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

With less than three months between now and draft day, it’s time to start thinking about the San Francisco 49ers’ potential additions in the 2016 NFL draft.

There’s still more than 80 days between now and the 2016 NFL Draft. That’s not only enough time to go around the world, it’s enough time for the draft board to radically change. At this point last year, Cameron Erving wasn’t considered a first-round pick; he ended up going 19^th overall. Randy Gregory was considered a potential top-five pick; he fell all the way to the second round.  There’s a lot that can change between now and draft day, and making a big board, especially for the later rounds, is very much an exercise in speculation.

Here, then, is exactly that exercise in speculation for the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers actually are in a fairly good situation, all things considered, in the draft. They have eight picks already confirmed—five of their own, plus one each from San Diego, Dallas and Denver on day three. They also are in position to get as many as four compensatory picks from the losses of Chris Culliver, Perrish Cox, Frank Gore and Dan Skuta last offseason, according to Over the Cap. That’s a ton of picks—more than any other team in the league, and a higher combined value, according to the trade value chart, than any team other than the Cleveland Browns.

They’ll need the picks, too, as they have a number of holes that need filling, be it in free agency or the draft.

Each slide in this slideshow will list ten players who could be on the board for each of the 49ers’ picks, discussing who the team should take and what their overall strategy should be in this year’s draft. Before heading to the individual picks, however, it’s worth taking an overall look at the team’s needs and basic strategy, and my assumptions going into making these early big boards.

The largest overall need is on the offensive line, where a new player could be used at every single position:

• Anthony Davis says he’s returning, but after willingly sitting out the entire 2015 season, he can’t be considered a definite starter at right tackle going forward.
• Jordan Devey was a disaster at right guard, and while Andrew Tiller looked significantly better, he shouldn’t be necessarily guaranteed a starting spot going forward.
• Marcus Martin has yet to develop at center, while Daniel Kilgore missed most of the year recovering from a serious leg fracture.
• Alex Boone is a free agent at left guard.
• The only sure starter is Joe Staley at left tackle, but even he will be 32 by the time the next season begins, so drafting someone to eventually replace him is not a bad idea.

The sheer number of needs means that offensive line should be the fallback position for every pick—if no player at a different position of need particularly stands out, then they should fall back on the best offensive lineman available on the board.

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That doesn’t mean that the line should necessarily be highest priority, however. There are four positions which, based on the team’s needs and the general talent level in each round this year, I feel the 49ers need to address in their first eight picks. In no particular order, they are:

• A quarterback who can run Chip Kelly’s offense. This can be a first-rounder to compete for a starting job eventually, or a later pick to groom while the team gives Colin Kaepernick one last chance, depending on Kelly’s particular preferences.
• A talented wide receiver to pair with Torrey Smith; this has been a pressing issue since 2014 and has not been dealt with.
• An edge rusher to pair with Aaron Lynch, to pump up San Francisco’s anemic pass rush.
• An inside linebacker to pair with NaVorro Bowman, as the team never really replaced the losses of Patrick Willis and Chris Borland.

If the first eight picks are, in any particular order, four offensive linemen and one each of those four positions, then the 49ers probably had a very solid draft, assuming there were no strange reaches involved.

There were a few other needs which I considered and will show up on the big boards, but ultimately feel are less pressing. If a talented player at one of these positions drops, it’s worth grabbing them over a third or fourth lineman, but they are very much secondary in nature:

• Ian Williams is a free agent, so if he leaves, the 49ers will need a nose tackle to replace him. Plan A, though, remains re-signing Williams, as they have plenty of cap space.
• The 49ers could use a shut-down cornerback; they have plenty of solid options as their second corner and as nickel and dime corners, but they could use a true number one corner, bumping everyone else down a slot where they can be more comfortable. Considering the other needs the team has, it’s probably not a good idea to use a high draft pick on the position; this might be better solved by going after someone like Josh Norman, Janoris Jenkins or Trumaine Johnson in free agency.
• Phil Dawson’s contract expires so the team will need a kicker. Generally speaking, it’s a horrible idea to spend a draft pick on a specialist; historically, half of the top kickers and punters in the league have been undrafted, and it’s a better strategy to try to find a diamond in the rough like Carl Nicks or Antonio Brown—or even a useful piece like Josh Morgan—than it is to waste a pick on a kicker. There are exceptions to every rule, and it looks like Florida State’s Roberto Aguayo might be worth such a pick this year, but the 49ers just have too many needs elsewhere.

Alright, with all that out of the way, let’s look at the draft boards!

Next: Round 1: A franchise quarterback?

