SB Nation Bay Area - 2012 NFL Draft Results: 49ers Grab Draft Picks, Sign Chris Owusu As Free Agenthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2012-05-09T06:00:53-07:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/27397552012-05-09T06:00:53-07:002012-05-09T06:00:53-07:0049ers Roster Battles: Wide Receiver Now A Position of Strength?
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> have taken one of their weakest positional groups from 2011 - wide receiver - and in the course of the offseason, made it one of their strengths. They likely sought to make things easier for Alex Smith by putting as many weapons at his disposal as possible, and with the additions of <span>Mario Manningham</span>, <span>Randy Moss</span>, and now first-round pick <span>A.J. Jenkins</span>, they've possibly done just that. Throw in the <span>Chris Owusu</span> as the wildcard to join a corps that already includes former first rounder <span>Michael Crabtree</span>, and you've got yourself an interesting problem.</p>
<p>SI.com's Don Banks <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/don_banks/05/08/position.battles/index.html?sct=nfl_t12_a0" target="_blank">compiled the roster depth chart battles he's most looking forward to</a> come training camp, and the Niners' wide receiver situation was near the top of the list. </p>
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<p>49ers rookie receiver A.J. Jenkins vs. San Francisco's receiver depth chart -- No team finished the 2011 season with more of a crying need at receiver than the 49ers, who still somehow came within a play of reaching the Super Bowl in head coach Jim Harbaugh's rookie season. But the position suddenly has been transformed into one of the deepest on San Francisco's roster, and that leaves Jenkins, the team's somewhat surprising first-round pick, facing a crowd of competition in his quest to produce rookie-season impact.</p>
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<p>Is it training camp yet?</p>
<p><i>For more discussion and analysis of the 49ers offseason, make sure you check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com/">Niners Nation</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bayarea.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Bay Area.</a></i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/5/9/3008742/49ers-roster-battles-wide-receiver-now-a-position-of-strengthDanny Kelly2012-05-09T04:30:04-07:002012-05-09T04:30:04-07:0049ers NFL Draft Grades 2012: Joe Looney, LaMichael James "Best" and Most "Questionable" Picks
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<p>Respected NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter and former NFL Personnel man Bucky Brooks assembled their NFC West Draft grades for the 2012 Draft, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d828f3c19/article/draft-duds-saints-rams-raiders-among-poorly-graded-teams">had a few interesting things to say</a> on their way to a C+ Grade for the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a>.</p>
<p>To start out, they list the Niners' best pick, an offensive guard out of Wake Forest.</p>
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<p>Best pick: <span>Joe Looney</span>, OG, Wake Forest (Round 4, 117). <br>His injury at the Senior Bowl was unfortunate, as it prevented teams from seeing his strength and versatility as a guard and center -- and also kept him from participating at the NFL Scouting Combine. But his physical nature and athleticism will allow him to challenge for a starting spot with the Niners in the near future.</p>
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<p>On the other hand, while some people applauded the choice, Brooks and Reuter don't see the explosive and dangerous former Duck as a 'questionable' pick. They explain:</p>
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<p>Questionable pick: <span>LaMichael James</span>, RB, Oregon (Round 2, 61). <br>As I've mentioned with several of these "questionable" picks, James' listing here is not really about his talent level; his elite speed and quickness should make a good change-of-pace back in the NFL. But with <span>Kendall Hunter</span> already in the fold and other similar backs available later in the draft, the 49ers could have taken a cornerback, defensive end or linebacker who met more immediate needs.</p>
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<p>A noteworthy take from the two NFL.com analysts, but ultimately we won't know how well these picks have panned out until two or three years from now.</p>
