NFL Mock Re-Draft: Re-Picking the 1st Round for San Francisco 49ers Since 2000
Hindsight is always 20-20. It's impossible to know for sure what might have happened if the 49ers struck gold in the last 10 drafts, but it is intriguing to see who the 49ers passed on this decade. The 49ers have been fairly successful in the draft during this time period, but there have been some major blunders.
Not everyone can strike gold every time (unless they are Bill Walsh, of course). It's also worth noting that just because Tom Brady is in the draft, doesn't mean the re-draft pick will be Brady. Obviously that would be the best pick, but it has to be a pick within reason at that given time. Let's take a look at the first round picks that shoulda, coulda, woulda happened.
2000 Draft
1 of 11
Actual Pick 1: Julian Peterson, 16th overall
Actual Pick 2: Ahmed Plummer, 24th overall
Re-draft Pick 1: Julian Peterson
Julian Peterson was everything the 49ers were looking for when they selected him here. While, he could have stayed a 49er longer, he was a terrific linebacker. He wasn't a liability in coverage and could come off the edge and get to the quarterback.
Re-draft Pick 2: Keith Bulluck
Keith Bulluck was a tackling machine and all around menace for the Titans this past decade. He was a turnover machine, forcing five fumbles in a single season and picking off five passes in another.
When you draft a corner in the first round, you expect him to be better than Ahmed Plummer. He was a legitimate starter for some time, but nowhere near the kind of player Bulluck was.
2001 Draft
2 of 11
Actual Pick: Andre Carter, 7th Overall
Re-Draft Pick: Marcus Stroud
Andre Carter was the last guy to get double digit sacks in a season for the 49ers. Ouch. Even so, he wasn't the best selection here. He had a brief stay in San Fran and never duplicated his spectacular sophomore season—at least not as a 49er.
Keep in mind the 49ers were running a 4-3 at this point. Stroud was a great pass rushing, run stuffing defensive tackle for the Jaguars. While there have been two defensive picks already in this draft, overhauling the defense and hitting three Pro Bowl caliber players is not necessarily a bad thing.
2002 Draft
3 of 11
Actual Pick: Mike Rumph, 27th Overall
Re-Draft Pick: Clinton Portis
The 49ers were in a lose-lose this year. They took Mike Rumph because it filled a need, but the draft went through a huge talent drought right where the 49ers were selecting. The board was decimated and their hands were tied. Ed Reed was selected just a few short picks beforehand, so the 49ers weren't in a position to land a superstar.
Clinton Portis went much later into the second round, but he was by far the best pick within reason. It would have been considered a huge reach and grossly unpopular amongst the fan base, especially given the 49ers' running back situation at the time. Even so, it would have helped the franchise out when Kavan Barlow decided he didn't want to perform, Garrison Hearst left and Charlie Garner put on the silver and black.
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.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
2003 Draft
4 of 11
Actual Pick: Kwame Harris, 26th Overall
Re-Draft Pick: Nnamdi Asomugha
Wow. You can tell who was in charge at this point of the 49er franchise. It's this string of bad picks that launched the 49ers into irrelevancy. Kwame Harris was never a legitimate starting tackle in the NFL. This re-draft pick probably would have sparked a playoff birth or two during the long drought.
It's hard to believe Nnamdi Asomugha could slip this far in any draft. He had everything you would ever want in a corner and took his game to the next level when he reached the NFL. The 49ers wouldn't have had to bring in Nate Clements and could have landed an All-Pro corner instead of a scrub tackle who couldn't cut it.
2004 Draft
5 of 11
Actual Pick: Rashaun Woods, 31st overall
Re-Draft Pick: Bob Sanders
The re-draft pick could have been anyone else and it probably would have been an improvement. This is probably the worst pick in the Erickson regime. Woods never panned out and only adds to the 49ers' recent string of first-round wide receivers who didn't live up to expectations.
Bob Sanders is injury prone, to say the least. Even so, this is a defensive player of the year when healthy. Even if the 49ers saw him on the field half the time, it would have changed the complexion of the secondary. Asomugha and Sanders in the secondary at the same time would have been almost unfair.
