Matt. It should say he is FIFTH on the school's all-time list with 20.5 career sacks. Not 10.5 as well. He had 10.5 his senior season alone like you said.

"Scot McCloughan found a pretty good one in the fifth round in 2006. His name was - and still is -- Parys Haralson." - who also led the nfc west in sacks

I don't think Lawson is the answer.

He got by on his athleticism in college and hasn't really improved his pass rush skills at the pro level, he's still raw in that department. I like that he has shown improvement in coverage and seems to be a special teams demon but thats not ultimately what the 49ers drafted him to do. The injury was a setback, so this a huge year for him.

The top couple rounds of this draft has some very good 3-4 OLB's who I believe are ready to make a contribution. I really like Barwin, English, and E. Brown's pass rushing skills to translate to the NFL level. I think Orakpo might be better fit with his hands on the ground but I could see someone giving him a shot at standing up. Sidbury is a project who will be drafted a bit high.

If Orakpo is there at #10 they better be all over it. I want a pass rush and Rak is the best in this class.

Orakpo won't be there.

The lowest he'll go is 8 or 9.

Matt, have you asked Singletary or McClou whether or not they plan to give Lawson a shot at becoming the 3d down pass rusher this year?

An ACL injury take a year off to recover. This year will determine how good Lawson will be. Personally give me George Seifert's elephant scheme, but we are not built for that.

Question: have you asked Singletary or McClou whether or not they plan to give Lawson a shot at becoming the 3d down pass rusher this year?

My response: Yes, I have asked, and the answer is "yes." He will be given a chance. Singletary said he has confidence in Lawson as a pass-rusher. But, obviously, Lawson has to win that job against whomever the 49ers might acquire. --Matt M.

Hey Matt,
I heard Skip Bayless say this morning that he thought Crabtree would be a bust. He said book it. I asked about a week ago with all the BPA's we have talked about who would you pick and you said Crabtree. Now believe me I'll take your opinion over Skips' anyday and twice on Sunday but.... Why do you feel Crabtree is the best out of the possible BPA's? Thanks as always Matt!

Question: Why do you feel Crabtree is the best out of the possible BPA's?

My response: I don't think Crabtree is the No. 1 pick in the draft. But if there was a list of guys chosen, then I probably said Crabtree was the most likely 49ers pick of those remaining. Skip apparently gave an opinion of Crabtree. I'd be willing to bet a dollar that most teams have Crabtree ranked as the top WR in the draft. Skip might end up being right. But there's a big difference. If the team that picks him is wrong, the GM might end up losing his job. If Skip is wrong, few people will remember and he'll probably still have his job. --Matt M.

"Manny Lawson has not failed as much as he was never given a chance to show what he can do."

Understatement of the century, should be typed in bold print. He was also on IR for a whole season. It's only his third year. He's sick on special teams and is a tackling machine. I don't understand how people could say he's not a good pass rusher if he hasn't been in on pass rush situations. We had TBC and Green for that. 98 & 99 = the future of this Niner D.

I am very high on Clint Sintim in the second much more than i am on any of the early first round guys. First off Sintim has already played OLB in a 3-4 in college and doesn't need to change positions. Also the one thing i keep hearing about Brown and Maybin is that neither is three down material, 10 is too high for that. Orakpo has his problems as well with having a hard time dropping into coverage. NFLDraftscout.com has this to say about Sintim:

"Sintim started 49 career games at outside linebacker for the Cavaliers and set a school record for his position with 29 sacks. He led all NCAA linebackers with 11 sacks last season and finished second in 2007 with nine. So there is no guesswork with Sintim by a 3-4 team, you draft him, you play him."

So i say go with BPA at 10 (Raji, Crabtree, Sanchez, OT) and grab Sintim in the second.

The more time that passes, the more I think the Niners will go wild card with #10 if they don't trade down. Meaning, I could see a Sanchez pick or a Beanie Wells/Maclin/playmaker. The OT and OLB depth in this draft is pretty good in the first couple rounds.

