How about Fullback? I wonder if Singletary would prefer a more traditional FB. I agree that we need a big running back that can be used in short yardage situations. Robinson isn't that guy.

Personally I think the Niners have outside pass-rushers but really need someone to push the pocket. Franklin may be ok against the run but the Niners really need someone that can force the QB out of the pocket and in to the grasp of our talented LB's. Too often the QB is able to step up in the pocket and make the throw. We haven't had a good push up the middle since Brentson Buckner.

Great analysis, Matt, as always. However, I think you discount our need for a play-making safety. Mark Roman is in the bottom 5% of starting free safeties in the NFL. We need to be able to generate a turnover now and again, and while I agree a pass-rusher will make the entire secondary better, Mark Roman would still be inadequate, even if we had DeMarcus Ware. Dashon Godlson is merely a question mark, and his failure to take the position from Roman thus far indicates he's not the answer either.

Here's my list of needs:

(1) Pass rusher
(2) Playmaking Safety
(3) Dominant DT/NT
(3 - tie) Right Tackle
(5) Quarterback to develop
(6) Slot Receiver (more in the Welker mold than like Battle)

Franklin is as dominant a DT as you're going to get in the 3/4. Like the post says, the Niners are fourth in the league against the inside run. That's pretty good. RT is a far bigger need, if only so Sims never starts again.

I'd put FS at the top of the list. Mark Roman single-handedly cost the team the Dolphins game, the first time I've ever seen one player be solely responsible for a loss; Miami scored two touchdowns, both on blown Roman coverages and both in which he had a chance to make the tackle but missed it. Pass rush is a close second, but Roman is the weak link and opponents know it.

Comment: I think you discount our need for a play-making safety. Mark Roman is in the bottom 5% of starting free safeties in the NFL. We need to be able to generate a turnover now and again, and while I agree a pass-rusher will make the entire secondary better, Mark Roman would still be inadequate, even if we had DeMarcus Ware. Dashon Godlson is merely a question mark, and his failure to take the position from Roman thus far indicates he's not the answer either.

My response: Safety is one of those positions that you can get later in the draft. I always question teams that force the issue with safeties. There are exceptions, of course, but I have no problem addressing the safety position on the second day. The best two rookie safeties this season, Carolina's Charles Godfrey and Washington's Chris Horton, were taken in the third and seven rounds, respectively. --Matt M.

Q: How about Fullback?

My response: A fullback is a big back. You don't want to take a fullback on Day 1, that's for sure. Plus, this Sean Ryan guy looks like a really good blocker. --Matt M.

You place a d-lineman ahead of safety in terms of need, but I have to ask: who would you take off of the existing line in a 3-4? Smith? No way. Franklin? Not when he's playing at this level. The only possibility is left end, and with Balmer and Macdonald coming along, not to mention with soap as a mediocre backup, I dont think this position is worth replacing in the short term.

It would be great to pick up a safety in the early second round. Some very solid players coming out this year...

You're also very, very right about the niners needing a Ware or a Merriman to add spark to the defense, generate sacks and turnovers and take attention away from Willis. I'm very optimistic about the players available in the 8-13 slots in the draft, where the niners should be after the season is over.

Comment: You place a d-lineman ahead of safety in terms of need, but I have to ask: who would you take off of the existing line in a 3-4?

My response: Good observation. The reason I had defensive line ranked ahead of safety is because I believe you have to get those guys earlier in the draft than a safety. You can get a good safety a little later. I think they need to find more of a pass rush from the outside and the inside. This is likely a player who would come in for nickel downs when the 49ers have a four-man line. And who sits? The player who is the fifth-best pass rusher on those passing downs. --Matt M.

Hi Matt. What do you think about Parys Haralson's emergence as a pass rusher this season? 8 (?) sacks for a young guy. Why shouldn't we just stick with him?