2005 Draft
6 of 11
Actual Pick: Alex Smith, 1st overall
Re-Draft Pick: Aaron Rodgers
You can't really fault the 49ers here. Smith could run better than Rodgers, he made pro throws and he was a winner coming out of college. He has an excellent understanding of the game and seems to have a solid grasp of the offense. We all know about the adversity and how things could have been different if he had gone elsewhere.
We also know Aaron Rodgers is an elite NFL quarterback. Given Smith's cards, it is hard to say if he would have played the hand well. However, it is easy to say he would have done better at dealing with all the mayhem in San Francisco.
2006 Draft
7 of 11
Actual Pick 1: Vernon Davis, 6th overall
Actual Pick 2: Manny Lawson, 22nd overall
Re-draft Pick 1: Vernon Davis
Re-Draft Pick 2: Davin Joseph
The possibility of putting Marcus Stroud and Haloti Ngata on the same defensive line is tempting, but Aaron Rodgers still has no weapons at this point. Vernon Davis could be the best tight end in the league, so this becomes a fairly easy selection. Davis is a reliable target who is a home run hitter from the tight end spot. Not bad.
The 49ers need to start building an offensive line around Rodgers so that he doesn't see the same fate as Smith. Davin Joseph is the best lineman on the board within reach. He isn't a tackle, but has proven to be worthy of a first round selection.
2007 Draft
8 of 11
Actual Pick 1: Patrick Willis, 11th overall
Actual Pick 2: Joe Staley, 28th overall
Re-draft Pick 1: Patrick Willis
Re-Draft Pick 2: Joe Staley
Patrick Willis is one of the best players in the game. He has never missed the Pro Bowl and will likely continue to put up All-Pro seasons. He is on the fast track to Canton and no 49ers fan would even think of placing another name in the re-draft slot. Darrelle Revis is great and the possibility of pairing him with Asomugha is intriguing, but Willis is just as big of a game changer.
The 49ers need another lineman here. Joe Staley hasn't been overwhelmingly great at left tackle in the way Jake Long has, but he was drafted to be a right tackle. He's the best lineman on the board, the 49ers already have their QB and this pick still makes sense.
2008 Draft
9 of 11
Actual Pick: Kentwan Balmer, 29th overall
Re-Draft Pick: DeSean Jackson
A small part of the Bay Area died when the 49ers made this selection. DeSean Jackson was right in the 49ers' back yard. He had blazing speed, was an incredible return man and the 49ers had no true number one receiver. "With the 29th selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, the 49ers select...Kentwan Balmer."
Great. A defensive lineman with upside who couldn't earn a starting job. Jackson remains the only player in the history of the NFL to ever make the Pro Bowl at two positions. He would be handy to have on roster, especially for a developing Aaron Rodgers. Cal reunion, anyone?
2009 Draft
10 of 11
Actual Pick: Michael Crabtree, 10th overall
Re-Draft Pick: Brian Orakpo
Granted, I would have freaked out at the time, but Brian Orakpo is simply a better football player right now than Crabtree is. He is already a Pro Bowl caliber player, while Crabtree is still trying to find his way in the league.
The 49ers may want to switch to a 3-4 at this point. Keith Bulluck, Julian Peterson, Patrick Willis and Brian Orakpo would be the best linebacker corp in the NFL. Orakpo could have dropped down in a stance as well, so that remains a possibility. With DeSean Jackson at wide out, there is less of a need there.
2010 Draft
11 of 11
Actual Pick 1: Anthony Davis, 11th overall
Actual Pick 2: Mike Iupati, 17th overall
Re-Draft Pick 1: Earl Thomas
Re-Draft Pick 2: Maurkice Pouncey
The 49ers need a tackle desperately, but it is still unclear whether or not Anthony Davis is going to develop into a superstar tackle. The 49ers traded up to select him and he was probably the best tackle on the board. Even so, Earl Thomas had a phenomenal year. Pairing him with Bob Sanders gives them a promising safety tandem.
Mike Iupati looks like he has the potential to have an outstanding career. He may even make the Pro Bowl next season, which is fantastic. Maurkice Pouncey is the best center prospect of the decade. He's already an All-Pro and commanded the Steelers' splotchy line to a Super Bowl. He's a leader and possibly the best center in football. Iupati is a downgrade.
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.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
