The rankings were an average of the rankings turned in by eight NFL writers. Here is how they voted:

Bill Williamson 23
Pat Yasinskas, Matt Mosley 26
Jeremy Green 27
John Clayton, Keith Kidd, Mike Sando 28
James Walker 30

The Jets ($4.9), Cowboys ($4.1) and Texans ($3.5) were rewarded more, although the three teams also had higher draft picks overall than the 49ers.

Just four teams – the Colts (who had nine picks), Chargers, Vikings and Browns – were allotted fewer dollars than the 49ers.

“When Mike Nolan took over the coaching job here three years ago, what do you think he’d have said if you told him: “Mike, in the year that decides if you stay or get canned, there’s a good chance Shaun Hill will be your starting quarterback and Isaac Bruce your key receiving weapon?” Heck, Bruce was old when Nolan took the job. And I can guarantee you Nolan had never heard of Hill when he took over.

Strange days in San Francisco, especially with the arrival of Mike Martz to retool a horrific offense that scored in single digits in six of the final 13 games last year. Hill will try to beat out Alex Smith, the former first pick in the draft, and my guess is Nolan thinks Hill is better. To get into the playoffs looks like a 50-foot putt on an undulating green for the Niners.”

If I had been running the 49ers a couple years ago, I would have offered Norv Turner $6 million a year to remain the offensive coordinator. Did the 49ers offer Turner an obscene amount of money? Was Turner too motivated to be a head coach again to even consider staying on as an OC? I don’t know, but I would have offered him the farm in an attempt to maintain a superior amount of consistency.

Now, the 49ers ARE a mess, but they have some chips. Frank Gore is a stellar back. Vernon Davis has the ability to be a very good receiving tight end. Alex Smith and Shaun Hill have shown some potential, but which road will Martz lead them toward? I wish the 49ers would run the hell out of the ball with Gore, but Martz isn’t the “three yards and a cloud of dust” type. One thing that is notable is that the offensive linemen the 49ers drafted – Chilo Rachal and Cody Wallace – are scouted as better run-blocking linemen.

And then there is this quote from an anonymous NFL source in Pro Football Weekly’s ‘Audibles’ column: “(Niners QB) Alex Smith has had four coordinators in four years. If he stays healthy, he could have a great year. From a mental and athletic standpoint, he is as good as anyone out there.”

John Clayton of ESPN.com observed in a recent column that Smith looked better than Hill and J.T. O’Sullivan in minicamp.

Pro Football Weekly had a roundup on the Niners’ draft. Instead of providing a link, I figured I would save the hassle of you having to scroll through other teams to get to your favorite. See what a nice guy I am?

San Francisco 49ers

Bypassing the opportunity to initially bolster an offense short on firepower, the Niners chose to strengthen their defensive line with the late-first-round selection of North Carolina DT Kentwan Balmer. Balmer most likely figures as a replacement for the retiring Bryant Young at left end, but he also is considered versatile enough to push veterans Aubrayo Franklin and Isaac Sopoaga for playing time inside at nose tackle.  Ten picks later, the Niners upgraded the interior O-line with the addition of USC OG Chilo Rachal. Described as a “poor man’s Larry Allen” by GM Scot McCloughan, Rachal becomes a strong possibility to start at left guard in place of Allen, who is expected to retire. Rachal also offers insurance in case David Baas, the leading candidate to start at right guard, is slow to recover from surgery on a torn pectoral muscle suffered while lifting weights in the week leading up to the draft. Third-round pick Reggie Smith is a versatile DB who probably will see more action for the Niners at cornerback, where starter Walt Harris is showing his age, and injury-prone Shawntae Spencer remains a health risk. In the fourth round, the Niners returned to addressing their beleaguered O-line with the selection of pure C Cody Wallace. A team captain at Texas A&M who performed well in the Senior Bowl against the likes of Sedrick Ellis and Trevor Laws, Wallace could push starting C Eric Heitmann, who had some problems in pass protection last season. WR Josh Morgan has good size and tremendous leaping ability, but he needs to play with more consistency than he did in college. OLB Larry Grant was the former national Junior College Player of the Year in 2005 at City College of San Francisco. Look for him to contribute primarily on special teams.