Round 1, Pick 7

This is the easiest round to predict, as only six players will be off the board by the time the 49ers pick. Their best general strategy here is to either take the quarterback of the future or the offensive tackle who will protect him, but depending on how the picks go, there are some other options.

1. Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
2. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
3. Jared Goff, QB, California
4. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi
5. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi
6. Ronnie Staley, OT, Notre Dame
7. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
8. Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
9. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi
10. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

Quarterbacks

Paxton Lynch and Jared Goff are generally considered, in some order, the top two quarterbacks in the draft, with their order flipping depending on where you look. Lynch is the less polished of the two, but has the higher ceiling. His offense at Memphis is very similar to Chip Kelly’s offense, with plenty of wide receiver screens and short, quick passes. He’s also mobile, able to run the zone-read and bootleg plays that work so well with Kelly. Lynch would benefit from a year of polish, but he could be Kelly’s Marcus Mariota. Sitting him for a year behind Kaepernick and then moving to Lynch in 2017 might be the team’s best option.

Goff is your more traditional pocket-passer, and Kelly has said that he doesn’t need a mobile quarterback to make his offense work. He boasts an arm that can make any throw asked of him, but he does occasionally struggle with accuracy. He’s more prepared to start right away than Lynch, but I feel Lynch is a slightly better fit than Goff in Kelly’s system. Either would be a fine player to pick up, however.

As for the other quarterbacks on the list, Connor Cook is the high-floor, low-ceiling pick of the draft; NFL.com compares him to Brian Hoyer, which isn’t the most thrilling use of a pick. He’s experienced, being the only one of the top three to have worked under center for most of his snaps, and could be an Alex Smith-esque game manager. The name to really watch is Carson Wentz, from tiny North Dakota State. He might be the best of the four at going through progressions and reading defenses, which is very important, but how will that translate against tougher opposition? He’s rising fast, and might top the draft board when all is said and done in April.

Defensive Line

The most talented player in the draft is Joey Bosa, who would move to an outside linebacker position in San Francisco’s 3-4 defense. He’s not a pure pass-rusher, as his speed is a notch down from the truly elite ones, but he’s an all-around force. He can move around the field, bowling through blockers and fighting off tackles with his hands. He’s also solid in space, which bodes well in shifting to a 3-4 linebacker. The 49ers have plenty more pressing needs than an edge rusher, but if Bosa somehow falls to seven, he would be very, very difficult to pass up.

Robert Nkemdiche is really only an option if Ian Williams leaves, and even then, probably not enough to override more pressing positional concerns. Still, with Nkemdiche and Arik Armstead as your ends, you’d have two prototypical players for those positions. His off-field character concerns and lack of expected production at Ole Miss probably means he won’t be the pick, however.

Offensive Tackles

If the 49ers don’t get their quarterback here, either because the top few are taken or because Kelly decides to stick with Kaepernick more, tackle is the most likely position to go for here. Laramy Tunsil was suspended for seven games in 2015, but he’s the lineman with the most talent and polished technique in the class, and would eventually take over for Joe Staley on the left side as a great pass protector. Ronnie Stanley is a three-year starter with exceptional athleticism, albeit a slight lack of raw power. Jack Conklin probably won’t be the pick at seven, but if the 49ers trade down, he has the solid technique and prototypical size to be a very good right tackle.

Laquon Treadwell

The final player on the big board here is Laquon Treadwell, the top receiver in the draft. He’s not a traditional vertical threat in that he doesn’t have elite speed, but he has all the nuances and subtleties of the position down, with very solid routes, a great ability to fight for the ball in the air, and a sixth sense to find holes in zones. A lot of mocks are giving the 49ers Treadwell, just with how the early picks are rolling off, and it’d be hard to argue too much with that.

Next: Round 2: Time to add a skill position player?

Round 2, Pick 37

Assuming the 49ers don’t go with Treadwell in the first round, this would be a prime place to pick up a receiver. There aren’t as many top offensive line prospects here, though, which might be a reason to go with a tackle back in the first round.

1. Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
2. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
3. Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia
4. Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
5. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
6. Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
7. Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
8. Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
9. Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford
10. Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina

Skill Positions

I like Will Fuller a lot here. He drops maybe a few more passes than he should, but he’s a lethal deep threat with fantastic acceleration. He’s also very good at positioning, making defenders have to go the long way to break up passes, which could help with the NFL’s strict illegal contact rules. Tyler Boyd is a little small for the NFL, but his hands are better than Fuller’s, and he excels at short slants and screens, which would work really well in Chip Kelly’s offense.

Pharoh Cooper could be the next Randall Cobb, jack-of-all-trades sort of wideout, who can succeed as a receiver, runner and returner—that would fit really well with Kelly’s emphasis on players who can do multiple things. Tight end isn’t actually a need for the team per se, but Hunter Henry is the best in the class, and can line up in the line, in the slot and in the backfield; he could be Kelly’s Zach Ertz.

