2016 NFL Draft: 7-Round Mock for 49ers After Start of Free Agency
By Rob Lowder
Round 6 – Pick 178 (2015 draft day trade)
The Pick: Jaylon Smith, ILB, Notre Dame
Other Option: Alex Lewis, OT, Nebraska
From top-10 prospect to early sixth round? This is the story of Notre Dame linbacker Jaylon Smith.
Before you overreact, there is a chance that Smith is still selected in the first, second, third, or any round before now. However, there is also the chance that he goes entirely undrafted.
His knee injury is significant and very troubling.
Think Marcus Lattimore, in which the 49ers spent a 4th round pick on a player that never received a snap in the NFL. Jaylon Smith faces the possibility of a similar fate.
If his medical examinations do not improve, then Baalke may feel a player of Smith’s caliber is worth the sixth-round risk. The reward potential would be tremendous.
Round 6 – Pick 207 (Vernon Davis trade)
The Pick: Joe Dahl, G, Washington State
Other Option: Nile Lawrence-Stample, DT, Florida State
Baalke again chooses to reinforce the 49ers’ weakest position in 2015 with the selection of guard Joe Dahl from Washington State. His approach in this draft represents a willingness to provide stability and depth with the selection of at least two offensive lineman.
Joe Dahl transferred from Montana to Washington State and became an instant starter. His strength is in pass blocking and may fit better than expected in a Chip Kelly offense.
Round 6 – Pick 211 (Compensatory)
The Pick: Quinton Jefferson, DT, Maryland
Other Option: Joe Thuney, G, NC State
In a similar philosophy to the offensive line, Baalke makes multiple investments into the defensive line.
A Chip Kelly offense has the ability to put stress on a defense through time spent on the field, so a capable defensive line rotation will be essential to continuous pressure on the opposing quarterback.
Maryland’s Quinton Jefferson possesses great pad level and regularly succeeds in penetrating his assigned gap. He does not have the lower body strength to be a force against the run and could be used on passing downs in the hopes of generating interior pressure.
Round 6 – Pick 213 (Compensatory)
The Pick: Vernon Adams Jr., QB, Oregon
Other Option: Nick Kwiotkoski, ILB, West Virginia
The final pick for the 49ers in the 2016 NFL draft may be the most intriguing.
Oregon’s Vernon Adams Jr. is as entertaining a quarterback that exists in this draft. He possesses the improvisational skills that rival that of Russell Wilson.
After throwing three touchdowns in the Shrine game, scouts began to take notice and the question of whether or not Adams could succeed in the NFL began to be more hotly contested.
Adams’ small, average frame and height coupled with a low release will make it difficult for team’s to consider him worthy of a draft pick, but a sixth-round compensatory selection should prove worth while for Baalke.
As they say, if you’re looking to draft a quarter back, draft two.
Next: Summary