San Francisco 49ers: Full 7-Round Big Board for 2016 NFL Draft

Round 4, Compensatory

OvertheCap indicates that the 49ers will have a fourth-round compensatory selection, thanks to the loss of Chris Culliver last offseason. It would be somewhere in the neighborhood of pick 135

1. B.J. Goodson, ILB, Clemson
2. Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor
3. Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State
4. James Ross, ILB, Michigan
5. Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers
6. Max Tuerk, OG, USC
7. Joe Bolden, ILB, Michigan
8. Desmond Morgan, ILB, Michigan
9. Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
10. Michael Pierce, DT, Samford

Linebackers

The high number of inside linebacking prospects that look to be available late on day two and early on day three of the draft means that the 49ers can essentially put that need in the back of their mind until rounds three and four, dealing with other needs as they pop up.

Michigan has three 4-3 linebackers who could work here, all of whom would move to the inside in the 49ers’ system, but the best prospect in my eyes is B.J. Goodson of Clemson. Goodson led Clemson in tackles with 118, adding 5.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss, as well as being named to the ACC second team. When you’re getting down to picks on day three, you’re looking for either lots of production or traits that project well to the NFL, because you’ll rarely get both—I’ll take Goodson’s production here.

Offensive Line

Spencer Drango is a four-year starter from Baylor, with a powerful upper body and the ability to play in space, though a move inside to guard might be best for him in the long run. Max Tuerk can play either center or guard—he’s undersized for the position, and will struggle if asked to take on a nose-tackle against a 3-4 defense, but he plays with great effort and patience. He’s coming off of a knee injury, which might make him a Trent Baalke special, as well.

Others

We all saw what Cardale Jones could do in the College Football Playoffs in 2014, but he didn’t really improve his game much last season—CBS concerningly compares him to JaMarcus Russell. He is undeniably a physical phenom, but his footwork, anticipation and timing all need work.  He’s probably worth developing, however.

Leonte Carroo will fall some thanks to his lack of top-end speed, but he’s been consistently productive and has the size and hands you want in a developmental receiving prospect. Karl Joseph is another Baalke redshirt special candidate; a talented player coming off of an October knee-injury. The 49ers went to Samford for a pick last year and could double up with Michael Pierce, a two-gap run defender who can squat 725 pounds.

Next: Round 5: Getting value from the Arik Armstead trade

Round 5, from San Diego

The 49ers will pick twice early in the fifth round. They acquired San Diego’s pick when they traded back to pick up Arik Armstead last season. Because that pick is liable to be only nine or ten picks after the compensatory selection, some of the names here will be the same.

1. Max Tuerk, OG, USC
2. Cardale Jones, QB Ohio State
3. Michael Pierce, DT, Samford
4. James Bradbury, CB, Samford
5. James Ross, ILB, Michigan
6. Aziz Shittu, DE, Stanford
7. Joe Bolden, ILB, Michigan
8. Desmond Morgan, ILB, Michigan
9. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
10. Stacy Coley, WR, Miami (FL)

Some quick notes on the four new names on this slide:

Aziz Shittu, the Rose Bowl defensive MVP, is a quick and penetrating end who was forced to come into the draft this season after failing to get an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA. He’d probably stick as a 3-4 end in the 49ers’ system, and serve as a complimentary player at first.

Vernon Butler is ranked higher on most people’s big boards, but I’m concerned about his lack of production, as well as his reliance on physical tools rather than technique. His physical skills are unquestionable, but if he goes in the second round, as some people predict, I’d rather let some other team take the risk on him.

James Bradbury has some excellent ball skills and good size at 6’1”, and Baalke has shown a willingness to go to Samford, taking Jaquiski Tartt last season. Another member of that secondary could find its way to San Francisco.

Next: Round 5: Two selections within three picks!

Round 5

Three picks later, the 49ers will be on the clock yet again. That’s three in a span of 15 or so, if they so choose. The 49ers’ front office will likely be doing more than their usual amount of study on the end of the fourth round and early in the fifth round.

