49ers looking for versatility from draft picks
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke looked for 1 clear trait to shine over all others when evaluating gamers ahead of the NFL draft: Versatility.
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That was the word Baalke utilized more than and more than once more during a film session with defeat writers Thursday, breaking down tape on all of San Francisco's ten picks and showing why the group believes every was the right option.
"What's their versatility? What is their impact on the group? We would like guys to be in a position to do a range of issues," Baalke stated. "We want men who deliver value towards the team and therefore are great at much more than just 1 factor."
With the exception of second-round pick Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers expect all their new rookies to do multiple things and perform multiple positions.
Baalke invested the majority with the almost two-hour session dissecting Kaepernick's perform at Nevada, highlighting characteristics that convinced San Francisco he can be the quarterback with the long term. The ability to improvise together with his athleticism and make something out of absolutely nothing was perhaps probably the most intriguing of Kaepernick's abilities for the 49ers.
Among the eye-popping performs that impressed Baalke on movie coincidentally came in San Francisco at the Battle Hunger Bowl against Boston School: Kaepernick drops back, appears left, appears right, then fires a pass more than the center to his tight end streaking across the center as five players -- each safeties and all three linebackers -- converge around the play, tucking the ball into a tight seam to get a critical completion.
While some may call it a bad decision to throw into 5 defenders, Baalke saw it as being a gutsy move the 49ers need their quarterback to finish in the face of pressure.
"Do I want him generating that throw? Absolutely," Baalke said. "I want a guy that is confident sufficient to throw it into the protection."
The 49ers don't strategy to tinker with Kaepernick's considerably unconventional delivery, which is between a sidearm and over-the-top movement. Baalke equated it towards the different types of golf swings or batting stances that can be efficient in their own methods.
"It's the end result that matters," he stated.
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What San Francisco does plan to change is a number of its draftees' positions.
Amongst the notables: No. seven general choose Aldon Smith was a defensive lineman at Missouri but will perform outdoors linebacker inside a 3-4 scheme; South Carolina's Chris Culliver can make the change from safety to cornerback; Central Florida defensive finish Bruce Miller will move to fullback; and Michael Individual of Montana State can make the transfer from left tackle to guard.
The 49ers also expect nearly everyone -- apart from Smith and Kaepernick -- to contribute to special groups instantly. Not that any of these moves may take location this summer.
With the NFL lockout currently canceling some offseason workouts, the transition from college might only be much more complex for players within this offseason of uncertainty.
Only a few veterans received playbooks during the short time the lockout was lifted a couple of weeks ago, and also the rest may have to seek out copies from teammates or fend for themselves to find out new coach Jim Harbaugh's system.
"The lockout has certainly produced some hurdles," Baalke stated. "The new coaching staff, new terminology. But hurdles have to be overcome. And we'll discover a way to get over them and obvious them."