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2016 NFL Draft: 5 Best Options for San Francisco 49ers in Round 1

By Jerod Brown

November 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of a NFL football on top of an end zone pylon before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of a NFL football on top of an end zone pylon before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke speaks at a press conference during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke speaks at a press conference during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Francisco 49ers currently hold the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The team will have plenty of options to fill key positions with the pick. General manager Trent Baalke should set his board to target a few specific players.

The San Francisco 49ers’ reward for having a colossal downfall in 2015 is the seventh overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. The team, despite a poor 5-11 record, does not have any glaring need that stands out far above the others. You could easily argue for multiple positions being the most important to address in April when the draft rolls around.

49ers general manager Trent Baalke has established himself as a willing participant in draft day trades and he may be able to utilize that strategy to best fill the needs that the team faces moving forward.

The 49ers win over the St. Louis Rams in Week 17 dropped the team down two draft spots from No. 5 overall to seventh. That drop may be enough of a move to significantly alter the prospects available with their first pick.

Unfortunately, with only little knowledge of what teams ahead might do, the 49ers are forced to evaluate a larger number of prospects and situations in which those players might be available.

Free agency signings and the release of current 49ers will alter the needs of the team leading up to the draft but the board for the 49ers is certainly taking shape quickly.

In ascending order, here are the options for Baalke and his scouting department with the team’s first pick.

Next: Honorable Mentions