1. Aziz Shittu, DE, Stanford
2. Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
3. Mario Ojemudia, DE, Michigan
4. Kris Frost, OLB, Auburn
5. Desmond Morgan, ILB, Michigan
6. Joe Bolden, ILB, Michigan
7. Romeo Okwara, DE, Notre Dame
8. Deion Jones, OLB, LSU
9. Devon Cajuste, WR, Stanford
10. Jake McGee, TE, Florida

Edge Players

If the 49ers haven’t taken an edge rusher by this point, this is a good time to go and get one.

Mario Ojemudia is another Baalke redshirt special; his college career ended with a torn Achilles in December. Kris Frost has flashed explosiveness and agility since being moved to the outside, with 96 tackles and two interceptions last season. Romeo Okwara is still fairly raw and needs to improve his technique, but racked up nine sacks last season and 13.5 tackles for a loss. Deion Jones only has one year of starting experience, and might have to move inside in a 3-4 system, but he’s a potential three-down player with room to grow.

Others

Devon Cajuste is a big-bodied player who might not be athletic enough to be a pro wideout, and not bulky enough to be a tight end—similar to how Devin Funchess was graded last season. He can make contested catches, though, so he’s worth checking out. Jake McGee has the best hands in the entire draft class as far as I’m concerned, and if his blocking or route-running was up to an equivalent level, he’d go much earlier than the fifth round.

Next: Round 5: Yet more free agent compensation

Round 5, Compensatory

The 49ers are liable to get another compensatory pick in the fifth round, due to the loss of Perrish Cox, or so says Over the Cap. This would be their eighth pick in the draft, so, by the logic laid out in the first post, they should have a quarterback, edge rusher, wide receiver, inside linebacker and a plethora of offensive linemen after this selection.

1. Jake Brendel, C, UCLA
2. Cole Toner, OT, Harvard
3. Jonathan Jones, CB, Auburn
4. Deiondre’ Hall, CB, Northern Iowa
5. Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford
6. Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU
7. Storm Barrs-Woods, RB, Oregon State
8. Jeff Driskel, QB, Louisiana Tech
9. Reggie Gilbert, DE, Arizona
10. Tyler Ervin, RB, San Jose State

Offensive Line

Jake Brendel is a four-year starter and three-time co-captain at center for UCLA. He does not have a prototypical NFL frame by any stretch of the imagination, but his production on the field is worth at least a shot to make an NFL roster somewhere.  It’s hard to project Cole Toner to the NFL, thanks to the level of competition at Harvard, but he looked good on tape. Watch him at the Senior Bowl and other such events to see how he handles better competition.

Secondary

If the 49ers want to add to the secondary, this might be a good spot. Jonathan Jones was an all-SEC player in 2014 and has speed for days, but he’s undersized at 5’8”. Deiondre Hall wowed the Senior Bowl with an incredible 82 3/8” wingspan, which you just can’t coach.

Quarterbacks

Kevin Hogan doesn’t have the arm strength you really want in an NFL quarterback, but he has good size and mobility, and was very good on accuracy in the short passing game, so there might be some building blocks there to build up. Jeff Driskel has some very interesting athletic traits, but led a star-crossed life at Florida, missing 2013 with a broken leg and splitting time with Treon Harris in 2014. He bounced back some at Louisiana Tech in 2014, but needs to continue getting his career on track.

Defensive Ends

Bronson Kafusi is a two-sport athlete, who played basketball for BYU as well before switching full-time to basketball.  He’s still developing, but he’s had flashes of excellent play and is still getting better.  There are questions as to whether or not Reggie Gilbert has the speed to play outside linebacker, but he’s significantly stronger than he looks.

Running Backs

Running back isn’t a pressing need for the 49ers, but this late in the draft, it’s more about talent than need. Storm Barrs-Woods is a solid cutback runner with soft hands for the screen and short passing game, as well as showing skill in pass protection. Tyler Ervin might be more of a kick returner than a running back, but he has some serious burst potential in the open field.

Next: Round 6: Running out of needs