San Francisco 49ers 2006 NFL Draft Review
1 - Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland (6-3, 254); 1 - Manny Lawson, DE/OLB, North Carolina State (6-5, 241); 3 - Brandon Williams, WR, Wisconsin (5-9, 179); 4 - Michael Robinson, WR, Penn State (6-1, 219); 5 - Parys Haralson, DE/OLB, Tennessee (6-1, 253); 6 - Delanie Walker, WR, Central Missouri State (6-1, 240); 6 - Marcus Hudson, DB, North Carolina State (6-1, 197); 6 - Melvin Oliver, DE, LSU (6-3, 279); 7 - Vickiel Vaughn, S, Arkansas (5-11, 208)
Analysis: Davis will help the offense immensely, but drafting him was somewhat tough to justify given the dire straits the team is facing in the secondary. Selecting Michael Huff, who went seventh to the Raiders, might have been the more prudent move. Lawson helps account for the loss of Julian Peterson and Andre Carter via free agency, though not many felt that he had first-round talent. The converted quarterback Robinson is either going to be a major find or a major bust, and the Niners need Williams and Walker to pick things up mighty quickly as well. Haralson was thought by some to have second-round talent, and Hudson was also a good value, but there’s no denying the obvious: where is the much-needed offensive line and secondary help?
Bottom Line: Whatever Mike Nolan’s plan is to improve the secondary and/or the o-line, it might be time to share it with the rest of us.
