The 49ers say they have a specific player targeted for the 2nd Round, and they’re willing to trade up to get him. Now I have to ponder who it is for the next 3½ hours.
They way Claussen’s stock in falling I have the feeling that more and more teams are seeing him as the next coming of Rick Mirer, then as a bigger and bigger value.
Rounds 2 and 3, IMO, the rounds that really set the teams apart in terms of drafting. Looking forward to it.
I hadn’t heard that - they are wise to be leery, then. Didn’t stop fans’ heads from exploding last night, though 
Personally, I think it’s way too early to get too excited/suicidal about any one pick. Long way to go in this draft yet.
That’s possible. Then again, Aaron Rodgers probably looks at Alex Smith and thinks “I was lucky to drop so far. I got to carry a clipboard, and work my way in gradually.” Who’s to say Clausen won’t look at a battered, shaken, unconfident Sam Bradford in a few years and think “I was lucky.”
As for Ryan Leaf, well, if you don’t like that example, there’s JaMarcus Russell, Tim Couch, and David Carr, too.
I’m NOT saying Sam Bradford will be an expensive bust! I really do like the guy. Just not enough to give him the guaranteed money he’s going to want.
Clausen himself still has to dodge a bunch of bad teams in the first part of the 2nd Round.
I’m adjusting my 2nd Round desired picks, because one is gone (Robinson) and one was covered by 1st Round picks (Ducasse). I’m thinking the 49ers targeted player is safety Nate Allen or possibly Dexter McCluster. I doubt they’d be willing to trade up for Spikes or Mays.
It’s the waaay-aaaaay–ting that’s the hardest part.
I agree. I think the later rounds are more about finding that diamond in the rough, but here is where you build the meat and potatoes of your team.
What are your thoughts on the Bulaga pick? Seems to me it was the kind of non-flashy, value pick that can really help build a franchise. I’m hoping he’ll seize the LG spot, then move to LT when Clifton goes down. It’s possible he won’t make it as a LT, though I think at worst he’ll be able to anchor the RT spot. Now to get us a CB, SS, pass rusher, and a playmaker. Is that asking too much?
“Andy Reid is smitten with Dexter McCluster”
“Haynesworth to be traded back to Titans for a 3rd round pick”
“Cowboys offering up Spears, Carpenter, even Crayton”
“49ers still interested in Clausen; Browns aren’t”
One of the bad things about this change in the draft is the sheer amount of unfounded rumors, misinformation, bits of truth, guesses, intimations, and speculation that flies while waiting for the next part to begin. Enough to make a head asplode.
Bulaga might not be the greatest, but sure can be an upgrade for a suspect unit.
Listening to ESPN about the 49ers two linemen picks, they said those types of picks don’t excite the fanbase. It may be true, but it shouldn’t be. A quality O-line can make a decent QB good, or a good QB great. 49er fans who aren’t excited about Davis and Iupati are ignorant.
I didn’t want to the Bills pick Claussen at #9, but I’d be more favorably disposed toward him or McCoy in the second round. I’m not sure trading up for them would be the wisest move, though.
At #23 I think it is a very good pick. At that point in the draft, of course, every player has some quetion marks, but he seems to be a smart player with good instincts who can probably play on the line for ten years. Not a pro-bowler, probably, but a great fit for our needs.
I hope we can shore up our secondary now.
And away we go.
I won’t be able to post all the picks this time around, so feel free to jump in.
The Rams take Rodger Saffold with the first pick in the second round.
Apparently the Raiders really wanted him. the Bears also loved him, buuuuuuut…Omni, do you want to fill in the blanks?
Round 2
1 (33) Rams - Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana
Do you want to handle the draft for a little while? I can hop in and help if you’re in the middle of something.
2 (34) Vikings - Chris Cook, CB, Virginia
The run on corners continues. If the 49ers are targeting one, they’d better move soon.
I can handle pick posting until about 4:00 or so.
Wait…what?
With their pick, the Vikings select…Chris Cook, cornerback.
So Kansas City gets Clausen and the Browns get McCoy.
…Right?
By the way, here’s Scouts Inc. on Brian Cook:
OVERALL FOOTBALL TRAITS
Production 3 2005: (5/1) 6 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBU. 2006: (12/11) 58 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 INT, 5 PBU, 1 FF. 2007: (9/7) 39 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 6 PBU, 1 FR. 2008: Ruled academically ineligible and was not enrolled at the university. 2009: (12/12) 40 tackles, 1 TFL, 4 INT, 6 PBU; 5 KR, 101 yards (20.2 avg.).
Height-Weight-Speed 2 Possesses rare size for position along with average top-end speed.
Durability 4 Suffered a season-ending broken leg during the fifth game of the 2005 season. Missed action in three games during the 2007 season with a sprained knee. Was limited against Southern Miss this past fall with a groin injury.
Intangibles 3 Ruled academically ineligible and was forced to sit out the entire 2008 season. Has shown versatility to line up at both cornerback and safety position during collegiate career. No off-the-field incidents we are currently aware of.
1 = EXCEPTIONAL2 = ABOVE AVERAGE3 = AVERAGE4 = BELOW AVERAGE5 = MARGINAL
CORNERBACK SPECIFIC TRAITS
Fluidity 2 Above-average fluidity for size. At his best when lined up near line of scrimmage where he can use his size and physicality to disrupt receivers releases. Shows ability to flip hips and turn and run with receivers. Good change-of-direction skills when lined up in zone coverage.
Closing Burst 3 Flashes ability to cut down separation when ball is in the air. However, can get caught too high in back pedal and false steps too often transitioning out of it. Questionable recovery speed and struggles to make up ground once beaten and stacked by receivers.
Ball Skills 1 Long strides and lengthy build give him elite range on the outside. Turns, locates and plays the ball well. Displays natural hands and consistently comes down with routine interception. Shows body control to come down with interception outside frame as well. Gets into strong position and does a nice job of uses big frame to separate receivers from the ball. Physical in jump ball situations.
Instincts/Mental Toughness 2 Shows good overall instincts. Flashes ability to anticipate underneath routes when lined up in man coverage. Plays with a chip on his shoulder. However, will dwell on mistakes for too long at times.
Run Support 3 Displays willingness to get involved but needs to develop a more aggressive attitude. Uses long arms well to disengage from receivers and is an effective drag-down tackler. Struggles as an open field tackler and will drop his head often times resulting in missed tackles.