Since Steve Mariucci was fired after the 2002 season the 49ers have been on a franchise in disarray. The 49ers did go 7-9 in 2003 under Dennis Erickson with Jeff Garcia, Garrison Hearst, and Terrell Owens leading the way. As every 49er fan knows Owens became a cancer to the team and was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in a three-team deal where the 49ers got Brandon Whiting.
Leaving as well was Jeff Garcia, who was not resigned, went to the Cleveland Browns and Garrison Hearst left as well due to his age and injury history the 49ers didn't offer him a contract. He eventually signed with the Denver Broncos but only played in seven games.
The downfall for the 49ers was the draft that year. They missed out on solid players, such as their first round draft pick with the number 26 pick was Kwame Harris who never played up to his potential with the 49ers.
The 2003 draft looks like this:
The 49ers could have drafted Nnamdi Asomugha who would have been an excellent addition to the secondary and his height would have definitely helped seeing how a cornerbackwho's 6'3" is a benefit especially when playing against today's taller receivers. He's quickly become one of the best cover corners in the league. Kwame Harris isn't even on the 49ers anymore and is now playing in Oakland.
In the second round the 49ers took Anthony Adams with the 57th pick. When the 49ers could have drafted linebacker Lance Briggs who was actually taken in the third round as the 68th pick and he was a player the 49ers wanted last year and actually got into trouble with for tampering trying to see if he would play for them. Other picks are Jason Witten, or Ricky Manning.
The third round the 49ers selected Andrew Williams with the 89th overall pick. He played two years for the 49ers and didn't do much. The 49ers could have drafted running back Chris Brown who went at number 93, Justin Fargus 96th pick, Bradie James was taken in the 4th roundas the 103 pick, Terrence McGee was taken with the 111th pick, Asante Samuel was taken as the 120th pick.
The 49ers fourth round pick at number 124 was Brandon Lloyd who performed well, but the Niners had a chance with taking Ike Taylor at 125 and Robert Mathis in the fifth round was the 138th pick.
The 49ers fifth round pick at number 161 was Aaron Walker who is no longer in the league. Their sixth round pick at number 197 Arnaz Battle who's also done a pretty good job and a few years ago he was one of the best at not dropping passes. Another player the 49ers could have drafted though was Cato June who went number 198.
The 2004 Draft:
The first round pick for the 49ers with the 31st pick was Rashaun Woods. Who never got anything going in the NFL. He had the potential but injuries derailed his career and he's no longer in the league.
Some of the picks that were made after Woods are Ben Waston as the 32nd pick, Karlos Dansby the 33rd pick, Chris Snee 34th pick, Igor Olshansky 35th, and Bob Sanders at number 44.
The second round selection for the 49ers was Justin Smiley at number 46 who largely was a bust in San Francisco. He currently is playing for the Miami Dolphins.When the 49ers could have drafted Tank Johnson as the 47th pick.
4 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Andy Bensch 7 months ago
for as bad as they have drafted, they still have gotten a few gems other than gore and willis. Lawson, Davis, Baas, Staley, Rachall, Hill, and Morgan are all gonna be big time players for years to come.
I mean it wasn't like anyone knew asante samuel was going to be as good he is now coming out of college. So i think its getting a little carried away when you say we could have had this guy at this point of the draft. But yes we clearly could have drafted better.
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DannyBoy SportsTalk 7 months ago
Drafting is always 20/20 in the hindsight. I personally believe that looking at who the 49ers "could" have drafted is like staring into jar of jelly: it makes no sense at all. I agree with Andy that drafting players is truly a shot in the dark, and as a GM, you must make the most educated decision possible. This sometimes still leaves much to be dsired. I leave two words as I part: Ryan Leaf. Who knew? Certainly not the Chargers.
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Steven Resnick 7 months ago
Well I do agree to an extent that the draft is either hit or miss. There's just been too far misses it seems like every other NFL team gets a steal in the later round execpt for the 49ers. Isn't that what scouts are for anyways? They are supposed to be watching these players and see if they would make sense on the team.
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Steven Resnick 7 months ago
I mean before 2003 the 49ers had some solid draft picks from the later rounds such as Eric Johnson, Eric Heitmann, Kyle Kosier (now a solid starter for the Cowboys), Brian Jennings (long snapper), Jeff Ulbrich, Pierson Prioleau, Terry Jackson, Tai Streets, Fred Beasley, Lance Schulters, Marc Edwards, Terell Owens, Lee Woodall, Elvis Grbac, Merton Hanks, Charles Haley, and Steve Wallace just to name a few.
It seemed like every few years they would find a steal. Heck Joe Montana was a 3rd round pick.
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