MMP: Draft Recap

Monday Morning Punter is back, well at least for this week. We take a quick look at the players drafted over the weekend. Info courtesy of Matt Maiocco

MICHAEL CRABTREE
First round, No. 10 overall
Position: Wide receiver
College: Texas Tech

The vision: The 49ers expect him to compete – and win – the starting job at split end, where second-year player Josh Morgan is also competing. Crabtree has a chance to immediately become the team’s No. 1 receiver. The 49ers will certainly take it slow with Crabtree this offseason, as he recovers from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot. He probably will not do much until the start of training camp.

Quotebook: “When I played quarterback, I always wanted a receiver like (me). I wanted a receiver where I could just throw it up and he could go get it. Or if I threw a pass, I knew he was going to cut in front of that DB and not let the interception happen and make a play” – Crabtree.

GLEN COFFEE
Third round; No. 74 overall
Position: Running back
College: Alabama
Ht: 6-0; Wt: 210

The vision: Coffee is a powerful runner who has the ability to put on another 10 pounds and become an answer in short-yardage situations. The 49ers would like Coffee to work into a role of prominence to give Frank Gore the occasional breather. McCloughan likes Coffee as the No. 2 back, calling him a “one-cut power back.”

Quotebook: “I watched a lot of (Gore) when he got into the league and I knew a little bit about him in college. I know he’s a great back and he can do a lot of things. I’m glad to be able to practice with him and play with him” – Coffee.

SCOTT McKILLOP
Fifth round; No. 146 overall
Position: Inside linebacker
College: Pittsburgh
Ht: 6-1; Wt: 245

The vision: McKillop, the Big East defensive player of the year, should be a solid inside linebacker who will be an immediate contributor on special teams. McKillop will compete with veteran Jeff Ulbrich to serve as backup to Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes. McCloughan said he’ll start off at the backup Ted. “That’s a pick for me that I’m very excited about,” he said.

Quotebook: “I kind of play like I have a chip on my shoulder. Everyone is always doubting me. All it takes is one person to make one comment about me and I’m just going to work harder and try to prove people wrong” – McKillop said.

NATE DAVIS
Fifth round; No. 171 overall
Position: Quarterback
College: Ball State
Ht: 6-2; Wt: 217

The vision: Davis is a gifted quarterback whom the team can take the time to develop. He is the No. 4 quarterback on the roster behind Shaun Hill, Alex Smith and Damon Huard. There will be no urgency to get him onto the field. The GM says there is a great upside to Davis. “He’s proven he’s a winner,” McCloughan said. He likes the way he hangs in the pocket and does not flinch.

Quotebook: “Personally I don’t think there’s really anything different. I think the big difference is he (Matthew Stafford) went to Georgia and I went to Ball State. (Mark) Sanchez went to USC, I went to Ball State. It’s a bigger school and unfortunately they had better competition but it all worked out” – Davis, comparing himself to the top two quarterbacks selected.

BEAR PASCOE
Sixth round; No. 184 overall
Position: Tight end
College: Fresno State
Ht: 6-5; Wt: 255

The vision: Pascoe is a tough, rugged inline blocker who should immediately take over for blocking specialist Billy Bajema, who signed with the St. Louis Rams as a free agent. Unlike Bajema, Pascoe can also be used in the passing game.

Quotebook: “Football’s a rough sport. There’s going to be injuries, but you have to play through them, play through the pain and learn how to handle it. And that’s probably one of my best attributes, is I’ve got a very high pain tolerance” – Pascoe.

CURTIS TAYLOR
Seventh round; No. 219 overall
Position: Free safety
College: LSU
Ht: 6-2; Wt: 211

The vision: The 49ers figure taking Taylor at this spot in the draft was a good investment because of his size and athletic ability. Conceivably, he could contribute on special teams while taking on a backup role.

Quotebook: “Taylor will get a long look because he is so physically gifted, but he never materialized as the consistent standout performer you thought he could be” – ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.

RICKY JEAN-FRANCOIS
Seventh round; No. 244 overall
Position: Defensive line
College: LSU
Ht: 6-3; Wt: 295

The vision: Francois has a lot of talent, but he did not play with a lot of consistency throughout his career. He saw action in just 25 games. Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula has a project on his hands.

Quotebook: “When you look at the film at the other kid, the third pick in the draft (LSU teammate Tyson Jackson), the guy next to him jumps out and makes plays” – 49ers coach Mike Singletary.