ESPN.com’s Mike Sando said the most surprising draft move of the NFC West teams was that the Niners waited until the sixth round to select a skill player. Here is his full statement:

The 49ers didn’t take a skill-position player until the sixth round, which was surprising for a team that hired Mike Martz as offensive coordinator. Yet there’s no question that Bruce and fellow veteran newcomer Bryant Johnson upgraded the receiver position. Tight end Vernon Davis also should emerge as more of a passing threat if Martz can coax better results from the quarterback position.

But the 49ers will need young reinforcements at receiver at some point. Bruce is nearing the end, and Arnaz Battle has never exceeded 686 yards in a season. Martz will surely help pump up those numbers, but another viable prospect might have been helpful for the future. The 49ers didn’t take a receiver until selecting Virginia Tech’s Josh Morgan in the sixth round, 174th overall.

Third-round pick Reggie Smith was given the best wake-up call of his life last Sunday…

Here is another piece on the relationship between Mike Nolan and Alex Smith, only with two interesting tidbits: 1) The Niners coaches feel that Shaun Hill resembles Marc Bulger, and 2) J.T. O’Sullivan is apparently in the running for the starting quarterback.

Kentwan Balmer’s position on the defensive line is undetermined as the 49ers start mincamp.

In some surprising news, Pro Football Weekly says that the word from Niners headquarters is that Mike Martz thinks Alex Smith could be “the best quarterback he’s worked with on the pro level.”

Niner Insider Kevin Lynch reviews some of the Niners’ 11 rookie free agents.

Lynch has a couple days worth of notes from mincamp, May 2 and May 3. One important note is that guard David Baas tore a pectoral muscle while bench pressing and will be out until the end of training camp.

Frank Gore has Marshall Faulk’s number if he has any questions about Martz’s offense.

Mark Roman is becoming accustomed to having a speaker in his helmet.

Third Round
Reggie Smith, Cornerback, Oklahoma
6-0, 199

“Smith doesn’t have great speed and can be beaten deep when left on an island. But he’s a versatile playmaker who can line up at corner or safety and contribute to the return game. He’s also strong in run support and capable of limiting a receiver’s production after the catch.”

Strengths:A versatile playmaker. Has experience playing CB and DS on defense, as well as returning kicks and punts on special teams. Is a big, strong cornerback prospect with great agility for his size. Very quick and fluid. Can flip his hips and mirror receivers underneath. Displays very good burst out of his pedal. Very instinctive. Diagnoses plays quickly and does a great job of reading QB’s eyes. Will get quick jumps on underneath throws. Shows adequate ball skills. Is also a very good open field tackler. Gets off of blocks well and is a physical, tough player at the CB position. Doesn’t shy away from contact and will take receivers out of their routes with press-man coverage. Wraps up after the catch. Has enough vision, quickness and agility to contribute as a punt returner in the NFL.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal top-end speed  both as a CB and RS. Is quick and fluid, but doesn’t display elite closing burst when ball is in the air. Lack of ideal experience at cornerback is evident at times in his inconsistent footwork. Durability is only a recent concern but toe injury must be monitored.

Overall: Smith was a productive three-year starter and an extremely versatile contributor for Oklahoma. He shuttled between cornerback and strong safety, playing effectively at both positions, and returned punts and kickoffs. In his first two seasons in Norman, he posted a combined five interceptions, 11 pass break-ups, 88 tackles (six for losses) and two fumble recoveries. Last season Smith logged three interceptions, 11 pass break-ups, 78 tackles (seven for losses) and scored on a 61-yard fumble return. A broken toe kept him out of the Fiesta Bowl, though he otherwise proved durable. For his career, he averaged 21.9 yards per kickoff return and 7.3 yards per punt return (one TD). Smith’s decision to leave school early was a bit surprising considering he finished his junior on the sideline with a toe injury. He has limited experience at cornerback and still has room to improve in terms of his overall technique at that position. However, Smith’s combination of size and athleticism is very good. Plus, his versatility will be awfully intriguing to many NFL teams. He should come off the board at some point in Round 2.

