Draft Grades: 49ers

This was a very disappointing draft for the 49ers, who got very little help for the immediate future. The issues started with the 10th pick when the selected Michael Crabtree. Its hard to argue with the value that Crabtree had at that point, but I don't see how he fits into the 49ers plans. There are serious concerns about Crabtree's ability to keep his mouth shut and just play football. His former quarterback Graham Harrell had this to say about Crabtree's 'diva' attitude: "He thinks he should get the ball on every snap... He's not going to be mad if he doesn't get the ball - as long as we're having success." So what happens when Shaun Hill/Alex Smith/Damon Huard fails to get him enough touches during a 49ers loss this year (which is bound to happen multiple times in 2009)?

Glen Coffee was picked right around where I expected to hear his name called, but the 49ers had far more pressing needs than a backup running back. Linebacker, cornerback and offensive line were all areas of concerns that the Niners could have address here.

Scott McKillop had great value in the 5th round. He's the type of football player that Mike Singletary is going to love to coach. He'll be a backup behind Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes for now, but could certainly win a starting job once Spikes calls it quits.

I don't like the Nate Davis selection at all. Davis needed to go somewhere where he could learn behind a veteran quarterback, and I don't mean a journeyman backup like Shaun Hill or Damon Huard. I have very little hope for him in this league now that he's landed in San Francisco.

Bear Pascoe was a solid but unspectacular pickup. He's an excellent blocker and more of the type of tight end that Singletar wants (as opposed to the more atheletic/less physical Vernon Davis).

Curtis Taylor is an exception athlete but he failed to establish himself at LSU. He's inconsistent and still has a lot to learn about the position.

Jean-Francois is an adequate 7th round pick. He'll provide some depth and work his way into the defensive line rotation.

Ultimately this was a very dissappointing draft for the 49ers. Crabtree is the only guy that they can count on to develop into a starter, but even he comes with some risks. The 49ers did nothing to improve their team for the immediate future and they should expect to be drafting in the top 10 against in 2010.

Grade: D

Will Braylon End Up in New York?

Much has been made of the fact that Braylon Edwards still isn't a New York Giant, but we shouldn't be shocked by this.

The Browns can't afford to trade Edwards until they have a suitable replacement lined up. If they trade him before the draft, they run the risk of missing out on a quality receiver with their (presumably) two 1st-round picks. However, if they wait until draft day, they can select a receiver 5th overall (Crabtree) and then trade Edwards. Or, they could select someone else with the 5th pick and then wait until the Giants are on the clock. If they are satisfied with who is available (Hakeem Nicks or Kenny Britt, prehaps) they can pull the trigger at that point.

In short, don't believe that the Edwards-to-New York deal is dead just because it hasn't happened yet. Any rumors that the deal is dead could simply be one side posturing in an effort to get the other to lower/raise the offer.

Crabtree Falling?

The Cleveland Browns recently hosted Michael Crabtree for a visit and reportedly so turned off by his "diva attitude" that they removed him from their draft board.

Now this could be viewed as a smoke screen, but what do the Browns really have to gain by saying this? Would the Seahawks really decide to pass on Crabtree simply because the Browns call him a diva? Somehow I doubt it.

This rumor appears to be the real deal, especially when you consider who is involved. Eric Mangini's no-nonsense approach to the game has already resulted in Kellen Winslow being traded and Braylon Edwards appears to be next. Additionally, the Browns immediately scheduled visits with Kenny Britt, Mohamed Massaquoi and Hakeem Nicks after their visit with Crabtree concluded.

And it isn't exactly a secret that Crabtree is considered a diva by many. If you caught him going through the car wash at ESPN today you know what I mean. He closed out his visit on the 6pm SportsCenter talking about how the hardest part of his offsaeson has been deciding which suit to wear on draft day.

While the Browns may be looking elsewhere on draft day, don't think that Crabtree will fall far. Its tough to see him slipping past the 49ers.

Breaking Down the Browns Trade Rumors

The team controlling the shape of the 1st round right now is the Cleveland Browns. Already owning the 5th overall selection, the Browns could land two more picks by draft day.

