Bypassing the opportunity to initially bolster an offense short on firepower, the Niners chose to strengthen their defensive line with the late-first-round selection of North Carolina DT Kentwan Balmer. Balmer most likely figures as a replacement for the retiring Bryant Young at left end, but he also is considered versatile enough to push veterans Aubrayo Franklin and Isaac Sopoaga for playing time inside at nose tackle. Ten picks later, the Niners upgraded the interior O-line with the addition of USC OG Chilo Rachal. Described as a “poor man’s Larry Allen” by GM Scot McCloughan, Rachal becomes a strong possibility to start at left guard in place of Allen, who is expected to retire. Rachal also offers insurance in case David Baas, the leading candidate to start at right guard, is slow to recover from surgery on a torn pectoral muscle suffered while lifting weights in the week leading up to the draft. Third-round pick Reggie Smith is a versatile DB who probably will see more action for the Niners at cornerback, where starter Walt Harris is showing his age, and injury-prone Shawntae Spencer remains a health risk. In the fourth round, the Niners returned to addressing their beleaguered O-line with the selection of pure C Cody Wallace. A team captain at Texas A&M who performed well in the Senior Bowl against the likes of Sedrick Ellis and Trevor Laws, Wallace could push starting C Eric Heitmann, who had some problems in pass protection last season. WR Josh Morgan has good size and tremendous leaping ability, but he needs to play with more consistency than he did in college. OLB Larry Grant was the former national Junior College Player of the Year in 2005 at City College of San Francisco. Look for him to contribute primarily on special teams.