Couldn't agree more with you. I also like Sintim a lot. English is another possibility in the 2nd rd, Barwin, etc.
Again, hopefully we are able to trade down.
I am not afraid of taking our RT on the 3rd rd either.
If we have to pick on the 1st rd, Maclin is not a bad option, but I think we will have better players available.
I mentioned on this blog before, I don't think we have the right WR group to stretch the field and be able to improve our running game. Maclin/Crabtree would be able to do that.

I agree with the idea of Crabtree/Maclin, because both would be impact players. The key to that 10th pick has to be impact. Whether it be Raji, a WR, Sanchez, whomever they need to make a BIG impact from day one. I don't see a lot of that from Brown, Maybin or Orakpo. We can get a Sintim or Barwin in the second, and yes we can get a right tackle in the third or later who can develope for a year and step in and do just fine. We dont have to reach for any position of need early. Look at what we need, ROT, safety, pass rusher, QB, and WR are the top needs. We can get all of that after the first round, and good talent at all of them. Saefties go late, so do right tackles. we can get a very good pass rusher in the second and look where we got Morgan last year. All I want to point out is in the first round we must draft for IMPACT, not need. Need causes us to reach.

At least McC was right about Paryls, Jay Moore was a waste.
If Matt is right and all 4 OT's are gone, Crabtree, Raji, the 2 QB's that leaves Curry or Orkapo left. Not a horrible choice. We may want to move back a bit into the later first round and get a top RB or CB. We might be better off with 3 second round picks than the just #10. Don't know, we have so many holes and not a lot of elite talent available at #10

BTW, nothing should change the 9ers drafting philosophy/needs short of a trade for Peyton Manning, Julius Peppers or a new HC. We NEED lots

Merton,

I would have to agree with you also in that scenario. I think RB Wells is a very intriguing pick simply because the 49ers have never had a dynamic RB like Wells before. His combination of brute strength & speed reminds me of a smaller version of Brandon Jacobs but alot faster. God.... can the draft come soon enough!

Jon,

Curry & Orakpo will be gone too. I just can't see either of them there at #10. I'll have to disagree with Matt in that I don't see all 4 OT's gone by the time the 49ers pick. 3 at the most.

Comment: If Matt is right and all 4 OT's are gone, Crabtree, Raji, the 2 QB's that leaves Curry or Orkapo left.

My response: I have yet to put together my mock draft, so I have yet to say which players I believe will be available when the 49ers pick.

Yesterday, I said on Twitter that in looking at all these mock drafts that the only players who are projected to be selected in the top 9 picks every time are Aaron Curry, Eugene Monroe and Jason Smith. There seems to be some degree of doubt about everybody else. --Matt M.

http://twitter.com/MattMaiocco

Guys,

OLB Sintim could be there in the 2nd round when the 49ers pick. With so much "Pub" on the 2 USC OLB's coupled with Orakpo projected to be one & Curry going early that would leave Sintim there early in the 2nd possibly.

"All I want to point out is in the first round we must draft for IMPACT, not need. Need causes us to reach."

I agree but if that's the case how would we make the argument for drafting Sanchez who would be both a reach and non-impact player? He's really an investment, not anyone I'd look to unseat Hill. Then there's the question of why did we bother to sign A. Smith long term?

And that's IF Sanchez turns out to be any good. For a junior with only a handful of starts under his belt, it's an awful big risk for a #10 pick.

Skip Bayless is the same bozo that screamed the Niners draft Rashaun Woods (look it up) and we know how that turned out! I don't think his opinion on WRs is anything we should take too seriously. Philisophically, I don't like taking a WR this early but he's going to be a good one. He lives and breathes football, good kid, great size and hands, great work ethic and desire to be the best in the game. IMHO, I think we trade down to no lower than 17 and end up with Oher or Maluaga and an extra 3rd. Matt, the one player that is a bit of an enigma is Jenkins. I see him going anywhere from 5 to 25 in the mocks. Would the niners be interested if they trade down and he's available in the mid teens? Thanks and love the blog.

Skip Bayless = Tim Kawakami. Nuff said.

