrave will be gone and Collins is best as a rotational player.
DeleteScooter
DeleteI considered DeMonte Capehart DT, Clemson with draft pick #101, rather than Penn ST, RB, Singleton. I'm not sure if CMC
can still be the bell cow RB for a full season and would prefer
to see KS limit him as a RB and more as a WR, Keeping him healthy and fresh for the playoffs.
Capehart can take on double teams, anchor against the run, Collapse the pocket and create pressure on the QB. IMO, The
biggest problem the 9er D had was stopping the run and
getting off the field on 3Rd downs.
Capehart or Pegues end of Day 2/ early day 3 could work.
Deletechanges needed to return to being a SB contender in 2025 continued:
ReplyDeleteDraft pick #101; Is this the definition of insanity, Nick Singleton RB Penn St? Or does the old adage, Third time is a charm, apply?
* With RB CMC turning 29, his Achilles and calf injuries and returning to a PCL injury, can the 9ers count on him being the bell cow, or do
they need to manage his work load and keep him healthy for the
playoffs? Not that CMC was the only RB on IR, as we all know, all
the 9er RB were hurt for the last game of the season against Ariz.
Draft pick #112: Jake Majors C, Texas. Compete with Nick Zakelj
Draft pick #137: Smael Mondon Jr LB Georgia. Needs a year with
9er LB coach Holland and a year in the gym,
Draft pick #186: Xavier Nwankpa S Iowa. Elite athleticism with rare size, speed, and fluidity for the SS or FS position.
Draft pik #227: Luke Kandra IOL | Cincinnati. Can play all 3 IOL positions. Fits KS ZBS
Draft pick # 249: Jalen Travis OT, Iowa St. Experience at both OT
spots. Best fits in an inside zone system
Draft pick # 254: Nick Nash WR, San Jose St. The local kid makes
good story. from under-recruited dual-threat QB to record-setting WR.
his initial 728-yard, 8-touchdown season in 2023 was a launching pad for his explosive 2024 campaign, where he rewrote the SJSU record books. 104 reception for 1382 yds rec and 16 TD's.