For the first time since the first selection of 2005, the 49ers have invested a draft pick in a quarterback.
The 49ers went with BallState quarterback Nate Davis in the fifth round with the No. 146 overall selection. Davis received a lot of exposure this season, as it seemed BallState was always on prime-time TV on ESPN with those odd-ball weekday night games.
Davis (6-2, 224) was the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year. He threw for 3,591 yards with 26 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 64.3 completion percentage. As I recall, Davis would get the snap in the shotgun formation and never adjust the ball to grip the laces. He would just throw it. That shouldn't be an issue as he learns to take snaps behind center.
Davis becomes the fourth quarterback on a 49ers' roster that includes Shaun Hill, Alex Smith (the top pick in 2005) and Damon Huard. He was selected because the 49ers believe he has a chance to develop into a good player in the future.
Davis was one of four quarterbacks in the draft to visit the 49ers' offices in Santa Clara. Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez and Josh Freeman were the others.
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Nate Davis said he believes the only difference between he and Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez is those guys went to Georgia and USC, and he went BallState (David Letterman's alma mater).
But the reason he said he was available in the fifth round is because of a learning disability. Davis said he has a problem reading and writing. However, he said that does not translate to football. When he visited the 49ers, he stood in front of the grease board and was quizzed by 49ers quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson.
After that pick, Davis said he believed, "San Fran was the place for me." (It's also nice to hear him say "San Fran" instead of "Frisco.")
Davis said he feels more comfortable throwing the ball without the laces. In high school he was a shot-gun quarterback and would take a lot of three-step drops in which he didn't have time to adjust the ball in his hand.
Doesn't look like the niners are going to get much help at OL in this draft. At least not an immediate difference maker. Are there any veterans out on the FA market that they can bring in to help out?
I agree, nice value pick, for us right now, why not?
The O-Line and pass rush are going to be a question mark this year for sure, if they falter, we are in for a long season, if not we can probably get to 8-8 or maybe better and McSing will live to see how their trade this year turns out. Some say there are few questions and we will be fine, will be an interesting year either way to say the least.
I wonder if they'll correct his grip. I figure it's more doable than changing throwing mechanics. I like this pick. With some coaching, he can improve his accuracy, zip on the ball.
I like this draft so far. All players picked had great past performance records. They were all winners in their college careers. No wishful projection BS.
I love the Nate Davis pick. He will need to sit for at least 2 years to develop. Hopefully the coaching staff sticks together that long to help develop him. I am a bit put off by the fact that he's never taken snaps under center. He needs quite a bit of work. For a GM who might be on his way out with a bad season, McC sure has put together a draft which won't yield immediate help but may be fantastic long term.
They said olb was deep. We'll find out. In terms of OL help, maybe guys on the PS like de la Puente are more talented. We haven't heard much out of that group
I love that McCloughan isn't drafting as if he is, or could be, on the hot seat. He's drafting to really build this team with the best possible players. To me, this draft is really showing that Nolan was the one holding things back the last few years.
I've been one of the harshest critics of McCloughan and the past drafts, but I'll be the first to stand up and say, I'm loving this draft.
niners didn't want oher over crabtree, crabtree although a decent WR is not #1 type (and what if his foot injury is chronic), niners don't draft in 2nd round feeling they need to keep up with Seattle in next year's draft and do it at a cost of giving up a 4th rounder (expensive), chooses a RB in 3rd round essentially to spell gore, and now this, a extended-project QB who can't win the big game in an organization lacking QB grooming skills.
A half way decent pickup was the 5th round LB pick.
Trench work went by unaddressed.
I am cringing....maybe the raiders had a better draft.
Maybe it is just me and this anti-climatic end to this years draft watching all the other teams make good decisions in a soft skill draft. It always appears the niner draft pick is either too high or too low in te first round causing an overly expensive choice for what is available. Can't wait until next years draft to determine the outcome of the 2nd round trade up.
How top heavy talent and how deep is next year's draft....will the niners be able to trade down both first round picks for four extra impact picks?
Scotty could benefit from a study of billicheck's style...
I grade Scotty performance on this draft a C+ at best since crabtree fell to him unexpectedly, and he put off any real work until the 2nd day and even then it was deferred because the 4th round pick was gone. So for me the most the most important pick was the 3rd round pick and it was underwhelming.
Niner's season truly rests on the QB play....Can Alex emulate a phoenix this year? If the phoenix comes to past this coming season then maybe this draft timeout and wait until next draft to tab exceptional game changing talent will set the 9rs onto a path of ressurected glory.
i am not sure what i heard or read but wasn't smith having problems with his shoulder recently? So i can't really count on any smith ressurection...it will take a couple of years.
Wildcat.....hmmm, davis effectiveness is on the run looking between the seams....nah wouldn't work
Question: i am not sure what i heard or read but wasn't smith having problems with his shoulder recently?
My response: Whatever you read or heard has zero credibility. Alex Smith is coming along "perfectly," I'm told. --Matt M.
