Draft Review: San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers

1st Round, Pick #18:  Eric Reid S LSU
I'm not a big Eric Reid fan, but I am not about to question Jim Harbaugh, Trent Baalke and the 'Niners personnel staff who have earned respect complete respect. We've been hearing all along that NFL teams liked Reid better than the analysts, and it must have been true considering the fact that San Francisco felt the need to trade up to get him. I wouldn't have done this, but the 49ers surely know better than I.
Pick Grade:  B

2nd Round, Pick #40:  Cornellius Carradine DE Florida State
If it wasn't for a late season knee injury, Carradine could have been a top 15 pick.  Heck he was even rumored to go in the first round despite the injury.  So getting him in the early second round is a good value granted he returns to full strength.  Because the 49ers are deep with talent they can afford to bring him along slowly.  Once back Carradine could be their future replacement to Justin Smith because of his combination of power and strength.  He is excellent against the run and a relentless pass rusher.
Pick Grade:  A

2nd Round, Pick #55:  Vance McDonald TE Rice
Losing Delanie Walker to the Titans this off season was a big blow to the offense because they love to run two tight end sets and Walker's versatility helps them create mismatches.  Finding somebody to fill those shoes was a must.  One player that seemed to be the ideal fit was McDonald.  McDonald is a solid blocker and can be used as both an inline blocker and be motioned into the backfield and used as a fullback.  He is limited in the passing game, but has good straight line speed which can be used to attack the seem.  This is a good fit, but you would have thought they could have waited till the third round to get him.
Pick Grade:  B+

3rd Round, Pick #88:  Corey Lemonier DE Auburn
Corey Lemonier is a one trick pony being a pass rushing specialist.  That's why he dropped to the third round.  However the 49ers who could really use some more pass rushers at the outside linebacker spot could really use some  help.  Look for the Niners to use Lemonier like they did with Aldon Smith and bring him in on obvious passing situations for Ahmad Brooks who is more of a run stuffer. 
Pick Grade:  A

4th Round, Pick #128:  Quinton Patton WR Louisiana Tech
If Quinton Patton would have gone #32 to the Baltimore Ravens as he was rumored to, nobody would have questioned it.  So to get him here in the fourth is outstanding.  Patton is a very talented route runner and will move the chains.  However he isn't that burner that the team really needs to make this offense great.  Don't expect to see much of him right away, but he could learn a lot from Anquan Boldin.
Pick Grade:  A+

4th Round, Pick #131:  Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina
Much like the 49ers second pick, Marcus Lattimore could have easily been a top 15 pick if it wasn't for two major knee injuries.  Lattimore won't be ready to go this year, but they don't need him.  He'll use this as a redshirt year and come back ready to compete for the starting job in 2014.  With this many picks and so much talent on the team they can afford to take a risk here.
Pick Grade:  A+

5th Round, Pick #157:  Quinton Dial DE Alabama
Dial isn't a difference maker but the 49ers don't need him to be.  Dial will look to backup Ray McDonald at the DT spot in the 49ers 3-4 defense.  Dial is a stout run defender and has a strong anchor.  He'll provide depth and could become a starter in a couple of years.
Pick Grade:  B

6th Round, Pick #180:  Nick Moody LB Florida State
San Francisco is pretty set at inside linebacker with Navarro Bowman and Patrick Willis, but they do lack depth behind them in case one of them gets hurt.  Moody is a former safety who is good in coverage and has good instincts.  He should be a good special teams player and could develop behind those two.
Pick Grade:  B

7th Round, Pick #237:  BJ Daniels QB South Florida
The fact that San Francisco took a quarterback here isn't a surprise.  They traded away Alex Smith and the only backup on the roster is Scott Tolzein.  With Kaepernick so active running the ball they need a quality backup in case he gets hurt.  BJ Daniels has the mobility to run some of the same runs that CK7 does, but he isn't a very good passer.  Why they chose Daniels over Matt Scott is beyond me. 
Pick Grade:  F

7th Round, Pick #246:  Carter Bykowski OT Iowa State
Bykowski's blocking style is a perfect fit with the 49ers.  He's a powerful blocker who plays with an edge.  He'll probably have to kick inside to guard and could provide depth.  San Francisco has had success with late round and undrafted players turning Alex Boone into a starter. 
Pick Grade:  B

7th Round, Pick #252:  Marcus Cooper CB Rutgers
A typical seventh round pick here.  Cooper has the height, length, and strength to be a good press corner.  However he isn't a very fluid athlete and his instincts are sub par.  If he wants to make this team he'll have to find a role on special teams.  But don't go out and buy his jersey, cause he probably won't make the team.  I would have much rather seen them take a risk on a talented player who could make this team.  Joseph Fauria would be a good piece in their tight end focused offense.
Pick Grade:  D

Overall Grade:  A

Player Profile: Corey Lemonier

Corey Lemonier

Height:  6'3
Weight:  255
School:  Auburn
Position:  Defensive End
Ranking:  #10 Defensive End
Projection:  3rd Round

Strengths
-Experienced.  39 games (24 starts) in the SEC
-Good speed (4.60) to bend the corner and get to the quarterback
-Speed shows up in his game.  Plays fast
-Big hands (10 1/8") and long arms (34 3/8") that allow him to keep lineman off his body
-Uses quickness (1.57) to beat lineman off the snap
-Strong upper body.  Benched 27 times at Combine
-Has shown the ability to drop into coverage
-Displays the athletic ability to play the OLB position in the 3-4
-Has a knack for knocking ball out of QBs hands (7 Forced Fumbles)
-Good motor.  Doesn't give up on plays

Weaknesses
-Lacks the bulk needed to play the 4-3 DE
-Tight in his hips when dropping into coverage
-Struggles to set the edge in run support
-Doesn't have any pass rush moves.  Relies solely on athletic ability
-Has trouble disengaging from blockers

Summary
Corey Lemonier has a lot of pure talent that is going to excite a lot of teams.  Lemonier explodes off the ball and uses that quickness and speed to get to the lineman's pads and disrupt the pocket.  He's used this speed to rack up sacks and fumbles when he gets to the QB.  You'd like to see more sacks from him, but playing on some bad Auburn teams the past two years, he hasn't had a lot of talent around him to take the pressure off.  But as good of an athlete as he is, Lemonier has a surprising lack of pass rushing moves and relies on his athletic ability far too often.  His only two moves to to use his speed to the outside or inside to try and beat the defender off the ball.  Once a tackle has got him, he's done.  You'd also like to see Lemonier become a better run defender, but because of his slight frame he struggles to set the edge and then struggles to disengage from blockers.  Lemonier is best served to play in a Wide 9 or 3-4 where his athletic ability and speed can be utilized and his inability to stop the run can be hid.  Because of this look for Lemonier to go anywhere from the late 2nd to the early 3rd.  A team to watch would be the Detroit Lions if they don't draft a defensive end in the first round.  Lemonier would be a good fit in their Wide 9 defense.