<p><i>For more discussion and analysis of the 49ers offseason, make sure you check out <a href="http://www.ninersnation.com/" target="_blank">Niners Nation</a> and <a href="http://www.bayarea.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">SB Nation Bay Area.</a></i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/5/9/3008733/49ers-nfl-draft-grades-2012-joe-looney-lamichael-james-best-and-mostDanny Kelly2012-05-08T08:30:13-07:002012-05-08T08:30:13-07:00LaMichael James NFL Draft Reaction Video, Mom Goes Nuts
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<p>One of the best parts of the 2012 NFL Draft is watching families react to their brothers, sons, boyfriends, or husbands being able to make that next step and get to say they were drafted by an NFL team. From the biggest stars to the hidden gems, you'll see all sorts of exhilarating reactions of joy and happiness</p>
<p><span>LaMichael James</span> of the Oregon Ducks was one of those players you weren't sure where he wasn't going to be picked. After the jump, you can see James react to getting drafted, and more importantly his family, and most importantly of all his mother, who has a celebration for the ages!</p>
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<p>"The most insane reaction to being drafted in NFL history!" by LaMichael James Mom- HD (via <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=OfV4UB0RucU">HollyMartins</a>)</p>
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<p>That is some first-rate joy right there. You've gotta love it <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> fans.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss LaMichael with 49ers fans, <a href="http://www.ninersnation.com">go to Niners Nation</a>. To talk about LaMichael with Oregon fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.addictedtoquack.com">head on over to Addicted to Quack</a>. </b></i></p>
<p>Check out more NFL Draft YouTube coverage below.</p>
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https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/5/8/3006505/lamichael-james-san-francisco-49ers-nfl-draft-2012Avinash Kunnath2012-05-07T14:00:45-07:002012-05-07T14:00:45-07:00Greg Cosell Explains San Francisco 49ers Picking A.J. Jenkins
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<p>When it comes to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a>, you get the feeling you're never going to get a conventional draft pick in the first round, particularly on the offensive side of the football. The 49ers like to find players that are good at fitting the schemes they run, which are run-heavy and demand a lot of blocking. The Niners are a team that favors the run first to set up the pass, and Jenkins seems to work well within that framework.</p>
<p>That's why<a target="_blank" href="http://nflfilms.nfl.com/2012/05/07/cosell-talks-nfc-west-draft-pick-post-mortum/"> Greg Cosell of NFL.com </a> really likes the pick of Illinois wide receiver <span>A.J. Jenkins</span> to match up with the type of offense San Francisco runs.</p>
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<p>Remember what team drafted him: the 49ers. This is a team whose offensive foundation features run personnel and run formations. That almost always results in defenses responding with fronts and coverages that require a safety to be involved in run support. Corners, in run-based defensive concepts, rarely play press on the outside. That gives Jenkins the free access mentioned above — a circumstance that will maximize his vertical strengths. One more thing you saw watching Jenkins on film: he played both outside and in the slot, so he has experience in multiple alignments.</p>
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<p>Jenkins sure seems ready to be a 49er for awhile. He's already getting ready to move to the Bay Area, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.csnbayarea.com/football-san-francisco-niners/niners-talk/Jenkins-moving-to-Bay-Area-to-stay?blockID=703710&feedID=5936">as Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reports</a>. <i><b><br></b></i></p>
<p><i><b>Talk about the 49ers and their draft, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com">head on over to Niners Nation</a>. </b></i></p>
<p>Check out more NFL Draft coverage on SB Nation's YouTube channel.</p>
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https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/5/7/3005578/san-francisco-49ers-a-j-jenkins-2012-nfl-draft-greg-cosellAvinash Kunnath2012-05-04T11:39:02-07:002012-05-04T11:39:02-07:0049ers Offseason 2012: Niners Ink 17 Undrafted Free Agents To Contracts
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<p>The <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a> have been all business since the end of their season in the NFC Championship game in January, continually adding talent to their already talented roster though free agency and now the NFL draft.</p>
