2016 NFL Draft: 5 Risky Picks the 49ers Should Avoid

The San Francisco 49ers have a plethora of picks in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft. As important as it is for the team to find players that can make impacts, it is equally important to avoid drafting players that won’t contribute. Niner Noise looks at five risky picks the 49ers should avoid.

The San Francisco 49ers are expected to have 12 picks in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft. Those picks are spread throughout seven rounds and it is imperative that 49ers general manager Trent Baalke capitalizes on his abundance of picks by selecting quality players at every chance.

The writers at Niner Noise have already discussed what the 49ers should do with their first pick. Additionally, Staff Writer Bryan Knowles recently posted a complete mock draft for the team. Needless to say, the focus will largely fall on who the 49ers should select when they are on the clock. But, perhaps more importantly, are the players that the 49ers should not take with their picks.

The beauty of the NFL Draft is that a team can opt for immediate starters as well as build the depth of their roster through cheap, developing rookies. This year, the 49ers find themselves in a position to do both.

Baalke will need to ensure that the players that he brings in are helping the team improve, while steering clear of players that may not be as productive. It’s hard to project how any player will perform when they enter the NFL. We’ve seen first-round picks turn out as busts and sixth-round picks win Super Bowls.

The issues that force the 49ers to look past a player may never have anything to do with talent. Sometimes scheme, value and the measurables of a prospect make it hard for the general manager to justify a selection.

With that in mind, here are five risky picks that the 49ers should avoid selecting in the 2016 NFL Draft.

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