Fourth Round
Cody Wallace, Center, Texas A&M
6-4, 296

“Wallace is a technician who gets into position well and sustains his blocks, but he isn’t an overpowering run-blocker and has problems redirecting in pass protection.”

Strengths: Gets adequate hand placement, locks onto defender’s frame and can sustain once in position. Plays with good leverage for a player as tall as him and does an adequate job of getting under defender’s pads. Has a mean streak and never stops working. Plays with a wide base, has active feet and flashes the ability to redirect in pass protection. Gets adequate knee bend in pass set and can hold ground against bull rushers despite size. Keeps head on a swivel and looks to help guards when no one comes to him. Puts good zip on the ball and rarely makes quarterback adjust to it when shotgun snapping. Though lacks ideal bulk for an NFL guard has the frame to comfortably add weight and could eventually provide depth there.

Weaknesses: Hasn’t shown great lower body strength and is going to have problems driving two-gap defenders off the ball. Doesn’t deliver a violent initial punch and isn’t going to knock many defenders back. Takes some false steps, isn’t quick enough to get into position when footwork is sloppy and can have problems preventing penetration. Doesn’t extend arms and frequently bails too early when combo blocking up to the second level. Doesn’t take sound angles to blocks, lacks the quick feet to adjust to moving targets in space and struggles to get into position at the second level. Lunges and loses balance at times. Can recognize blitz but gets caught flatfooted when isn’t engaged with a defender and has some problems adjusting.

Overall: Wallace was redshirted in 2003 and appeared in four games as a freshman in 2004. He went on to play in 36 consecutive games (all starts) over the next three seasons (2005-’07) to close out his career. Wallace was a backup guard in ‘04 before moving to center in ‘05. Wallace is a little too light and his footwork is still inconsistent at this point but he has the strong upper body, frame, tenacity and smarts to develop into an excellent backup or capable starter in time. He projects as a fourth or fifth round pick.

Sixth Round
Josh Morgan, Wide Receiver, Virginia Tech
6-0, 219

“Morgan isn’t much of a threat after the catch and he takes far too many plays off. On the other hand, he has good quickness and changes directions well for his size, so he can get open underneath. He can also contribute on special teams.”

Strengths: Has adequate height and is thickly built. Is quick and displays good change-of-direction skills. Knows how to find soft spots in zone and not afraid to go over the middle. Shows good sideline awareness and has generally done a good job of getting feet down inbounds. Flashes excellent upper body strength and can shed press coverage. Uses frame to shield defenders from ball, flashes ability to make the tough catch in traffic and has the potential to develop into a productive red zone receiver. Runs hard after the catch and flashes the ability to pick up yards after contact. Flashes a mean streak and can sustain blocks if he wants to. Plays with a good motor and looks to throw blocks downfield. Has experience returning kickoffs as well as punts, can get to the punter when going for a block and can contribute on special teams.

Weaknesses: Lacks elite top end-speed and is going to have a harder time getting behind the defense at the NFL level. Doesn’t have great elusiveness, isn’t fast enough to go the distance when gets a seam and isn’t much of a big-play threat. Will occasionally take his eyes off the ball and drops some passes should catch. Doesn’t always work hard enough as a backside receiver and his effort as a blocker is even worse. Character is a big concern; charged with obstructing an officer in late September 2006 and Virginia Tech suspended him for the Georgia Tech game as a result.

