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2016 NFL Draft: Assessing San Francisco 49ers’ Best Round 1 Options

By Peter Panacy

Oct 11, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) drops back for a pass against the Washington Huskies during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) drops back for a pass against the Washington Huskies during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view as the Tennessee Titans make their pick in the first round of 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 as the Tennessee Titans make their pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Francisco 49ers will be looking to make a splash with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. With so many holes on the roster, which way will the Niners go? Niner Noise breaks down the seemingly endless possibilities.

The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2016 NFL draft season with a stockpile of picks, including the No. 7 overall selection, and a plethora of needs in an attempt to turn around a franchise coming off a 5-11 season.

With so many needs, general manager Trent Baalke could easily take the best player available on the boards when San Francisco’s number is called. Or, as noted by Niner Noise co-editor Doug Totten, Baalke could trade down in an attempt to land additional picks to fill the wide array of holes on the roster.

The possibilities are numerous. But let’s narrow down some of the feasible selections the Niners may make and try to identify which best options could wind up being selected by San Francisco in Round 1.

Each prospect will be described with strengths and weaknesses as well as the likely fit for what the 49ers need in the upcoming season.

The fit will be the most important aspect for each prospect. And identifying the need also plays a critical role. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on the viewpoint, San Francisco has plenty of needs and doesn’t need to be overly picky.

Players’ stocks will rise or fall, obviously, with the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine. But, for now, we can try our best to assess in which direction the Niners will head with their first pick in the upcoming draft.

So let’s get on to the options.

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