Balmer and Rachal On Day One
It looks like day one of the 2008 NFL Draft is in the books for the 49ers, unless they decide to trade up into the second. The 49ers finished the day by adding to their lines on both sides of the ball.
They selected defensive end Kentwan Balmer at 29 and offensive lineman Chilo Rachal at 39. Both aren’t big name picks, at least to the fans who were expecting maybe a Quentin Groves, Malcom Kelly or another player numerous mocks had out there. But both due expect to compete instantly for starting positions.
Do not expect many sacks from Balmer, but he will eat up blocks which will allow Patrick Willis even more room to roam. The head scratcher with this pick is the 49ers are pretty full on the defensive line, with the likes of Cohen, Fields, Oliver, J. Smith, Soap, McDonald, and Franklin.
There is already speculation that the pectoral tear of David Baas is one reason that they drafted Chilo Rachal, but the more I read I see it as the team still has doubts about Mr. Glass (Jonas Jennings) it’s been said that Rachal has the capability to slide over to right tackle in the NFL.
The 49ers hold the 12th pick in the third round (75th overall).
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The 49ers look flat on offense with the exception of gore. Nate Bynam has dropped 2 balls on one ...
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these r good picks…they filled needs…really good draft so far
Our d line is solid now with balmer. I would have liked them to Limas Sweed in the 2nd but Im cool this Chilo
Deshean Jackson is to small. He would get killed all the time he needs to to pack on about 20 more lbs.
weak draft we could have gotten rachal in the 3rd
Samra…and you know this how?
I don’t know that, NinerPundit. However, unless we draft Connor, Doucet, or Collins in the third then we REALLY were skimming off the top. We had a chance to get some TOP RATED talent at some much needed positions and we passed on so many talented players that this could be one of the biggest bungles in first day history. I KNOW….they didn’t have much to work with, but Balmer just doesn’t appeal to me (I hope he proves me wrong) and Rachal…..I just don’t know. We could have had our choice of the best WR in the draft.
Plus, we let Groves go and didn’t even bother to make a move for Sweed or Kelly…..IN THE SECOND ROUND. I know Kelly is an idiot so I can’t get too mad that they didn’t snag him, but at least get someone a little more worthy of those picks.
What will they even put Balmer at? NT or DE???
Not what I expected , but after reading up I like this draft so far.
Only time will tell…. at least I’ll finally have HD and a 61′ to watch them on this fall….
If they get Doucet or Earl Bennett in the 3rd and Cliff Avril or Bruce Davis in the 4th, then they might be able to salvage this draft.
Has Groves been picked….i was flipping back an forth from da NBA playoffs an da Draft….. didnt c Pitt take him…..If we dont get him, look for us to sign T. Spikes ……. I want C. Nicks OG an H. Douglas. WR…..LOOK for Rachal to move to RT to take Jennings place if he slacks with injuries…..like da pickz so far….didnt expect them….but good
Yes, Groves was taken by the Jags, I believe #52. I’m really hoping for Crable, Connor, or Avril as LB’s go.
Well lets see who could be there for us in 3rd… Caldwell, Franklin, Hawkins at WR. At CB Charles Godfrey, Justin King, Reggie Smith. At Safety have Zbikowski, Morgan. ILB Connor still on board has got to be a steal pick however I dont think he makes it all the way to our pick in the 3rd.
Olb still has Avril, Crable, Howard, Davis. OT still have Collins, Nicks, Hills.
All possible picks for 3rd and 4th round.
Not a fan of this draft so far. Didn’t like Balmer pick at all. Would much rather have Rubin. Rubin fits NT better as he can hold blockers. Balmer I think would be more of an end. Well unless Justin Smith is going to be our Rush OLB.. Sopoaga and smith fill 2 end needs. And Manusky said that Sopoaga was gonna be at end. That was reported awhile ago now.
Even Reports on balmer say he can’t hold up to multiple blockers and thats what a NT needs to do. “He needs to develop better lower-body strength, as he struggles vs. double teams” Thats from report on this site on him. Well a NT job is to take on 2 Olinemen.