Good analysis Matt especially on the pass rusher. I'm fixated on getting a 2-gapping NT first. There's only 2 studs in this Draft....Raji & Cody. If we get that piece who consistently REQUIRES DOUBLE-TEAMS it will allow Haralson & JSmith to be more effective. I'm surprised our runs up the middle stats have been that good. But now that we know Franklin can be effective by 1-gapping that could be our backup lineup when our stud NT needs rest/rotating or possibly gets dinged up & out for a game or 2. Either way if we got a stud pass rusher instead with the 1st pick I wouldn't be unhappy with that either. But I stick to my guns....stud NT or OT first. Raji's my #1 pick, then OT's Oher or EMonroe. Taylor Mays has Willis-like star potential to me who I've done a lot of scouting on, he's my 4th option. Then TCody. There's at least 3 great top 15 pass rushing prospects. So far from what I've researched the Drafts deep in OT prospects. We might be even able to get one in the 3rd or 4th Rd but I feel more comfortable getting a 1st or 2nd rounder.

Hey Matt, a few points.

Wholeheartedly agree on the RT and Pass-rusher. RT can certainly be addressed in the draft from where the Niners are drafting (1st round picks 8-10 it looks like). The pass rushers look a bit thin from the brief research I've been doing though I don't claim to know much about this draft.

1. Is it possible the Niners can address a Pass Rusher in Free Agency? A guy like Bertrand Berry might be a good fit and relatively reasonable in terms of $. It seems the Defensive front for next season (3-4, 4-3) may hinge upon what type of pass rusher they can find this off-season.

2. How bout taking a run at a guy like Zach Follet?...watched him for several years at Cal. Cliche, but the guy makes PLAYS. Probably could get him 4 to 6th rounds. The guy can rush the passer, is relentless, creates turnovers, and is athletic.

2. Taylor Mays would be a great fit for the Niners. How would NFL backs feel staring down Willis and Mays coming right at them? Highlight hits all over the place. Mays destroyed Cal Receivers all over the place this year as well and as a result, were dropping balls all over the place.

3. It seems as if Delanie Walker is one of the best athletes on the team and a very good all-around football player. His has the body to be a full-back. Any chance we see Delanie move into that fullback roll? He's fast & agile, a decent blocker, very good receiver.

4. Lastly, why draft a QB high when we can bring back Alex for minimal dollars. The kid is young, wants to be here. He's got talent...Let Shaun Hill QB for the next few years, let Alex marinate in the System. In 2 to 3 years, Alex will still only be 25 or 26 right?

Thanks,

Mully in SF

One other thing about getting a stud NT. Even though our D vs runs up the middle have gotten better we still can't consistently stop other teams from converting 3rd & short's or goal line runs. That should also greatly help solve that problem by becoming extra stout in the middle & allow our DE's to get more penetration.

Matt -

I have to say, hearing we need a big dlineman a year after we drafted Balmer is really disappointing. Do you consider him that much of a bust? Since we are a 3-4 team, drafting a Suggs/Merriman type would mean our base D would only have 3 lineman (Smith,Franklin,Balmer?) , with the passrushing stud either standing or with a hand on the ground. I just dont see where we put the big body dlineman. Sure its always nice to have back ups, but you certainly don't draft back ups in the second round.

Also, I know Goldson was injuryed sometime in the season, but what happpened? He was the talk of the town in camp, picking off a ball a day. Then, all of a sudden you never head his name again. Outside of getting injured did he start making a lot of mistakes?

Good list, Matt. I'd probably up your #2 (RT) to #1, if we get a chance at one of the elite tackles in this draft. I wouldn't limit the selection to a RT, either. Rather get a guy who can play LT and let him and Staley work it out in camp. Seems like the old days when you could get by with a lesser talent at RT are going, going, gone. Big RB, that's music to my ears.. but I think we need more than just a blocker. You can pick up the blocker practically anywhere, maybe even have him already on the roster in Tim Ryan. I want a legitimate threat to pair with Frank Gore. We're just lucky Gore has lasted this long!

Matt - you listed 7 picks, what about compensatory picks? How many should we get and where do you think they will be? Those could change the landscape a bit.

gw2 - during the season I had my doubts about Staley being our LT. But he's earned that spot IMO & has been doing an outstanding job this last part of the season. When we get our OT I would start him off at RT & let the year progress. If Staley continues to solidify himself he stays. If not, then you think about the switch. At this stage I seriously doubt a Rookie could beat out Joe in TC.

The last time the Niners "needed" a pass rusher Bill Walsh gave Mike Holmgren a 3rd round pick to draft Mr. Mediocrity from Cal, Andre Carter.

