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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 Colin Kaepernick took the NFL by storm a year after being drafted in Round 2 of the 2011 NFL draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick took the NFL by storm a year after being drafted in Round 2 of the 2011 NFL draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

2011 NFL Draft

Round 1 – Aldon Smith, LB
Round 2 – Colin Kaepernick, QB
Round 3 – Chris Culliver, DB
Round 4 – Kendall Hunter, RB
Round 5 – Daniel Kilgore, OL
Round 6 – Ronald Johnson, WR
Round 6 – Colin Jones, DB
Round 7 – Bruce Miller, DE
Round 7 – Michael Person, G
Round 7 – Curtis Holcomb, DB

In his first full year as general manager, Trent Baalke had another great draft class for the 49ers even if the results themselves were a bit short-lived.

Linebacker Aldon Smith, despite his off-the-field concerns, ended up being the pass-rushing force San Francisco had envisioned before being dismissed from the team in advance of the 2015 season. Before that, he was one of the most feared pass-rushers in all of football.

And then there was the Round 2 selection of quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Apparently, Baalke wanted quarterback Andy Dalton. But then-head coach Jim Harbaugh convinced Baalke that Kaepernick was the guy to take. So the 49ers did.

Between 2012 and 2013, Kaepernick was one of the most dynamic quarterbacks to hit the NFL ranks.

Cornerback Chris Culliver eventually ended up being one of the better 49ers defensive backs after some initial struggles, and center Daniel Kilgore remains a mainstay along the Niners offensive line.

And who would have thought former defensive end, turned fullback Bruce Miller would turn out to be one of the best at his position?

Best Pick: Colin Kaepernick

This was a tossup between Kaepernick and Smith since both had their fair share of impacts early on. But the reason Kaepernick gets the edge here is because there is still a chance he can revive his career in San Francisco with new head coach Chip Kelly.

The book on Smith with the Niners is all but closed.

Worst Pick: Ronald Johnson

It’s not totally fair to list wide receiver Ronald Johnson as the team’s worst pick given he was a sixth-round pick, and selections at that point frequently don’t pan out.

But Johnson never made the Niners roster and tried to get on the field with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011 and 2012.

He’s now out of the NFL.

Grade: A

Next: 2012 NFL Draft