Video from the 1st round of the NFL Draft.
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9IRXe4GwmAY"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9IRXe4GwmAY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>This info was reported late last week, by Matt Maiocco of the Press Democrat. It is now official:
The San Francisco 49ers signed free agent safety Chad Williams on Wednesday to a contract. Terms of the deal were not released.
Williams began his career with the Baltimore Ravens as a sixth-round selection in the 2002 draft. He played in 64 games with the Ravens, making five starts, and registered 158 tackles, eight interceptions, three forced fumbles and 5.5 sacks.
The 5-foot-9, 207-pound safety also has three defensive touchdowns, including a 98-yard interception return for a score. Williams also spent time on Baltimore’s special teams.
We just wanted to clear some misinformation up. KFFL.com had a snippet that the 49ers signed OT Jeromey Clary, (it was a typo) along with a couple other Niner sites reporting this info based on the KFFL report. That info is false. Jeromey Clary did not sign with the 49ers. He was drafted in the 6th round by the San Diego Chargers.
Here are some of the grades from the News sites around the NFL on the Niners draft.
CNNSI
The 49ers have won an NFL-low six games in the past two seasons, but they took a couple big steps toward being more than the league’s favorite homecoming opponent with Saturday’s development. Maryland tight end Vernon Davis will enter the league as this season’s favorite for NFL offensive rookie of the year honor and San Francisco with its second first-rounder landed a potential impact rush-linebacker in N.C. State’s Manny Lawson.Anybody want to wager that Lawson will wind up his rookie season with more sacks than his former collegiate teammate and fellow defensive end, Mario Williams?
Sportsline
San Francisco 49ers
Best pick: Vernon Davis, the team’s first-round pick, will be a star. They loved him. We know why.Worst pick: I don’t like the idea of using a fourth-round pick on Michael Robinson with the idea of moving him to wide receiver.
Overall grade: B+. They got Davis and Manny Lawson in the first round and both will start as rookies.
Fox Sports
San Francisco: Basically, the 49ers didn’t mess up. Maryland tight end Vernon Davis, like Hawk, was one of the best players in the draft. Davis will give Alex Smith a tremendous target because he’s basically a very large wide receiver. Manny Lawson will try to replace Julian Peterson. Wisconsin receiver Brandon Williams is a super kick returning threat while Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson can be either a runner or a receiver. Fifth-round selection Parys Haralson is a tweener who should mature into a pass rusher. Grade: B+
Mel Kiper
San Francisco 49ers: GRADE: B+
I gave them an A on the first day with tight end Vernon Davis (at No. 6) and OLB Manny Lawson. DE/OLB Parys Haralson, who has good pass-rushing skills, was a solid second-day pick. Penn State QB Michael Robinson landed with the 49ers, but it will be interesting to see what position he ends up playing next season. Lawson’s teammate at NC State, Marcus Hudson, could be a versatile safety in the NFL.
