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Most pundits agree: the 49ers had a fantastic draft. This won’t erase the hemorrhaging of talent that has characterized the team of late. But it’s a start.
Thanks to the draft, by the end of training camp, the team may have two-three new starters out of this draft.
The 49ers’ No. 1 pick was TE Vernon Davis from Maryland. Not only was he the best tight end available, but the best receiver too. He is cast in the new mold of tight ends, a la Gonzalez and Gates, who can catch as well as a wideout. Davis can run and jump with the best of them. Consider this: a guy who ran a 4.41 40 yard dash to go with a 40 inch vertical. Yikes. If Alex Smith can get his act together, they could form a dynamic duo for years to come.
The Niners traded away 2nd and 3rd round selections for another 1st round pick. They picked up a replacement for departed LB Julian Peterson in Manny Lawson. Lawson is an 6-5 DE/LB who played alongside Mario Williams at North Carolina State and ran a 4.43 40 yard dash. He’s too light to be a traditional DE, making him an apt choice for coach Mike Nolan’s 3-4 defense. Adding Lawson and Davis in the first round is a home run and should produce two guaranteed starters come August.
The rest of the team’s draft focused on improving the team’s primary weaknesses: defensive line, secondary, and wide receiver. While the Niners can use help anywhere and everywhere, they did a good job of addressing needs. Brandon Williams, Delanie Walker, and former QB Michael Robinson will compete for the No. 2 WR position, behind new signee Antonio Bryant.
Parys Haralson and Melvin Oliver give the team depth on the defensive line; and likewise with Marcus Hudson and Vickiel Vaughn in the secondary.
DRAFT REVIEW
1 (6) Vernon Davis TE 6-3 250 Maryland
1 (22) (from Broncos via Redskins) Manny Lawson DE 6-5 245 North Carolina State
3 (84) (from Redskins) Brandon Williams WR 5-11 175 Wisconsin
4 (100) Michael Robinson QB 6-2 217 Penn State
5 (140) Parys Haralson DE 6-2 248 Tennessee
6 (175) Delanie Walker WR 6-2 215
6 (192) (from Buccaneers) Marcus Hudson CB 6-2 200
6 (197) Melvin Oliver DE 6-3 277 LSU
7 (254) (Supplemental Compensatory Selection) Vickiel Vaughn S 5-11 208