<p>They moved another step forward on Friday after the announcement of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.49ers.com/news-and-events/article-2/49ers-Announce-Undrafted-Free-Agents/29f7d1b5-3f94-4314-ba04-94f657c4fdb1">17 undrafted free agents signing contracts</a> with San Francisco, highlighted by former Stanford Cardinal wide receiver <span>Chris Owusu</span> and tight end <span>Garrett Celek</span>, brother of current <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Eagles</a> tight end <span>Brent Celek</span>.</p>
<p>Fullback Cameron Bell, linebacker <span>Kourtnei Brown</span>, defensive tackle <span>Patrick Butrym</span>, offensive lineman David Gonzalez, running back <span>Jewel Hampton</span>, linebacker <span>Joe Holland</span>, defensive tackle <span>Matthew Masifilo</span>, corner back Anthony Mosely, tackle <span>Kevin Murphy</span>, guard <span>Al Netter</span>, wide receiver <span>Nathan Palmer</span>, corner back <span>Deante Purvis</span>, kicker <span>Giorgio Tavecchio</span>, safety <span>Michael Thomas</span> and wide receiver <span>Brian Tyms</span> all received contracts as well.</p>
<p><i>For more discussion and analysis of the 49ers offseason, make sure you check out <a href="http://www.ninersnation.com" target="_blank">Niners Nation</a> and <a href="http://www.bayarea.sbnation.com" target="_blank">SB Nation Bay Area. </a></i></p>
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https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/5/4/2999407/49ers-offseason-2012-undrafted-free-agents-contracts-chris-owusuErnie Pomin2012-05-02T15:54:16-07:002012-05-02T15:54:16-07:00NFL OTAs & Minicamps 2012: San Francisco 49ers Dates Announced
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<p>All the NFL teams generally have OTAs to bridge the gap between the end of the previous season and the start of the upcoming training camp. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> have three straight week of OTAs that'll take place during the week: The first one takes place during the week of May 22nd and ending on the 24th; the second one is May 29th, May 30th and May 31st; and the last one is June 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th.</p>
<p>The 49ers will have two minicamps going on this year, one for rookies and another for rookies and veterans. They have one for rookies that'll take place from May 11th through May 13th, and then another one that takes place for everyone on June 12th, June 13th and June 14th.</p>
<p><i><b>To talk about the 49ers, their minicamp and their OTAs, best to head on over <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com">to Niners Nation</a>.</b></i></p>
<p>Check out the SB Nation NFL YouTube channel and see if you'd be willing to subscribe to those videos.</p>
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https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/5/2/2995014/san-francisco-49ers-otas-minicamp-2012Avinash Kunnath2012-05-01T11:01:08-07:002012-05-01T11:01:08-07:00NFL Draft 2012: 49ers Assigned Rookie Pool Number Of $4.02 Million
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<p>The <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a> have been assigned a rookie pool number of $4.02 million and the deals for their seven picks - including first round pick <span>A.J. Jenkins</span> - can't exceed $22.14 million total over the length of the rookie contracts, <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider/status/197247981127340032">according to a tweet by Raven Insider Aaron Wilson</a>.</p>
<p>Compare this to last season when the 49ers had $6,935,903 to cover their 10 draft picks and $38.1 million over the life of those deals, which was the most in the NFC West.</p>
<p>It was already determined that this year's rookie class would make far less than last season's and the proof is in the numbers. Jenkins and the rest of the 49ers' rookies will have to earn later money by outplaying these deals, which ironically, becomes easier.</p>
<p>Here is the complete list of the 49ers' selections in the 2012 Draft.</p>