So, since pass blocking is equally important as pass rushing, and offensive linemen are easier to evaluate than pass rushers, I hope the Niners use their 1st pick on one of the three or four very highly rated OT's in the 2009 draft, plug him in at RT, and have every-down bookend OT's for the next 7 years.

Sorry Matt, but you've been smoking something. This 49er team might be good enough to make the playoffs, but so what?!
As a long time football fan I don't remember a year in recent history that the whole league was this bad. Some teams are good, and the rest are a big question mark. My point is, if we want to see the 49ers return to greatness (or good enough to play in the Super Bowl) they have a LONG way to go. Half the 22 starters would be good back-ups on a truly good championship team. On top of that Singletary is an inexperienced coach whose strength is as a motivator, which is not the best way to go with a team that needs as much football help as this one. McGloughan has a below average grade on draft picks and free agents ( why do so few of his picks make an impact on a team this needy?), and what need I say about ownerships' chops?
I do believe they have the beginnings of a good team, but with this QB, one running back, an average tight end a below average o-line a young, but promissing receiver corps won't get it done.
On defense, their line is way below average, and their safeties are mediocre at best. Hope fully one of their young corners can actually unseat a guy as old as Harris.
They need to clean hose at the top and start getting better players.

Mike in MD: yeah, Staley might well beat out any rookie for the starting LT spot. My point really is that we need two nifty tackles, and it's of little consequence which one starts where. The LT/RT distinction seems to me like it's getting pretty fine.



My other main point, lol, is RB. I'm gonna up that priority from #7 to much higher.. sure we need the blocker, but we really need to plan NOW for Frank's demise, sorry to say. I like big, but basically I want a nifty runner and a guy who can catch the ball. It's a whole 'nother thang than just getting Frank a blocker.

If a guy like Nate Davis is available to trade down for late 1st
round I would pull the trigger. The Niners are gonna need a
franchise QB to groom for the future and a talent like Nate
is not gonna come along when it is convenient. This kid has
everything you look for in a franchise QB. Alex Smith has
shown nothing except the willingness to be a professional. He is an official #1 bust. The other needs of the team can
be addressed 2-7 rounds.

I can't stress enough that QB is the most important position in all of sports. Hill is workman like and is a leader but that
"ceiling" is not good enough for the tradition of the position
for the crimson and gold.

Merry Christmas to you Matt and all the Niner fans all over the world!!

I agree with your draft needs assesment except that I would chose an OT before a pass rushing specialist. My second and perhaps third pick would be a Pass Rush Specialist. I believe K. Balmer could be the big defensive lineman we need especially coming in to his second year. Our O/line is maybe one or two players away from respectability, but the pass rush has been dismal at best and is in dire need of attention. Our DB' have been open targets largly due to a weak pass rush that have allowed mediocore QB' to put up MVP type numbers. On a side note; I will miss Joe Starkey doing play by play. I only hope that this was his decision and not a company one. My Bay Area All-Time announcers are (in my own personal order)Bill King, Lonn Simmons, and Joe Starkey. Mr. Starkey's upbeat and enthusiastic play calling was refreshing, passionate, and consistant week in and week out, he will be sorely missed.

Matt, I agree with your analysis, and I think the best point you made was that the 49ers need to push their draft picks on the field. We really don't know what they can do until they get a chance to play, and Shaun Hill is a perfect example of why you can't just rely on practice to determine how someone will perform in a real game.

What, in your opinion, is the strongest area of the college draft for 2009?

You are usually pretty accurate on player assessments, Matt, but I find it laughable and just awful that you would say Franklin is playing very well. Shame on you, and it really brings into question how closely you are watching the game film. I'll give Franklin this much, he has played slightly better in the last game or two, but the standard that he set through years of play was extremely low tobegin with. Franklin is a scrub that gets blown off the LOS 9 x out of 10, and often enough by a single blocker. SF desperately needs a better NT for this 3-4.

Matt...I completely agree with your assessment of a pass rusher being our #1 team need. Haralson has had a nice season but he's probably a better fit at SOLB with a stud rookie like Everette Brown playing on the weak side. It was also nice to hear some praise thrown Aubrayo Franklin's way...anyone that has watched him play knows he's an outstanding player vs the run and teams have a very hard time with him if they're going to try and block him with only one player. He's been playing great since Sigletary took over and went strictly with the 3-4 as a base defense and the team really suffers when he's subbed out for Fields.

