49ers Blog and Q&A

Question: I've come up with this week's perfect first three picks, subject to change as the draft gets closer. With the first pick, I would take Adam Carriker. With the 2nd pick I want the 49ers receiver of choice. Personally, I like Steve Smith. He's fast, always open, has great hands, and blocks well. Good chance he'll be gone. Third, take Paul Soliai, NT from Utah. He's huge. What would your personal scenario be?
-- Berger, Reno

Answer: That’s a nice first day, Berger, and to be honest, my draft wouldn’t differ very much from yours. I would go: Carriker, Jason Hill, Washington State, and Anthony Spencer, a defensive end-turned linebacker from Purdue. Maybe Soliai would still be around for the 49ers’ compensatory pick at the end of the third round. One scenario that is growing on me is a first-round swap with the Broncos, who, if you remember, dealt with the 49ers last year. I think Denver and Buffalo, at pick No. 12, are looking for a running back and the Broncos would love to slip ahead of them in the drafting order. This would allow the 49ers to draft Dwayne Bowe or Robert Meachem at their more realistic draft positions. Then with the extra picks they get, they could load up on defensive linemen and linebackers.
-- Matt Barrows

Question: I am a little concerned with the Niners’ WR corps going into the season. Obviously they will take 1 or 2 in the draft, but they are sorely missing a veteran WR. I would think someone like Eric Moulds or Keenan McCardell would come fairly cheap on a one-year deal at this point - any rumblings of interest in either? P.S. - great piece on Nolan's pass interference proposal that the 'story pirate' Len P at ESPN tried to rip off from you. Love the Q & A - keep up the great work!
-- Lebowski, Los Angeles

Answer: No rumblings on either of those guys yet, Lebowski, but they could garner more interest after the draft. If the 49ers, as expected, select a receiver on the first day, I don’t think they would need to add a veteran. After all, they would have Ashley Lelie, Arnaz Battle, Brandon Williams and Player X on the roster. Add Bryan Gilmore, a solid special teamer, to the mix and that’s a full stable of wideouts. And please don’t pick on Len P like that. He and his minions work damn hard to pirate those stories!
-- Matt Barrows

Question: If Alan Branch or Amobi (I can't even spell his last name) fall to the 49ers at #11, who do they take and why? Do you see the 49ers trading up in this draft for Alan Branch?
-- Justin, Palo Alto

Answer: I believe you mean Amobi Okoye, who, by the way, is no relation to former Chiefs running back Christian Okoye. Even though a lot of people are buzzing about Okoye - and for good reason - I still think the 49ers take Branch just because his size and athleticism are so rare. Okoye is a great prospect, but he fits better in a 4-3 defense than a 3-4 scheme. I can see the 49ers trading up for Branch, but only if it isn’t a dramatic leap forward. That is, I think they’d like to find a starting defensive player and a starting receiver on the first day of the draft and wouldn’t give away the farm solely to get Branch.
-- Matt Barrows

Question: I have watched Kwame Harris play the right tackle position for the 49ers for several seasons and it seems obvious to me that he just won't ever be able to handle the speed rushers. It seems like it is just a matter of time before Alex Smith gets knocked out! Do you think Adam Snyder will beat out Harris this season or will the 49ers draft a 2nd or 3rd round OT who could compete for the job.
-- Jack, Penryn

Answer: Well, there’s a third variable in that equation, and that’s left tackle Jonas Jennings. He’s played very well when healthy, but it always seems like he’s getting nicked. When that happens, it forces Snyder to play on the left side. The 49ers like having Snyder at the ready as an insurance policy. The 49ers could go for an OT in the third round, just as they did with Snyder.
-- Matt Barrows

:Question: I think we should take a WR with our first pick on draft day. I don't know which receiver though. Calvin Johnson will be gone by the 11th pick and Jarret and Meachem are a stretch with our first rounder. Any ideas?
-- Tyler, Rocklin

Answer: Yeah, as I’ve been saying for months, the 49ers either can trade back into the first round and grab Meachem or Dwayne Bowe, or they can stand pat in the second and take someone like Jason Hill of Washington State or Craig Davis of LSU.
-- Matt Barrows

Question: I was wondering, with the signings the 49ers have made, do you see them drafting Dwayne Jarrett or maybe trading some 2nd & 3rd round picks for late 1st round draft pick and getting Steve Smith from USC? Also what do you thing about Adam Carriker of Nebraska?
-- Jose, Rancho Cordova

Answer: Steve Smith would be a nice pick-up, but I don’t think they’ll have to trade into the first round to get him. In fact, my guess is that he’ll still be available in the second or even the third round. As far as Carriker, he’s at the top of my list as far as whom I think the 49ers will draft. A very safe pick.
-- Matt Barrows

Question: Alan Branch has fallen in many mock drafts- to the point that the Niners pass him for Ginn jr, or Jarrett. Would the Niners really pass on Branch and Adam Carriker for a small injury prone receiver (Ginn), or a cocky USC receiver who should have gotten numerous taunting penalties in college (Jarrett)?
-- Alex, Shingle Springs

Answer: Short answer: no.
-- Matt Barrows