Overall: In his first three seasons at Virginia Tech (2004-’06), Morgan appeared in 37 games (12 starts) and had 76 receptions for 1,265 yards (16.6 average) and 11 touchdowns. In 14 games (11 starts) as a senior, he posted 46 receptions for 552 yards (12.0 average) and five touchdowns. For his career, he also had 26 kickoff returns for 450 yards (17.3 average), 14 punt returns for 148 yards (10.6 average) and six rushing attempts for 20 yards. Morgan suffered a left foot fracture in the spring before his first season. He was suspended one game in 2006 after his arrest for disorderly conduct and obstructing justice. Morgan has the tools to develop into an effective sub-package possession receiver in the NFL. However, he lacks the top-end speed to provide big plays as a route runner or after-the-catch. He also gives an inconsistent effort and comes with some off-the-field baggage. As a result, Morgan could be selected anywhere from the fourth round to the seventh round of the 2008 draft.

Seventh Round
Larry Grant, Outside Linebacker, OhioState
6-1, 235

“He possesses an adequate frame with room to add bulk. He plays with good leverage and plays hard from snap to whistle. He times blitzes really well with the ability to beat blockers in the backfield, but and needs to improve instincts and hand use when shedding blocks.”

Strengths: Has adequate size and is big enough to add bulk to frame. Plays with a mean streak, plays with adequate leverage and flashes the ability to hold ground at the point of contact. Works from the snap until the whistle, takes adequate pursuit angles and is a sideline-to-sideline player. Gets good depth and reads quarterback’s eyes when asked to drop into zone coverage. Times blitz well, he flashes the ability to beat blockers in the backfield and has adequate closing speed. Capable of lining up at all three linebacker positions and is versatile. Blocked 12 punts in two years at the junior college level in 2005, blocked two kicks last year and can contribute on special teams. Made steady progress while at OhioState and should only get better with added experience.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal instincts, takes too long to locate the ball and is vulnerable to play action as well as misdirection. Doesn’t deliver a violent punch and takes too long to shed blocks. Lacks elite explosiveness and isn’t going to make as many tackles in the backfield as did at the collegiate level. Has a wide stance but base immediately narrows and loses balance at times. Doesn’t show great burst coming out of cuts, lacks prototypical top-end speed and is going to have problems matching up in man coverage. Takes too long to open hips when forced to turn and run and lacks the second gear to recover once caught out of position. Lacks ideal ball skills and isn’t a playmaker in coverage.

Overall: Grant attended and played for Community Collegeof San Francisco in 2004 and 2005, amassing 175 tackles in two seasons and earning National Junior College Player of the Year honors in ‘05. He transferred to in 2006, appearing in 12 games (including one start at strong-side linebacker) and turning in 18 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception. As a senior in 2007, he started all 13 games and had 51 tackles (9.5 for losses), five sacks, a forced fumble, an interception and five pass breakups. He was a special teams ace at both OhioState(three blocked kicks) and CCSF (six blocks in ‘05 alone). Grant may never develop serviceable man-to-man cover skills but he can still bring a lot to a team. He’s versatile enough to provide some depth at all three linebacker positions and he has the potential to develop into an excellent special teams’ player.

Doesn’t life feel more complete now that this year’s NFL Draft is wrapped up? Wait, whhaaa? The Niners took probably their fourth or fifth ideal option in the first round? They didn’t draft a wide receiver until the sixth round? They were noticeably hurt by not having the fifth-rounder that was callously stripped from them by Commish Goodell?

The mystery of the draft is that one can’t realistically assess the quality of the players selected the day after the draft. Players who excelled in college can fall flat on their collective faces in the pros. Others who ramble along somewhat anonymously in college find their place in the NFL and become good, possibly great, players. Draft grades a day or two after the draft might be “fun,” but they aren’t rational. And since I’m a rational guy (probably too much so according to my roommates), I will not get sucked in to giving you a report card on the Niners’ draft.

I will give you each player drafted with some comments from Scouts, Inc. regarding the pick. First two rounds today, the rest tomorrow. My comments are in italics:

First Round
Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
6-4, 308

“There are concerns that Balmer is a one-year wonder, and he’s a developmental prospect who needs to learn to play with better leverage. Still, he has good size and the frame to get even bigger. He’s also athletic for his size, so if he bulks up and learns to play with better leverage, he should develop into an excellent nose tackle.”