Speaking of the NT position I'm wondering if you know what the team's plans are for Balmer? Do they envision him as an LDE or an NT in the future? Ice is the weak link on the line imo and is really better suited to be a super sub who can play a variety of positions but starts at none. If Balmer is being groomed to play NT then the Niners might be wise to look at drafting a Tyson Jackson if he's around when we pick in the second round (assuming of course that we've already locked up that pass rusher in the first). Great job Matt!

Pass rushers that are good rarely make it to true free agency and neither do OT. The basis of a a solid team is building from lines out. While Adam Snyder is OK, there is no established pass rusher on the team. If a top 3 OT is there, take him. If not, draft the kid from Texas. Matt, do you think there is a chance that York could lure Pioli away from the Pats to be the Prez of the 9ers. I think with McCloughlin, Sing, and Pioli, there is a great chance of success.

1. nose tackle. 2.pass rusher (go harralson gimme more this weekend !) 3. a true #1 wr. (bruce won't be much longer , but if j.morgan can step up we may have it !) 4. free safety (i'd rank this #2 but we may have it in goldson or reggie smith,or by moving one of our corners inside and using t. brown @ cb ) 6. fullback 7. quarterback of the future / savvy vet !!!!!

oh , my post was about offseason team needs not just draft picks . sometimes you can get a position filled easier imo in free agency , sometimes by drafting. it depends on the position , players out there ,your draft position and how much free agent money you have !i think we can add at least one top free agent this year !

oops i forgot rt.!!!!!!!!! insert at about #4 before fs. !!! but we may have one in snyder !!!!

wow !!! since i put "we may have one" after half of mine guess we really are not very far off !!!!!!!!!!

Matt, as much as I enjoy your reporting, you sound more like a fan than an unbiased reporter. Please take off the rose colored glasses. Miami brought in one of the top football people, and he set up an organizational structure by bringing in a GM and coach who have the same football philosophy. On top of that, the 49ers have no QB on the roster that compares to Chad Pennington, plus they also have Chad Henne to groom. The Falcons also brought in a GM from the Patriots organization, and he hired his own coach. On top of that, they were lucky that two teams passed on Matt Ryan, who looks like a great young QB. Now, let's look at our 49ers. In our six wins, the 49ers beat the 0-15 Lions, the 2-13 Rams twice, the 4-11 Seahawks, and the Bills who had to play the second half with their back-up QB Losman, who stinks. I have to ask you Matt, where do the 49ers have the organizational structure to compare to the Falcons and Dolphins. The 49ers are much closer to Mike Brown's Bengals or Bill Bidwill's Cardinals. As far as the draft goes, unless the 49ers are able to take a gamble and sign a Matt Cassel, they should draft not one but two QBs, with your reasoning that their odds of hitting on one would improve. Hill is a good guy and a nice story, but even the lowly Rams had him figured out for 3 1/2 quarters. Any pass longer than 10 to 15 yards looks like a wounded duck. But I digress, it all starts at the top, and Jed "Lucky Sperm" York, Scotty Mc., and P.Marathe will lead this team to repeated 3 to7 win seasons. As far as Mike Singletary goes, a class act, but he is not the sharpest knife in the drawer, and the three stooges above him will set him up for failure. When Nolan was fired, Jed, Scotty Mc., and Singletary all said that Nolan had laid the foundation. One can not lay a foundation in quicksand. Bill Walsh built the foundation! The Yorks over the last nine years have been demolishing it one piece at a time.

Q: Matt - I have to say, hearing we need a big dlineman a year after we drafted Balmer is really disappointing. Do you consider him that much of a bust?

My response: I'm filling out my Pro Football Writers awards ballot. For my All-Rookie team at defensive line, I have Sedrick Ellis (Saints) and Jason Jones (Titans). I'll probably go with Trevor Scott (Raiders) and I'm having difficulty coming up with a fourth, though I might settle for Chris Long. My point is that defensive linemen rarely do anything as rookies. Glenn Dorsey, Derrick Harvey, Lawrence Jackson and Trevor Laws are among the rookie D-linemen who have been less-than impressive. Rather than labeling anybody a "bust," it's best to wait a couple seasons to see what happens. --Matt M.

