Draft History Question: Which Draft Pick Of An Opponent Bothered You Most?...

[CaptainAmerica]

...as we wait to hear the outcome of the owner's meeting and as I thought about Arrington's release from the Skins, I thought this might be an interesting topic.

In terms of the last 15 years or so, the 2 picks of "Arch-rival" opponents that bothered me the most were two picks that ended up being disappointments for our opponents.

The first was the 1995 Draft when the 49ers moved way up in the draft and seemed to "steal" J.J. Stokes away from everyone. I thought Stokes was going to be a stud, (the "next Jerry Rice"), and with the 49ers just coming off their defeat of us in the NFC Championship game, I thought the 49ers had pulled off another stroke of genius.

Then in 2000, as it became clear the the Browns would take Courtney Brown leaving Arrington for the Skins I also was sick. Watching Arrington at PSU, I thought he would be an absolute BEAST for the Skins.

It's interesting to watch how players' careers develop and see that those 2 picks just go to show that you really don't know about draft success until the players' careers play out.

Anyone else have any such memories?

 

[jackrussell]

The year SF traded up just ahead of Dallas to take the next Jerry Rice and took......Jerry Rice.

 

[lurkercowboy]

My first thought was Jerry Rice in 1985.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I was disappointed when the Eagles took Shawn Andrews, because he was an absolutely dominant player in college and I thought he'd be a great pro under Parcells. Not only did we not get him, one of our biggest rivals got him.

 

[ravidubey]

I laughed when San Francisco traded all those picks for JJ Stokes. A friend of a friend had heard the Washington take on Stokes and Norv Turner had called him a "b". The media at the time was jocking the 49ers hard and many inexperienced media were calling the move "genius", etc., etc.

No, the pick that torqued me off was San Francisco trading up with New York to grab Jerry Rice just ahead of in 1985. Of course we got them right back by trading up with Houston at nearly the top of the 5th round and grabbing Herschel Walker.

Jacksonville drafting Tony Brackens ahead of us in the 2nd round in 1996 was a major downer considering Dallas could have had him and instead traded down.

1991 was a major downer losing Rocket Ismail to Canada and ending up having to use the 1st pick on Russell Maryland. What a waste. Good thing the rest of that draft turned out so amazing.

I also was mad when Denver snagged Tatum Bell ahead of us in 2004, but Julius has turned out good enough.

 

[Rush 2112]

Guys that we had an interest in....Moats, Andrews, Cooley, Torbor.

 

[jackrussell]

I
No, the pick that torqued me off was San Francisco trading up with New York to grab Jerry Rice just ahead of in 1985.

My memory is indeed starting to fail me, but I remember it as the Cardinals that SF traded with.

 

[Hostile]

Detroit taking Mike Williams last year.

Detroit has a habit of taking guys I like. Chris Spielman was another. I also wanted us to Draft Jason Hansen when he came out, but not as high as they did.

 

[lurkercowboy]

My memory is indeed starting to fail me, but I remember it as the Cardinals that SF traded with.

I thought it was the Giants. For payback, in 1986, Dallas traded ahead of the Giants to draft Mike Sherrard. He was a good WR when healthy, which wasn't often.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The year SF traded up just ahead of Dallas to take the next Jerry Rice and took......Jerry Rice.

Good one. I was thinking of the last 15 years or so as the draft has exploded as being such a major event. Back in '86 the draft wasn't followed as much and although everyone knew Rice was a great prospect, I don't think anyone thought that day that he would be GOAT.

Still I was sick when I heard that they traded in front of us and that's who Brandt wanted. That's obviously the correct and best example of us actually getting used by an arch-rival on draft day!

 

[Yeagermeister]

Detroit taking Mike Williams last year.

Detroit has a habit of taking guys I like. Chris Spielman was another. I also wanted us to Draft Jason Hansen when he came out, but not as high as they did.

We already have Witten at TE

 

[Hostile]

We already have Witten at TE

:bastid:

 

[whcarm]

I was bummed when San Diego got Drew Brees with their first pick in the second round. I was hoping we could trade up and get him. Instead we got Carter... puke.

 

[tyke1doe]

The Cowboys passing on Shaun Rogers (a definite need) for Quincy Carter.

Rogers would have solved our need for beef on the defensive line, even now. Meanwhile Quincy is out of the NFL.

I was hoping the Commanders would take Kellen Winslow instead of Sean Taylor. Taylor is a beast, but he may be undone by his lack of discipline. But if he gets his head screwed on, watch out.

I was also hoping that the Cowboys could somehow move up the draft board to get Tony Gonzelaz as opposed to David LaFlue.

I'm surprised at the Jerry Rice comments. I didn't even think he was on the radar for most fans. I wonder how much of this has to do with hindsight.

 

[Yeagermeister]

:bastid:

 

[The30YardSlant]

When the Vikings drafted Randy Moss in 1998 after we had drafted Greg Ellis

Yeah, that turned out well.....

 

[Concord]

Ellis over Moss.

Pittman when we could have had Brackens.

 

[jackrussell]

Now I'm really confused....
http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/sports2000/trends/154324.html

Best and worst draft-day trades In '85, the Patriots gave up the 16th spot in Round 1 and a No. 3 pick for the 49ers' No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 picks. The Pats' choices were Trevor Matich, Ben Thomas and Audrey McMillian, who combined for six years of service and 12 starts in New England. The 49ers wasted the No. 3 on Ricky Moore, but we'll overlook that. The No. 1 was Jerry Rice.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Commentary/Columns/2002/edholm101102.htm

5. Patriots-49ers draft-day trade 1985. The Pats sent the No. 16 pick in the first round and a third-rounder to San Francisco for first-, second- and third-round picks. New England selected Trevor Matich, Ben Thomas and Audrey McMillian, all of whom combined for 12 career starts in six years of service. With their first pick, the 49ers took Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.

 

[Vertigo_17]

I really want to pickup Robertson, but NYJ took him at #4. In hindsight, he's hasn't really done much...yet and I'm happy with TNEW

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Most recently it was losing out on Mike Williams.

All time has to be when Seattle took Shaun Alexander with one of the picks we gave them for Galloway. (Of course hindsight is 20/20.