49ers Drafting Since 2003 Has Been Putrid Except For Gore and Willis

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.

Another second round selection for the 49ers was Shawntae Spencer at 58 who did a decent job as a 49er cornerback, but lately he has become injury proned and has only played in three of the past 13 games the past two years and that was in limited duty.

A center named Nick Hardwick was still available at the time. He was taken number 64 in the third round and would have definitely upgraded the 49ers offensive line which has been terrible.

The 49ers with their third round selection took Derrick Hamilton with the 77th pick. Another player who did nothing in the league. Some drafted players who came after Hamilton are Bernard Berrian at 78, Chris Cooley at 81, Landon Johnson at 96. 

Some players taken in the fourth round was Shaun Phillips at 98 and Demorrio Williams at 101.

In the fourth round the 49ers took Isaac Sopoaga as the 104th pick. Sopoaga is one of the strongest men in the NFL, but he hasn't done much with it and he's only got fourcareer sacks, which is unacceptable.

Other players who were drafted after Sopoaga were Jerricho Cotchery at 108, Nathan Vasher at 110, Will Allen at 111, Robert Geathers at 117, Jason Davis at 125, and Jared Allen at 126.

Who did the 49ers take at 127 in the fourth round? Richard Siegler out of Oregon State. What has been most known for being arrested in Las Vegas for forcing a 19-year-old girl to become a prostitute and then took the first $450 she made. Sounds like a real winner as that pick.

Better picks would have been Brandon Chillar at number 130, Gibril Wilson at 136, Erik Coleman 143, and Michael Turner 155.

The 49ers sixth round pick was punter Andy Lee who's done a great job and in one of their worst seasons he was the lone bright spot and pick number 188. The 49ers also took Keith Lewis in the sixth round at 198 and he's a solid backup safety in the league.

In the 2005 Draft:

Niners fans know they had the first pick and with that they took Alex Smith who has been unfortunately never given a chance due to offensive coordinating change each and every year he's been in the league as well as for the past two years he's been injury plagued.

As of now Smith stands as a bust. Instead the 49ers could have drafted Braylon Edwards who went number three, DeMarcus Ware 11, Shawne Merriman 12, or Aaron Rodgers at number 24.  

The 49ers second round selection was David Baas who is currently a starter for the 49ers and hasn't done much either. He was taken as the 33rd pick.

Some of the selections the 49ers could have made were Brodney Poole at 34, Barrett Ruud at 36, Corey Webster 43, Lofa Tatupu 45, Khalif Barnes 52, Vincent Jackson 61, Bryant McFadden 62.

For the 63rd pick which was the 49ers they took Frank Gore. When a lot of teams were concerned about his injury history. The 49ers on the other hand weren't scared and if he hadn't been injured he would have been a first round pick. This is one of the best picks the 49ers have had recently. 

The 49ers next pick didn't come until the fifth round at number 137 where they took Ronald Fields. Who is another pick who hasn't done much for the team.

Some picks that could have been considered instead could have been Bo Scaife who didn't get taken until the 6th round at the 179th pick, but there weren't very many plays between those picks that did anything in the NFL.

In the sixth round the 49ers took Derrick Johnson as the 205th pick. He didn't do much either yet the 49ers could have drafted Derek Anderson who was the 213th pick to provide competition between him and Alex Smith.

In the seventh round the 49ers had picks number 215 which went to Daven Holly a non factor for the 49ers. The 49ers second pick in the 7th round at number 223 was Marcus Maxwell who again it's just another player drafted that did nothing for the 49ers.

Even with those players they still had a chance at drafting Jay Ratliff at 224, and Matt Cassel at 230.

The 49ers last pick in the seventh round was Billy Bajema who's a blocking tight end and he was taken at 249. He'd done pretty good for himself considering he's one of the last few picks of the draft.

In the 2006 Draft:

The 49ers had the sixth pick in the draft and that was Vernon Davis. This still was a great pick by the 49ers. Unfortunately Davis broke his leg in his rookie season but he still played in 10 games. The 49ers problem is that they have not utilized Davis where as teams like the San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Dallas Cowboys have found ways to utilize their athletic tight ends.

The 49ers had the 22nd pick in the draft and took Manny Lawson. He's been injury proned throughout his career and has never lived up to the expetations of a first round pick. He's a borderline bust.

The 49ers could have selected DeMeco Ryans who went as the first pick in the second round at number 33.

The 49ers didn't have another pick until the fourth round and they used that pick to draft Michael Robinson as a wide receiver who was formerly a quarterback at Penn State. He's still on the 49ers used in special teams and now at fullback. He's never lived up to the expetations.