I’m a firm believer in never gambling on first-rounders. Lousy teams such as the Niners need as many solid, productive players as possible. Too many teams remain lousy for years because they feel the need to hit a home run with every top pick.

Want to know why the Niners have been terrible the last few years? Take a look at their first-round selections since 1995: WR J.J. Stokes, DE Israel Ifeanyi, QB Jim Druckenmiller, DB R.W. McQuarters, DT Reggie McGrew, LB Julian Peterson, DE Andre Carter, DB Mike Rumph, OT Kwame Harris, WR Rashuan Woods, QB Alex Smith, TE Vernon Davis, LB Patrick Willis, DT Kentwan Balmer.

If we were to play a fun game of Bust or Hit, that list would go Bust, Bust, Bust, Bust, Bust, Hit, Semi-Hit, Bust, Bust, BUST, with Smith and Davis on the road to Bust and Willis a certain Hit. That’s 2-for-10 not including Smith, Davis and Willis, which is a bad average even in baseball. How confident are you that this will go Bust?

Balmer is thought of as a developmental project, not exactly something a five-win team needs as its coach embarks on a make-or-break season. The interior defensive line is utterly important to every team, but did that position need to be remedied with the first pick? I can’t help but think another player on the board, Clemson DE Phillip Merling for one, could have brought more value while helping a need position.

Second Round
Chilo Rachal, Guard, Southern Cal
6-5, 315

The biggest knock on Rachal is his lack of athletic ability and his problems redirecting in pass protection. He struggles, at times, to reach blockers in the second level, and athletically he has some limitations. However, he’s quick off the ball, jars defenders with a strong punch and gets in position quickly. He also does a good job holding his ground against bull-rushers.

There is no doubt the guard depth is so depleted that this was nothing more than a need pick. It wasn’t for value because James Hardy (WR, Indiana), DeSean Jackson (WR, Cal), Limas Sweed (WR, Texas) and Quentin Groves (DE, Auburn) were on the board. Those were all guys who were targeted as FIRST ROUND picks for the Niners and they were waiting to be plucked off the board in the second round.

Would Rachal have been available in the third round? Remember that the Niners also dropped five spots – from 7 to 12 – in the third round as part of their punishment for tampering with Lance Briggs. Five spots isn’t a huge drop, but perhaps it was enough that they didn’t think Rachal would be there if they went with one of the receivers or Groves in the second round. Just some food for thought

The 49′ers went defense first for Mike Nolan on Saturday, as the team with the 29th overall pick took North Carolina DT Kentwan Blamer.  He is a player that can take over a game, but at the same time has had injury concerns.  He’s 6-4, 308, and was clocked at 5.33 in the 40.  He is expected to be a starter on the Niners line and if he can stay on the field, can have a sizeable impact in 2008.

Here is Scouts Inc. take on Balmer:

Strengths: Is tall with adequate bulk and room to get even bigger if necessary. When he plays hard he can be flat-out dominant. Gets good forward lean in stance and displays outstanding initial quickness. Has experience playing DT and NT. Takes sound angles to the ball and makes plays in pursuit. Is playing with a better motor as a senior. He can take on blocks when he stays low. Generally wraps up upon contact and is an adequate open field tackler. Athletic, flashes the ability to redirect inside after setting blockers up to the outside and is a relentless pass rusher. Moves well laterally and runs line stunts well. Shows adequate awareness, times jumps well and he gets hands up when isn’t going to get to the quarterback. Blocked two kicks in 2006 and can contribute on special teams.

Weaknesses: Inconsistent effort earlier in career. Is he a one-year wonder? Plays too high at times and will lose his power when he does. Not disciplined enough. Gets sucked inside and upfield too often. Needs to do a more consistent job with his hands and can take too long to shed blocks.

