Full San Francisco 49ers Primer for the 2016 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers are ready to hit the 2016 NFL draft and address a number of critical needs on the team’s roster. Niner Noise gives you an all-inclusive breakdown of what to expect as the draft approaches on April 28.
The 2016 NFL draft will be of utmost importance for the San Francisco 49ers as the team looks to rebuild and restructure after a disappointing 5-11 campaign in 2015.
On the negative side of things, the 49ers boast an underwhelming roster — albeit, one with some talent — which resulted in the team landing at, or near the bottom of, nearly every significant offensive and defensive category a year ago.
General manager Trent Baalke has plenty of roster needs heading into draft season. With Round 1 of the NFL draft slated for April 28, much of the focus is on which player San Francisco will take with the No. 7 overall pick.
Given the needs across the board, it may be a simple approach of drafting the best player available.
Yet the Niners will need more than just one bona fide stud to come out of the first round. They’ll need to cash in on a number of talented prospects — critical, considering the team made few splashes in free agency this offseason.
Fortunately, Baalke is in a pretty good position to do this. San Francisco is armed with 12 picks for the draft — more than enough to add an influx of talent. The only question is whether the 2016 draft class will be top notch or whether or not it will resemble more of Baalke’s poorer efforts as was the case in 2012 and, arguably, 2013.
Regardless, Niner Noise wants to give you an in-depth preview of what to expect now that the draft is less than one month away.
So let’s dig in and prepare ourselves for what promises to be an exciting few weeks leading up to the 49ers being on the clock.
Next: The Picks