San Francisco 49ers 2014 NFL Draft: The Players, The Picks, The Fit
By Ben Natan
Nov 20, 2013; Toledo, OH, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies safety Jimmie Ward (15) warms up before the game against the Toledo Rockets at Glass Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jimmie Ward, S, NIU
5’11”, 193 LBs.
The Player
Jimmie Ward is one of the most pro ready defensive backs in this draft. He may not have great size, but he is a fundamentally sound player when tackling and is a very smart run defender. In coverage, he has great recognition ability and shows great range in flowing to the ball. This is a guy who can play slot corner in a pinch or could man centerfield and make plays on the ball. Ward is a relentless player, a very good athlete and very smart.
The Pick
Great pick. A team like San Francisco can afford luxury picks like this and they got a very good safety to give them a talented duo of versatile safeties on their team. Love this selection.
The Fit
Ward can start immediately at safety and gives the 49ers options when moving around their defensive backs. Ward can play free safety, strong safety or corner and I suspect a smart defensive coordinator like Vic Fangio will put Ward in the best position to succeed.
Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State
6′, 230 lbs.
The Player
Hyde is a very powerful back who has very good acceleration and speed despite his tremendous size.
The Pick
Somewhat of a head scratcher considering the current stable of backs on their team and all the quality players on the board who fit needs at corner, defensive line and wide receiver. However, Hyde in himself is good value here.
The Fit
Hyde will be hidden somewhere in the depth chart and will likely battle it out with Marcus Lattimore for who gets to take the reigns of Frank Gore.
Dec 7, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Carlos Hyde (34) runs the ball during the third quarter of the 2013 Big 10 Championship game against the Michigan State Spartans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Marcus Martin, C, USC
6’3″, 320 lbs.
The Player
Martin is a very powerful blocker who has at times look like a dominating player and at other times looked like a scrub. It is a serious matter of consistency for him and being able to use his strength on a regular basis.
The Pick
This is a good pick. A bit of a reach by my measure, but not that much and this is a high upside pick at a position of need.
The Fit
The 49ers are in need of a new center and Martin could upgrade the position in a serious way if he is able to be consistent.
Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin
5’11”, 248 lbs.
The Player
Borland is a high energy player who has decent movement skills but just wants to hit things. His size limits him a lot when taking on blocks or playing in coverage, but if he is left clean, he can make an impact coming downhill.
The Pick
I thought this was a very good pick.
The Fit
With Navarro Bowman’s health in limbo, Borland is an adequate linebacker who can step in and, due to the strength of the 49ers starting defensive line, will have opportunities to flow to the ball carrier and make plays against the run.
Sep 14, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Frederick Gammage (89) is brought down at the 1 yard line by Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Chris Borland (44) during the game at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Thomas, OT, Clemson
6’3″, 317 lbs.
The Player
Thomas is an incredibly powerful player who has great length, heavy hands and a very good anchor. He is a mauler, but has agility issues and may be a better fit at guard. He suffered an ACL tear this offseason.
The Pick
Thomas was considered a first rounder by many before his injury and I viewed him as a top 50 talent. If he ends up being healthy, this could be a steal.
The Fit
Thomas will likely get the customary 49er redshirt in order to get healthy and if he is back at full strength, could start at guard down the line.
Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina
5’9″, 197 lbs.
The Player
A former basketball player, Ellington is an impressive athlete who has soft hands and is very physical at the catch point. He has a lot of technical things to clean up, but I love his skill set.
The Pick
This is good value for Ellington.
The Fit
With the depth chart at receiver looking pretty loaded, I am not sure how much Ellington sees the field. I do think however that they may try to use him to stretch the field. Down the line though, Ellington can be a very good slot receiver who can attack the middle of the field and give the QB a big target in a small package.
Dontae Johnson, DB, NC State
6’2″, 200
The Player
Johnson is a versatile athlete with a great frame. He is a strong tackler who also has very good length to use when disrupting passing plays. He is still raw, but their are a lot of physical tools there to like.
The Pick
Perfect value for him.
The Fit
Johnson could see the field early with a weak defensive back corps in San Fransisco. He could see time starting outside at corner, but I feel it is more likely he ends up at safety. He has the tools and Ed Dontell is the one to develop them.
Aaron Lynch, DE, USF
6’5″, 249 lbs.
The Player
A long time ago, Lynch was one of the best defensive players in the country. He was a top notch freshman defensive player before transferring to USF from Notre Dame and losing a lot of strength and weight. He still has that great frame and flashes the freaky athletic ability, but there is a sever lack of consistency and questions about his work ethic.
The Pick
Even with his risks, Lynch is a freak and could thrive in San Fransisco.
The Fit
Lynch needs to figure out what he is because he could play outside linebacker just as much as he can play 5 tech. Either way, if he gets his weight right and a coach in his ear, he could be hell of a player.
Keith Reaser, CB, FAU
5’10”, 184 lbs.
The Player
Reaser is a former track athlete and it shows in his fluidity in coverage. He moves well though not exceptionally fast in zones and can man up. He is not very physical and he has issues tracking the ball, but he has a nice skill set.
The Pick
Good idea going for a higher upside player this late.
The Fit
Doubt he sees the field, but he could contribute on special teams.
Kenneth Acker, CB, SMU
6′, 190
The Player
Acker, a former wide receiver, is a good athlete with smooth movement skills. He is also a pretty smart player. He just has very, very little strength and physicality.
The Pick
Hooray for late round projects!
The Fit
Acker is likely a special teams player but if he adds some strength he could contribute at corner in a few years.
Kaleb Ramsey, DE, Boston College
6’3″, 293 lbs.
The Player
Ramsey is a very powerful, high motor player, but he is also a 25 year old, injury prone rookie.
The Pick
It is hard to tell if a guy is just better because he is maxed out or because he is a freak, but with someone Ramsey’s age, it is prbably because he is just more physically matured than his competition. I like his tools, but I am not sure this is an upside pick.
The Fit
If Ramsey can stay healthy, and that is a big if, he could compete for snaps at 5 tech.
Trey Milliard, H-Back, Oklahoma
6’2″, 247 lbs.
The Player
Milliard is a versatile player who can lead block, catch passes and also contribute as a running back. Truly a jack of all trades.
The Pick
There is an injury concern, but Milliard could be a weapon if he is healthy.
The Fit
Milliard likely competes for the H-back role filled by Delanie Walker two seasons ago. He has the ability to line up wherever, it is just a matter of being healthy.
Oct 12, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners fullback Trey Millard (33) jumps over Texas Longhorns safety Adrian Phillips (17) during the first quarter of the game during the Red River Rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports