Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: A Primer for the 2016 NFL Offseason

By Peter Panacy

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
October 3, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes the football against the Washington State Cougars during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 3, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes the football against the Washington State Cougars during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Hitting a Home Run with the 2016 NFL Draft

Good teams are rarely built via free agency. This is an inherent truth across the board in nearly every major American sport. The draft is where franchises find their cornerstones and build dynasties.

Good teams scout well, draft well and develop well. Free agency is merely a tool to supplement a solid core of talent.

Fortunately for the 49ers, general manager Trent Baalke will have a predicted 12 draft picks at his disposal in 2016. Here’s the list, courtesy of David Fucillo of Niners Nation:

1. First round: Own pick
2. Second round: Own pick
3. Third round: Own pick
4. Fourth round: Own pick
5. Fourth round: Comp pick (Mike Iupati)
6. Fifth round: Own pick
7. Fifth round: San Diego Chargers (2015 draft-day trade)
8. Fifth round: Comp pick (Perrish Cox)
9. Sixth round: Dallas Cowboys (2015 draft-day trade)
10. Sixth round: Denver Broncos (Vernon Davis trade)
11. Sixth round: Comp pick (Dan Skuta)
12. Sixth round: Comp pick (Frank Gore)

The compensatory picks have yet to be announced, but speculation is the 49ers will receive four of these for the net loss in 2014 free agency.

Now, the question is exactly how Baalke’s big boards shapes up in advance of the draft itself. Two camps dominate the speculative 49ers’ plan for the draft: to select, or not to select, a quarterback in Round 1.

If the former rings true, look for San Francisco to grab Cal signal-caller Jared Goff with their first pick. This is what CBS Sports’ Rob Rang and Dane Brugler assume in their most recent mock.

Or the 49ers could focus on other areas of need in Round 1. Perhaps an offensive lineman or someone to reinforce the defense will be on Baalke’s watch list.

But the 49ers will have to do more than just land an impact talent in the first round. The 49ers need to have a solid draft class. And Rounds 3 through 5 can provide some equally impressive talent (look at linebacker Aaron Lynch back in 2014).

Fortunately, San Francisco has six picks spread out through these rounds — either a good stockpile to fill various needs or ammunition with which to trade up.

Next: Establishing Vision and Leadership