Offseason Starts Early This Year

Clearly this is another lost season for the 49ers' franchise. Despite this weekend's matchup between defensive and offensive RoYs (Willis v. Peterson), it's time to think about January and beyond...in a bad way.

Rumors are flying that the Niners came close to acquiring Lance Briggs close to the trade deadline. But the deal hit a snag at the last minute due to NFL rules on signing franchise players. Same thing happened with Clements and he's now in Scarlet and Gold. Could we look forward to a Willis-Briggs core for the following several seasons? We shall find out.

ESPN.com's first mock draft is out (Insider protected) with the Pats selecting Darren McFadden (ARRRGH!!!) with the (projected #2 overall) pick they got from us last April. It also has the Niners picking up LSU's standout WR, Early Doucet, with the first rounder nabbed from the Colts (projected #30). Here's what Todd McShay has to say about Doucet.

Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: WR, OL, S
Projected pick: Early Doucet, WR, LSU
Obviously, the 49ers would like to have that No. 2 pick back from the Patriots, but they'll have to make due [sic] with the 30th pick. Doucet has been bothered by a nagging groin injury, which prevented him from emerging as a reliable No. 1 weapon at LSU this fall. But a couple fast 40 times and a big week at the Senior Bowl could help affirm his big-play potential for NFL decision-makers.

With the way both LSU WRs taken this year, Dwayne Bowe (KC) and Buster Davis (SD), have played, Doucet should be an immediate upgrade from our current pitiful receiving "corps." We'll have to wait and see how things shake out. I also predict a QB taken with our still-handy second-round pick (#33 overall). Dennis Dixon anyone?