Edge Rushers

All three players here would be outside linebackers in San Francisco. Jordan Jenkins might not be the best pass-rusher in the draft, which is why I’ve seen him as far down as the third round, but he’s a leader with a great sense of how the play is developing. He can set an edge and handle tight ends on the strongside, while Aaron Lynch blitzes on the weakside. Leonard Floyd goes a little earlier than this in most drafts, but his thin frame makes me a little wary. As a sub-package pass rusher, however, he has a lot of potential. Emmanuel Ogbah is a juggernaut who is going to run through people, though he doesn’t have the quickness to be a first-round prospect.

Others

Cornerback isn’t a massive need for the team, but Kendall Fuller is a playmaker that will find a very nice home in a system that wants physical cornerbacks, and you know how much the 49ers love drafting players in the secondary.

Pickings are slimmer on the offensive line here, but Stanford’s Joshua Garnett is a Mike Iupati-type run blocker, with the same pass protection issues to worry about. He might be worth a look, especially if they feel they can correct his pass protection problems.

Next: Round 3: Shoring up the offensive line.

Round 3, Pick 68

Up until now, we’ve had no centers or inside linebackers on any list, despite being two significant positions of need. That’s about to change.

1. Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame
2. Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
3. Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
4. Scooby Wright III, LB, Arizona
5. Jordan Payton, WR, UCLA
6. Antonio Morrison, LB, Florida
7. Cayleb Jones, WR, Arizona
8. Sebastian Tretola, OG, Arkansas
9. Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
10. John Theus, OT, Georgia

Interior Line

This is the ideal place to shore up the interior of the offensive line, with several players likely to be available around this selection.

Nick Martin is my favorite center prospect at the moment, with a high floor and a low ceiling. He was a better prospect before suffering a knee injury in 2013, but still can flip between center and guard, with a powerful mean streak and ferociousness at the point of attack. Ryan Kelly might have the higher ceiling, though he looks better in pads than his raw physical attributes and strength should otherwise suggest.  Sebastian Tretola is marginal athletically, which could hurt him in Chip Kelly’s system, but there’s not going to be too many players who can out-power him.

Wide Receiver

If the 49ers haven’t gone receiver in the first two rounds, there are options here, though my analysis of the players here is probably furthest from, say, the CBS big board.

Corey Coleman is listed as a first-round talent in a number of places, but I think he’s too small to really play outside, while he hasn’t done much work out of the slot. Add some drop issues and a limited route tree, and I’m not willing to use an early pick on him—here in the third round, though, his raw speed is enticing. Jordan Payton is often considered a day-three talent, but he’s a productive receiver with a big frame and is a plus-run blocker, which might work well as a contrast to Torrey Smith. Cayleb Jones surprised some people by coming out of college early, but I think he has the potential to rise up draft boards at 6’3”, with long arms and fluid motion. He’ll have to perform well at the combine and in pre-draft workouts, but keep an eye on him; I think he might be a fast riser this offseason.

Linebackers

Still upset about the loss of Chris Borland? Why not look to Scooby Wright, who dominated in 2014 and then struggled through 2015 after suffering through injuries. Like Borland, Wright is only a so-so athlete, but he has the same great instincts that made Borland such a revelation in 2014. A slightly bigger risk, thanks to some injury history and some arrests in 2013, would be Antonio Morrison. He’s an outside linebacker in a 4-3, but probably would move inside in San Francisco, where his toughness and aggressiveness would play well.

Others

If the 49ers still haven’t addressed the quarterback position, Christian Hackenberg could be their man here as the last of the day-two quarterbacks; he has the perfect build and arm for the position, but his lack of awareness and struggles with reading coverage have dropped him from a first-round talent to a more questionable prospect. If they really feel they need an offensive tackle in the first three rounds, they could go for John Theus, but he’s got some issues of his own—not strong enough for the right side, not athletic enough for the left.

Next: Round 4: Bulking up on defense

Round 4

We don’t know precisely where this pick will be, as compensatory picks begin to get into the equation here.  It’ll be early in the round, however, and this is a great spot to shore up the offensive line.

1. Joshua Perry, ILB, Ohio State
2. Christian Westerman, OG, Arizona State
3. Kyle Murphy, OT, Stanford
4. Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State
5. Byron Marshall, WR, Oregon
6. Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame
7. Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
8. Jack Allen, C, Michigan State
9. Jordan Williams, WR, Ball State
10. Cassanova McKinzy, ILB, Auburn

Defense

If the 49ers pass on Scooby Wright earlier, this is a very good spot to shore up their linebacking corps.  Josh Perry is a tackling machine who projects well as a run-stopping middle linebacker in the pros.  People don’t break through his wrap-ups, though he lacks the athleticism to go sideline-to-sideline like the best interior linebackers do. Cassanova McKinzy has the best name in the draft, and would have been a solid pick at this point last season, had he chosen to come out. He has experience playing everywhere in the linebacking corps, though picking one spot and sticking with it will help him.