<p>No. 30 (First Round): WR <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/48928/a-j-jenkins"><b>A.J. Jenkins</b></a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/illinois-fighting-illini"><b>Illinois Fighting Illini</b></a><br>No. 61 (Second Round): RB <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37388/lamichael-james"><b>LaMichael James</b></a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oregon-ducks"><b>Oregon Ducks</b></a><br>No. 117 (Fourth Round): G <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38495/joe-looney"><b>Joe Looney</b></a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/wake-forest-demon-deacons"><b>Wake Forest Demon Deacons</b></a><br>No. 165 (Fifth Round): OLB <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/50238/darius-fleming"><b>Darius Fleming</b></a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish"><b>Notre Dame Fighting Irish</b></a><br>No. 180 (Sixth Round): FS <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36764/trenton-robinson"><b>Trenton Robinson</b></a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/michigan-st-spartans"><b>Michigan St. Spartans</b></a><br>No. 199 (Sixth Round): OT <span><strong>Jason Slowey</strong></span><strong>,</strong> Western Oregon<br>No. 237 (Seventh Round): DE <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38473/cam-johnson"><b>Cam Johnson</b></a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/virginia-cavaliers"><b>Virginia Cavaliers</b></a></p>
<p><i>For all your San Francisco 49er needs, head over to <a href="http://www.ninersnation.com/"><b>Niners Nation</b></a>. For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit <a href="http://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/4/25/2975714/2012-nfl-draft-san-francisco-49ers"><b>SB Nation Bay Area's StoryStream</b></a>. For even more comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit<a href="http://www.mockingthedraft.com/"><b> Mocking The Draft</b></a> or stop by SB Nation's dedicated <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012-nfl-draft/"><b>2012 NFL Draft hub</b></a>.</i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/5/1/2991759/nfl-draft-2012-49ers-assigned-rookie-pool-numberRonald Clark2012-05-01T04:00:42-07:002012-05-01T04:00:42-07:00NFL Rookie Free Agent Signings: Chris Owusu The Headliner For San Francisco 49ers
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<p>The NFL Draft was not where many teams stopped to try and find the next cornerstones of their franchises. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.csnbayarea.com/football-san-francisco-niners/niners-talk/Owusu-leads-list-of-49ers-post-draft-add?blockID=699105&feedID=5936">Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area runs down all the signings</a> for the San Francisco 49ers below.</p>
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<li>Wide receiver <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37757/chris-owusu">Chris Owusu</a> of Stanford</li>
<li>Running back Dajuan Cofield of San Jose State</li>
<li>Running back Jewel Hampton of Southern Illinois</li>
<li>Fullback Cameron Bell of Northern Illinois</li>
<li>Wide receiver <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Brian Tyms</a> of Florida Atlantic</li>
<li>Tight end <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6986/garrett-celek">Garrett Celek</a> of Michigan State</li>
<li>Offensive lineman David Gonzalez of Washington State</li>
<li>Offensive lineman Kevin Murphy of Harvard</li>
<li>Offensive lineman Al Netters of Northwestern</li>
<li>Defensive end <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9411/matthew-masifilo">Matthew Masifilo</a> of Stanford</li>
<li>Defensive end <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/4706/kourtnei-brown">Kourtnei Brown</a> of Clemson</li>
<li>Defensive end <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51836/tony-jerod-eddie">Tony Jerod-Eddie</a> of Texas A&M</li>
<li>Defensive tackle <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/7577/patrick-butrym">Patrick Butrym</a> of Wisconsin</li>
<li>Outside linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/7409/joe-holland">Joe Holland</a> of Purdue</li>
<li>Cornerback Anthony Mosley of Kentucky</li>
<li>Safety Michael Thomas of Stanford</li>
<li>Defensive back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/57022/deante-purvis">Deante' Purvis</a> of UNLV</li>
<li>Kicker Giorgio Tavecchio of Cal</li>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Top-rookie-free-agent-signings-by-team.html">Wes Bunting of the National Football Post files this report</a>, where Owusu is the top guy signed.</p>
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<p>A bit of an linear athlete. However, is a natural pass catcher with good straight-line speed and a real savvy about his game. Will find a way to contribute to an NFL receiving core as a solid secondary option.</p>
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<p><i><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com">Check out Niners Nation </a></b><b>for more coverage of the 49ers. More SB Nation coverage of the NFL Draft can be found on YouTube.</b></i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/5/1/2990792/nfl-rookie-free-agent-signings-2012-san-francisco-49ersAvinash Kunnath