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Who is Matt?
Matt Maiocco is in his 14th year covering the 49ers. He has reported for The Press Democrat since 2000. He is a three-time winner of Pro Football Writers of America awards. Rotoworld.com ranked "Instant 49ers" as the No. 2 NFL team blog in the country in 2007. Maiocco has written two books, "Roger Craig's Tales from the 49ers Sideline" and "San Francisco 49ers: Where Have You Gone?" Matt can also be heard regularly on KNBR (680-AM) during the season. He is also been added this season as a regular guest on ESPN's "First Take."
Now it's down to bpa db and ot for the next pick
Nice "value" pick.
Doesn't look like the niners are going to get much help at OL in this draft. At least not an immediate difference maker. Are there any veterans out on the FA market that they can bring in to help out?
I agree, nice value pick, for us right now, why not?
The O-Line and pass rush are going to be a question mark this year for sure, if they falter, we are in for a long season, if not we can probably get to 8-8 or maybe better and McSing will live to see how their trade this year turns out. Some say there are few questions and we will be fine, will be an interesting year either way to say the least.
Love the confidence of this kid. Great investment on McGM's part – he won't regret it.
Fantastic draft and promise heading into 2009!
OUCH! scouting report says Nate Davis compares to Alex Smith. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1113573
Made me want to vomit.
Very surprised those two areas weren't addressed was expecting atleast one tackle prospect and a passrusher none so far.
I wonder if they'll correct his grip. I figure it's more doable than changing throwing mechanics. I like this pick. With some coaching, he can improve his accuracy, zip on the ball.
I like this draft so far. All players picked had great past performance records. They were all winners in their college careers. No wishful projection BS.
I love the Nate Davis pick. He will need to sit for at least 2 years to develop. Hopefully the coaching staff sticks together that long to help develop him. I am a bit put off by the fact that he's never taken snaps under center. He needs quite a bit of work. For a GM who might be on his way out with a bad season, McC sure has put together a draft which won't yield immediate help but may be fantastic long term.
Niners should draft a right side player(RG and RT backup) next.
I like the Davis pick. Sit him a couple years and forget a QB next year in round 1. That crop will be terrible.
Maybe we can pick up Marvel Smith at a decent price, he's a local guy who's been really good in the past.
#184 is coming up soon.
They said olb was deep. We'll find out. In terms of OL help, maybe guys on the PS like de la Puente are more talented. We haven't heard much out of that group
Marvel Smith? you mean a guy who hasn't played a full season in three years? Or are you talking about Jonas Jennings.
Niners need to get some more depth. Maybe this next pick will be it!
SF on the clock.
"he has trouble reading and writing?". Thank god he went to college
Bear Pascoe of Fresno State.
Blocking TE.
theres Bajemas replacement
I love that McCloughan isn't drafting as if he is, or could be, on the hot seat. He's drafting to really build this team with the best possible players. To me, this draft is really showing that Nolan was the one holding things back the last few years.
I've been one of the harshest critics of McCloughan and the past drafts, but I'll be the first to stand up and say, I'm loving this draft.
Ha you were right MM! Raider got Stryker Sulak!!!
niners didn't want oher over crabtree, crabtree although a decent WR is not #1 type (and what if his foot injury is chronic), niners don't draft in 2nd round feeling they need to keep up with Seattle in next year's draft and do it at a cost of giving up a 4th rounder (expensive), chooses a RB in 3rd round essentially to spell gore, and now this, a extended-project QB who can't win the big game in an organization lacking QB grooming skills.
A half way decent pickup was the 5th round LB pick.
Trench work went by unaddressed.
I am cringing....maybe the raiders had a better draft.
Maybe it is just me and this anti-climatic end to this years draft watching all the other teams make good decisions in a soft skill draft. It always appears the niner draft pick is either too high or too low in te first round causing an overly expensive choice for what is available. Can't wait until next years draft to determine the outcome of the 2nd round trade up.
How top heavy talent and how deep is next year's draft....will the niners be able to trade down both first round picks for four extra impact picks?
Scotty could benefit from a study of billicheck's style...
I grade Scotty performance on this draft a C+ at best since crabtree fell to him unexpectedly, and he put off any real work until the 2nd day and even then it was deferred because the 4th round pick was gone. So for me the most the most important pick was the 3rd round pick and it was underwhelming.
Niner's season truly rests on the QB play....Can Alex emulate a phoenix this year? If the phoenix comes to past this coming season then maybe this draft timeout and wait until next draft to tab exceptional game changing talent will set the 9rs onto a path of ressurected glory.
i am not sure what i heard or read but wasn't smith having problems with his shoulder recently? So i can't really count on any smith ressurection...it will take a couple of years.
Wildcat.....hmmm, davis effectiveness is on the run looking between the seams....nah wouldn't work
Question: i am not sure what i heard or read but wasn't smith having problems with his shoulder recently?
My response: Whatever you read or heard has zero credibility. Alex Smith is coming along "perfectly," I'm told. --Matt M.