The 49ers could have drafted Ko Simpson who went at pick number 105, Brandon Marshall number 119, and Elvis Dumervil at 126.

In the fifth round the 49ers took Parys Haralson at 140 who actually has been a solid contributor for the 49ers. Yet, they 49ers could have taken Mark Anderson who went as the 159th pick, or Omar Gaither at 168.

In the 6th round the 49ers took Delanie Walker with the 175th pick. He's currently the second tight end for the 49ers. He has electric speed and can be used to return kicks as well. The jury is still out on Walker though.

The 49ers could have drafted Keith Ellison who went 178th.

Another pick in the sixth round pick number 192 the 49ers had was Marques Hudson who's a backup corner for the 49ers as well as special teams player.

Their last pick in the sixth round was Melvin Oliver who is no longer in the league.

Yet, even with those two picks the 49ers could have chosen Antoine Betheaat number 207, Cortland Finnegan at number 215, and in the 7th round Marques Colston at number 252.

In the seventh round the 49ers had pick number 254 in Vickiel Vaughn but he didn't make the team.

In the 2007 Draft:

The 49ers had pick number 11 this may have been one of the best picks within the last 5 years and quite possibly one of the best draft picks in 49ers history. The 49ers drafted Patrick Willis out of the University of Mississippi. He's made an immediate impact on the 49ers. Most 49ers fans can't wait until the team gets a defensive coordinator that will be more aggressive.

The 49ers had one more pick in the first round at number 28 in Joe Staley. He's been injured for most of this season and played in his rookie year. He's still has a long way to go but he could definitely be a solid offensive linemen in the NFL.

The 49ers next pick wasn't until the third round and that was taking Jason Hill as the 76th pick. He has shown his upside and actually has been involved more in the 49ers offense. He still has room to grow but he should be a solid performer for the 49ers.

The 49ers had another third round pick at number 97 with Ray McDonald. He's still on the 49ers but hasn't really done anything.

The next pick for the 49ers was in the fourth round with Jay Moore at number 104 but he never even made the 49ers team.

Instead the 49er could have taken Fred Bennett who didn't go until pick number 123.

The 49ers next pick which was also in the fourth round pick number 126 was Dashon Goldson. He is a special teams player as well as a backup corner. He could be a solid nickelback in the NFL once he gains more experience because of how tall he is at 6'2".

The 49ers had another fourth round pick number 135 in Joe Cohen but he never made the team. Instead of drafting Cohen the 49ers could have taken Steve Breaston who was the 142nd pick.

The 49ers in the fifth round drafted Tarell Brown at number 147. The 49ers seem to draft special teams/back up corners never a solid corner back.

At pick number 148 the 49ers could have drafted Kolby Smith instead of Brown.

The 49ers had a sixth round pick number 187 he's shown the past two preseasons he belongs on the 49ers, but both times the 49ers took Michael Robinson over him. Overall Clayton was not a bad draft pick in the later round it's the 49ers management who made the mistake of not putting him on the team.

In the 2008 Draft:

The 49ers first round pick was Kentwan Balmer who has been a disappointment and hasn't shown the 49ers that he deserved to be drafted as the number 29 pick.

The 49ers second round pick at number 39 was Chilo Rachal who is actually now starting for the 49ers. Mike Nolan had a different approach then Mike Singletary who is a huge fan of Rachal. Although he's starting now Rachal was not the right choice.

The 49ers could have drafted Eddie Royal who went number 40, Matt Forte at 44, Desean Jackson at 49, Limas Sweedat 53, Ray Rice at 55, and Kevin Smith number 64.

The 49ers next pick was Reggie Smith at number 75 and he did not make the team. The 49ers could have taken Steve Slaton at number 89.

The 49ers 4th round pick was Cody Wallace at number 107 who's just another player who didn't make the team.

The 49ers had a chance to take Dwight Lowery who instead went as the 113th pick and Tim Hightower went as the 149th pick.

The 49ers in the sixth round drafted Josh Morgan at number 174. Morgan showed in the preseason he can catch the ball and he has the talent to be in the NFL especially with his size. He will definitely be one of the better picks the 49ers have made recently.

In the seventh round the 49ers drafted Larry Grant at pick number 214 who of course did not make the team. Yet the 49ers could have taken Peyton Hillis who went number 227, Justin Forsett who went at 233, and Chris Horton who went at 249.

It's very easy to see why the 49ers have struggled recently the draft has not been its friend. There have been very few picks over the past five years that have made any sort of impact for the 49ers. The only two have been Patrick Willis and Frank Gore.

Hopefully with the ownership change to a younger York he'll be able to hire a better general manage who knows how to draft. Otherwise the 49ers maybe struggling for a long long time.