Yes one of the top four OT's is likely to be there at ten(most likely Oher) if we choose that direction. Curry or Rak -highly dubious they fall that far..but if so that's a big go! Beanie is a bit of a reach but interesting concept .Without trade down possibility Connor Barwin is a reach but man he should be on our team.He won't be waiting in the second!

No way I'd reach for Wells. He complains injuries prevented him from winning the Heisman. I got news for him, in the NFL as a RB you are always injured and you have to play at a consistent level regardless. That is why Moreno is the back to take at 10.

Skip Bayless likes the sound of his own voice.
Jack of all trades, master at none.
He's paid to be opinionated, we all do it for the love of our team.
Trade Down, extra Day 1 Pick.
Hello... New England?

Connor Barwin will be selected by New England to replace Vrabel unless someone snags him sooner.
He's exactly the kind of addition that they covet.
Take note and decide if he can improve our roster.
I'm hoping someone wants 10 enough to provide us with an extra pick.
Pats are the perfect partner, if they're willing to move up to the high priced end of the market.

2 guys I'd watch for on Day 2, Mid to Late Rounds-
OLB/DE - Jamaal Westerman (Rutgers) & Phillip Hunt (Houston)
Fat Man in The Middle can come with guys like Ziggy, Brace or Sammie Lee and we don't need to spend a ton of cash at the high end.
If the right OT is there at 10, make the pick.
The game heats up this week.
Players will be dealt for picks, and if we have fringe guys to move, let it fly.
Arnaz perhaps?

I would be happy if we traded down.Raji is really special because he can get to the QB and excels as a two-gapper,but we could really use another 1st day pick Mayock was saying Percy Harvin was an undeniable top 10 talent but was sliding due to off-field stuff.Does anyone know what the stuff is?

Even if Manny shows his pass rushing skills, it's still a need to get another one. A guy I've just gotten intrigued about is Lawrence Sidbury. A DE at Richmond, he's got excellent mobility and athleticism. He should make the transition to OLB because of those skills. He ran a 4.57 (pro day) 40 at 6-2 1/2, 266. He had 14.5 TFL, and 6.5 sacks. I really like what he brings...so I hope Mac and Sing consider taking him.

Let's not forget that WR Brian Robiskie is out there too.
He's a productive guy that you rarely hear about -

Take a minute and look into the Bio on TN St RB Javarris Williams.
Played 43 games, 849 carries for 4,329 yds, 5.1 avg.
Pretty impressive, though at a smaller program, but he got a lot of work.

He tested positive at the combine for weed. Rumors of self centered I love me some of me lockeroom characteristics. I love the guy as the best playmaker in the draft, but if you are not smart enough to study for you urine test that you know is date certain I've got issues with your thought process.

Robiskie would be very solid pickup -plug him ...ready to go! A guy I've been touting for Nose is Myron Pryor a sleeper in later rounds (I was surprised M Mayock mentioned him!) .I'm hoping we pick an ILB in mid rounds Brinkley has been mentioned -the guy I think has tremendous potential is Franz Joseph he's a "F"hysical kid with a motor and lotsa' heart!

Wow!

Razor you're starting to come around (Harvin). All kidding aside the 49ers weren't going to pick him anyways. From a skill point of view the guy's a home run hitter but when you factor in that he's a "tweener" where he doesn't have enough WR skills to be a true WR in the NFL & he's not big enough to be a RB well it would have been a reach to pick him at the #10 spot. And now with him getting caught smoking the "hippie lettuce" I'd be very surprised if any team picked him in the 1st round.

Get ready to be surprised then because I predict he will slide no further than pick 25.

hightop,

Robiskie is 1 of the players that is rapidly moving up on the draft board. NFL Network's Path to the Draft yesterday were saying that the Giants are taking a strong look at him as well the kid from Rutgers. In any case he's not going to be there in the 2nd round for the 49ers.

Just saw ESPN's Todd McShay's new Mock Draft. I like it!

