Thursday, February 5, 2009

Why the 49ers Shouldn't Draft Mark Sanchez

Many mock drafts have Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford going to Detroit and Kansas City. However, if one of them escapes (generally Sanchez) those people have the 49ers taking the young USC QB. However, I don’t think that the 49ers should draft Sanchez. There are logic concerns, long-term considerations, and many other reasons I have for making such a statement. In this article I will analyze the QB situation of the 49ers in an effort to demonstrate why they don’t need the young USC QB.

When you have a top ten pick it is best to look at an area of great need. It is not hard to admit that the 49ers do not have the most dynamic passing game. However, the 49ers were 13th in passing yardage. A lot of that could be attributed to Mike Martz’s pass heavy system. However, regardless of Martz’s departure the 49ers already have two project QB’s already on roster. Shaun Hill showed some promise despite an abysmal running game. A reason the 49ers did not do as well as possible was because Hill got injured and JT O Sullivan took over. The 49ers also have 1st overall pick Alex Smith on roster. Smith has been hurt for a year and a half now, but that much time off should have helped him with the mental aspects of the game. The ownership and Smith have expressed interest in keeping the Utah QB on roster. If this is the case I think the 49ers should not draft Sanchez or any other QB with the 10th overall. The 49ers have had problems developing QB’s and bringing in another young QB who would take time away from the other QB’s which would be disastrous and in the long run hurt the 49ers considerably.

My second argument is that the 49ers should not expend a top ten pick on a QB so soon after they spent a #1 overall pick on a QB just a few years ago. In 2005 the 49ers drafted Alex Smith #1 overall. When one has a pick that high, you have to make a decision that will help you’re team the most. Smith has yet to do that. Imagine what the 49ers would be like with Demarcus Ware, Braylon Edwards, or Shawne Merriman all of whom were taken after Smith. Drafting another QB would successfully ignore another position need and the 49ers have many of those. It is irresponsible to spend another top ten pick on a QB and risk the entire team’s success when the QB’s on roster could be developed further. If the 49ers draft Sanchez and he doesn’t pan out, where does that leave the 49ers in a few years?

What if Sanchez is great for the 49ers? I don’t think he will be. Sanchez has mobility and quite the arm that much is for sure. Sanchez threw only 10 interceptions to 34 touchdowns, some impressive numbers. However, he only got sacked 16 times. That is an incredible offensive line. The 49ers allowed 55 sacks last year. Sanchez made phenomenal plays but in large part due to an amazing offensive line. It would be interesting to see Sanchez attempt to carry an offense, but it would be wiser to put Sanchez in a situation familiar to him. The 49ers are no such system. Sanchez would be a great fit for the Jets, Vikings, or Buccaneers. These teams have great o-lines and good running games two elements necessary for a young QB.

What should the 49ers do then? I say they stick with what they have this year. A healthy Shaun Hill backed up by a wiser Alex Smith is a solid QB situation. The coaching staff can work on developing those two and make decent enough QB’s out of them. With the tenth overall pick I would go defensive. Perhaps drafting a pass-rusher would go a long way towards making the 49ers a stronger team. However, I do not think that the 49ers should draft Sanchez. The 49ers already have two project QB’s on roster. It would serve the team better in the long run to address a different need. So, it is my opinion that the 49ers should not draft Mark Sanchez.

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