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San Francisco 49ers 2008 NFL Draft Needs
A lot went bad last season for the San Francisco 49ers and it led to a 5-11 record. They spent most of the season without starting QB Alex Smith, and RB Frank Gore didn’t have the break out year that everyone was expecting him to have. The 49ers finished the season with the worst overall offense, and the 26th worst defense, so there is no question the team has a lot of places that need some improvement. The team has made some improvements with the addition of WR Isaac Bruce, WR Bryant Johnson, RB DeShaun Foster, and DE Justin Smith. The team was hurt though with the losses of OT Kwame Harris and OG Justin Smiley. So while the team got better in some spots like wide receiver, it took a big hit to its offensive line. With the draft coming soon the team will have a good chance of filling some holes. Instead of picking 7th the team has to pick 29th due to the swap of picks with the Patriots. Here is a look at the top 5 positions we think the Cardinals need to address in this year’s draft.
1. Offensive Tackle
The offense will struggle to improve if the team doesn’t fix their problems on the line. The loss of Kwame Harris was a big blow, and leaves the team in need of a starting tackle to step in right away. With the 29th pick in the first round the team could go after a guy like Kansas’s Anthony Collins or USC’s Sam Baker.
2. Offensive Guard
The same thing applies here as with the tackle position. The team will be hurt here by the loss of Smiley. With a weak draft class for guards and the best one likely gone by the time they pick at 29, the team will likely go after a guy like USC’s Chilo Rachal or Oregon State’s Roy Schuening in round 3.
3. Outside Linebacker
The team is in need of a pass rushing outside linebacker to play along with Manny Lawson. It doesn’t look like Tully Banta-Cain is going to be the answer here. The team could wind up using their first pick on this position on a guy like Auburn’s Quentin Groves.
4. Cornerback
The team isn’t that bad here as they have some good talent in Shuante Spencer and Walt Harris, but Harris is getting up there in age and the team could use someone that could come in passing packages, and be the eventual successor to Harris. The team will probably wait till later in the draft and grab a guy like Colorado’s Terrence Wheatley.
5. Wide Receiver
This was a much bigger need coming into the offseason before they were able to go out and get Bruce and Johnson in free agency. Bruce won’t be around for to long and is more of a short-term replacement. On the other hand Johnson could end up being a steal as he has been playing behind Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The team could surprise everyone and take a guy like Michigan’s Mario Manningham or wait a little and take a guy like LSU’s Early Doucet.
Be sure to continue to check back as we will continue to be bringing you team-by-team draft articles. Also, be sure to check out our first round Mock Draft. Feel free to leave any comments you might have on the draft and each team’s draft needs in our comment box.
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