The first rumor, which has been widely reported for the past two weeks, is that they will send Braylon Edwards to the Giants for some combination of a 1st-round pick, 3rd-round pick and Steve Smith or Dominick Hixon. This would be a controversial move for the Browns, who have a legitimate playoff caliber-offense when everyone is healthy. Shipping Edwards off to New York would make either David Patten or Josh Cribbs the top receiver on the depth chart (at least until they select Crabtree 5th overall, that is). If the Giants are able to land Anquan Boldin, however, the Browns have to pass on Crabtree and select either a linebacker (Aaron Curry, Brian Orakpo, Aaron Maybin) or tackle (Eugene Monroe or Jason Smith - whoever falls).

The other rumor is sure to make even more waves around the league if it comes to fruition. The 49ers are reportedly interested in Brady Quinn and could offer the Browns the 10th overall pick. Its tough to say who the Browns would target with this selection. A linebacker is certainly an option, but not if they select one 5th overall. This could be where they address the offensive line with Andre Smith or Michael Oher. Or they could go with the best available defensive player (B.J. Raji? Malcolm Jenkins?)

Its all speculation at this point, as you simply can't trust any rumors you hear this time of year, but its safe to assume the Browns are at least discussing these trade options which could shake up the 1st round.

Browns Interested in Michael Crabtree?

In Eric Mangini's latest attempt to drag the Browns' franchise to the ground, it appears as though he's showing a strong interest in Michael Crabtree . Rumors have been flying around the past two weeks that Braylon Edwards will end up in Giants uniform by the time the draft is over, thus opening up a hole for Crabtree to fill.

There's no denying Crabtree's ability, but the decision to bring him to Cleveland is questionable. Why replace a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver with an unproven rookie?

The decision to draft Crabtree further brings into question Mangini's ability to identify talent on the defensive side of the football. The Browns clearly have one of the league's worst defenses, yet Mangini has done nothing to improve that side of the football. The most significant moves made on that side of the ball have been the additions of David Bowens and Eric Barton - both of which are clear downgrades from the recently departed Andra Davis and Willie McGinest. Logic would say the Browns need to draft a defensive player, perhps Brian Orakpo, Everette Brown or Aaron Maybin.

Further reason to pass on Crabtree is the lack of success by first-year receivers. Rookies typically have very little impact in the NFL, but receivers take longer to develop than any other position. Parting ways with Edwards and bringing in Crabtree would set the Browns offense back another three years - the time it generally takes a receiver to reach his full potential.

It would be a poor decision to draft Crabtree. He may develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver, but he's unlikely to help the Browns in the near future. This is a win-now league, and selecting a receiver in he top 10 is not a move that facilitates that goal.

Myth Busters: Why the Jaguars won't draft a receiver

Many mock drafts are popping up with Jeremy Maclin or Michael Crabtree landing in Jacksonville. Its a logical fit, but its not going to happen.

Here's why...

The Jaguars are building to win now. The addition of Tra Thomas and the attempts to land Tory Holt clearly demonstrate that. Its a commonly accepted belief, supported by numerous examples, that receivers don't reach their full potential until their 3rd year in the league. Jack Del Rio and the Jaguars aren't willing to wait for Crabtree or Maclin to develop. Additionally, top 10 picks are rewarded with a large sum of money, and it simply isn't a prudent financial move to tie up that much money in a player that may not have an impact until the contract is halfway over.

Another reason is the Jaguars' terrible luck with receivers in the first round. Reggie Williams and Matt Jones have been busts and the Jags don't want to get burned again. Projecting the success of receivers is a very inexact science, something that Jacksonville knows all too well.

In the end, the Jaguars will have too many other viable options to justify taking a receiver in the 1st round. B.J. Raji and Malcolm Jenkins are more relalistic and far safety options for the Jaguars.

No Crabtree for the Seahawks

The Seahawks have signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh, essentially eliminating any chance of them selecting Michael Crabtree with the 4th overall selection.

Despite Crabtree's name popping up next to the Seahawks in many mock drafts I've remained steady in my prediction that they will not target a receiver in the draft.

The Seahawks are a well-run organization and understand the importance of building through the draft. Selecting a wide receiver in the top ten is a desperation move that rarely leads to immediate success. Teams that draft a wide receiver that high are like a little kid getting distracted by a shiny object on the ground. They can't keep their hands off because, for the short term, it will keep them entertained. But in the long run, the interest doesn't last.

Even the best receivers selected in the top ten (Calvin Johnson, Braylon Edwards, Larry Fitzgerald) don't lead their teams to immediate success. Without a franchise quarterback and a solid offensive line there is nothing a receiver can do.

The Seahawks are not the type of team that falls into that trap. Now the Raiders... that's another story.