As for the other defensive positions, this could be a nice slot for Sheldon Day to come off the board, but he’s kind of a man without a position thanks to his lack of size. He’s a strong pass rusher and unusually athletic, so a clever defensive coordinator should be able to find a use for him.

Offensive Line

Working from the inside out…

Jack Allen was a high school wrestler, so you know he’s tough. He’s not the most athletic talent in the world—hence why he has a fourth-round grade—but he checks a lot of the other boxes you want in a starting center. Christian Westerman is exceptionally athletic, and could possibly play either center or guard in the NFL. He’s going to break the scale at the combine, scoring high in all events. Cody Whitehair has smaller arms than most players the 49ers have drafted in the past, but he’s a very safe prospect and tireless worker.

On the outside, Kyle Murphy’s ceiling is probably as a right tackle, but that’s what the 49ers could use right now. He’s athletic in space, which is a plus in Kelly’s system, but he might need a year to add on some bulk. Jason Spriggs has been vaulting up draft boards recently, though his raw strength leaves something to be desired.

Wide Receivers

It wouldn’t be a Chip Kelly board without someone from Oregon on it, and that’s where Byron Marshall comes in. Marshall has had 1,000 yard seasons on the ground and in the air, as he’s bounced between running back and receiver, but a leg injury ended his season. At only 5’9”, 202 pounds, he’s massively undersized for the NFL, but if there’s any coach in the NFL who could use him, it would be Kelly. A more conventional pick would be Jordan Williams, a slow but tall red-zone threat  who excels on jump balls.

Next: Round 4: A potential compensatory selection.

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

Round 6

There’s some confusion as to this pick—the 49ers traded one sixth-round pick away for Gerald Hodges, but it’s unclear as to whether it was their own pick, or the sixth-rounder they picked up from Dallas in exchange for trading out of the seventh round last season. The picks are only two slots apart so it’s not a major deal which pick it actually is, but there’s still some confusion there.

1. Jake Brendel, C, UCLA
2. Deiondre’ Hall, CB, Northern Iowa
3. Reggie Gilbert, DE, Arizona
4. James Cowser, OLB, Southern Utah
5. Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford
6. Tyler Ervin, RB, San Jose State
7. Tre Madden, RB, USC
8. Jihad Ward, DE, Illinois
9. Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky
10. Jeff Driskel, QB, Louisiana Tech

Quick notes on the four new names on this list:

James Cowser had a pretty good showing at the East-West Shrine Game, picking up a half-sack and a quarterback hurry in limited action. He’s coming from a smaller school, but he’s a name to keep an eye on.

Tre Madden is another potential redshirt pick, as he missed the Holiday Bowl with knee surgery, and has had injury issues in the past. When he’s been on the field, however, he’s produced.

Jihad Ward is an interesting prospect—he started in junior college as a wide receiver and safety, before being moved to a defensive line position. That means he has very good athleticism for someone of his size, but needs development at a newer position.

Noah Spence was banned from the Big Ten for life for failed drug tests, and was arrested in May 2015 for alcohol intoxication, so he’s got massive red flags surrounding him. His former coach, Urban Meyer, vouches for him, and he has great on-field performances in his history, so someone will give him a chance in the NFL.

Next: Round 6: Filling in the final blanks

And Further…

The 49ers have possibly three picks at the back end of the sixth round—Denver’s sixth round pick, received in the Vernon Davis trade, and two more potential compensatory selections for the losses of Frank Gore and Dan Skuta.

These picks should be well outside of the top 200 names taken, and projecting this far down that far in advance is very difficult. Rather than give you a top 10, then, I’ll give you a couple names at positions the 49ers might still be needing to fill at this point.

Center: Mike Matthews, Texas A&M
Guard: Kyle Friend, Temple
Tackle: Nick Richter, Richmond
Defensive Tackle: D.J. Reader, Clemson
Cornerback: Kevon Seymour, USC
Kicker: Kai’imi Fairbairn, UCLA

We’ll have more in-depth analysis of these sorts of players as the draft board solidifies through the scouting and combine processes, as we approach draft day proper.

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Bryan Knowles is pleased to be here at Niner Noise!  He’s looking forward to rambling on for far too many words about things.  For more abbreviated takes, follow him @BryKno on Twitter.