Matt Miller of Bleacher Report has the skinny on the San Francisco 49ers’ draft plans with the seventh-overall pick in his
latest scouting notebook. He’s proven to be plugged into San Francisco’s draft strategy in the past, correctly reporting the interest in Arik Armstead in the days leading up to the 2015 NFL draft.
Tuesday he wrote:
At pick No. 7, expect the 49ers to go toward the trenches unless they can move up to get cornerback Jalen Ramsey, according to my front-office source. Names to consider for the 49ers are Tunsil, Buckner and Ronnie Stanley. I’m told by the same source that linebacker Myles Jack has been moved to the team’s “sub-board,” which means he wouldn’t play in 2016. In other words, he’s basically off their radar. General manager Trent Baalke needs to win now, and that’s why my contact believes the 49ers are a candidate to move back up into Round 1 and may try to send Colin Kaepernick as trade capital to do so.
There are a few things to digest here. First, Tunsil, Buckner and Stanley all make sense for the 49ers, who need to improve in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Buckner would be a perfect fit as a “four technique” in new coach Chip Kelly’s defense, after Kelly recruited Buckner to play at Oregon before taking the coaching job with the Eagles. With Glenn Dorsey and Ian Williams dealing with injuries and uncertain to start the season, adding Buckner to fortify the defensive front,
that figures to rotate plenty, would be prudent if he were available at seven.
Tunsil would be a great fit at right tackle opposite Joe Staley. He could start right away, providing an upgrade over Erik Pears and Trent Brown, while being groomed to replace the 31-year-old on the left side down the road.
Ditto for Stanley, who might not be the same power run blocker as Tunsil, but has all the tools to be a long-term starter along the offensive line at either tackle spot.
The Ramsey note is particularly interesting, although unlikely. He’s considered far and away the best defensive back available, and would be a valuable addition to the league’s 27th-ranked passing defense from 2015.
Ramsey would likely play corner for San Francisco after the 49ers invested early round picks in the last three drafts on safeties Eric Reid, Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt. The Florida State alum would have a great chance to start opposite Tramaine Brock, Kenneth Acker or Dontae Johnson, giving Kelly’s defense another long, athletic defensive back.
With 12 picks in the draft, the 49ers have the ammunition to make that kind of a trade to move up for Ramsey. But after investing heavily in the secondary in recent seasons, general manager Trent Baalke may be wise to use his resources elsewhere.
On the flip side, Ramsey may end up becoming a generational talent, making the move completely worth it.
Moving Jack to the “sub-board” would make sense if San Francisco is worried about the long-term prognosis of his right knee. Baalke said last week he
isn’t ruling out drafting more players with knee issues if the value is right. With a top-10 pick, Baalke can’t afford to swing and miss on a player with injury concerns, as good as Jack was at UCLA.
Finally, moving back into the first round and using Colin Kaepernick as ammo to do so might be the best way for Baalke to put an end to the Kaepernick saga once and for all.
Not only would it allow the 49ers to end the drama between the quarterback and organization, but it might be the move necessary to find Kaepernick’s long-term replacement.
A move back into the first round may allow them to land signal callers Paxton Lynch or Connor Cook. Either could spend 2016 backing up Blaine Gabbert, whose contract expires next March, before competing for the starting job in 2017.
Baalke deployed a similar strategy when he selection Kaepernick early in the second round in 2011 after taking Aldon Smith with the seventh-overall selection. Baalke traded up nine spots to take Kaepernick, giving up second-, fourth- and fifth-round picks to the Broncos.
Kaepernick sat behind Alex Smith as rookie before taking over the starting job midway through the 2012, helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl.
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I mean he's good but do we really need another safety?
to me the older and older i get as I get more removed from knowing anything about the prospects. Not sure I'll even be watching this year. Whoever we get, especially in rd 1-3, please be able to help...please...help :sadderniners:
