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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.

Guest Writer – James Jones

03.20.06 – The NFL off season is without a doubt the longest 8 months of my life… every, single, year. Needless to say, being as close as I am to the San Francisco 49ers makes that 8 months every year seem even longer than it really is. I have ventured on many attempts to conclude why this is the case however there seems to be no clear cut answer. Than I begin to speculate as to how a football, a game that is played by kids worldwide, could be such an enormous aspect of my life. How does one quantify the importance of football or any sport for that matter. The point is that there are many things in life that mean more to some then others.

Crucial Combine Coming
By Chris Woeber (Guest Writer)

With just under a week until the 2006 NFL Draft Combine, Mike Nolan and the 49ers are staring at one the more important weeks in recent franchise history, ie the post Steve Young Era. With a deeper than average draft and a stockpile of picks, this is the year that will chart the course for football by the bay for years to come. Despite having the number one overall pick in the 2005 draft, this year’s crop of fresh meat is considered by most experts to be more crucial to the so-called rebirth of this organization. New stadium deals aside, it’s now or never, and the combine is the beginning of this process.

Here’s a look at what’s at stake:

The Coin Toss
We know by now the Niners will have either the 6th or 7th overall pick in the draft, the same goes for Raiders. Although it seems appropriate that bay area football face off in a duel of futility decided by nothing less than the flip of a coin, it would be quite a sight see Al in his finest valor suit grimacing at Dr John in his newest Sally Jessie specs. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely the NFL Network will carry such a scene. But it’s had to imagine the 49ers wouldn’t be willing to concede the number six pick in order relieve themselves of the burden of signing the higher salary. The difference between 6 and 7? 2001, #6 Richard Seymour NE, #7 Andre Carter SF.

The Players

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