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San Francisco 49ers: Regrading Each Niners’ NFL Draft Class from the Last 10 Years

By Peter Panacy

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) before the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) before the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

2014 NFL Draft

Round 1 – Jimmie Ward, DB
Round 2 – Carlos Hyde, RB
Round 3 – Marcus Martin, C
Round 3 – Chris Borland, LB
Round 3 – Brandon Thomas, G
Round 4 – Bruce Ellington, WR
Round 4 – Dontae Johnson, DB
Round 5 – Aaron Lynch, LB
Round 5 – Keith Reaser, DB
Round 6 – Kenneth Acker, DB
Round 7 – Kaleb Ramsey, DE
Round 7 – Trey Millard, FB

If 2013 wasn’t a good enough stockpiling of picks by general manager Trent Baalke, 2014 was. But the only problem was the 49ers generated a slightly better return on their investments than the year before.

First-round draftee Jimmie Ward struggled his rookie season before being placed on injured reserve with a foot injury. Thankfully, he bounced back nicely his second year with the 49ers — not uncommon for young and developing defensive backs.

Running back Carlos Hyde was supposed to break out in 2015 with veteran Frank Gore departing via free agency. But a foot injury limited Hyde’s campaign. He still could be a bona fide force in San Francisco’s offense.

San Francisco’s efforts to reinforce the offensive line, and to make up for eventual departures of linemen like Jonathan Goodwin and Mike Iupati, didn’t work out. Center Marcus Martin has been a bust, and guard Brandon Thomas — after being redshirted in 2014 — hasn’t seen the field in regular-season action.

Linebackers Chris Borland and Aaron Lynch were great finds. But Borland’s sudden retirement after just one season left a void at inside linebacker.

Cornerbacks Kenneth Acker and Dontae Johnson continue their development and could be in the Niners’ plans moving forward.

Best Pick: Carlos Hyde

Lynch could get the nod here, and it would make a lot of sense given he’s now the best 49ers pass-rusher.

But Hyde still has the potential to be the bell cow of the offense and the staple through which head coach Chip Kelly tries to improve upon San Francisco’s lowly offensive standings from a year ago.

Worst Pick: Marcus Martin

Martin was highly touted coming out of USC and was supposed to be a long-term replacement for Goodwin at center. But Martin struggled while filling in for injured center Daniel Kilgore in 2014 and was also ranked by Pro Football Focus as one of the lowest qualifying centers the following year.

Not exactly a good return for a third-round pick.

Grade: C+

Next: 2015 NFL Draft