I love Parys as much as the next fan and think he's a great player to keep around for depth, especially on 3rd downs, but he is not a dominant player. I think Matt is trying to say that a Demarcus Ware or a Shawne Merriman would drastically improve the quality of and tone set by this defense.

Q: Matt - you listed 7 picks, what about compensatory picks? How many should we get and where do you think they will be?

My response: The 49ers should receive two additional picks. Here's what I wrote a while back about the 49ers 2009 compensatory picks.

http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2233666

Now don't take my round-by-round projection too literally. I don't think team's should reach to select players at "need" positions on the first day of the draft. Look at the mistakes the 49ers have made in draft picks in the last decade, and you'll that probably all of them were "need" picks. --Matt M.

don't forget the interception he knocked out of nate clements' hands. i'm embarassed to see him in the red and gold.

Chose the best player available in the first two rounds is always the best move. Making it in the NFL is never a sure thing. We definitely have all the needs as everyone has clearly stated. HOWEVER every NFL team wants the same things. We may be a playoff team in the NFC West but that doesn't mean we will go anywhere in the playoffs. To do so we need a dominating O & D Line and that we don't have.

Comment: I love Parys as much as the next fan and think he's a great player to keep around for depth, especially on 3rd downs, but he is not a dominant player. I think Matt is trying to say that a Demarcus Ware or a Shawne Merriman would drastically improve the quality of and tone set by this defense.

My response: You can never have enough pass rushers. If Haralson is the team's best pass-rusher (and he is), wouldn't the 49ers be much better off if the team had someone rushing from the other side who is better than Haralson? Think about the Giants last season with Umenyiora, Tuck, Strahan and Kiwanuka. That's the kind of pass rush for which all teams should strive. --Matt M.

Not that MM needs defending, but he is NOT a fan of the 49ers. It is his job and he does it well. the 9ers are not his favorite team (was it the NY Giants) and while he wants them to do well to make it interesting, he is pretty objective.

Matt don't forget to include Vernon Gholston from the NYJ.
Gholston = Ghost, an in nearly invisible.
2 guys I had on my previous Draft wishlists were Justin Tuck and Jason Jones. Both guys were 2nd round picks I think?
Comes down to scouting and needs. Had Nolan thought more about linemen as Parcells does, we'd be well over the hump by now.

This team needs to decide whether its a 3-4 or a 4-3. We need an identity. i would love to see us get a position coach from baltimore or pittsburgh that is ready to be a DC. Or if Romeo Crennel is available and willing to come to SF that would be a good addition. But definately a guy that has been under Dick Labeau or Rex Ryan would be key. Then we need to draft either a pass rushing DE/OLB or a mammoth NT like Alabama's Terrence Cody, 6'5" 385. But we also need help on the back end. Roman and Lewis do not make plays in the passing game. They lack range and ball skills. Nate is ok. Not worth that contract and Walt is getting old. I am exicted about T. Brown. He has just as many picks as Clements. Reggie Smith needs some playing time too.

Offense needs an identity too. Foster and Robinson are not good backs. Clayton needs a fair shot but I think we need to draft a back. I like the group of WR but they are not world beaters. We need to keep Hill at QB for a full season. Keep Martz as well. This team could do damage if we just add a good right tackle and get better guard play. I dont know you 49er fans, but Vernon is a bust to me. No hands, still makes a lot of mental mistakes and has not matured. Every catch he makes it is like he just scored a TD. All of the potential is all it is....potential. But I also blame the 49ers for not finding ways to get him the ball. 6th overall pick is a great blocker. Geez, since when do you spend a 6th overall pick on a great blocking TE.

Bottom line is that we cannot honestly say that we have something to hang our hats on after this season. Too many holes to fill. We have a pro bowl LB and a pro bowl RB and that is it.

Just looked it up, Tuck was a 3rd rd pick, Jones a 2nd.
This Draft seems exceptionally deep at OL.
We need the early picks on DL.
NT, DE/OLB,OT,DB
Any feel for the Comp pick on Smiley Matt?
Hoping at least a 3?