Lions - Stafford
Rams - Jason Smith
Chiefs - Curry
Seachickens - Sanchez
Browns - Crabtree
Bungals - Monroe
Raiders - Andre Smith
Jags - Maclin
Packers - Raji
49ers - Orakpo

I find the Browns selection interesting. It seems that the Browns are poised to trade Braylon Edwards to the Giants afterall. It sounds crazy to me but I hope it does happen.

Last night, Mike Mayock was saying he attended Harvin's pro day and it was one of the most impressive ones he has ever seen. Paraphrasing Mayock here: His explosion and start stop speed was as good as it gets and he plucked the ball out of the air never double clutching a catch. This kid has all the tools and a burst like I have never seen. Watch out for this kid Harvin.

McShay's Mock does look pretty good. You can justify every one of those picks. You have to think Cable and the Raiders are going to look long and hard at one of thte available Tackles which pushes Maclin down to the Jags. The Packers and Niners picks could easily flip flop like 3 years ago when it was AJ Hawk or Vernon Davis. They took Hawk so we took Davis. Had they taken Davis we would have taken AJ Hawk. I could see the same thing happening this year if all 4 OT are gone.

{sigh}

Just can't see Orakpo falling down to us. Sanchez will be looking at houses in Bellevue, and we'll be stuck with Andre Smith at 10.

McGM will be tapping his fingers on the desk, poised by the phone – any NFL teams on the horn?... Beuhler... anybody?

Matt, your man Rob Rang has Orakpo falling all the way to #20 on his Mock on nfldraftscout. He must really not like him too much. Reading his scouting report on him sure doesn't make me excited about him.

Thanks Razor,I agree completely.

Two things:
the Raji/pot thing was proven to be a false rumor.

Maybin is bulking up like a madman. He put on 25 lbs for the combine and dropped time on the 40. Look at the pics...in 2 months
http://blog.pennlive.com/pasports/2009/03/aaron_maybins_physical_transfo.html

The fact that Maybin is putting on all that muscle actually scares me off the guy. Will he be the same player with the added weight? Why didn't he gain this weight while playing college ball? Can he keep the weight on if he needs it at the pro level? I like Maybin as a player but don't think he's worth a #10 pick - or #10 money. If we trade down, I'd take a look at him.

Everette Brown is he dead or something? Did he decide not to leave college?
How can like Brown drop totally out of the 1st round according to Don Banks at SI? One months he is in the top 10 and now he is not even in the first round. Maybin over Brown? Come'on!! this is just insane.

I would laugh and then cry if they took Wells with the #10 pick, we already have a far better 3 down RB in Gore, or did you forget about him. If we draft a WR or QB with the #10 pick that will be the nail in the coffin that is the McSing experiment since the QB's available this year are not even close to worthy of a top 10 pick and with the glaring holes on our O-Line, D-Line, OLB, CB, etc taking a WR with the #10 pick would be a huge mistake, take a look at top WR picks of past drafts, not many have fared to well and it's a huge mistake to think any of the top guys in this draft would be a lock to immediately contribute, it's one of the more difficult positions in the NFL to make the transition to.

I agree! Brown is over 250 and still runs a 4.66 40. 13 1/2 sacks last year. Super quick first step, multiple pass rush moves that are already refined. So they listed him as 6-4 in college and he only measured 6-2 at the combine, so what! He may be the best pass rusher in the draft. Why would we not be interested?

PHX,

How could any 49er fan forget about Gore? Wells would definetly be a change up runner for the 49ers running game. Gore did get nicked up last year & if he were to miss any significant amount of time duo to injury that would be disasterous. On the bright side if the 49ers selected Wells or even Moreno for that matter it would make a great dynamic running attack. Hey that formula worked very well with the Panthers & Giants 2-headed monster. And If you listened to what Sing is saying he wants to be physical on offense & just physically man handle the opponent's defense. That would serve the 49ers very well & take the pressure off of who ever are starting QB is going to be.

Not going to have a power rushing attack like CAR and NYG with the O-Line we have or a defense that can't pass rush or stop the run at the point of attack. We won't be controlling the clock effectively next year if we can't improve in those areas and therefore it would be absolutely ludicrous to draft a RB with the #10 pick. Those two teams, BTW, happened to have some of the best O-Line play in the NFL last year, we are not even remotely close to having an O-Line of their caliber yet.

