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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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Quarterback Alex Smith endured a rough five-year stretch with the 49ers after being drafted No. 1 overall in 2005. Mandatory Credit: PRESSWIRE
Quarterback Alex Smith endured a rough five-year stretch with the 49ers after being drafted No. 1 overall in 2005. Mandatory Credit: PRESSWIRE /

2005 NFL Draft

Round 1 – Alex Smith, QB
Round 2 – David Baas, G
Round 3 – Frank Gore, RB
Round 3 – Adam Snyder, T
Round 5 – Ronald Fields, DT
Round 5 – Rasheed Marshall, WR
Round 6 – Derrick Johnson, DB
Round 7 – Daven Holly, DB
Round 7 – Marcus Maxwell, WR
Round 7 – Patrick Estes, TE
Round 7 – Billy Bajema, TE

The 2005 49ers were coming off a 2-14 season and owned the No. 1 pick in the draft. Fans will remember new head coach Mike Nolan’s actions that year when he passed on Northern California native and Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers in favor of Utah’s Alex Smith.

San Francisco also needed help along its offensive line, which warranted early selections of O-linemen David Baas in Round 2 and Adam Snyder in Round 3.

Tight end Billy Bajema ended up having a nice four-year tenure with the Niners as did defensive tackle Ronald Fields.

Best Pick: Frank Gore

This is a no-brainer. Running back Frank Gore entered the NFL with plenty of injury concerns but ended up being the staple of San Francisco’s offense for nearly 10 years.

Oh, and it helps he wound up being the franchise’s leading rusher.

Worst Pick: Adam Snyder

There are those who would argue Smith should be the worst selection from the draft, and there’s some merit to that. But Smith ended up having a nice career with the 49ers in 2011 and 2012 following five otherwise forgettable years with a slew of different offensive coordinators.

But Snyder never ended up being a surefire piece to the Niners’ O-line aside from a somewhat reliable backup. And all this came at a time when San Francisco was desperately seeking help for this unit.

Grade: C

Next: 2006 NFL Draft