Matt don't forget the 1st round pick Washington had with LaRon Landry. He laid the lick the other night that saved the game against the Eagles.
I see Dashon in the SS mode and Clements as FS actually.
FS is the ballhawk and SS the bigger hitter. Could be something to tinker with?

Franklin dominate as you will find??????? Be serious. Thank Manusky for putting him in positions where he can be useful. We could use a true two gap NT for the 3-4

OT , Pass Rusher, FS

Whatever player ranks highest on our board at these three positions in the first. All would help immediately at positions of definite need.

I would like to see us address OT via FAgency and look for a pass rusher or FS in the first. I like William Moore from Missouri or John Selvie from South Florida

Correction: the Dolphins & Falcons were not bad teams last year. They were teams with a bad record. There's a difference. When Nolan took over the Niners, they were a really bad team and no football genius could have taken them to the playoffs. Just like no combination of Walsh/Holgrem/Parcells could get today's Lions playoff ready next year.

Secondly,what exactly is wrong with high priced free agents? Why shouldn't the Niners sign,say,a premium pass rusher? These days no team can rebuild through the draft in a timespan that their fans will accept. A mixture of draft and free agency is required. Surely the biggest change in Miami was the signing of Chad P.

Lastly, I do agree 100% with your basic point. This team, right now, is good enough to go to the playoffs. And I think they will next year if they can keep the coordinators & their staffs intact. Martz in particular has done a brilliant job. By all means give him a young QB to tutor but tell Hill now that he's the starting QB next year and we'll see an even bigger improvement in his play after a Spring & Summer with Martz constantly in his ear. If Martz leaves, it will be back to square one yet again. We'll be lucky to have another repeat of this years record.

PS for goodness sake folks, get off Roman's case. He's the best safety we have and he's the QB of the defense that's played very well since the break. He should get a great deal of credit for that.

Where do we stand with Jay Moore Matt?
Gotta think we see him as an OLB?
It worries me with Duckett and Moore holding roster spots as former Nolan 'conversion' guys.
I'll have a better opinion on the college players following the Bowls, but linemen on the whole that I've seen from the Big programs look extremely well stocked.
Be interesting to see what Singletary does if hired regarding the Senior Bowl.
Will he jump at the option to coach or merely attend and Scout?
Lot's to banter about as we hit the offseason, but I like what I've seen since he stepped in.
Let's hope the Young Jedi has done some intelligent planning since he tossed Nolan aside.

Kelvin I love hearing the argument for Best Player Available.
The best player should fit your plan.
Vernon was a freak, worked against Merriman in college, but I was, and still am, a build from the lines guy.
We all love our team, but the fact remains,York inherited something he didn't know what to do with and gave too much to Nolan as a rookie HC.
We've blown numerous picks of course and most of that I think was scouting.
He grabbed depth guys too high and missed on skill players early.
We have enough to work with fortunately, but still need stability in the front office to give the roster some starters.
I don't care how we get them. A good team blends youth with veteran leadership, so we must shop the FA market and look for parts that fit.

Three things for the Niners to win three more games in 09 and a wildcard berth...

• 1> Draft Orakpo DE, Oher OT, or Mays S for our 10th pick (thanks to the clumsy win against the Lambs). If any of these players fall in our laps at 10, it would be a gift. Otherwise, trade down.


• 2> Draft Nate Davis at Round 2.


• 3> Bring in TJ Whosyourmama at WR.

we agree matt.but u forget we should have at least 2 comp. pics for loss of free agents.bringing up to a tot
of 9-10 pics in 2009.ive always wanted a wide/out in rd1 for yrs
but not next year def end is my choice .plenty of off linemen .pickins r slim for def line and end.like a m johnson,g selvie ,j hughes of tcu .watched game against boise ,the guy gets in bac field.jr(has 15 sacs).or orpac from ok ,f brown ,fl.our def needs 3 things
a def end pass rusher,playmaking safety who can support run and cover.db who can cover.off needs w/o
playmaker such as a percy harvins or derrick wiliams
a big bac ,who can break tackles and get tough yds in red zone also spell gore.a bac up qb. 2 big nasty ,mean off. linemen.hopefully we get lucky in lower rds and find a few gems . for qb,i like kid from tulsa.but one thing for sure we dont need qb in rd 1
i figure we'll be picking 10-11 rd 1 .remember we got willis with pic 11.then its playoff time.guys id like to see traded or cut ,jennings,sop,m roman,bata c,j.t,
tee martin.waste of $$$.i think sing as far as def goes knows what he needs.