RB at #10? Those who say this sucks don't understand pro ball. If you select right, he averages 6 - 10 carries a game. Impact! Average runner lifespan: five years. Chances of a ding or worse to Gore, 30 percent.
Not saying RB necessarily, just that it wouldn't be a bad pick and could be brilliant one.

I have a pretty good understanding of "pro ball" and drafting a RB at the #10 spot would not suck it would be ridiculously stupid, especially in this draft that's already pretty weak when it comes to RB's and QB's for that matter. A serviceable RB to carry the ball 8 times a game is far easier to find in this league and in later rounds of the draft than impact positions like lineman, DB's, etc. To put it into perspective, in last years draft, which was ripe with extremely talented RB's, only 1 was drafted in the top 10, the next at 13 and then 22. No way in god's green earth do they draft a RB at the 10 spot. Most teams are trying like heck already to get out of the top this year because they know the talent pool is just not up to par with the cash they are going to have to spend. Curry is probably the only can't miss kid in this draft and he will be long gone before we go. I hope they take one of the big 4 Tackles if there is one left or one of the DE/OLB guys, if not Raji.

Reply to PHX49er
The Niners have had a lot of "servicable" talent in last few years and have been unwatchable. If Gore goes down, the Niners go down and your comment will be seen as "ridiculously stupid."

Dwight Freeney is 6 feet..barley...I don't understand how the kid can go from top 10 to 2nd round because of sports writers. The draft is just stupid anymore. Over priced hyped up cattle show. Nobody knows what they are getting.

Oh AncientOne - the last 6 games of the year I was watching a pretty good football team. Well 80% better than what I had been watching the past 6 years.

Find me one credible writer, draft analyst, etc that agrees with your assessment. I can't believe I am even having a debate regarding the 49ers taking a RB with the #10 pick, as the saying goes "you can't argue with ignorance" so I will leave it at that. You clearly have no idea about player value in the NFL. There are plenty of guys who would fall in the early 2nd to get as a backup to Gore, you don't spend a top 10 pick on a backup / change of pace back. I swear we have some severely ignorant football fans on this site. Not one person I know who follows the 49ers would even consider them drafting a RB yet there are a handful of people here who thinks that sounds like a good idea, good grief, I bet these are the same people cheering on JTO last year.

PHX,

You better believe the 49ers are going to draft O-line regardless to improve that unit as you say. Nobody's questioning that, but I'm just using 1 scenario that's all. I'm using this scenario IF Raji's, the top 3 OT's & Orakpo are gone. At that point the 49ers have to look at BPA at #10 & that would mean WR possibly Crabtree or Maclin, RB's Moreno & Wells, and possibly 1 of the QB's. The 49ers would be foolish to go & reach for O-line or pass rusher because those other players I just mentioned would be rated the highest at that point. It's all about VALUE in this scenario that's all I'm saying.

Hello PHX?

I would like a rebuttal on my last comment

Just a footnote-Barrows just noted his choice for best defensive player in the draft(I presume he means for the 49ers)...and yes I've been on his band wagon awhile- Connor Barwin !!!

A rebuttal to what? There is not scenario you can come up with where the 49ers taking a RB at the #10 spot would make sense or be even close to BPA.

Here are, for the most part, the top guys projected to go somewhere pretty early:

4 OT's (Monroe, Smith, Smith, Oher)

2 WR's (Maclin, Crabtree)

2 QB's (Stafford, Sanchez)

1 LB (Curry)

1 DT (Raji)

1 OLB (Orakpo)

Let's assume at least 1 QB and 1 of the WR's are gone along with Curry, who is the best defensive player in this draft, and at least 3 of the OT's and 1 of either Raji or Orakpo, that's 7 of the top 10 picks. That still gives us a shot at the last OT, and either Raji or Orakpo (Raji would be my preference). If they are both gone as well that means. most likely, Sanchez, is still sitting there, so IMO I say trade down a few spots for an extra pick since someone will want Sanchez at that point or maybe even one of the WR's that's left and take a guy like Everett Brown, a CB, or depending on how far we trade down several other guys come into play. But whatever we do don't reach on one of those RB's (neither are top 10 guys no matter how you slice it) and I say let someone else take the risk on Sanchez. I would rather us take, in worst case scenario, one of the WR's. I truly hope we get either Raji or Oher, those are my top 2 picks I think we have the best shot at and would definitely be BPA for the 10 pick. If both QB's or WR's are gone before us we are set!