Rachal. I can understand the pick. was 2nd highest OG in the draft. Some feel he could slide out to Right Tackle. Even if he stays at OG it was a position that we did need to address. So I can understand the pick. Not a fan of it but He could be a really good starter for us for a long time. If he can stay healthy. Which was the biggest knock on him coming into this draft. Otherwise he may have slid into late first.
We better be getting some type of playmaker with 3rd and 4th pick though. b/c we have 2.. gore on off. and Willis on Def. Well gore now has a guard in which has been a part of big time running game at USC. Still need OT I think but could wait and hope someone is released and we pick them up or Jennings stays healthy(one can only hope)..
We desperately need playmaker at WR though. I like Davis to slide out more this year I think Martz will use his speed in the slot and slide him out more however Bruce older and Johnson has 1 year deal. Hill we don’t know about yet. As he needs to see the field more to know exactly what we have with him. Battle isn’t bad but is a #3. Don’t really have that explosive player.
Def. we have lawson coming back from injury hopefully he comes back 100%. Willis is just a beast. I’m guessing Thomas right now starts next to him unless we draft ILB which if Connor falls WE BETTER TAKE b/c value is def there. OLB Moore is coming back from injury and I did like that pick last year of him. TBC is a backup and Harlson could have a coming out party this being his 3rd season no one knows. Most tend to show they have it or they don’t by end of year 3, on most positions that is. Some positions take longer but general thoughts are 3 years.
CB Spencer is Nickel at best right now. Clements solid, Harris getting older and I like Brown who we drafted last year however he got hurt and we don’t know what he’s gonna look like coming back.
Safety need upgrade at FS. but could be later like 6th or 7th round with that or even just stick with what we have.
I really just want a playmaker at this point. Someone preferably on Off. Since i think if our Off was better last year our Def wouldnt have been on field as much and much higher ranked.
However if get a guy at LB or a guy like a King or Godfrey at corner I could live with it. King I actually liked a lot as I saw a few games he played at Penn State. Could be a nice pick. IDK.. Right now I’m kind of pissed about draft so far.. Not real thrilled I actually like the eagles draft much better. With them taking laws and Jackson..
And Green Bay taking Brohm.. Guess Rodgers doesn’t have that QB spot so locked up now. I think Brohm could beat him out for it in training camp. With them taking Brohm shows he must not impress that coaching staff all that much.
I realize the line on both sides of the ball is important and last season their OL was exposed, but when are the 49ers doing to address the WR position? I was thinking James Hardy out of Indiana, but they passed and the Bills took him at 41. I don’t know, I’m not real thrilled with the way this draft looks so far.
Rochester, New york?
The game is won in the trenches, and that’s where these guys fit in. We can’t have too many linemen. I would like to have seen us get Groves, especially after he was still available at #39, but I guess we will all have to live with it. 3rd round will have to be interesting, the value linebackers and wideouts will be taken early.
Marion Manningham should be the next pick if available. His route running is his best strength. The last guy we had with good route running is in the HOF. No he is not Jerry but solid routes make up for speed issues.
This draft has been very disapointing so far. I really wished they would have went a different route just think they could of had Quentin Groves and James Hardy with there 2 picks but they draft DONKEYS. I mean they might be ok but you have fans here that r starving for this team to be good and what do u give us to no names. Im just confused wasnt there line was “build through the draft and supplement through free agency” they seem to have it backwards they r drafting backups for depth.
THEY BETTER FUCKEN DO SOMETHING BETTER TOMORROW!!!!!
I feel ur pain Ryan what a waste of a Saturday
id be happy if we got Cliff Avril in the third (Shaun phillips type fast pass rusher plus balmer will keep blockers off of him), Carl Nicks in the fourth (nasty mauler) and move into the 5th to get Harry Douglas
Now dats right Samra……Carl Nicks, and H. Douglas………
And calm down 9ers….our draft isnt a BUST, da just didnt draft da way we all thought…. If anythang we got some solid picks, We had no depth at DT and O Line……
3rd round, Reggie Smith DB…. I guess we have all the receiver’s we need for Martz….