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San Francisco 49ers: High-Risk, High-Reward Prospects in 2016 NFL Draft

By Jerod Brown

January 26, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of Levi's Stadium during a field preparation press conference prior to Super Bowl 50. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 26, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of Levi's Stadium during a field preparation press conference prior to Super Bowl 50. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly poses for a photo after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly poses for a photo after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The majority of the exciting free-agent signings have already happened and the San Francisco 49ers were minimal contributors to the chaos. With the 2016 NFL Draft just over a month away, Niner Noise looks at high-risk, high-reward prospects that the team might consider selecting.

The San Francisco 49ers have holes up and down the roster. The free-agent signing of guard Zane Beadles should fill a need but the team has more to address. Offensive guard remains a position that needs depth. Add to that wide receiver, inside linebacker, outside linebacker and quarterback, depending on the resolution to the Colin Kaepernick saga.

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The recent news about defensive tackle Ian Williams adds another position to the list for 49ers general manager Trent Baalke. Besides safety, there realistically isn’t any positional group that the 49ers can commit to comfortably in 2016.

The 49ers quiet approach to the free-agent market has made their draft plans clear. Although they’ve brought in a couple of players that offer some help, it’s obvious this team is prepared to rebuild through the draft.

The team holds 12 picks in the 2016 NFL Draft and Baalke will need to assure that he brings in six or seven starting-caliber players. Fortunately, this draft has a tremendous amount of depth throughout. The players that Baalke can select in the mid-to-late rounds will still be worthy of seeing action on Sundays. That is a product of a young and poor roster in San Francisco, as well as the ability of the incoming prospects.

Aside from the top-20 guys, the next 30 players are all very close in terms of ability. That leads to Baalke being able to find value at three or four picks almost immediately.

With at least one or two picks, Baalke will be pushed into selecting players that offer potential over proven record. The risk associated with these prospects could be related to their play, their size or their off-field issues. If the 49ers scouting office has done their work, Baalke should have a short list of players that can offer tremendous reward despite the risk in their selection.

In no specific order, here are five high-risk, high-reward players that could fill immediate needs on the 49ers.

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