The copium can be strong among sports fans this time of year. Whether a fan base experienced an early playoff flameout, missed the postseason altogether, or maybe suffered a heartbreaking loss, the excuses flow about how these setbacks can build character and lead to success next year. The spring and summer drafts bring the promise of a newly selected hotshot who maybe, just maybe, can rejuvenate a tired franchise.
For fans of the San Francisco 49ers, Friday morning brought a mix of all of that. Rumors had been swirling all week about how the Niners would approach their first draft since losing yet another Super Bowl, and their first draft with a first-round pick in years.