Good point bloodred, forgot about Marques Douglas, he should be comp-worthy too I think?
Smiley played 14 games in Miami before breaking his leg and started for us the entire '07 season if I'm not mistaken.
So we should be in good shape for top 15 picks plus hopefully 2 Comp picks, of which a 3 and 5 would be fantastic.

I disagree with your ranking. I believe the Niners biggest nedd in this year draft is a ball-hawking free safety. This year we given so many big play because our free safety just isn't good. I mean the number don't lie, look at Mark Roman zero interception since last year. I think with this year first pick they should go after Taylor May from USC. I mean throw the kitchen sink if they have to. They should address their passing rushing need through free agency and the perfect guy should be either Julius Pepper or Terrell Suggs.

I think your draft priorities are where they should be. The pass rusher could be either an OLB or a DE. We need both. I'd like to see B.J. Raji at DT...and Balmer, either at DT or starting DE. We need quality depth all along the DL...and we really don't have it now. OT shouldn't be that hard to fix, especially at RT. FS playmaker...most definitely. I do think both Goldson and R. Smith should have every opportunity, and we draft someone who can push them and maybe eventually start. We definitely need a power RB...to help fix our short ydg woes. Agree, a QB on 2nd day is on target. Even if Alex stays, we'll still need a 3rd QB to develop. With emergence of J. Hill and Morgan, and hopefully re-signing of Bryant, we can draft a speedy WR without the need to start them. Most receivers need a year or two to establish themselves.

Matt, I have been preaching Pass Rusher and Right Tackle in my circles for a month now. I think your analysis of draft needs is exactly right.

matt, i think that one need that has been underestimated so far is RB. if we keep sigletary, we will have to have a very good running game. when you take a look at the best running teams in the league (ten, nyg, bal, car - coincidently some of the very best teams in the league) they all have two very good RBs. all these teams have second-string RBs who have 600+ yds on the season. therefore i think we should get a RB early in the draft (2nd-3rd) to complement gore and make our rushing attack much more dangerous.
apart from that, nt, ot, fs & olb would all make sense to me in the first round; just draft bpa!
i also see qb, ilb & kr/pr as areas of need that should be adressed later in the draft

Matt, I completely agree with your analysis. Even the round by round needs. Pass rushers are much harder to come by than adequate safetys so I wouldn't pick a safety too high. Thats my same argument on VD. Top 10 pick for a TE is too high. Also, we might have a replacement on the team for Roman already whereas we don't have anyone who can get after the qb at an elite level.

The problem with the Niners is that they are neediest in the 3 most important areas - QB (I like Hill but he's not the long term answer), Pass Rusher, and OT. RT is a must in the 1st 2 rounds. A Merriman type player would be awesome but hard to find. A blue chip run stopper if available would be hard to pass on. If Sing stays on, D-line should be high on his wish list. Then there is the Safety position, I really like Mays (another USC Lott type play maker). I also think a RB is needed. Most good running teams have two and rotate them in a one-two punch. Picking up a young QB to groom should be on the list. What FA's are available to fill these needs? To be a playoff team next year we must have a better pass rush a better FS and a better RT to protect Hill.

I don't know if DB should be a first day pick though. DB, esp. safety is one of the hardest positions to adjust to from college to the pros. Rarely do you ever hear of a world-beating rookie DB. It takes time to develop that position. And much of the plays made on the Niner secondary this season (and many prior) were due to lack of sufficient pass rush. Fortifying the trenches is the most important need, both on offense AND defense.

The Niners need a short-yardage back for sure and the need at free safety is obvious. What about at QB? Can they really go into next season with Shaun Hill as the starter? I like him but he can't even throw a spiral! Every pass is a duck, they need to go after Matt Cassel. I hope they don't sign Derek Anderson or somebody like that, and this team doesn't need to draft a kid and wait for him to develop, this team has a will to win and can win now if they upgrade a couple of parts. QB is one of them, Hill is an awesome backup but a top-flight NFL starter he is not.