Best defensive player in this draft is Curry without question. It he's referring to for the 49ers only, not sure he would be much of an upgrade over Haralson IMO at least not if we have to take him in the 1st round.

I presume he means for the 49ers -however there are reasons Connor Barwin has steadly risen on the boards -he is one of the most talented prospects in this years draft.Better than Curry no- but chances are very high he will be a force in the NFL and as lower first or second round pick a bargain. Haralson AND Barwin I say -that IS an upgrade I'll stand by.

I am not saying Barwin is not a good player but he's not the best defensive player in this draft for the 49ers. After Orakpo and Raji I would much rather have a guy like Everette Brown or one of the top 2 CB's. I do agree though that if a team gets him in the late first or early second they will have received great value in the pick, but best player in this draft for the 49ers, I don't think so.

Yes and agreed -my comment about best player in draft was in reference to M Barrows- not my pick -I am a supportive fan and therefore was happy to see someone else so appreciative of his talents...10th position for Connor is high -I would be happy with a trade with Detroit yielding our tenth for 20th and 33rd in that model Connor Barwin is a distinctive choice as I've mentioned on this blog before ...chances are fairly slim as they probably go Stafford and will have no need of Sanchez at ten.What Detroit does at 1st spot really does determine how wild this will be don't you think?

PHX,

Sorry I didn't respond to you yesterday I was outside all day breaking my back pulling weeds in the backyard. Okay so going back to your scenario I agree with you that after all those players are gone Sanchez would be the top rated player. Now trading down is easier said than done so I give it a 50% chance that it will happen. But let's say it doesn't & the 49ers have to stick with that #10 pick most Pro Scouts including Mike Mayock from NFL Network & Scouts Inc. have RB Moreno way ahead of Oher as BPA in their projections. Mayock has Moreno at #4 and Oher at #18, Scouts Inc. has Moreno at #13 and Oher at #25. So tell me again how Moreno would be a reach? And I'm not forgetting about the O-line either, whoever the 49ers take at #10 excluding any OT because for sure the top 3 will be gone I see them coming back in the 2nd or 3rd round to get a RT.

NP, I only stop in here every so often. As for your question, just because let's say Mayock has Moreno as the 4th most talented player in the draft doesn't mean he should be drafted 4th overall, in fact he will probably fall all the way to the late teens early 20's. In the NFL certain positions carry more weight, that's why "generally" good O-Line guys, DB's and QB's make more than a RB or LB. Look at FT values, it's important for a guy like Suggs to be designated a DE over LB because they get paid more, etc. If, using your logic, let's say the highest ranked player in the draft available to us at our pick was a LB projected to play at Willis' spot, would you take him over the next highest rated OT? No, teams don't take QB's just because they rated higher than other positions they need if they already have one. BPA is always measured with need no matter how you slice it. When a team sets up it's draft board it has guys rated at each position and where they think they should be drafted, but when they make a selection priorities are heavily weighed or drafts teams would just draft according to a master list.

That high up in the draft, taking a RB like Moreno who may be overall rated the better athlete combining all positions would be counterproductive considering the amount of glaring holes we have and on top of the fact, especially for us, it's not an immediate impact position. Could SEA, KCC, CIN, and CLE all use a RB sure, are they going to take a guy like Moreno over the OT's, and other top guys available just because he may be ranked higher in an overall draft ranking and therefore considered BPA? No they will not. Go back and look at prior years overall draft rankings form various sources and look at how teams drafted compared to that list. Mayock is IMO the best in the business and his final draft mocks are pretty good, will be interesting to see who he picks the 49ers taking, I think last year he nailed all top 10 picks.