49ers 2006 Draft: I laughed, VD cried and Where We Go from Here
So I’m sitting in my room about 24 hours after the draft. I’ve been able to collect my thoughts on, what was, an exciting weekend to say the least for our team. I was thinking of doing one of those draft pick reviews, but seeing as how every website on the internet has one of those columns with an overall letter grade, I’m going to concentrate on two other things in this article from a fan and coaching perspective. The first is to revisit some of the thoughts on our draft in general, such as the happenings of the day because this was one of the most thrilling drafts I have watched in quite some time. Secondly, I want to discuss the future of the players we took and how I see the 49ers using some of them. And I’m going to do it using my point-by-point Training Camp Report style, because this is really just a collection of random but intriguing thoughts from a very excited and anxious fan.
– Was it just me, or could anyone else not sleep going into draft day? I guess it was the fact that Vernon Davis was on our radars and I had wanted this guy for the longest time. I spent much of the past two weeks spying on Green Bay Packers message boards, trying to find out anything I could about their interest in Davis. I was worried sick that he’d be taken before our pick, and eight hours before the draft were not going to go away with this thing humans call “sleep.”
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George Chaung, of Niner Cap Hell, was nice enough to share with us another article. This one is his 2006 49ers Draft Review and Analysis.
Well, the draft is done. I’ll certainly miss seeing incumbent NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue step up to the podium to announce which team is on the clock and which team selected whom. Coach Nolan got the players he wanted, so let’s take a look at our brand new 49ers – they’re certainly a class to get excited about, they bring a lot of talent and work ethic to the table. It all starts with the new “Duke of San Francisco.”
Round 1, Pick #6
Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland
6-3¾, 254, 4.38 40 time at combine
Davis was quite possibly the best athlete in the entire draft. Incredibly explosive, fast and powerful (over 500+ lb max bench press, 33 reps of 225 lbs at the combine and near 700 lb squat), he is undoubtedly the most talented tight end in NFL history. The 49ers were very lucky that the Saints decided to go with Reggie Bush instead of trading down and Jets and Packers decided to go with top need over best player available with their picks. Alex Smith now has a weapon that could take full advantage of the middle of the field against linebacker and safety coverage due to his amazing speed – he was the third fastest receiver at the combine, with the same official 40 time as New York Giants wideout Sinorice Moss, who is approximately 70 lbs lighter. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner should be able to take full advantage of Davis’ elite talent and exploit mismatches all over the field. In addition, Davis has tremendous work ethic and character, so we should expect nothing but greatness and further improvement on his end, especially in the route running and blocking technique departments which were considered his only flaws. Superb selection of who in my opinion was the second best pure football player in the 2006 Draft class after Vince Young.
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