Overall: In his first three seasons at North Carolina (2004-’06), Balmer appeared in 30 games (11 starts) at defensive end and defensive tackle, recording 34 tackles (7.5 for losses) and 3.5 sacks. As a senior in 2007, he started all 12 games and delivered 59 tackles (9.5 for losses) and 3.5 sacks. He had right knee surgery following the 2005 season and missed two games in ‘06 after suffering an ankle sprain. Balmer could play DE in a three-man front but we think he’s better suited to play DT or NT in a 4-3 scheme in the NFL. Regardless, he is tall and strong with adequate bulk and outstanding quickness. Balmer can take on blocks, disrupt plays in the backfield and collapse the pocket  but only when he wants to. While he finally displayed first-round ability as a senior, NFL teams must be concerned about this one-year wonder. Prior to 2007 we viewed Balmer as a talented underachiever and the question is whether the light has finally come on or if he will revert to old, lazy habits following his big NFL payday.

Offensive Line

Likely starters: (T) Jonas Jennings, Joe Staley; (G/C) David Baas, Eric Heitmann, Adam Snyder

Insurance: (T) Qasim Mitchell; (G/C) Jeb Terry, Tony Wragge

Analysis: It’s safe to say this position needs attention. The departure of Justin Smiley to Miami (surely no tampering there) and Larry Allen to a likely retirement leaves the interior line hungry for some new meat. Staley could become a bookend at one of the tackle spots, but a left tackle (Staley is better suited on the right side) could keep Alex Smith upright.

This draft is deep at tackle, but the Niners may not get a crack at the top four, even five, tackles. But this position needs to be prioritized, at least in the later rounds. I can understand wanting to find a wide receiver who can become a vital target for Smith, but what does it mean if he can’t have more than two seconds in the pocket before he has to throw?

What does it mean to have a great receiver if Frank Gore can’t balance out the offense with a decent line opening holes for him? Sure, Gore can still gain yards on is own, but he’s not the 1,800 yard back we watched two seasons ago.

The fifth round pick that was taken from the Niners’ grasp because of the Lance Briggs tampering case could have been a perfect spot to draft a lineman. But, no excuses. The Niners have to face reality and realize another lineman or two has to be swiped off the board in this draft.

News

Todd McShay made another mock draft today and stuck with Jerod Mayo, linebacker, Tennessee. Here is his reasoning: San Francisco would prefer to get Cherilus and then move 2007 first-round pick Joe Staley to left tackle and start Cherilus on the right side, but Cherilus is gone in this scenario. In addition, WR Malcolm Kelly looks like he’s sliding out of the first round. Mayo is versatile enough to play inside or outside and would be a strong pick here if Cherilus is gone.”

McShay actually predicts the entire draft in what his is final mock. Here is how it looks for the Niners:

Round 2 (39 overall) – Kansas State WR Jordy Nelson (6′2″, 217)

Round 3 (75 overall) – Texas A&M DT Red Bryant (6′4″, 318)

Round 4 (107 overall) – TexasA&M C Cody Wallace (6′4″, 296)

Round 6 (174 overall) – Hawaii QB Colt Brennan (6′2″, 207)

Round 7 (214 overall) – Auburn CB Jonathan Wilhite (5′9″, 185)

Keith Kidd of Scouts Inc. chose Boston College OT Gosder Cherilus as the Niners’ first-round pick in the Interactive mock draft today. And his analysis is here: “Cherilus improves the O-line immediately considering the lack of development by Jonas Jennings. The 49ers can know move Joe Staley over to LT and insert Cherilus over at RT and give themselves bookend tackles for years to come.”

More Niners draft stuff tomorrow!

Mel Kiper said in his ESPN.com chat today that the Niners are looking at OLB or WR in the first-round. Uhhh, not exactly breaking news. He did acknowledge that they could trade down to compile more picks in the second- and third-rounds…

Kiper and Todd McShay mocked it up on Tuesday (otherwise known as yesterday). Kiper picked Jerod Mayo, OLB from Tennessee for the Niners in the first round. McShay chose Boston College OT Gosder Cherilus.

And they did a second round! Kiper went with Arkansas DT Marcus Harrison and McShay hand-picked Michigan WR Mario “I smoked it!” Manningham…

Going over the offensive line for the Niners later today…with more news.