On getting that dominant 2-gapping NT...it will accomplish something else that’s important I forgot to mention. It keeps our stud playmaker Willis clean ALLOWING HIM TO GO BACK TO ROAMING THE FIELD. He struggled last year because OLinemen often got to him untouched. We have to protect him so he can do his thing & start blowing up some people regularly again. We could start getting more forced turnovers from this.

To summarize a stud NT will do multiple things for this team. 1) Make the pass rush better. It can take away another second allowing what used to be pressures on the QB a sack & what weren’t rushes close to the QB feel the pressure instead. 2) Make the CB’s better allowing them to make more plays on the ball 3) Help more consistently stop critical 3rd & shorts & goal line runs 4) Again....KEEPS WILLIS CLEAN.

B-Rows is reporting that Coach Sing will be retained long term. He is keeping the D-coordinator but will be firing Mike Martz. I guess he met with team management and laid out his plan for next year and potential candidates for the OC job. They hope to sign him immediately following the game on Sunday.

WHOA! What's yer source???

On another note, the Niners need to stop playin and throw big dollas at Nnamdi Asomugha.

We know MM will give us all the scoop but here is what is being reported:

Under Singletary, defensive coordinator Greg Manusky would be retained. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz, however, would not. With Martz directing the offense, the 49ers have climbed from dead last in the league in total offense to 24th this season. But Martz's pass-first mentality, on display in recent games against Miami and St. Louis, clashes with Singletary's ball-control philosophy. It also seems to be at odds with the type of players the 49ers have drafted on offense in recent years. Singletary not only discussed his offensive philosophy in the Monday meeting, he cited several candidates to take over at offensive coordinator next season. Those names are not yet known, although they are believed to include both current head coaches and assistants. The 49ers' biggest concern is for offensive continuity over the next several seasons.

A Norval reunion perhaps?

I agree with your needs assessment and given that we will be drafting 9,10, or 11 based on our record so far he is my very preliminary draft. I also assume 2 comp picks 4th round and 6th round and no juniors as yet 1)Eugene Monroe OT UVA. Given where we will be picking OT offers best value (Unless Taylor Mays comes out early)2) Clint Sintim OLB UVA 4 year starter in the 3/4 with over 4000 snaps played. Can play inside orr outside. Played weakside this year and had lots of sacks and TFL. 3) Ramses Barden WR Cal Poly Huge (6'5+ 224) great hands. Broke Jerry Rice's record for consecutive games with a TD despite playing in an option running offense. Great Red zone target. 4) Ron Brace DT BC Huge 6' 3" 318 2 gapper 4B) Nathan Brown QB Centrl Ark or MIke Reilly QB Cent Washington 5) Sherrod Martin FS Troy - ballhawk 6) Antoine Appleby ILB UVA - another experienced 3/4 LB - 3 yr starter. 6B) DJ Boldin WR Wake Forest - Huge senior year 77 catches and to tick off the Cards (AQ's 'lil bro'). 7) Aaron Brown RB TCU Big back who can catch and run.

matt how do you feel about atogwe of the rams? ufa

I think the big three tackle prospects will be off the board by the time we draft in the first. If Mays is still there then great, if not Everette Brown could step in and provide us with much needed help in the pass rush department.

If we don't draft an olb in the first then I'd love a guy like Sintim if he did fall to us in the second...he already plays standing up in college so the learning curve wouldn't be so steep. If not then a big LDE prospect like Tyson Jackson could be available. Ice is better off as a backup and Jackson is as good a prospect as Carriker was a few years back...but with the draft as deep as it is he might slide to the second round.

Staley could be a very good left guard, maybe eventually all-pro. He would be similar to Ben Grubbs of the ravens who the Ravens realized that was his best position. not LT. I still want a true LT and then pick up a journeyman right tackle in free agency. Check out Ryan Clady of Denver. 1/2 sack in his rookie season as a starter. Now that a real keeper. That's what i want. I want a great Left Tackle. As far as the Niners policy of not overplaying guards I thinks it crazy! We have seen what the Vikings did with Steve Hutchinson, Staley has a better guard potential. His foot speed would be great on pulling. Of course if we can't get a great LT leave Staley there. Of course JMO and I realize it's not popular.

You left out WR Johnson ......what will happen to him?

Nah, ESPN reported today that Turner is staying in San Diego next year.