05-10-2014, 06:59 AM
It seems ACL injuries are not nearly the setback in ones career they used to be. The 49ers drafted a guy who held his own against Jadaveon Clowney, who they can afford to have sit out a year to recover. Yankey ran a 5.5 40 and doesn't have as big of an upside.Â
People have to remember the draft is about upside potential based on certain benchmarks. It seems Brandon Thomas has a higher upside when healthy than Yankey, so he gets drafted higher, even if injured. Moreover, the 49ers don't need Thomas to play now, so they have the luxury of picking a guy who might be better later but can't play right away. Most teams would draft Yankey ahead of Thomas because they need a player this coming season. It seems Yankey is a lock to be drafted in the first hour of the 4th round, and it is entirely possible he ends up with the 49ers as they have four 4th round picks.
People have to remember the draft is about upside potential based on certain benchmarks. It seems Brandon Thomas has a higher upside when healthy than Yankey, so he gets drafted higher, even if injured. Moreover, the 49ers don't need Thomas to play now, so they have the luxury of picking a guy who might be better later but can't play right away. Most teams would draft Yankey ahead of Thomas because they need a player this coming season. It seems Yankey is a lock to be drafted in the first hour of the 4th round, and it is entirely possible he ends up with the 49ers as they have four 4th round picks.